by JESSICA ENGLISH
"For years we thought we simply needed to explain the [climate] crisis more skillfully. But in the last year the truth is becoming clearer: Hidden in the shadows are the guys with money who pull the strings. We need to illuminate those shadows." ~ Bill McKibben
Will we heed Bill McKibben's call? To me, "those strings" are not Republican or Democrat. That is why I appreciate the Coffee Party! Politics is not either/or for me. I am a progressive dedicated to civility - to creating a climate in which political dysfunction is not an inevitably of democracy, forcing citizens to accept collusion and corruption, misrepresentation, and legislation lined with disparity from its conception.
As an active citizen, I accept the fact our Constitutional checks and balances are impotent without "we the people." Civility, reason and respect are our protection against a political process solely focused on scape goating the next poor piece of legislation onto the Republicans or Democrats in order to hide the agenda of the ruling elite. Our disagreements and our different approaches do not have to result in a massively divided people, and that political ideology will only benefit a certain segment of our population.
I believe in a populace and a governing body that recognizes a 10% approval rating for its obvious indictment: a rejection of the dysfunction of system of campaign finance that results in a focus on acquiring the money needed to run for a seat in the house of negotiations instead of the will of the people, the representation of actual citizens, and the betterment of our society and our economy. Three separate branches of government is not enough. Our vote, our collective civil voices, and our ardent action are the "checks and balances" our country needs. We cannot idly rest on our disgust and apathy and hope for change.
Please join Coffee Party and our grassroots network promoting civility, reason, a diversity of active citizens, civic education, fairness in taxation, overturning Citizens United to end the cycle of corruption, and our campaign to equip citizens with the technology (radio, tv, social media) to create a national narrative that illuminates the shadows, rather than creating them.
