Elections have consequences. They matter. I am not going to deny that. That's why I am very grateful to all the progressive people who, in every district, every state and every country on this, our only, world, who donate some of their time and money in order to make sure progressive people get elected at every levels, in every country.
However, I do think that a strategy that is solely based on short term electoral pursuits is ultimately doomed to failure. Whatever we do for the short term in our respective districts, states and countries, we do need to expand the map for the long term.
We need to reach out to those (potential) voters who are usually neglected and cast aside because they are deemed "unimportant" for the next electoral cycle. We need to educate them on the issues, not because it is going to matter for the next election, but simply because they have a right to know, a right to understand.
And maybe, simply maybe, as a happy consequence of us doing the right thing, such newly enlightened voters in neglected districts may one day form a critical mass that will topple the balance of future elections, a few cycles from now.
It is time for us to take action:
It is time for us to have a concerted effort for the long term, reach out to those neglected citizens.
More importantly, it is past time we actually supported the progressive people who already do most of the work for us, the forgotten candidates who fight alone desperate battles in overlooked districts, the lone activists who invest some (a lot) of their time and dare speak the truth in an educational manner to people who have purposefully been kept in ignorance.
Let's stop fighting what we are against! This is a self-defeating battle. Let's fight for what we are for!
If you know of small groups, activists, candidates, local organisations who already fight this heroic battle, we desperately want to know about them. Tell us about them, with links, in the comments below.
Meanwhile, all the reasons above are the reasons why I support the Knowledge Democrats project, a project started and headed by kossack pipsorcle.
As a non-US citizen, I personally will not meddle in US elections. However, as a citizen of the world, I am all too aware of how policies by the US government (the good ones, and especially the bad ones!) affect the whole world and all of its inhabitants, on issues ranging from the environment (global warming, pollution, etc.), to the economy (2008 global economic crisis...), passing by human rights (wars, torture, democracy, etc.). Because of all these reasons, I feel legitimised in supporting any educational outreach towards the US citizens on these important issues, because the consequences of the USA not taking action or taking the wrong action on any of them ultimately has an (often negative) effect on all of us, including myself who lives half a world away from you!
Pipsorcle's project to reach out to the neglected electorate and to support what he calls the "Knowledge Democrats" inspired me as I am hoping it will inspire you.
If you wish to be part of this project which aims for a global, long term solution (admittedly, only one small project amongst a myriad of similar projects...), you may take those simple steps to support us:
- Join the Knowledge Democrats group @ Daily Kos. Request to be sent an official invitation to join the group either in the comments below or by private message to Pipsorcle or myself.
- Register at minguo.info in order to join the Knowledge Democrats home base. (If you experience difficulties registering or logging in, let me know by private message.)
- Take part in the Knowledge Democrats official polls, such as:
Note that all the above polls are still fully open, meaning that new answers, potentially better than the existing ones, can be added to the poll for other members to vote on! So, if you have better ideas, add them to the list of polling options.
- Help us develop and complete the Knowledge Democrats wiki, adding any relevant information and ideas that you may have, especially with regard to your own congressional district. (We have a small TODO list which we will develop and keep up to date as the project progresses.)
I want to repeat an important information that I gave above: If you know of small groups, activists, candidates, local organisations who already fight this heroic battle, we do want to know about them. Tell us about them, with links, in the comments below. Like-minded projects should support each other: for these reasons, we are eager to add their information to our wiki.
Thank you very much for your attention and support! :)