There has been a lot of discussion this election season about just what Sanders’ “Revolution” means in practice and whether or not it will be effective. Many have tried to explain how it is meant to work, and many others have failed to make any sense of it.
So whether or not you Feel the Bern, read up. I’ll be brief and to the point.
The revolution works, and Sanders’ proposals (or anyone’s proposals, whomever gets elected) get passed when and only when the public weighs in relentlessly on the process. This doesn’t just mean voting, or marching in the streets, though it does presumably mean those.
But at the simplest level, it starts with something like this.
iPhone users: itunes.apple.com/…
Android users: play.google.com/…
Install these apps and then use them. Think of them like you think of Twitter or Snapchat or your dialer app. Whenever something bugs you, whenever lack of support for a bill, or support for a bill bugs you, tap that “call” button and call your congresscorrupted’s office. Just as you would a friend. Call and kvetch and moan and share how you feel.
Encourage your friends to do the same. It’s not scary. No pomp and circumstance is required. You won’t get to talk to anyone in authority. But you will be counted. They do pay attention to how many calls they get, about what issues, and who’s pissed off.
Make a nuisance of yourself. Call a lot. If you want something passed, or if you want something sponsored, or if you want something done, call.
Share the app with your friends. Have them call, too. Stick it on your Facebook and on your Twitter. Call your representatives. A lot.
These apps make it easy. They use the location provided by your phone to identify your rep and dial for you. It’s a “one tap” sort of a thing. Think of it as having your representatives in your contacts list.
Then, use it. Because whether you Feel the Bern or not, and whether Sanders ultimately wins the nomination and/or the general or not, this (and this is his point, and the crux of all of his plans) is how change gets done in America.
In fact, it’s particularly necessary if he doesn’t win. Because while he plans to use the bully pulpit to keep this front-of-mind for the American public, I don’t imagine other politicians are going to be working so hard to remind you to pull out your phone and make yourself heard, all the time, as is your right in this system.
So install the apps, or others like them, and then use them. Join the revolution.