Pushing the Arc of the Moral Universe Towards Justice

How much legislation has been allowed to pass as many of us slept through its passing?  The state of our nation did not happen overnight.  Poverty levels are nearly at an all time high, our unions have shrunk to levels lower than before 1929, and the middle class is rapidly becoming the struggling class and the struggling class (those of our brothers and sisters who we classify as poor…I no doubt fit into this class as a struggling student) is drowning in debt simply to survive. This has happened, friends, because we have allowed our democracy to become an oligarchy headed by corporate robber barons.  We mistakenly thought that we had done our democratic duty when we went to the voting booth and voted for change.  Oh how we were mistaken.

Yet, there is hope.  All great change in this society happened not because congress suddenly grew an altruistic heart, or because the president said – “You know what? This is unjust. Let’s pass a bill to rectify this.”  No.  All great change came about because WE the PEOPLE stood up and said “this is unjust.”  Now is the time for us to be like Wisconsin and walk, march, demonstrate, and peacefully protest like an Egyptian. A former Wisconsin governor said that “Democracy is a life." Democracy doesn't end on election day. The real work happens afterwards. 

We are facing a kadesh barnea point.  Will we stay put or will we move towards the promised land?  Will we sit quietly and allow this oligarchy ruling through elected officials pass yet another bill that will affect the lives of the masses?  No.  It must not be so.  Right now our government has proposed a budget that will cut essential services that helps the struggling, and working classes. It's perilously close to passing.  This is not something we can sleep through. This is not simply a quest about corporations, and the government against the people.  This a moral quest.  This is a quest based on what is right and what is wrong - what is just and what is unjust.  When we suffer our brothers and sisters to be homeless, unemployed, and ill - while a few sacrifice nothing and seek to balance their budgets on the backs of these same people - we are on the wrong side.  Martin Luther King said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”  Yet, if we seek moral justice we must act.

Currently, there are many people demonstrating.  They are on the streets, exercising their democratic rights of protest against unjust acts.  One of these movements is the U.S. Uncut movement, which this past Saturday had its first, national demonstration.  Their mission is simple.  If tax dodgers like Bank of America (which didn’t pay any taxes in 2009 – after being bailed out by YOU the tax payer) actually paid taxes, we wouldn’t have a budget deficit.  Hence, we wouldn’t need to cut social services (like social security which is now on the table folks).  I propose that we take this demonstration a bit further. 

My proposal utilizes the good ole, one, two, THREE punch.  We demonstrate, we boycott, we strike.  We go for the corporate pocket book.  We have sacrificed enough.  Let the top two percent shed a little bit.  They can afford it. The unions were seen as such a powerful 
force because they literally had the power to shut down the economy. 
The PEOPLE had the power.  Not the market.  Somehow we must martial 
and regain this power...compassionately, peacefully, yet forcefully. 
 If we back this up with policy…a friend and classmate of mine is researching a current piece of legislation addressing this and is on the table in Maryland…then we will send a 
powerful message to congress and the white house.  For me, this is not 
just about having corporate robbers pay up.  It's about a regime change.  Corporations are allowed to dodge taxes because they have 
been running our country.  It's time to say that the jig is up and we want our Democracy back!

In Solidarity with all that is Just, True and Good,

Bobbie