Wade’s Weekly: Nov. 3, 2010

Contents:
--Our First Short-term Goal
--Recommended Links
--Reader’s Comments

Our First Short-term Goal
By Wade Hudson

Last week, I suggested that a nonviolent action arm of the economic justice movement might push for a tax on the top 1% to fund a federal revenue sharing program for local governments to hire workers to help meet social and environmental needs. That article received substantial positive feedback (see below).

But revenue sharing may not be the best initial focus. Another option, for example, might be clean energy, as articulated by Van Jones in “A beautiful coalition against dirty energy." A more specific focus like clean energy might be more effective than a broader focus on revenue sharing, though local governments could use revenue-sharing funds for green jobs.

Other examples of possible options for our initial focus include: 1) a federal jobs program; 2) immigration reform; 3) campaign finance.

For a national, nonviolent-action project to get off the ground, it will help to begin with a compelling, substantial, short-term goal that could be achieved in five years or less. A meaningful, winnable goal could motivate people to make a sustained effort to begin to transform this nation into a truly compassionate community.

So, what should our first, short-term goal be?

Please share your thoughts as a comment below. Your comments will be available for consideration by others as this project develops, if it does.

We might also discuss these issues face-to-face at the next Compassionate Politics Workshop, Saturday, January 15 (all day) at the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, 2041 Larkin St., in San Francisco.

While reflecting on your response, you may want to bear in mind the following principles that could help shape the selection of a short-term goal.

1.    Long-term vision. If this project matures, we may need a concise vision statement that could attract a broad range of individuals and help hold us together over the long haul. This statement of long-term goals could remind everyone that: 1) no one victory will ever be enough, and 2) we need to work consistently on self-transformation as well as social and cultural transformation. “Our Core Principles”  is an example of the kind of statement I have in mind. Our first short-term goal would need to be consistent with that vision.

2. Transformation. Steady, gradual change, both in individuals and societies, can eventually result in transformation – as adding heat to water can create steam, evolution can produce a new species, and individuals can instantly feel like a new person. Gandhi referred to this process as “evolutionary revolution.” Our short-terms goals need to help us move in the direction of comprehensive, fundamental transformation.

3. Changing structures. In terms of society at large, it is especially important to re-form social structures – that is, how our relationships are organized in consistent patterns -- so individuals and communities have more power to shape their lives. Ideally, our short-term goals will help restructure society, especially in terms of power relationships and access to vital resources.

4. Winnable goals. We need to build momentum by steadily achieving concrete goals, both immediate and short-term. While working on a short-term, achievable goal like enacting federal legislation, we could focus on immediate, local goals, like getting our Congressperson to co-sponsor legislation that has already been introduced and/or persuading City Councils and local business organizations to endorse that goal.

5. A majoritarian strategy. We should focus on goals already supported by a majority of the American people. Our task is to build a large, nonviolent, grassroots movement as quickly as possible. To do so, we need to address others’ felt concerns, rather than trying to tell them what they should be concerned about.

6. The economy. Clearly the issue of greatest concern now is the economy and the need for more good jobs. Activists who work on other issues can continue that work while occasionally providing support to concrete actions focused on the economy.

7. National goals. Because the federal government structures our economy, only the federal government has the power to restructure that economy. We therefore need to focus on federal legislation that can unite activists throughout the country.

8. Progressive taxation. Almost one-fourth of our nation’s total personal income goes to the top 1%. Because these super-rich individuals receive many benefits from society that enable them to get rich, they should repay their debt through a progressive tax system based on the ability to pay. But the super-rich pay no higher percentage of their income in taxes than do ordinary Americans. Our movement probably needs to include this issue in its initial, short-term goal.

9. Reconciliation, not victory. The early civil rights movement aimed for the spiritual health of all people. As increasing polarization seeks to scapegoat and defeat “enemies,” that basic nonviolent principle is particularly important. We need to pursue win-win solutions and appeal to the enlightened, long-term self-interest of all people, even powerful elites (at least some of whom can be valuable allies). Rather than demanding submission, we can seek to engage in serious negotiations with key decision-makers.

10. Proactive. We need to propose positive solutions and learn how to counter irrational appeals to fear and anger with rational appeals to humanity’s deep-seated compassion. We need to inspire each other and ourselves to honor our higher angels. By being the change that we seek, we can build our movement person-by-person with contagious joy and enthusiasm.

The world cries out for effective action. Nonviolence has proven to hold great potential for contributing to profound social change. Not all of us will have to risk arrest. Others can provide valuable support to those who do. But clearly some new methods are needed to break the logjam.

Whether or not a nonviolent action project of this sort launches remains to be seen. But if we are skillful, perhaps we can start by drafting a viable organizing plan that can be modified in the future as needed. And maybe we can identify folks who would be actively supportive if and when a strong, inclusive governing body forms to guide this project.

In future issues of Wade’s Weekly, I’ll continue to discuss how we might build this undertaking.

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Recommended Links

The Rescue Triangle
The Rescue Triangle describes a manipulative dance between victim, aggressor and rescuer. The Rescue Triangle raises awareness of manipulation in relationships.

Happiness, gratitude and depression
A new study reveals that daily expressions of gratitude can boost happiness.

The Seat Not Taken
For a man of color, riding a train in the age of Obama is more complicated than it might seem.

The Making Of A Mahatma
Gandhi's differences with Tolstoy and Thoreau are significant. He focused on winnable, proactive, collective action.

Canada, Italy, Brazil...People Power is Winning!
‎"Our community is growing by 100,000 people a week…, We're also winning. Time and time again."

Confronting Income Inequality
Economics was founded by moral philosophers, and links between the two disciplines remain strong. So why won’t economists make judgments on the gap between rich and poor?

Indian Boarding School - extended trailer
You can sign a petition asking the government to apologize for boarding school abuses.

The Case for Obama
An article from the October 28, 2010 issue of Rolling Stone. For many progressives, the presidency of Barack Obama has been deeply disappointing....

What Are Schools For?
A review of In Brown’s Wake: Legacies of America’s Educational Landmark.

Takeaways From a Saturday Spent Riding to Washington With 10,000 Sane Americans
The rally was a simple reminder that certain things bring out the best in people, and certain things bring out the worst.

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Readers’ Comments

I am interested in what Robert Reich has to say right now -- I thought your article was quite interesting and on point.
--Bruce Schuman

I really liked this one. I am a social activist please see <www.pathofthefriend.org> to know more about me. I do most of my work internationally. But like you I believe a call for economic justice would unite the progressives and draw attention to the utter failure of the Reagan and post Reagan message. If I can help I will. I live in Boulder Co.
--Elizabeth Rabia Roberts

I liked this very much and am so sorry to be part of the cynical left at this point...I really don't think there is much left of what Democracy there was and because of living here in San Miguel and watching from afar it appears Americans are so blinded by the continual propaganda and their diets of junk food as to be unable to do anything but yell at progressives as evil doers trying to take "their" country down the road of Socialism...as if....anyway, I would very much be interested in reading what you have to say....
--Richard Keene

Yes to the tenth power.
--Jim Burke

Thank you for including me in your weekly ‘publications’. I saw that Robert Reich would be traveling around the Bay Area. Thank you for taking the time to see him in West Marin. And thanks for the *great* write-up below. I’m delighted that you already had your ticket (behind home plate, yet!) for the Giants game last night. It was quite exciting to watch – and I don’t even approve of organized (professional) sports.
--Caitlin Croughan

Great article and very informative. Let us know if you are ever out East to catch up. When I get a chance, I write on the Republic of Stories, which might be of interest from a narrative critical view.
Keep up the great work
--Paul Costello, The Washington Center for Narrative Studies

Good post. I’m trying to get off the weekly lists just because I get so swamped, but if you had something like a monthly list that would be fine. (I know it’s hard to set this stuff up for micropreferences).
--Paul Loeb

Thanks for the “thread.” You should also take some credit for the explosion of Giants’ runs last night after a couple of shaky innings.
--Michael Shaughnessy

Have to admit I intended to say no but this was pretty interesting. In terms of progressive fervor: I've helped organize several protests of American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco, where they meet every few years. It seemed to me the early ones had more fervor. The last couple we did, in last few years had less... My distinct hunch was that it was related to 'screen usage' on Internet. Yes, Internet made it more possible to reach people in Bay Area. But I felt like there was a wet blanket about actually coming out into the streets and taking action.
--David Oaks

Thanks Wade for your consistency and continual work for social justice.
--Betty Traynor

Great notes and let me know how I can get tickets that cheap currently in Indianapolis I will fly if I can get a $155.00 ticket behind home plate.
--Esteban Ortiz

Thank you for creating Wade’s Weekly. I have enjoyed reading it and will be sharing it with my other friends. What happens in US affects the whole world therefore it is important to take interest and to be involved. Thank you for doing just that. Especially done in a way that is not antagonistic but practical and informative.
--Anosha Ossdon

Great summation, Wade. Thank you. See you soon.
--Chris Price

Very interesting. Shared it with Kwazi Nkrumah.
--Jane Anne Jeffries

This is an excellent report.
--Leonard Roy Frank

Wade, this is very good and important. Thanks for taking the leadership. We will be in Iran until Nov 19, so don't expect to hear much from us before Nov 20.
--David Hartsough

Thanks this is great, I appreciate the work you are doing
-- Lani Kaahumanu

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NOTES:
1) Unless anonymity is requested, I may share readers’ responses and identify the author.
2) In the first two weeks, 130 individuals from several countries have subscribed to Wade’s Weekly.