Blog 24
March 28, 2017
Life Trumps Politics
Last week we had a medical emergency in my family. I had no time to write post cards, call my
Moc’s, go to my weekly Indivisible Meeting and guess what the ACA still didn’t
pass. My magical thinking had led me to
believe that if I didn’t put in my two hours a day of political resistance, all
the things I am most afraid of would indeed happen, but I was wrong. Millions of people are working to resist the
current administration’s agenda and their work is making the difference. From Indivisible:
“An insider’s account of how you defeated Trump’s top
legislative priority. As former congressional staff, we can tell you
exactly how this went down. Trump and Ryan were in a bind. With no Democratic
support, they needed to pass a bill that would satisfy both the extreme right
and the purple-state Republicans. Your constituent power, asserted week after
week over the last few months, ultimately made this political calculus
impossible.
Your relentless constituent pressure ensured that TrumpCare
was deeply unpopular before it was even introduced. That unpopularity made it
easy for the far-right Republicans to oppose the bill. Ryan and Trump needed
those far-right votes, so they tried to offer more extreme concessions to win
them over. Those extreme concessions spooked the purple-state Republicans, who
started to bolt. Why? Because of intense pressure from their constituents (i.e.
YOU). Suddenly, the bill was losing votes from both the far-right and the
purple-state Republicans. In a matter of days, the congressional coalition
behind Trump’s top legislative priority simply collapsed. TrumpCare was toast.
TrumpCare was terrible, but terrible legislation passes all
the time. The difference this time was that you were organized and determined.
You mounted a sustained, nationwide resistance that broke the will of the
Republican caucus and derailed Trump’s agenda. Politics is the art of the
possible, and you changed what was possible. You stood indivisible and
it worked—and people will literally live longer, healthier lives as a result.”
We did it and
without me this week. What a
relief! We are part of something based
on what each of us is willing and able to do and this movement is bigger than
anyone of us. Okay to take time out when
needed. And there are many ways to
resist. Artists all over the country are
providing us with alternative pathways.
Wise Words
From Jenny Freeman on Face book a quote from Winston
Churchill when asked if they should cut the arts during the war.. He said. “No, this is what we are fighting
for.”
Why the world needs
artists… by Andy Derrick
In a time of great
uncertainty when it seems our differences are screaming louder than our
similarities, I’m reminded why the world needs artists. Despite obvious
divisions, our world is changing and changing for the better. As a global
society we seem to be nearing an inflection point. I see signs of the
changes everywhere.
As the world “shrinks”,
we have increasing opportunities to cross paths with people whose
experiences in life and worldview are vastly different from our own; perhaps
people we historically would have feared and demonized. It’s easier than
ever for us to sit face to face with another human being and see, despite our
differences, we are quite the same. The world is becoming more open and more
connected and, as a result, more understanding and peaceful.
We’re shedding our old
cloaks, the things that separated us like race, religion, sexuality, political
ideology. Our shared humanity is becoming more important to us than tribalism
or nationalism.
So, how do we reconcile
that with the suffering we see in many corners of our world? How can the shift
I’ve been describing possibly be real with all the pain, division, and conflict
we see in every corner of the world?
We’re still smack dab in
the middle of our progression towards love as a human society and we have a ways
to go. ARTISTS are the ones who lead the charge. In a world divided
up along far too many lines, artists help lead us toward unity. They
help us ask the important questions, challenge the accepted norms of thought.
Artists turn over the rocks the rest of society would rather leave buried in
the dirt.
Artists examine
themselves, examine the world and tell the story of what they see. They show us
our own soul from a new perspective and ask that we look at it with clear
eyes.
The world we live in is
not black and white, not so clear cut as right and wrong, good versus evil. Art
helps us explore the different shades. What other path is there if we’re to
reconcile our differences and create an interconnected world?
Artists show us beauty
for beauty’s sake. The lack of productive value of art makes it infinitely
valuable. It reminds us we’re human beings, not “human doings”. We’re
allowed to pause and enjoy life. We have permission to stop with the
frantic doings of productivity and take time to explore the places we find life
and beauty…just because.
These are the things the
world needs. Unjustified beauty. An honest look in the mirror. To be reminded
of the things that make us the same. These are things artists are uniquely able
to give that politics, religion, education, and economics (all important) so
often fail to do.
The world needs artists.
The world needs artists to dance their dance, paint their muse, explore their
questions, and shout their heart unapologetically. The global collective of
creative voices will be the fuel that propels us into a better future.
Actions this week:
MOC’s- vote no on cloture
to end Gorsuch filibuster. Vote to remove Nunes from Chair on House
Intelligence committee. Ask Rep. to co-sponsor HR 356 which would create a special
commission to investigate Russia interference in our election. Keep pressure on
the insist that Trump releases his taxes.
Work locally. Partner with groups in your community made up
of the people who are being threatened by deportation. They are already organized and need you to
follow their lead.
Make Art. Play with your children and grandchildren.
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