I've been petitioning for RFK, Jr. and what I'm hearing most from people under forty is that they feel like the whole system is corrupt and they are no longer voting (although if they were to vote, it would probably be for Kennedy, so I can sometimes get them to sign to get him on the ballot).
I have been wondering about why RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign is so far behind when it comes to getting on the ballot; he's only on in one state so far (Utah). After coming out of the starting gate so strong, it's very disappointing that people most likely won't even have the chance to vote for him. But perhaps you see a way forward that I don't?
Utah only requires 1,000 signatures; Arizona requires 43,000, and there are a few states that require more. Also some states aren't allowed to start gathering signatures until he picks a VP (as I understand it). He has started a We the People party in a few states like California, but that alone doesn't get him on the ballot-- I think it just means they need to get a far less number of signatures (again, as I understand it-- this is the first campaign I have ever worked on and all of this is new to me).
A Gallup poll last July showed that a majority of Americans trusted only small businesses and the military out of all of our institutions. All three branches of the federal government, banks, big business, the media, EVERYTHING else isn't trusted, and for good reason.
We have an Administration and Congress that are actively supporting a genocide because of a combination of bribes from the Israel lobby and delusional dreams of global American hegemony. Neither will do ANYTHING to help the working and middle classes when their standards of living are in visible decline.
Is it any wonder that Trump is starting to look comforting to many people? Is it any wonder that decent human beings, even lifelong Democrats, can no longer support the Biden Administration?
I have a different view on Israel (which I'm definitely not going to get into here, other than noting that I fully support their right to exist), but am 100% with you on the Dems and the working and middle classes otherwise.
The main thing I have done for mental sanity is just think very local. And by that I mean my neighborhood in Santa Cruz and in Hilo. I put a lot of energy in my immediate neighborhood and neighbors. It's very satisfying. As for the nation, yep - you nailed my thoughts. That said, I know my streets will be good come what may, and I am very thankful for that.
This article is a good summary of my feelings this winter. Our choices are no choice at all: an incoherent lapdog of corporate America, or a narcissistic rapist. Thinking locally sounds like the right call. Anything else feels disempowering. Here’s hoping the electoral college selects the right person for the job.
Hey Jess! Last time I saw you I believe we were talking about your theories on 9/11. It's been a long time! Leslie and I are doing just fine (given the world). You? (Sorry, Carol, to interrupt your substack with chitchat!)
Ha! I remember popping by and forgetting to mention I needed to crash with you that night. Awkward -- and totally my bad. As for nine eleven, I have few theories but still much skepticism about the official story. I follow you guys a bit on Meta, with your Hawaiian retreats and Leslie's new career as a novelist. I'm loving it. I'm up in Seattle, retired, still making records (I know my break's just around the corner!). Hi to all...
Well, I hope we welcomed you with open arms! If not, it would have been because we already had company. (Neither of us remember this at all.) You are welcome anytime, though - Leslie does prefer a mention that you are coming. I don't care! (Leslie tells me she used to have a crush on you, so you are special!)
Well, a physicist friend of mine just wrote an article about the alarming increase in climate scientists who say that the most accurate predictions are just exponentially worse than anything most of the public is aware of.
He also cited an impressive number of climatologists who say they have come to the conclusion there is NO tech solution. At least one said the only solution is for human nature to evolve.
I had the feeling from the first time I saw your first post-liberal post, that somewhere in you was an inchoate desire to articulate such a radical evolutionary possibility.
I believe, in spite of your current trepidatious stasis (great phrase, by the way) it is still there, waiting to be fully born.
(note - I'm not sure it's relevant but your trepidatious stagnation brings to mind Dr. Herbert Benson's first foray into mind-body medicine, which he initially conducted in a basement lab where his physician colleagues wouldn't mock him, and which he described as engaging in with "much trepidation and foot-dragging" - I wonder if the fear of letting out one's deepest heart's desire, for a truly radical newly evolved populace, might keep us from embodying such a vision.
I've been petitioning for RFK, Jr. and what I'm hearing most from people under forty is that they feel like the whole system is corrupt and they are no longer voting (although if they were to vote, it would probably be for Kennedy, so I can sometimes get them to sign to get him on the ballot).
I have been wondering about why RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign is so far behind when it comes to getting on the ballot; he's only on in one state so far (Utah). After coming out of the starting gate so strong, it's very disappointing that people most likely won't even have the chance to vote for him. But perhaps you see a way forward that I don't?
Utah only requires 1,000 signatures; Arizona requires 43,000, and there are a few states that require more. Also some states aren't allowed to start gathering signatures until he picks a VP (as I understand it). He has started a We the People party in a few states like California, but that alone doesn't get him on the ballot-- I think it just means they need to get a far less number of signatures (again, as I understand it-- this is the first campaign I have ever worked on and all of this is new to me).
Totally share this sentiment, thanks for articulating it so well!
Thanks for reading!
A Gallup poll last July showed that a majority of Americans trusted only small businesses and the military out of all of our institutions. All three branches of the federal government, banks, big business, the media, EVERYTHING else isn't trusted, and for good reason.
We have an Administration and Congress that are actively supporting a genocide because of a combination of bribes from the Israel lobby and delusional dreams of global American hegemony. Neither will do ANYTHING to help the working and middle classes when their standards of living are in visible decline.
Is it any wonder that Trump is starting to look comforting to many people? Is it any wonder that decent human beings, even lifelong Democrats, can no longer support the Biden Administration?
I have a different view on Israel (which I'm definitely not going to get into here, other than noting that I fully support their right to exist), but am 100% with you on the Dems and the working and middle classes otherwise.
The main thing I have done for mental sanity is just think very local. And by that I mean my neighborhood in Santa Cruz and in Hilo. I put a lot of energy in my immediate neighborhood and neighbors. It's very satisfying. As for the nation, yep - you nailed my thoughts. That said, I know my streets will be good come what may, and I am very thankful for that.
Hello Robin! Funny meeting you here.
This article is a good summary of my feelings this winter. Our choices are no choice at all: an incoherent lapdog of corporate America, or a narcissistic rapist. Thinking locally sounds like the right call. Anything else feels disempowering. Here’s hoping the electoral college selects the right person for the job.
Hey Jess! Last time I saw you I believe we were talking about your theories on 9/11. It's been a long time! Leslie and I are doing just fine (given the world). You? (Sorry, Carol, to interrupt your substack with chitchat!)
Not at all, I think it's very cool! And uplifting, too.
Ha! I remember popping by and forgetting to mention I needed to crash with you that night. Awkward -- and totally my bad. As for nine eleven, I have few theories but still much skepticism about the official story. I follow you guys a bit on Meta, with your Hawaiian retreats and Leslie's new career as a novelist. I'm loving it. I'm up in Seattle, retired, still making records (I know my break's just around the corner!). Hi to all...
Well, I hope we welcomed you with open arms! If not, it would have been because we already had company. (Neither of us remember this at all.) You are welcome anytime, though - Leslie does prefer a mention that you are coming. I don't care! (Leslie tells me she used to have a crush on you, so you are special!)
Road trip! Road trip!
Well, a physicist friend of mine just wrote an article about the alarming increase in climate scientists who say that the most accurate predictions are just exponentially worse than anything most of the public is aware of.
He also cited an impressive number of climatologists who say they have come to the conclusion there is NO tech solution. At least one said the only solution is for human nature to evolve.
I had the feeling from the first time I saw your first post-liberal post, that somewhere in you was an inchoate desire to articulate such a radical evolutionary possibility.
I believe, in spite of your current trepidatious stasis (great phrase, by the way) it is still there, waiting to be fully born.
(note - I'm not sure it's relevant but your trepidatious stagnation brings to mind Dr. Herbert Benson's first foray into mind-body medicine, which he initially conducted in a basement lab where his physician colleagues wouldn't mock him, and which he described as engaging in with "much trepidation and foot-dragging" - I wonder if the fear of letting out one's deepest heart's desire, for a truly radical newly evolved populace, might keep us from embodying such a vision.
Perhaps you're right . . . we'll see what emerges with the ecohumanism project :)