Beware of the “Status Quo-ers”, who will try to deflate the movement for change. They are of both parties. They are not bad people and pigmentation and gender are not determinants. They are just persons who are comfortable with “What is” and are suspicious of change. They have adjusted to the present conditions, even those that they suspect are wrong. They have developed relationships and alliances that they are reluctant to sever.
The “Status-Quo-ers” are confronting a movement that is being driven primarily by the young and they have forgotten what it’s like to be young and vibrant and idealistic and impatient with injustice.
Some of the “Status-Quo-ers” agree with the objectives of the movement but are fearful of the disruption that it will cause if the changes are too rapid:
They know that inadequate Health Care is a problem and may agree that Medicare for All makes sense.
They know that Gerrymandered districts are ridiculous.
They know that the burning of Fossil Fuels contribute to Climate Change.
They know that Money is Not Speech and Citizens United must go.
They know that the Electoral College is an abomination whose only reason for being is to obstruct the popular will of the people.
They know that there should be a Standardized Ballot for all National Elections and that Election Day should either be a National Holiday or moved to the weekend.
They know that voting is so crucial to democracy that it should be a felony offense for anyone to impede, obstruct, suppress or in any way hamper a citizen’s right and ability to vote, punishable by incarceration as well as fine.
They also know that since the Airwaves belong to We, the People, All Qualified Candidates should have access to the Airwaves. Corporations should not be allowed to use campaigns and elections as cash cows for exorbitant profits. With our current travel and communications technology, there’s no reason for 2-year campaign seasons.
They know that for a country of 325 millions of people of various identities and historical experiences to have only 2 viable political parties is ludicrous. We need multiple parties and greater representation:
The number of Representatives in Congress has been fixed at 435 since the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929, resulting in a current ratio of one representative/700,000 citizens, contrary to the Constitutional instruction that the ratio be no greater than one/30,000 citizens; this makes us the most under-represented Democracy of the industrialized world.
They know that War is Foolish and that Perpetual War is Insanity.
They also know that it is legitimate and desirable and necessary to question Israel’s occupation and treatment of the Palestinians. And since we give 3.8 billion dollars yearly to the Israeli military, it is our Right, it is our Duty to question its use.
The Status Quo is currently being challenged, and understandably some who are and have been part of the Status Quo are defensive and protective of it.
Change is … and will be!
JESS 2019