There are several paradigm shifts we need to make in the following years in order to make this “a more perfect union”. (You might have your own list!)
First paradigm shift needed imo, is that of standing alone in our single issues. For too long we have not recognized that so many issues are interconnected. And so many times we have failed to find out who else has like interests and like issues and so have failed each other by our not connecting up. But even disparate issues often have commonalities at the core. For instance, climate change is much related to the financial crises in that we have runaway corporations intent on doing things that are just plain evil with no barriers to stop them.
Second paradigm needed to change imo, is that we replace the part time citizen with a citizen who is full time, always cognizant of the issues and one who is more than aware of who and what is on the ballot. More to the point, this citizen is not just a once a year champion, but one who stays in the loop. No longer will we be content to show up once a year and be surprised at all the stuff on the ballot.
Third paradigm shift needed for change is the lack of transparency at all levels. What do we know, for instance, about the fusion centers?
ACLU: What's Wrong With Fusion Centers
The Fourth Paradigm - the news media as it is currently constituted never hears stories about everyday men and women. This really is terrible in that it means that as far as getting the whole story out of the media we are f**ked. We only know what they want us to know.
The Fifth paradigm shift I would like to change is being always on the defensive. For once I would like for us to take the offense, to take the lead, to head the charge even. I have often thought we needed our own think tank, but now I have a new idea: (Jump the tangled twine)
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