There are a lot of social justice and civil rights organizations doing great work in the United States. From CREDO, MoveOn, and Bold Progressives, to Daily Kos, ColorOfChange, ACLU, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Sierra Club, unions, etc.
Despite the many accomplishments of these (and many other organizations), nobody can deny that there is an ongoing and steady erosion of constitutional rights, and economic security for the average citizen, or what we've come to call the 99% percent.
As many people know by now, this situation can be traced back to the impact and influence organizations like ALEC have over public officials (and politicians) at state houses across the country, as well as at the federal government.
Many people are also aware of how cookie-cutter legislation is drafted by corporate cartels which then instruct politicians on the take across the entire country to enact it.
Basically, what I'm trying to point out here is that there exist a very coordinated, strategic, relentless, and cohesive approach to tearing down democracy, piece by piece, city by city, by a networked cabal of easily identifiable corporate interests.
I've argued that it is essential for activists to mimic this type of strategic and highly coordinated network approach to combat the imposition of a corporate state, on the Left.
When I look at the work many great progressive and activist organizations are doing I discern a pattern: the focus is mainly on the symptoms of the social dysfunction caused by the corporatist takeover of our government, instead of at the root.
We all know the approach by the corporatists: buy off political officials which then proceed to take down the regulatory framework, which then opens the door for pillaging, deception, oppression, and exploitation instigated by powerful corporatist cartels.
And so when citizens are harmed or concerned about what's going on, they appeal to city councils, and state houses, but the pleas fall on deaf ears because they mainly answer to their corporatist/business paymasters.
So, I've had this conversation with many people, and I've asked, "how come there isn't a highly coordinated and strategic networked approach for combating the corporate state?"
Some of the answers include something along the lines that on the Left, because of the very nature when it comes to intellect, and nuanced approach to issues, trying to get them to act with that kind of disciplined and strategic approach is like trying to herd cats.
On the right, it's easier to get everybody on the same page because their world view is more black and white, more dogmatic, and more authoritarian. So basically, it's easier to get them to march in jack-booted lock-steps.
I get it; there is a lot of truth to the challenge. But I still think that the only way to put up a real challenge to the corporatist cabal taking over the country is by having a highly disciplined approach.
After thinking about this for quite some time, I came up with a very easy "thought experiment."
I want to prove or validate the proposition that it is possible to establish a highly organized network across the country to oppose the agenda of the corporate state.
This is very easy to do. I'd really appreciate your participation.
First, I'd like to visualize a network. So I'll ask you that in your answer below you write down the name of your city and state (or country). If you don't feel comfortable doing that, then pick a nearby city.
So hopefully, I'll see people from Miami, New York, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, etc.
Then, if you would, I'd ask you to share your opinion about what you think are the root causes of the problems we are facing, and your proposed solution. If you could do so in one or two paragraphs (very succinct and to the point), it would be perfect.
My hypothesis is that we will find a lot of commonality on the answers (but go ahead and submit your input using your own judgement).
After I get your input, I will write another diary and will include graphics charting the "network," and where I will also identify certain patterns in your answers.
If I get enough people to participate, this should be an interesting and fun experiment for everybody, especially when I publish the "networked map."
Of course, part of the reason I'm doing this is to try to get people to think it is possible to establish a nationwide network of activists acting in concert, in very strategic and cohesive ways, in opposition of the corporate state.
UPDATE: MON FEB 18, 2013 AT 06:07 PM PST - I published a follow up diary titled: Network: Harnessing Crowd Intelligence (From Thought to Action)
UPDATE: MON FEB 18, 2013 AT 11:45 PM PST
Networked "Brain"
Here's my vision about the map below... Fist of all, I envision it as the beginning of some sort of "crowd intelligence" brain being born, to wish every day more and more neurons will be added, increasing its intelligence exponentially from the moment on.
I asked some volunteers to engage in a simple experiment: to report which city they were from, and to share their understanding about what's wrong with the system, and most importantly, what needs to be done to fix it.
I started in the San Francisco Bay Area (Ray Pensador), and (Daily Kos users) Odysseous replied in Austin, and Chi replied in Houston, and postablue in Boca Raton, and ahumbleopinion in Cincinnati, and Red Tom Kidd in Portland, and Himself in Rochester, and Simplify back in the SF Bay Area, and SethRightmer in North Haven, and katiec in Orlando, and cynndara in Richmond, and ladybug53 in Chattanooga, and k9disc in Hudson Valley, and Mentatmark in Erie, and cherrymapin in Easthampton, and many others.
Thank you all for participating! Look at the map; watch the murmuration video. Get inspired. Let your moral compass guide you; let's act together for the good of the country, for the next generation; and for a better world. But we will act; the time for begging the powers that be for justice is over. Now is time for us to act.
Proposed next steps: Please visit my website at www.raypensador.com and sign up to my email list (which will be private and will never be shared with anybody). I will send a weekly email focused on three things: Recruiting people; Finding a mechanism to share ideas about how to take on the Corporate State; Taking action (diverse, relentless, timeless, ongoing, organized, strategic, focused, impactful, and effective).
My vision (dream, expectation) is to help facilitate the birth of a new type of movement, and then get out of the way and see if it can take fly on its own. I'm not looking for any recognition or praise in any way. I just want to see justice done. I want to see our country move in the right direction. And yes, I do want to see those who have been pillaging and plundering be brought to justice.