From 2005, when Republicans first proposed "going nuclear," until today's vote in the Senate to abolish the filibuster for nominations, was a wait of nine years. People scoffed that it would never happen, but it did.
Likewise, from a time when marriage equality was a distinctly minority opinion wielded in 2004 by bigots, to becoming a clear majority opinion with key victories at the Supreme Court, took about nine years.
It is therefore not surprising that on the one year anniversary of the establishment of Strike Debt to raise awareness of and to fight against the burden of unjust debt placed up the ninety-nine percent, we have not yet succeeded in toppling the crooked financial system that evicted millions from their homes and the antediluvian approaches this country has to medical care and education.
But dammit, we are trying!
Last week, as I reported, Strike Debt's Rolling Jubilee project announced the symbolic burning of some $15,000,000 in medical debt, purchased at $0.02 on the dollar.
Strike Debt is also involved in the fight for principal reduction via the use of eminent domain, centered now on Richmond, California. (See here and here for detailed explanations.) Bit by bit, inch by inch, the idea is attracting more attention all over the country.
... what started as a local campaign to save struggling homeowners could balloon into something much bigger. "With the support of other cities we can really provide that leverage to get the banks to come to the negotiating table," said Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. "I'm thinking this is now gaining the momentum that we need in terms of creating a national movement."
What once was a fantasy (providing real aid to Main Street's homeowners instead of continuing to bail out Wall Street's CEO's) is now a possibility. In a year or two it could be a reality.
Another world is possible. Not given, but possible.
Debt keeps us isolated, ashamed, and afraid - of becoming homeless, of going hungry, of being crippled or killed by treatable illness, or of being trapped in poverty-level jobs. Those facing foreclosure, medical debt, student debt, or credit card debt feel alone, hounded by debt collectors, and forced into unrewarding work to keep up with payments.
Fight the isolation, shame and fear. Strike Debt Bay Area is holding its third Debtors' Assembly this coming Saturday, November 23rd, in Berkeley, California. It will commence at 2:00 PM at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Fellowship Hall, located at 1924 Cedar St.
If you are in the Bay Area and would like to stop merely "Being a Loan", stop "Being Alone" with your debt burdens, and/or want to "Join the Growing Resistance!" whether or not you are yourself facing debt problems, please come by.
Or check out our next "Ideas into Action" meeting, our Webpage and our Facebook, and keep up with our tweets.
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To contact Strike Debt New York by email: info@strikedebt.org.
To find or create a local Strike Debt Chapter: organize@strikedebt.org.
Strike Debt Portland Facebook.
Strike Debt Austin.
Strike Debt Helena Facebook.