One thing you can be sure of is the trajectory we're on; a trajectory that because of its very nature is bringing about constant change. But not the type of change we would want or need.
The control of our government institutions by the rich and corporate cartels is being consolidated. As a result our freedoms are being curtailed in a very systematic manner. We are losing ground in every important area: Our right to privacy is being eroded by the second (as the massive surveillance state spreads rapidly and cements its power); we are losing ground on issues like freedom of the press, women's rights, workers' rights (including the right to unionize), access to the justice system, protection of the environment (as fossil fuel energy companies poising our air and water from coast to coast), public education. And as all this happens, the militarization of police forces nationwide continues apace, along with more and more instances of police brutality.
If you take ten important issues (areas) that directly affect our quality of life and economic security and measure them with objective metrics, (I argue that) you will notice a downward trajectory, overall. What we're talking about is basically the ascendancy of (corporate-led) tyranny and oppression, at the expense of freedom and democracy.
And so, that's the situation on the ground (if we are to believe we're dealing a a reality-based world).
What's causing this situation? Some rich dude or corporate cartel bribes the politicians (of both parties) with things like revolving-door lucrative "career" opportunities (for politicians, their associates, and their family members), campaign contributions, and all kinds of other "benefits," whether we're talking about all expenses-paid "training" sessions at fancy venues, tickets to sporting and entertainment events, or the many other ways the system of legalized bribery allows them to grease the wheels of influence peddling corruption...
Given how clear this is, it seems to me that a functional social justice (or left wing) movement would be as focused, disciplined and dedicated to turning things around (i.e., end the downward trajectory we're on), as the tiny group of oligarchs (and the politicians in their employ) are at the systematic tearing down of democracy.
It's very straightforward... Who are the people (and organizations) making the payouts? What exactly are they instructing the politicians to do (what policies are they pushing)? Who are the politicians (of both parties) taking the money and the orders from their corporate paymasters? A lot of that information is widely available already...
Then, once the wrongdoers (paymasters and payees) are identified, you come up with a systematic and disciplined approach to counter the damage these people are doing.
Defunding them should be a top priority. So you organize massive boycotts, but the effort should be long-lasting (years). You also organize nationwide negative public relations campaigns against the offenders (individuals and corporations). We know who they are, the Koch Brothers, The Third Way, ALEC, Chase, Bank of America, Chevron, BP, et al.
Then you expose the politicians. You shame them; everywhere they go, you have people there with protest signs (stop taking bribes, etc.). You put banners and billboards exposing their wrongdoing; you constantly organize "shaming" campaigns against them (ads, emails, letters, billboards, public teach-ins). Who's taking money from The Third Way, or from JP Morgan, or any members of the Wall Street criminal racketeering cartel.
And then of course, we do positive stuff to help us free ourselves from corporate domination... That may mean work collectives, local food production, alternative media.
Don't get me wrong; I understand the importance of mid-term elections, and the presidential election of 2016. But given the peril we're in, focusing on the electoral process alone (or mostly) without addressing the endemic and systematic corruption in the political system is not going to do anything to change the downward trajectory we're on. Yes, yes, one can argue that corporate Republicans are far worse than corporate Democrats, but then what we're talking (or arguing about) is the rate at which we'll be descending into outright fascism. The Republicans will get us there pronto, while the corporate Democrats will slow down the pace... But is that the best we can hope for?
I heard noises about multiple groups planning some things along these prescriptions I share here (Wave of Action being one of them), but given the rampant criminality by the ruling class (the corporate paymasters and the corrupt politicians), it is kind of perplexing that we still don't see a highly organized and united Left going on the offensive.
Instead there is a lot of focus on partisan scandals that in reality do very little to address the systemic, root causes of the corruption.
My message? Yes, let's do positive things (re-invent the world, free ourselves from corporate domination, shop local, form collectives, etc.). Yes, let's stay engaged in politics, fully participate in the electoral process. But we should also fully engage in the social justice movement as activists, and that means carefully thinking about trying to identify the weak points of the Corporatocracy and systematically attacking those weak points with the purpose of taking it down (in favor of democracy).
That means going on the offensive. Acting, instead of reacting. Having a (clear) agenda, thinking ten steps ahead... That's how the Plutocracy operates; they're highly organized, focused, and disciplined. We (on the Left) should do the same.