In just a couple of days the only polling that matters, real people casting their votes, will begin. This election cycle is far too volatile for anyone to make predictions. But, of course, that doesn't stop anyone. Except me.
Instead of trying to predict the future I want to remind you of your power. You didn't know you were powerful, did you? After all the bills were paid this month all you have in your pocket is a measly $27.00. What can you do with $27.00? I'll tell you what you can do. Fund a revolution. Your $27.00 added to that same amount contributed by a million other people is 27 million dollars. Do that every month and big things can be done.
A lot of folks seem to think that a revolution is like some kind of Disney theme park with clearly defined borders. The truth is it's a huge f-ing mess. We're all on a steep learning curve. There are those who don't want a revolution and they express their discomfort. There are those with an agenda with roots in the establishment and they try to undermine what they see as the opposition. There are those who don't think the people trying to revolt are pure enough to carry the banner of the brave new world. There are some so cynical they say any effort is useless and are proud of the fact that their poison spreads the paralysis of inertia. Along with external chaos there's the internal confusion of trying to sort out what one believes and where one fits into what's happening. Don't expect any of this to be easy or forgone. It's a revolution, after all, not Disneyland.
The sharpest criticism of our political movement right now is that we're dreaming big dreams with no clear pathway to achieving them. “Be pragmatic,” we're told. “Don't chase impossible dreams, look to those things that are obviously within grasp.” But is that the American way? The nation began amidst the most improbable odds. A few idealistic colonists stood up to what was then the most powerful nation in the world. And they succeeded. Years later an American set foot on the moon. Again a most improbable endeavor. So, taking small fearful steps doesn't seem to be our habitual mode as a nation.
Do you want to settle for less? Is that what you want to expend your power on? Incremental rat chewings around the edges of what's “possible”?
Teddy Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." We are Bernie's big stick. The ruling class will have to learn that if Bernie raises his hand to them he is holding the concentrated might of our millions. And that we will fall with all our compacted weight if they don't comply. We're going to learn how to mobilize quickly. When the establishment tries to oppose him we're going to take to the streets by the millions. We're going to bury them in emails. We're going to ridicule them on Twitter and Facebook. We're going to elect people who truly represent us. We're going to find new ways to make sure they hear us. In the end they'll have to succumb.
This is our revolution. The revolution doesn't belong to Bernie Sanders. This is our fight to lose. Bernie Sanders is a pathway to the kind of power that will find ways to limit the power of the ruling class. But only if enough of us choose to walk that pathway. Only if enough of us wrench ourselves free of the coils of inertia and cynicism and make our presence known in the voting booth. And pay our $27.00 a month.