A Social Movement, Inside an Election, Inside an Uprising

Al Gore tells me elections matter. Author David Sirota tells me that not to believe the hype that candidates and elections are the same thing as a social movement. In the thick of the summer in a presidential year, what's an activist to do?

We've been doing a lot of thinking about this at Wellstone Action HQ, and I was reminded how important it is that we figure it out quickly at a recent event we co-sponsored with David to promote his new book, The Uprising. Calling it "an unauthorized tour of the populist revolt scaring Wall Street and Washington", Sirota provides an insightful look at different movements - from both right and left ideologies - that are challenging entrenched and powerful interests in favor of the rights and opinions of the little guy.

David thoughtfully answered audience questions, many of which centered on a common theme: What, specifically, can the propagators of the populist uprising do to advance the cause in this Presidential election?

His answers were nuanced, but overall he maintained that we cannot rely exclusively on elections to make change in this country. At some levels, institutions of government themselves (like the rarefied US Senate) can be roadblocks to popular will. And candidates (ahem, ahem) in and of themselves can never be social movements.

Folks can go back and forth on the merits of those arguments, but what I find heartening is that for the first time in over a decade, progressives are talking about how to move a policy agenda. And they are talking about this DURING an election year.

Of course, we here at Wellstone Action believe you need both elections and community-driven movements to make long term change. The dialogue sparked by David Sirota's book reminded me how hungry people are to know HOW to accomplish that. How can we bridge the short gap between Election Day and Inauguration Day, making sure that there is a seamless transition from campaigning to governing, all done in the public interest?

We're putting a lot of thought this year into figuring that out, because it will be so critical in 2009, but we want your thoughts as well. Please post them here as comments, or here.

PS - Check out David's book here!

PPS - In book-related news, the Progressive Book Club launched this week, and you can support Wellstone Action by joining!

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SOS need more members

Submitted by Earl McGuire (not verified) on June 21, 2008 - 11:32am.

The local chapters of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) will hold the first Illinois PDA Statewide Conference in Kane County and the event is open to the public. Attendees will be able to talk with other concerned citizens and learn how to create change in their communities. The conference features guest speakers; panel discussions; and issue workshops on single-payer healthcare, electoral skills, economic issues, war and occupation, and campaign finance reform. The conference will be on Saturday June 28th 2008, at 477 W. 066 Jericho Rd. Big Rock IL 60511 (about 20 miles west of Aurora) and runs from 8:30am – 4:30 pm. Cost is $15 in advance or $18 at the door and the registration fee includes lunch ( a vegetarian option is available). You can register and get complete direction to the event at www.pdaillinois.org. For more information, call Bill Bianchi at: 773-935-334.

voting...............

Submitted by philip Jones (not verified) on July 19, 2008 - 7:05am.

An election is a decision-making process through which people choose an individual for there country. Everyone should have to vote. All people have right to vote. **************************************************************************************************************************** Philip Jones Addiction Recovery New Mexico