Time To Cut The Pendulum
Since Kamala Harris was nominated, I have been certain I was on a path to protest. The only uncertainty has been the goal. I knew that day in November that regardless of who wins at the polls, Americans would be protesting in the streets. What's pushed people so far apart on nearly every issue, that it threatens to tear this great nation in two? I believe the two party system is broken, leaving us with no actual choice besides dysfunction. Having only two parties has created a pendulum effect since the Reagan administration. Every time a party makes gains on potentially making a difference their way, the other party is elected, un-does everything, and we all just end up worse off than we started. Politicians swing public opinion left and right as hard as they can by making compromise—a dirty word in D.C. The only ones that can get anything done for them, have to spend millions in campaign contributions, to both parties, basically bribing our politicians to do their jobs. This system doesn't work for anyone. That's why everyone is protesting in their own way, unless the pendulum is swinging their way today. Our political system is a duopoly of intentional dysfunction.
Why are people protesting? There're millions of whys. Each protestor has at least one reason unique to them. Mine was easy, my kids. This world is breaking, our forefathers built something, our fathers tried to keep it working with bubblegum, duct tape, and string. The one thing that's obvious is the American Dream won't be here for my kids if we don't do something drastic. Each night I would lay awake after my infant son fell asleep on my arm and I would try to make sense of it all in writing, on Discord servers most people never saw. Tonight that cycle ends, my baby boy is a wild toddler now and wants no part of my cuddles. I'm also going to be trying to take the next step with my writing and start taking my online ramblings to editors.
As my child has grown, so have I, and has our movement. 1-3.5 percent of Americans have come together in the largest political protest in history. I have been volunteering as a street medic and organizing among y’all doing the most important job I can. Listening.
What do I hear?
We are tired of oligarchs and the politicians that serve themselves first. Unfortunately that doesn't fit on a sign all that well. "Fuck Trump" and "Felon Musk" are a lot more fun to chant too. Many folks driving by honking and waving in support think that's what it's all about. A big protest hating on Republicans; but I've been here with you asking a simple question from the beginning. What about the Democrats?
The Pendulum is swinging back. Will the controlled opposition led by Schumer and Jeffries give you what you want? Many believe they won't. Then as the world turns the pendulum will swing back further right than ever in this broken two party system. So what do we do about it?
Step 1. Exile the old guard
Many in both parties are of, by, and for the Oligarchy. It's time for a new America to take hold in this millennium. We currently have more support among Democrats, but I feel there will be ample support from true Republicans in this plan as well.
We must primary and run against every career politician. To do my part, I, Jason Zilch, will be running against Representative Jake Auchincloss in 2026. Jake, please challenge Senator Markey or we all lose. Jake will also likely be primaried by another Jason, Poulos. I won't register as a Democrat just to primary against one, but will drop out if Jake loses.
Ed Markey has done an excellent job as the nation’s longest serving politician, the results of the "Old Guards" leadership is the hell we are living in. He is a distinguished symbol of the past. We'd love it if Mr. Markey would consider teaching at a local community college or advising upcoming politicians. Both of these men, and their Republican counterparts are all good people. It's just time for the Gen-X and younger "Silent Majority" to step up.
Step 2. Neuter The President
...Okay not literally. It is clear to any one that's read the Constitution that someone like Trump was never meant to be able to loot the nation as he has. Our checks and balances are broken, and it’s up to "We The People" to re-build them.
To start we need to get money out of politics. The wonderful people at American Promise have been working to fix the Citizens United ruling for over a decade now. Their "For Our Freedom" Amendment is an excellent start. We need a Constitutional Convention to do it. I believe we need that convention before the next Presidential election. Please look them up and volunteer.
All of us need to wake up, and realize the obvious. 1-3.5 percent of Americans are out here making their voices heard, on both sides. They both call each other Nazis. 10 percent of us, on both sides, are extremists. Their views swing the pendulum of this nation. It's just math.
80 percent of us in the middle are sick of watching this cycle destroy America.
Protesters aren't the movers and shakers of our nation. We aren't just the few that can make it out to the streets any given day. We are the new "Silent Majority," but we refuse to stand quietly watching the pendulum swing one more time. IT'S TIME TO BREAK THE DUOPOLY.
Step 3. Cut the Pendulum
Are we cooked, gang? 80 percent of us have worked our asses off and have nothing to show for it besides a world ready to dump us in the gutter, while AI powered robots work for the 1 percent richest’s interests. We need to step up and lead that world for the betterment of all of us. On every level of government, from the smallest town up to and including the United Nations; we need to re-design our systems of power to better represent all of us, not just the top 0.1 percent.
Our political compass is more complicated than right versus left. From the ground up we need to end "First Past the Post" elections and encourage multiple parties to coexist. A pendulum can't swing 3 directions. Even just a viable ~10 percent third party with no other changes could change our nation forever.
"Remove, Reverse, Reclaim" sounded nice, but is deeply rooted in continuing this cycle of protecting the "Duopoly." The Democrats and Republicans have been destroying this nation for over a Century. Instead of "We the People" being able to pick a party that represents us as individuals, we are forced to fit our political beliefs to two choices. Let’s end it. Vote third party. Protest.
Mass 50501 is a nonviolent, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that focuses on community organizing to defend everyone’s rights and liberties and to resist tyrannical and unconstitutional actions. While Mass 50501 members affirm our mission and shared values, we welcome diverse viewpoints and we know that we are strengthened by the connections we make. If you’d like to add your voice to the mix, join us on Discord!
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