by Jacob Richards
There is a lot that can be said about 2025, and many comfortable people will have lots to say about it.
It’s been a scary year for people, for the poor losing benefits or vital charities losing funding and shutting their doors. It’s been scary for immigrants and non white people more broadly. It’s been a scary year for trans folx, the immuno-compromised, neurodivergent, and the unhoused, all of whom are in the regime’s crosshairs. It’s certainly been scary for Venezuelans, Gazas, Iranians, Yeminis, Somalis, Syrians, and Congolese living beneath our bombs. It’s been a tough year on farmers, small-business owners, and all wage earners that have had to yet again make do with less and less.
We as a society have looked over the edge, looked into the abyss, and have started to organize our way back from the brink, but the struggle is far from over but it has at least begun.
But what are we struggling towards? A return to 2023? Or something better?
Our problems are fundamentally systemic. Trump is but a symptom of a much deeper infection. Just voting for another corporate democrat, taking the house back in 2026 and the presidency in 2028, and then going to brunch isn’t going to be enough.
Clinton didn’t push back against corporate and ruling class gains made by Regan/Bush 1981-1993, instead he expanded them. Obama didn’t close Gitmo or end the wars in the middle east or roll back the police state excesses of the War on Terror, he expanded them. Biden famously declared “nothing fundamentally would change,” when he took office and he continued to build the stupid wall, and even increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, to protect Tesla’s bottom dollar.
We are deeply concerned about the Abundance Movement headed by Ezra Klein, representing the corporate oligarchy controlled wing of the Democratic party that is being funded by the same tech-bro billionaires that put Trump in office. The Revolving Door Project has detailed the funding that this right-wing trojan horse movement gets from Peter Theil, Marc Andreessen, Charles Koch, Cicero Institute and Americans for Prosperity.
The solution is not to “vote blue no matter who,” solutions are possible when we continue with and expand the grassroots organizing work that is already being done on so many fronts. We need to not just fight MAGA but also apply pressure to Democrats that prioritize billionaire donors and special interests to work for us and not their corporate donors. We need to support younger grassroots candidates that want to change the system and not just profit from it.
Fundamentally, the American people’s dreams are bigger than ballot boxes. Organization and movements, is how we make those dreams happen. Arch-conservative, Richard Nixon didn’t want to sign the Clean Water or Clean Air Acts or Title IX or end the Vietnam War, he did so because the people were organized and they demanded it. That is how real change happens, elections come second.
Yes, vote!
But also recognize that the power you can choose to wield the 364 days a year you are not voting is far more impactful.
What moves you? Go find it. There are projects and organizations all over this western half of the state that need the help. Build-up community wide relationships, learn new skills, bring people together, and then push back. We need everyone’s shoulder on the door.
Get involved!
Outraged by ICE kidnapping our co-workers and neighbors? Volunteer to be a confirmer for the Colorado Rapid Response Network or join an Immigrant Protection Team.
Tired of struggling through late-stage capitalism with wages that can’t pay the rent? Join DSA and start building a working class party.
Concerned about the suppression of and manipulation of the press? Be the media! We could always use some more help at the Revolutionist, and KWSI radio is looking for volunteers to cover our community on the air waves. Support grassroots media outlets with subscriptions and donations, the news does not report itself.
Worried about the unhoused and working poor? Solidarity Not Charity does grassroots street level outreach and mutual aid with the unhoused, and Mutual Aid Partners Distro Day helps hundreds of families each week. Jump in–get your hands dirty.
Want to stand up for trans youth? Support Loving Beyond Understanding, and/or Cook Inclusive in the Roaring Fork Valley.
If you have fears that people are not yet organizing on, start organizing, find allies. You are likely not alone, and resistance on all fronts is needed!
We as a nation are at a crossroads. Do we continue along the now decades long slide towards fascism or do we choose a new future. One that works for all of us, not just the oligarchs. This question will not appear on your ballot, it can only be selected by taking action, getting involved and struggling in the community for a better world– a world which is possible.
See you in the streets!
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