What can we do?

This country is in bad shape, but what can you do? This has to be one of the most common responses to any political critique, "Yeah, but what can you do?" Or sometimes it's posed in the more curious form of, "What can I do to make a difference?" But whatever the energy level behind the question, the basic feeling of helplessness remains the same.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you what you can do. I'm not even going to provide a long list of organizations that could use your time and energy. Instead I'd like to give you a little different perspective from which to view that question. While reading Bob's Politics in the Zeros he reminded me of an exchange between Chomsky and an audience member who asks the perennial, "What can I do?" Chomsky's reply:

He said he travels worldwide, meeting many different kinds of people. He said
when he’s speaking with campensinos in Mexico or labor organizers in a third
world country, they never ask, what can we do? Instead, they tell HIM what they
ARE doing.

It’s only elites in highly technological countries, he continued, who ask, what can we do, hoping for some quick fix so they can get back to the normal routine of their lives. The campesinos know better than that, they know struggles like this require long term dedication.”

There's no shortage of things to do. Something as simple as marching down the street with a sign opposing the pending immigration legislation can have a profound impact. Nearly a million people marched in LA on Saturday voicing opposition to this new legislation that would make felons out of the millions of undocumented workers in our country. There were over 200,000 in Chicago a week ago. Does anyone really think that doesn't have an impact on our legislators?

The best thing you can do is get involved in the labor movement. It's the most important....nah, I'm kidding. Listen, the best thing you can do is get involved. Please care. Please believe that a small group of dedicated individuals can make a difference in the world. All of us are needed. Find what works for you. But please get involved. We really can make a difference. (visit Bob's site, he's an ANSWER organizer!)

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