January 20, 2025

History rhymes and chimes. Lies and cries.

Today, our nation celebrates the life and vision while mourning the death of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. History has proven him to be correct with regard to civil rights, fighting against economic injustice and the Vietnam War. He also understood the pernicious effects of predatory capitalism: poverty, need and inequity. He knew and preached that racism and discrimination are baked into our country and solutions must be found by uniting all of us.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

We are also still mourning the death of President Jimmy Carter.  His four-year tenure can be debated at another time but his post electoral life is one without question of sacrifice, contribution and actual patriotism.  Flags, now at half-mast in his honor, will be raised today to placate the new President. 

What else is happening today? Hmm. It's cold throughout most of the country.  Parts of California are on fire and too many places have not recovered from hurricanes and other weather calamities.  Something is nagging at me....Let me check online... Oh yes, Donald Trump is returning to the White House.  

Again, the election will be parsed at another time.  Both candidates made many missteps.  Harris did not have enough runway room to set forth her campaign. She was also considered by some to be illegitimate having not run in any of the 2024 primaries.  And you can't paper over the genocide in Gaza.  To promote anyone named Cheney over Tim Walz is impossible to justify.  It is hard to bring back unions/workers/people of color/immigrants/ LGBTQ* voters when they have been ignored or seen the party pivot to the right inre their issues.

As for the GOP, their party is in large part a repudiation of MLK Jr and all the work to create a country that is kinder, more universally prosperous and people judging others by the content of their character not the color of their skin. A sanctioned supporter of the once and current President has called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Hitler was quoted.  Immigrants were demonized and scapegoated.  In fact, the incoming President promised to deport people living here legally.

 And of course above all wealth was worshipped.   Two people with no experience or any understanding of how government actually works were tasked to cut the "waste" in the federal budget.  Regardless of how immorally or illegally the money was obtained, being rich was deemed be up to the task. Musk, who constantly makes promises he can't and won't keep pledged to cut 2 trillion from government spending, about one third of the total outlay. Now billionaires who see more tax cuts headed their way at the expense of 99% of citizens and the planet, are flocking to support Trump. While many did during the election season as well.

 Will we the United States of America survive?  Yes.

 Will the next 4 years be challenging?  Again, yes. 

Even some MAGA voters have regret and fear, now realizing the the so-called populism was meant for the billionaires. Know this to be true: We have the power.  Even during times of massive income inequality, in aggregate we have significant financial heft.

To honor the true hero of the day, MLK Jr. worked tirelessly for economic justice. So, don't despair and don't lose hope.  As he said:  "... because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." We collectively are fighting for issues and policies and legislation that most of us want and need.  We have a shared vision of a country that honors and protects us all. Our ask is simple. Shop locally six days each week.  Seek out neighbors, union shops, allies,  unrepresented businesses as well as those rooted in the community. Support them from Wednesday through Monday. And then,

Don't Shop on Tuesday