At a time when almost every poet inevitably reminds us of others we have already read, Blaise Cendrars’ work appears to us solitary, isolated, like one of those distant islands of which he likes to speak, an island of a single owner, where no one before him ever landed.
— Ferreira de Castro speaking about the author’s father with words which , hopefully, set an appropriate tone for this article
Things might change when we have a politician who’s a poet. — Henry Miller
One premise: One must try to work within the electoral system in place, but following a new paradigm for doing so. The fact that many machines may be rigged, many citizens have given up on voting, and the historical record for politicians is pathetic should be neither here nor there. There is room for tweaking the system so that it serves our purposes. Without support from the media, and virtually without fundraising.
What are “our purposes”? Before addressing that, permit me to underscore a few myths/habits that have us in their grips.
One, the notion that any major presidential candidate for any of the major parties will make significant inroads regarding the main issues of our time is foolish. We have been under the delusion that “success” was at hand with this or that politician for far too long. Mavericks have not planted seeds that have borne significant enough fruit, either because they have been assassinated, co-opted, or disingenuous. And their “colleagues” can undermine the best of intentions far too easily.
Two, the notion that we don’t have to work more expeditiously than we are doing at present/than we have in the past is greatly mistaken. A greater sense of urgency in all we do is of paramount importance. Something new must be done immediately on a grand scale. An undertaking of some singular scope, complication and risk. Or we are doomed.
Three, the notion that traditional models for generating voter registration/citizen participation can continue without detracting from the possibility of coming up with new, efficacious approaches is wrong. We all have only so many heartbeats with which to work. And the time/energy of activists (which must be channeled onto fresh roads) can only be utilized effectively once obsolete methods for creating solidarity are discarded. There are many areas of activity to which this applies … to a significant degree.
Four, violence –in any form– must be rejected out of hand. The historical record shows that “the balance sheet” for revolutions worldwide has not been worth the candle. And even if one disagrees with that assessment, certainly we are obliged to exhaust all peaceful means which remain at our disposal. This goes hand in hand with holding back from creating martyrs for a given cause. For now, we do not need to/cannot afford to have any more activists jailed, tortured or eliminated. We must seriously pause before subjecting ourselves to easy arrest and/or emulating self-sacrificing souls from the past. To be “taken out of the loop” in dramatic fashion generates publicity, for sure, but the value of “playing the lamb” is greatly exaggerated these days. Seeds are planted and people inspired, BUT… it all represents an old paradigm for protest, not leading to a significant enough impact on the powers that be.
Five, An undertaking of some singular scope, complication and risk must be embraced. Or we are doomed.
Six, it is not necessary for a political candidate to take a stand on ALL issues. Certain issues must be placed on a lower rung for starters. That’s not to assert that a given issue is not of monumental importance, but rather is meant to clear the ground for initial prioritizing. For instance, voters concerned with gender-related issues must take a back seat temporarily perhaps to setting an Afghanistan/Iraq pullout timetable.
Seven, there is much more of a need to reach people on an emotional/spiritual level than on any intellectual plane. Rather than emphasize “a platform,” we’d do well to let that evolve once people get excited about being “involved” once again.
Eight, “other” parties are doomed — as they stand, playing their cards according to outworn notions — by virtue of having been marginalized permanently, easily. One cannot win or plant significant seeds even if one is allowed into debate settings as long as mainstream media outlets spin as per the interests of the status quo powers.
There are other myths/habits which need to be delineated, but I am obliged to address, as promised, “our purposes” at this juncture…attention span being what it seems to be these days.
In no special order, let’s list a few stances — most negotiable — which should serve well in lieu of a platform:
1. Moratorium on the death penalty.
2. Reduction of military bases abroad. Starting with Afghanistan/Iraq.
3. Immediate elimination of 50% of our “foreign aid” to Columbia, Egypt and Israel. Sounds of disinvestment down the hall?
4. Using Mark Zepezauer’s Take the Rich Off Welfare as a point of departure, tax those who can afford it (to a greater degree) so as to provide decent health coverage for one and all within our borders, including ALL immigrants. While undermining Big Pharma.
5. No support whatsoever for any walls being constructed anywhere on earth.
6. Movement towards making oil spills impossible. Highly suggestive here, yes?
7. Deal a death blow to aspects of Agribusiness…immediately.
8. ‘Cross the board “confrontation” with ALL sweatshops.
C’mon, you get the idea, I’m sure. I could go on and on, of course. And discuss the devilish details. But the point here is that there is plenty to get down with immediately, plenty that one would get plenty of support for ‘cross the board among the electorate. Even for that which doesn’t fall within the purview of our Governor. The aim should not be to attract as many voters as possible. No, the focus should only be to delineate stances which dance with one’s spirit.
Which brings me to the soul of The Dream Party.
This whole enterprise should not be viewed with the caution or calculation of old. It should literally incorporate poetry, song and dance…and other arts…in a significant, singular way. The day for NOT following one’s dreams is over.
Cynics and know-it-alls stand aside. We’re about to give another listen to John Lennon’s “Imagine,” to John Fogerty’s “Don’t You Wish It Were True”:
“I dreamed I walked in Heaven
Just the other night
There was so much beauty
So much light….”
Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” is NOT dead.
Sure, there is much to discuss vis-a-vis Joseph Campbell’s injunction to “follow your bliss.” But you can kiss it all good-bye unless you embrace what you know is necessary in the political realm first: a radical change. With all due respect to Harold Bloom, there’s not a helluva lot of room these days for artists as quietists. And any reservations anyone has about sticking to one’s heartfelt guns (and not compromising) are no longer relevant. Shakespeare never faced the challenges that now envelope our traumatized, ecocidal age. And there is no place any longer for opportunistic takes on what to do. All we are left with is what our soul tells us.
When Emiliano Zapata gathered his cohorts together to battle the powers that ruled — and were ruining — Mexico, he appealed to the farmers’ love of their land. He was honest about his Plan of Ayala. And it resonated as an organizing principle in his patria chica. He didn’t try to appeal to fence-sitters or the large numbers of undecided individuals outside of his immediate area as the Mexican Revolution took shape.
It doesn’t matter that one can easily argue that his revolution failed. That’s neither here nor there with regard to my purposes here. I bring up events of a century ago at this juncture to underscore that we no longer have a land base that the populace can relate to, love.
All that remains for us is the potential appeal to the land base that resides in the souls of citizens.
And it is to that individual realm in each voter which I want to appeal.
Not on a national level at first, but in the more modest political demographic contained in California. Zapata’s refusal to take the reins on a national level was the reductio ad absurdum of the patria chica mentality. However, there’s no parallel with that today… for the purposes of this article. Rather, one is forced to focus on the “little homeland” of California because of two reasons: a) it is a manageable unit on the electoral level (replete with disgruntled, “experienced”/dissenting citizens) and b) it is capable of having not only a national, but international impact.
I love Zapata for much of the same reasons that I respect John Brown. But, for now, we must divert our eyes elsewhere. For one, they were too violent. Again –before I trudge on– I’m talking about NOW. The likes of them would be eliminated today, as everyone will acknowledge, faster than you can say Martin Luther King, yes?
I want to be spiritually sane, but spot-on-target practical if possible. In California.
Warped, but Spot-on-Target “Syllogism”:
A. Any mainstream governor is unlikely to give you half of what’s promised, that being no more than a tenth of what you desire, deserve.
B. A typical “third party” can’t get elected.
C. Therefore, any Dream Party candidate should deliver…infinitely more, making voting worthwhile.
Where to start? When? We go for the gubernatorial race in 2010 California. We begin immediately to implement the suggestions below to put OUR CANDIDATE in the Sacramento seat.
Your homework — and we all should start doing some hands-on here, and stop talking/writing (so much) soon — is to first check out the powers which the Governor of California has in her/his hands. Review, then study. It’s impressive.
I’m talking about what the governor can do unilaterally, whether or not he/she can work well with a given set of legislators. Like actions that can be taken vis-a-vis capital punishment, parole, pardons, the militia, state emergencies, line-item veto power, a say as a full member among the Regents of the University of California, etc.
None of that, however, can hold a candle to the fact that any sincere/knowledgeable/clever governor can command daily press conferences on radio and television. Imagine being able to circumvent the spins of mainstream news outlets. Daily delivery of “news” from our heartfelt governor’s angle — if legitimately/primarily concerned with citizens’ interests — would be tantamount to replacing our present major sources for current events information.
Humane, sane news in lieu of distraction, misinformation?
Once you get a handle on what’s at stake here, you and a lot of people you talk to will get motivated really fast. Remember, I’m highlighting what can be done unilaterally. And if a given governor is not arrogant about what’s being done, impeachment or recall are unlikely. Don’t forget that many legislators still have souls deserving of the name…which can be tapped into. Keep the faith, brothers and sisters.
Who would be an ideal candidate? A lot of people who are honest, incorruptible. Who would not be career politicians, not emulate Zapata’s hated, opportunistic cabrones. It would be icing on the cake to have someone who could sing and/or dance and/or play an instrument. And I’m not talking about the kind of stint/stunt which Bill Clinton had televised during one of his runs. I’m talking about a talent like Alicia Keys.
That would carry much more weight than political experience. Think about it for a moment. Use your imagination, without having to have me spell out the possible scenarios for you. The vast number of opportunities with such a personality. Especially if a “running mate” in the form of a compatible Lieutenant Governor candidate joined in. I mean, if one is putting a governor in office…why not do the same for another in the same election? It would be a potent duo. Solidarity doesn’t hurt here.
But one doesn’t get such a person (or such people) in office easily. I should say not at all. Except for the fact that I’ve come up with a new paradigm for doing so.
And, again, a campaign can be waged without success being contingent upon cooperation with the mainstream media outlets… which are guaranteed to spin whatever an honest party is putting on the table for public consumption. It should be noted — big time — that to accomplish our goal without resort to media support in and of itself would be an historic accomplishment.
Furthermore, and much more important, is the fact that no money is required for the campaign. I mean, aside from that which is demanded by the state to register, to be formally on the ballot. Individual Dream Party people are not going to have to shell out anything. And they are not going to be expected to raise any funds whatsoever.
To quote that silly Kevin Costner movie, “Build it, and they will come.” Tweaking that spot-on-target sentiment I say, appeal to the soul in citizens and the necessary funds will flow. Still, I want to reiterate that one needs absolutely no budget to proceed. That should tell you volumes about what historic ripples the Dream Party will set in motion.
Can or will set in motion?
I’m convinced that victory is within our grasp, being able to get almost a three-year jump on 2010. However, even if the Dream Party was nudged out by one of the major parties, an historic precedent/an unprecedented inspiration will have been established/created. Just imagine what it would mean to everyone if — with virtually no forewarning — an unfunded, unpublicized party beat out one of the major political parties. Overnight.
How is that possible? How do we go about this MIRACLE?
It is unnecessary to reveal that at this juncture. And it would be unwise to do so. The element of surprise — so dear to, so fundamental for the wagers of war — is of a paramount importance. If can’t get a few people to respond to a posting of this piece in confidence… all of this is probably dead in the dissenting waters. At a certain point, it won’t matter if the word gets out, so to speak. But –for starters– I should think that the above is intriguing enough to warrant at least a bakers dozen worth of inquiries on the sly. Out of the public eye. For now.
I was angsting over the idea of registering “Dream Party” before using it as the point of departure for initial presentation of this proposal in public. But all that was uncalled for. If my plan touches the soul, we can call it whatever we want. “Drum Party” or “Dumb Party” wouldn’t matter much. In fact, “Pajama Party” isn’t bad. We don’t want to leave out humor. I understand that Zapata wasn’t much on that count, but we can certainly make use of the ha-ha element for sweet souls.
It should be loads of fun, by the way, to be in on the ground floor…involved in scouring the Golden State for candidates, for advisers (a Dream Team?) who will provide the most socially/environmentally conscious support in the world. Yum, yum, yes?
This is California sushi for starters, folks. I want residents of the state to contact me asap. Short of that, perhaps readers have friends or acquaintances who live near me. That might work.
The point here is that what people are doing isn’t working. And people have nothing to lose by dreaming…on a different pillow…in a new bed.