Occupy Your Mind

[seeker]

Some proposed solutions to problems resulting from big business and corporate abuse involve legislation, regulation, or constitutional amendments. These long-term efforts may take many years to work to everyone's satisfaction. As people work toward a long-term solution, the "Move Your Money" campaign offers short-term relief by encouraging people to remove the "fuel" that keeps big corporate banks in business. Individuals can move their money without legislation, often without expense and with only a few hours of effort.

The problems of politics and elections could be addressed in a similar way. Long-term solutions might involve legislation, regulation, or constitutional amendments. Short-term solutions could provide some relief now, without legislation, often without expense and with only a few hours of effort. Just as large corporate banks rely on our money for "fuel", politics relies on us giving our attention to slick advertising campaigns, often paid for with contributions from corporations, political parties, PACs or other special interests. Just as we can move our money, we can also move our attention. If we receive a political attack ad, we could return that ad to the candidate with a note explaining that we prefer to let other candidates speak for themselves. If we receive an ad that's basically a list of positions, we might ask the candidate how that vision could become reality without support from other representatives who believe they have a mandate to do the opposite. If a candidate claims to be able to work effectively with others who have a very different perspective, we might express our reluctance to take the candidate's word and request an explanation or demonstration. Candidates may accept donations from corporations, political parties, PACs or other special interests, but only people can vote for them.

[Ritch]

This is definitely something to occupy your mind with.