Here’s why we will fail:

We expect a revolutionary movement to be executed through traditional hierarchies, systems and structures.

Don’t get me wrong, we will make advances. There will be a switch, however uncomfortable, away from oil to assorted renewable energies. There will be new economies that promote and encourage sustainable living. There may even be introduced sustainable models of agriculture and food production that will snap the vicious cycle of poverty-starvation-disease in some portions of the world. However, these things will happen at the last minute, by utter necessity - they won’t happen in time. That is, it won’t happen before we are faced with, to paraphrase ever-controversial writer James Howard Kunstler, “chronic strife and resource wars among all nations” or as Kunstler succinctly puts it in his provacative book, The Long Emergency, “world-altering forces, events, and changes that will interact synergistically, mutually amplifying each other to exacerbate the emergence of meta-problems.”

Unless we adopt a “BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY” motto and attitude and embrace revolutionary change through revolutionary actions, systems and structures, we will ultimately fail to stave off a host of impending disasters brought about by climate change, resource wars and the cascading effects of collapsing societies. In the United States, our hands are tied by a two-party system. Neither party is going to move swiftly to enact legislation that will bring about a rapid end to, say, an oil-based economy. And, unfortunately, too many in The Movement have been brainwashed into believing that we must work within the current system only. Bullshit. Party-faithful “radical” organizations like MoveOn have co-opted the revolutionary spirits of an entire generation. Has everyone forgotten the H. Ross Perot in 1992? Laugh if you will, but take a hard look at what he did. He was leading the U.S. Presidential campaign by a substantial margin with only four months to go. A little more polish, one less nationally televised meltdown, and U.S. politics would have been reshaped. Then again, maybe he never had a chance. Yet, after his meltdown, after he withdrew, then jumped back in again at the last minute, he still drew 20 percent of the vote. Twenty percent in a three-person race is more than respectable; it’s incredibly frightening to the status quo. Which is exactly why the rules were changed for all future third-party challenges.

My point? As I see it, Perot took advantage of a disenchanted U.S. citizenry mired in the midst of an economic slump. With his purported business savvy and straight-shooting shtick, this prototypical self-made man convinced millions that political experience was a hindrance to running the country. What was needed wasn’t more politicians, but more businesspeople who knew how to run a business! And millions of people ate it up. He saw a weakness and he exploited it beautifully. Certainly, he was cracked, but. . .
Perot’s method can be replicated.

In the very near future, people in the U.S. will see plainly that their government has no idea how to protect its citizens from the myriad dangers of environmental change. Too, they will note that their government is inextricably linked to the agents responsible for the impossible situation. Enter our third party. Enter a party who will see this weakness and exploit it much like Perot. Only this time, we’ll have better funding (Bill Gates and Ted Turner can each toss a cool billion into the pot), a much better network and take advantage of much improved communications technologies. The creative community, thousands of writers and graphic designers, will craft the world’s finest propaganda. We will have the backing of scores of noted economists, scientists and theologians. In short, we will have our ducks lined up so neatly, our history lessons learned so thoroughly, that we will have a fighting chance at introducing real political change. Remember, we need only elect ten Senators here in the U.S. to forever wield the all-important swing-vote. That swing-vote means real power. It means the power to introduce “radical” legislation and have it passed. It means the power to elect a President. It means the power to swiftly change the course of human history, before Kunstler’s book plays out as prophecy.

And this illustrates why we won’t make it in time. Too few in The Movement can envision such a fantastic scenario. Too many label it unrealistic. You can never have a third party in the United States. Do you know how many times I’ve heard that? I’m certainly glad that southern slaves didn’t give up when they were told “You can never have freedom.” I’m also glad that women around the world didn’t give up their fight when they heard, “You can never have the vote.” Damn, what about Nelson Mandela? He must have heard, “You’ll never get out of this jail, n*****” about a million times. Well, he did get out of jail and then some.

You can never, my ass. You may never, but I will.

(feel free to comment)

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The most significant book you’ve read or I will buy it back from you at full purchase price: Lester Brown’s Plan B 2.0 Trust me on this one, just order it. You’ll thank me later.

Tags: environment, Politics, Ruminations

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