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Faced with a global economic crisis, leaders of both major political parties have worked to perpetuate policies, leading people to no longer trust our institutions. Rather than create an agenda intimately tied to the people’s pain, they simply pushed for policies that further cemented the public’s view that our political and economic system is rigged for the rich and powerful.
This presents an opportunity, but only if we are willing to challenge the systems and institutions that have caused Americans to lose faith in government. Our work must make clear that the real threat to democracy is widening economic inequality and the colossal power of big money in politics. As FDR said in 1936, “We know now that government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mob.” We must lay out a new vision of economic security and independence for working families. Our solutions should no longer be heavily based on Wall Street, which rewards greed. Cultivating greed should never be the mission of a democratic government. This vision also means committing to policies like universal pre-K, paid family and medical leave, expanded community banking, raising the minimum wage, justice for women, people of color and LGBTQ+, and of course guaranteed healthcare for all without financial barriers to that care. And it means taking on the grotesque concentration of wealth among the very few, which fuels the affordability crisis and widens economic inequality. The prospect of upsetting the donor class, lobbyists and special interest groups must not prevent us from doing right by our principles. Common sense should rule the day. It’s hard to feel hopeful right now. But for all the talk of a generational realignment, there continues to be a clear majority in favor of a tolerant and inclusive politics — nearly 60% of Americans surveyed last year thought “increasing racial and ethnic diversity” was a good thing for American society. And there is an enormous appetite for change: A survey conducted in 2021 found that 66% thought America’s economic system needed to be completely reformed or needed major changes, while 85% said the same about its political system. We must harness this energy. We plan to work harder than ever to promote politics that show the way toward a much-needed period of reconciliation and renewal. Join the general meeting of the Healthcare for All Working Group on the first Monday of each month, 6:00 pm on Zoom. Upcoming meeting Jan. 6. The coming months will be spent on broadening our coalition and initiating listening sessions with small businesses, labor, people of color, the elderly and anyone else willing to share with us on the issue of health justice. We must demand that our healthcare system eliminate the complexity and profits that prevent us from getting the care we deserve at a price we can afford! Consider joining us and/or receiving our monthly newsletter. We are the primary group in Sonoma County working to get us all guaranteed healthcare for all without financial barriers to that care. Terry Winter is a retired nurse and Chair of the Healthcare for All Sonoma County.
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