Rebuilding Sacramento, for All.
Donald Trump is more than just a divisive leader, his behavior is a symptom of a larger societal woe. His actions are the result of years of simmering distrust in government fueled by corporate candidates from both parties that do more to represent companies than people. The irony, of course, being that he has done more to represent his own interests than anything else.
Many Americans voted for Donald Trump because he was a “political outsider”. He didn’t embody the establishment, much in the same way that Bernie Sanders represented that for the left. In a lot of ways, they were two sides of the same coin: disillusionment with the political system.
Decisions like Citizens United have continued the proliferation of unbounded money in politics and corporate influence. This, along with the advent of micro-targeted ads on social media and the perpetuation of our own echo chambers, has led us here. A time when it feels like nothing can be known or trusted. A time when the safest election in our history is being called into question by the same sentiment that fueled the rise of our current President. So, I find myself asking: what is the path forward?
Many are calling for a time of healing, but I wonder how we heal under a system that has failed to protect the working class and the most vulnerable for so long. I can’t say that I blame anyone for feeling such disillusionment, because I feel it, too.
Short of wholesale change, there is a lot we can do to rebuild trust. Candidates must gain it back by shirking the status quo, rejecting corporate influence, and prioritizing the needs of the community. I think of people like Katie Valenzuela and Maiv Yaj Vaj, who won their Sacramento City Council seats on this very message…they cannot be bought.
As cliche as it is, all politics is local. And change must start from the ground up.
We need to uplift and support those at the ballot box with varied experiences — social, socioeconomic, and cultural. We need to value the experiences of single mothers, service industry workers, and essential workers more than high-priced degrees.
The truth is that much of the angst around us stems from systems that don’t work for most. The types of systems that allow us to identify funds for arenas but not affordable housing or shelter for the unhoused. The types of systems that create public transit that doesn’t reach the areas, or the people, that need it the most.
As we’re faced with an impending economic crisis due to a global pandemic, we must address the systemic issues that have led us here. It’s time to focus on building housing, treatment over punishment, and prioritize human life over pet projects.
Difficult times are ahead and a deadly virus has exposed and exacerbated the cracks in our foundation — but all is not lost. We have the unique opportunity at this point to recalibrate and rebuild an economy that benefits those who need it most, leading to shared prosperity for all.
That’s a goal I can work toward.
