We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Manifesto

Click here to access this manifesto from Democracia Real YA! [Real Democracy, now!]

This is only one of the latest products reflecting the evolution of the thinking of activists who are leading the fight in Spain against the slashing of public funding and burdening working people with debts resulting from collusion of political leaders with their banking buddies. As such, it reveals the crucial recognition that the present system of "democracy" is fake, and they insist on a genuine version now. But, of course, they also realize that it will be up to them to create this system. 

Their concerns and hopes are very similar to those of working people in many Western countries. They, too, are fed up with the fake version of democracy that has led to the present economic disaster facing working people.

Now, read the following article as the latest progress report from Spanish activists and their efforts to create a real democracy. It is entitled, "Why / How to Camp". 

(Although my Spanish language ability is limited, it appears they are preparing for another big event on the 15th of October.)