Expressions from Ellen

We all know that things are bad: the economy and its impact, the ongoing wars increasing climate change and limited resources (oil, water). Many I talk with are demoralized, feeling disenfranchised. Some find solace in focusing on intentional transitional communities, in getting ready for worsening times by learning to live more sustainably and locally. Or want to do tangible tasks that result in visible, concrete results. Me too. I want to be prepared for the hard times. Yet, the CD that I play over and over proclaims: “I want to be ready, I want to be ready, I want to ready when joy comes back to me.” (Sean Staples song sung by Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem) Its pure energy lifts my spirit every time. Just as some downtime on the WA coast does.

While part of me is hunkering down and subscribing to gloomy predictions, another part of me is certain that if I/we are “ready” there will be a lot of creative, joyous opportunities. We need to embrace that – for a change – we’re not in the minority: 64% of Americans think the war in Afghanistan isn’t worth fighting. People understand the impact of corporate greed and military spending on their lives. We need to change our usual strategies and tactics accordingly. The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution calling on the government to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to “bring these war dollars home.” The Seattle City Council adopted an even stronger resolution (urged on by the 2011 PATs – see page 3). Currently Rep. Lynn Woolsey is circulating a letter to the new “super-committee” that similarly urges them to Bring Our Billions Home.

I attended a powerful “Rebuild the Dream” town hall meeting on a Saturday in July that drew close to 1,000 people who wanted to tell Rep. Jim McDermott and King County Executive Dow Constantine about the impact the economy was having on them. These are encouraging signs. But simply appealing to our elected officials to do the right thing is not sufficient. I want to focus on what make me – and others – feel our power and be able to act effectively as change agents.

I hope that in coming months WWFOR can tap the energy that is just below the surface. We can join creative actions led by our allies such as Backbone Campaign, SeaSol (Seattle Solidarity), Washington CAN. We can also create our own – to make the change we all want and to revitalize WWFOR.