Where do we go from here?

[hamsterjill]

Serious question. The economy is in shambles. The pandemic isn’t going anywhere and is, in fact, growing in my state of Texas.

There is definitely a sense of change in the air with The BLM movement which is fabulous.

But seriously where do we go from here? How do we recover - ever? Surely someone has some ideas, right? But I’m not hearing those ideas. We need a vaccine, of course. But we’ve got to have jobs, too. We need equality, but dare I hope that it will it be different this time going forward? Are we simply going to slump back into life as usual with millions out of work, thousands dead from the virus, and equality talked about but not made real?

I hope not but I need some convincing - especially on the economic aspect. I’m scared shitless that people will starve.

[alwaysinasnit]

1. I don't have any details but what we are definitely going to need are politicians who are not afraid

of massive reform. We can't go back to the status quo.

[hamsterjill]

2. Agreed

But we’ve got to make it to November.

[Skittles]

3. honestly, we have to wait to November for any hope of moving forward

yes indeed

[cayugafalls]

4. There are no easy answers.

We have to volunteer. Donate to local causes. Support local candidates. Keep the dialogue about equality moving forward.

There is not much that any one of us can do about the millions out of work, or the systemic racism that plagues our nation. There are no instant fixes. It is a long road. I know people want and demand change right now, but I just don't see how that is possible without massive civil unrest and even then, there are risks that it may not change anything.

The right has seemingly doubled down lately and no one is challenging the president or his dangerous rhetoric. Sure some people like those at DU discuss and challenge, but where is the real challenge from those with true influence?

If your not scared, your not paying attention. So the fact that your scared is a good sign. You just have to remain steadfast in your ability to overcome adversity and survive. We all do. There is nothing else we can do if things go awry. We have to survive. We have to vote. We have to be patient and remain steadfast in our beliefs.

I'm reminded of the following lines from the song San Jacinto by Peter Gabriel;

I hold the line - the line of strength that pulls me through the fear
San Jacinto - I hold the line
San Jacinto - the poison bite and darkness take my sight - I hold the line
And the tears roll down my swollen cheek - think I'm losing it - getting weaker
I hold the line - I hold the line
San Jacinto - yellow eagle flies down from the sun - from the sun

We will walk - on the land
We will breathe - of the air
We will drink - from the stream
We will live - hold the line

[A HERETIC I AM]

5. If you're not hearing those ideas, then perhaps you aren't listening in the right places.

We need massive police reform in this country, and there are already numerous examples of how that can be done, both in large municipalities and small.

The entire judicial system needs overhaul, and the movement to undertake that has begun.

It's late and I am not going to take the time to research articles and post them for you, but the information is out there.

People are finally waking up to the knowledge that the police are out of control in this country, something I have been saying for several years.

As far as the economics of this country is concerned, this needs to be the next wave of protests, frankly.

There are only a few ways to legitimately promote sustainable economic growth, and the easiest is to raise wages, full stop.

Raising the minimum wage to $15/hr is a start. Google and understand the economic term "The Velocity of Money"

Putting more money in the hands of people that live paycheck to paycheck will do untold wonders for the economy. Proper tax reform that induces the very wealthy to reinvest and raise salaries and wages for workers means those workers have more money to spend, increasing demand, and so on.

The fucking cops need to stop being assholes about the job they do, go back to being "Peace Officers" instead of "Law Enforcement" and quit whining about their lot in life. There is nothing more telling about how fucked up the mentality of the police is currently than this video of that asshole President of the Police Unions in New York, Mike O'Meara, whining about how badly they're being treated, as if he wasn't aware that the folks he represents, harass, illegally detain and arrest, beat the shit out of, and kill citizens on a regular basis;

For better context, here's a mashup of portions of that assholes speech with scenes of NYPD beating and pepper spraying protestors.;

In short, this country needs to follow the Camden, New Jersey model. Methodically and carefully tear it down and start over

[dutch777]

6. Mostly, it will be okay. Not great, but okay.

To address your question directly, where do we go from here....I don't think anyone really knows. And if somebody says they know, I would not believe them. Too many moving parts, too many variables, too much still unknown, too soon on the pandemic path as well as on the economy. What I believe, but can't say I truly know for sure, is that Americans may still be more resilient than we are credited for. Granted, I think there are plenty of flakes and this is a bad time to be a flake. But I look at the national stats while seeing our own local and personal situation and I think the stats can be misleading. In our personal situation our son in now unemployed. But we are okay and while he is limited, he won't starve because we won't let him. And if some of his friends get stuck, we can help them too. So while they all show up negatively in the stats and we should all worry about that, the fact is in many instances, a non-governmental safety net exists.

In looking at history, be it the Spanish Flu or The Plague, humanity survived. Certainly it may not be immediate and there will be huge losses but we will adapt. Will it be close to the old normal, doubtful. But in some ways the saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger may be born out in ways most of us never thought we would see. Of all that you outline, I think the hardest issue is the true equality one. We have been at this since the Civil War, over 150 years, and we are still fighting about it. It astounds me and yet here we are.

If you are okay...have money and food....don't be scared. Of course be concerned and caring but have faith and buttress others to have faith too. Humanity and America have been through worse and always come out and bettered ourselves despite the pain. Hang in there!