We are often told that we are led by a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
But being a liberal/left/progressive/Democrat in a red state, run by a red legislature intent on banning books, suppressing the vote of its Black and Brown citizens, and stripping women of their right to bodily autonomy, it can feel more like you’re living in a 16th century Christian state or last week in Alabama. And change seems at best improbable, but most often impossible.
Yet, 26 states — including a bunch of red states like Mississippi, Florida, Wyoming and more — offer a clear path for citizens to create change and pass laws themselves, through ballot initiatives. That’s how a red state like Nebraska raised its minimum wage by nearly 70%, how a red state like Montana legalized marijuana, and how Michigan was able to break free from its gerrymandered red chains and turn blue.
In episode 11 of my mini-podcast series “Blue Dots in a Red Sea” I encourage those that live in one of those 26 states (or the District of Columbia), and have the ability to create citizen-led ballot proposals to use this incredible tool in this 2024 election cycle.
End gerrymandering!
Codify the right to abortion!
Raise the minimum wage!
Legalize marijuana!
Expand voting rights!
Create paid family leave!
…whatever your state needs most to better the lives of your neighbors, and help give a reason for those with progressive values, who have given up on voting, to come out and cast a ballot in 2024.
And for those that live in states that don’t allow for citizen-led ballot initiatives — especially in blue states like New York — implore your state legislature to change that!
Please listen and share.
Watch the documentary “Slay the Dragon” about citizen-led efforts to end gerrymandering — including the historic victory of Michigan’s Proposition 2 in 2018.
For library card holders, Slay the Dragon is available for free on Kanopy — the online streaming platform for academic and public libraries.
It is also available on Hulu, and for rental on Amazon Prime.
ICYMI:
Blue Dots in a Red Sea (A New Blue Tsunami Series)
Episode 1: Our Next “Impossible” Blue Tsunami Task: How to Win When You’re Blue in a Red State
Episode 2: You Are Not Alone. There Is Blue All Around.
Episode 3: They Are More Blue Than You — Or They — Know
Episode 4: It’s Time to Form Your Own Local “Democratic Party!”
Episode 5: “Need Help? Call the Democrats!”
Episode 6: Our Civic Duty — WE Must Attend!
Episode 7: Michael Moore’s 2023 New Year’s Resolutions: “More Democracy!”
Episode 8: Start Your Own Local Online Paper
Episode 9: Red States Need a Blue Sister City or Two
Episode 10: Recruit and Run a Beloved Blue Winner
Click here to leave me a 60-second voice message on Anchor (I might play it on a future podcast episode).
Write to Mike: mike@michaelmoore.com
Music in this episode:
“My Blue Heaven” — Norah Jones
Episode underwriter:
1) Anchor.fm can help you start your own podcast. Go to anchor.fm to learn more.
** In order to have a troll-free, hate-free comments section — and because if there’s one thing I know about my crazy haters, they would rather spend an eternity in hell with Marjorie Taylor Greene than send me $5 if forced to become a paid subscriber — my Comments section here on my Substack is limited to paid subscribers. But, not to worry — anyone can send me their comments, opinions and thoughts by writing to me at mike@michaelmoore.com. I read every one of them, though obviously I can’t respond to all. And every few weeks or so I share them publicly here on Substack and on my podcast so that your voice is heard by the multitudes in this wonderful community of readers and listeners. The solution here is not optimal but it has worked and my Comments section has become a great meeting place for people wanting to discuss the ideas and issues I raise here. There is debate and disagreement, but it is refreshing to have it done with respect and civility, unfettered by the stench of bigotry and Q-anon insanity.
Blue Dots in a Red Sea (Ep. 11)