Beyond the 2014 Elections- Alperovitz

Playing the Long Game from Truthout.org Sunday, 09 November 2014 00:00 By Gar Alperovitz, Truthout | Op-Ed font size decrease font size increase font size Print 7 Email Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin addresses community members and Chevron officials during a public meeting in Richmond, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012. Chevron has spent millions in recent years trying to shore up its relationship with Richmond, Calif., but in the recent election their extremely well-funded corporate challenge was defeated. (Photo: Jim Wilson / The New York Times) Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin addresses community members and Chevron officials during a public meeting in Richmond, Calif., Dec. 19, 2012. Chevron has spent millions in recent years trying to shore up its relationship with Richmond, Calif., but in the recent election their extremely well-funded corporate challenge was defeated. (Photo: Jim Wilson / The New York Times) The 2014 midterms did not change the dominant reality we face - one of substantial ongoing political stalemate and decay - and this sets the terms of reference for those serious about long-term fundamental change. There have been endless post-mortems on the 2014 midterm elections, complete with explanations proffered as to why Democrats and their allies failed so spectacularly, and projections of doom and gloom lasting until the next election cycle. However, in a profound sense this election changes very little. The dominant reality we face is one of substantial ongoing political stalemate and decay, and this sets the terms of reference for those serious about long term, more fundamental change. First things first: There is little indication that, even when elected, Democrats employing traditional liberal strategies will have the capacity to change most of the deteriorating or stagnating economic, social, and environmental trends - including, among others: rising inequality, high levels of poverty and child poverty, continued discrimination against women and minorities, declining corporate taxation, staggering levels of incarceration, increasing corruption of the political system and a rapidly changing climate.