I’ve changed course. For awhile, I’ve been writing to political and business leaders, with empathetic letters saying I understand why they’ve done what they’ve done (I can see other points of view), but now it’s time to admit mistakes and reverse course. In particular, if they love their grandchildren, they will do everything possible to stop the climate disaster that they’ve helped bring about.
I loved this idea because it theoretically COULD bring about serious change. Imagine if David Koch actually spoke up, said he cares about his grandchildren, and then transformed his businesses and investments to clean energy and climate restoration.
Not only would that, in itself, make a difference. But given human nature, other wealthy people might follow his lead. And, because governments serve the rich people who finance them, policies might change.
I may still write and send some of these letters. But I’m less enthralled by this idea. First of all, I doubt that I reach the people I’m writing to. And, of course, it’s very hard to change anyone’s mind. Although, it seems a pretty good guess that reminding people that their actions are literally destroying the planet their grandchildren will somehow have to struggle to survive on is a fairly strong argument.
Nonetheless, these letters feel like mere pleading and a reactive approach. I believe in proactive approaches. Like Gandhi did.
Now, I’m liking the idea of making life less pleasurable for the ultra wealthy by establishing:
- We know exactly what they are doing, and
- We don’t respect them, and
- We want them to step down immediately
Now, of course, this won’t force them to do anything. But they love the adulation they get, and the illusion of respectability. They can retain power, but as fully-exposed frauds who are known to be destroying the habitability of the Earth for profit…and that’s, well, much less fun.
I’ve drafted this note. Post it, or your own variation on it, everywhere the powerful might see it.
For decades, wealthy businessmen have largely controlled policy by purchasing politicians through their “donations” (actually bribes). The governments represent them, not the people, and they have continuously supported the destruction of the Earth and the subjugation of the people for their own personal power and profit.
We are on to you. Billions of us.
We don’t respect you and we certainly don’t believe anything you say. You are failures. You have not only destroyed the climate, you have murdered your own grandchildren. Whatever you think you’ve “won,” you’ve actually won a burnt cinder of a planet and the hatred of your own offspring and the contempt of every human being capable of love.
You cannot win back our respect, but you might win some from your grandchildren if you reverse course now, at full speed, and truly try to save their planet. Don’t bother virtue signaling or creating positive propaganda about yourself: we are done listening.
Regards,
Your Victims
I’d love to see the line “We are on to you. Billions of us.” become a famous meme. Like “We are the 99%.”
Of course, other actions and cultural changes may help get our message across: for example, speaking out about the Great Resignation by repeating the truth: We don’t believe that working to enrich other people, usually making and selling sh!t, is any kind of virtue. Also, we don’t like being treated as shabbily as we are treated. And trying to pretend to be nice at this late date won’t cut it. We are on to you.
We should slow purchasing as much as possible — which becomes easier as our incomes shrink.
Essentially, we are withdrawing our consent and our respect.
Also note that every record-breaking deadly storm, wildfire and heatwave further erodes their credibility and exposes their incompetence.
While it’s true that their cruel game is inherently unsustainable, anything we can do to make things worse for them sooner is a good thing. Let’s do this.
