Forum Post: How Ordinary People Will Take Power and Change Politics in the 21st Century. Carne Ross

I recently watched a Bill Moyers show where he interviewed Paul Volcker, and then a man named Carne Ross. Mr. Ross who is a trained economist has made the extraordinary journey from being a senior British diplomat, where he helped write what he knew was flawed justification for the Iraq War to being an author, and activist. His latest book is entitiled, "The Leaderless Revolution," with the sub-title being the title of this thread. If you haven't guessed by now, he is also a strong supporter of the Occupy movement.

This is a story of redemption, and it is a beautiful story. I have included an essay that Mr. Moyers aired after the two interviews. Pay special attention to the last paragraph because in part, that is a story about you, and all the courageous people that are here for the right reasons.

Bill Moyers Essay: Restructuring Wall St. From The Bottom Up

BILL MOYERS: You will have noticed that our two guests are hopeful men. Paul Volcker, as formidable an establishment figure as there is, thinks common sense will yet prevail in Congress. Here's to him! But frankly, ranchers praying for rain to end the drought in Texas probably have better odds.

As for Carne Ross: He says you can't count on the system to do the right thing, and he imagines a different way of politics and commerce altogether, more accountable to democracy and diversity than to powerbrokers and players at the top. That's a long reach in a country whose political system is biased against reform. But as we've been reporting for the past two weeks, there are some answers blowing in the wind. Just last week, "The Wall Street Journal' reported on how a movement to challenge big banks at the local level has gained momentum around the country. The Los Angeles City Council is considering an ordinance that would gather foreclosure and other data on banks that do business with the city. Officials in Kansa City, Missouri, passed a resolution directing the city manager to do business only with banks that are responsive to the community. And here in New York City, legislation is pending to require banks to invest in local neighborhoods if they want to hold city deposits. Similar actions are underway in other cities.

Of course, these activities are up against one of the country's most powerful industries. Lobbyist's for the financial sector spent nearly half a billion dollars last year. But as you can see, these activists are beginning to get traction locally. And they don't seem put off by the magnitude of taking on Goliath with slingshots. In the closing pages of his book, Carne Ross asks them - and us - to remember something too many have forgotten -- "that we are at our best in adventure, compassion for others, and the aspiration for something greater." Only when confronted by unfathomable challenge, he writes, "only then are we truly alive."

Odin: How inspiring is that?! We should all take those words to heart....and we should also remember that this is a story about.. HOPE and PERSEVERANCE.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/carne-ross-on-being-agents-of-change/