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 Michael Moore's Rumble miniseries “Blue Dots in a Red Sea,” he encourage those that live in states (or the District of Columbia) that allow citizen-led ballot proposals to use this incredible tool in this 2024 election cycle. And for those that live in states that don’t, to implore their state legislatures — especially in blue states like New York — to change that!

For more of Michael's work, subscribe to his Substack at MichaelMoore.com

********************

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

********************

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.

********************

Write to Mike: [email protected]