Trump’s extreme policies and behavior have exposed the system we live in for what it is. He and the billionaires who control the resources and the government benefit from an economy that is organized to produce wealth for them. That system is capitalism.
Whether the Democrats or Republicans control the government, they both defend the same system, exploiting our labor and the resources of the planet for profit.
With Trump at the helm, we are seeing an acceleration of the drive for profits and power. Trump’s spending and tax bill, which narrowly passed in the House of Representatives, would increase the overall debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, while cutting essential services to tens of millions of people. The new budget would increase tax cuts for the rich and their corporations. It hands them huge military contracts, increasing military spending by more than $1 trillion along with more than $5 billion to deport people and further militarize the border. This includes massive funding for AI to aid their wars and surveillance. At the same time, they are cutting funding for SNAP, Medicaid, student loans, aid to schools, scientific research, environmental programs and funding to government agencies which provide some protection for our health and safety.
They attempt to distract us from their greed and theft by creating false enemies and fear in the population. They claim that our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even family members are a threat to our safety. They are violating the most basic laws: arresting, incarcerating, kidnapping and deporting entire groups of people. They are mobilizing more ICE forces and now the military to defend their acts of terror. International students are being banned from studying. University funding is being slashed in retaliation for students, faculty, and staff speaking out. And now, people from countries around the world are branded as possible criminals and barred entry to the U.S.
These reckless and lawless actions are meant to terrorize us into silence, fearful that we could be next. In their eyes, we and the majority of the population of the world are just tools to be used by them. Tools that can be tossed aside when no longer useful.
But we are not expendable regardless of where we live! We, who live in Gaza, mine cobalt in Congo, and live in refugee camps in Sudan are not expendable. Nor are we, who are forced from our homes due to war, extreme weather, and industrial destruction. Nor are we, who live in the wealthy countries of the world and lack access to food, healthcare, education, or housing, and have their wars waged in our name.
This system of capitalism is not natural. It was put in place by people and it can be replaced. Trump’s and Musk’s public cat fight on X and the fallout of Trump’s funding bill show how unstable and chaotic their system is. Electing new people won’t change their system of destruction.
But a different world is possible: a system where the needs of the majority and the health of the planet are prioritized.
Imagine what our world would look like if it really served the majority. We would prioritize food, healthcare, housing, education, and services that we need. We would organize globally to meet the needs of everyone, everywhere. The divisions and inequalities that are created and maintained by nationality, race, and gender would no longer exist.
We would collaborate internationally. We would share all of the resources of society, including science, the arts, and everything that makes life livable and meaningful.
Education would be accessible for all. We could pursue our interests and contribute meaningfully to society. Advances in technology would free up our time.
Our food and energy production would be tied to the natural world and ecosystems we are a part of. Energy sources would be developed to replace the profit-driven extraction and burning of fossil fuels.
This is not just some fantasy of the imagination. We already have what we need to create this new world. Everything already exists to produce and meet all people’s needs on this planet. If these resources and our labor were unleashed for our benefit and prosperity, we would all have much to gain.
It will take our determination and collective effort to build this new world. We already produce everything and keep the societies of the world running. We hold the power to determine our future.
