Looking Backward from the Tricentennial

Afterword

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing system obsolete.

- Buckminster Fuller

Julian West is a fictional character created in 1887, but his mission to organize an American Union of swing voters and deescalate the 2024 election is very real. Will 3.5% of Americans come forward on Muster Day—Tuesday, October 15, 2024—and demand immediate passage of the Trump–Biden Peace Plan? You can read a summary of the legislative package in Appendix II. Polly Sigh's plan is in Appendix III, including the mechanics of a general strike in the ballot box, should Congress refuse to upgrade our social contract and end poverty, end mass incarceration, and end the endless wars.

If this mission fails, Julian West is on track to end up dead just like his predecessor did. If it succeeds, he will not only survive, but be free to end up with either Idabee or Edith. This is a choose-your-own-adventure for the United States; the outcome of the 2024 election will guide the plot of Looking Forward to the Tricentennial, scheduled for release in January 2026.

The people of the United States will have to demonstrate their power in order to save Julian West. Here are eight ways to build the American Union:

Polling power: When asked about any federal election (US House, US Senate, President), insist you are a true swing voter who will vote with the American Union. Candidate endorsements are made at the end of October, in the critical weeks before the election. When the American Union polls at 3.5% nationwide, politicians and parties will get in front of the parade rather than willingly to give up power to the other-color team.

Financial power: Become a dues-paying member of the American Union by contributing twenty-five cents a day ($7/month) or more. The American Union represents individual citizens of the United States; contributions from corporations or other organizations are not accepted. As a super PAC, all funds are used to grow the power of the voting bloc, and not one dime will ever go to any candidate or candidate's committee.

Moral power: We'll all have to give something up to produce a peaceful election. The fast for peace each month on the 15th—no food, just water for twenty-four hours—demonstrates our ability to compromise and helps ground the American Union in nonviolence. Invite others, and find or form an affinity group to persuade high profile Americans to join this fast for moral pressure. It is shared on social media with #fastforpeace—lowercase by intention.

Creative power: Looking Backward from the Tricentennial is published under a Creative Commons license, empowering everyone to freely distribute, adapt, and build on it in any format for noncommercial purposes. Besides the obvious copying and giving away any or all of the text, this could include creating memes and other social media objects; AI images for important ideas; recording an audio drama with different people playing each character; or writing fan fiction speculating on who Julian might end up with—if he survives.

Labor power: Plan to take Muster Day (October 15) off work, and to avoid spending money that day as well. Halting the economy with a one-day general strike will demonstrate the power of the people, incentivizing Congress to enact the Trump–Biden Peace Plan within one week.

Consumer power: How would UBI and the American Union Jobs Program benefit your local businesses? Encourage them to show support by publicly announcing they will close on Muster Day, and look for (or start) online petitions to pressure national chains.

People power: Help grow the American Union as an organizer! After completing the thirty-day training, get access to additional resources for spreading the word, including Powerpoint presentations, referral links, private discussion forums, campaign literature, and more!

Crowdsource Congress: Organizers can become delegates in the people's legislative assembly, fine-tuning the Trump–Biden Peace Plan and writing the next legislative package.

We the people of the United States have the power to make our existing political structure obsolete. Now that you know, the choice is yours: challenge the status quo or perpetuate it.

Learn more at AnAmericanUnion.com, and vote with the American Union in 2024—Julian West's life may depend on it!