Disengaging from fake political drama is the only way to win
The Boston mayoral race is once again dominating headlines, but if you’re paying attention , you know the real story isn’t what’s happening on the debate stage, but how much energy is being wasted on a narrative that doesn’t matter.
Both Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft are spending obscene amounts of money to fight over the same office. Wu raked in over $2 million in campaign funds, while Kraft raised over $1 million and also dumped $2 million of his own wealth into the race to close the gap. Meanwhile, outside groups like super PACs are funneling hundreds of thousands more into digital ads and campaign infrastructure. For what? Two candidates who, at the end of the day, are both Democrats, both plugged into the same establishment machine, just wearing different skin suits. The “choice” is an illusion.
The media, of course, loves this. They feed off the drama like it’s the latest season of a soap opera, breathlessly covering every fundraising spat and policy disagreement, hoping you’ll tune in and pick a side. But this is narrative warfare—engineered to keep you emotionally invested in a system that never really changes. The spectacle distracts from the reality: the real levers of power aren’t being pulled by the people you see on stage.
This isn’t unique to Boston. The Massachusetts Governor’s race exemplifies the exact same playbook. The manufactured drama and illusion of choice pervade political systems worldwide. Perpetuating the “Us vs. Them” dichotomy allows political actors to keep us fighting with each other, rather than focusing our attention on the truly corrupt Uniparty establishment that has “done us dirty” for so long.
If you want real change, stop playing their game. Disengage from the narrative. Stop giving your energy to a rigged system and start building local, parallel structures that can’t be co-opted by establishment power. The more people withdraw their energy from the fake drama and invest it in building real alternatives, the sooner we can force the transformation the establishment fears most. Change starts outside the narrative.
We are often advised to “act locally” and “get involved.” This doesn’t mean you have to run for office or create a new organization. Little things add up. Here are some simple things you can do today.
Stop feeding the narrative: Turn off mainstream coverage and mute or unfollow social media accounts and newsletters that amplify establishment talking points and campaign drama.
Educate yourself: Listen to independent media, such as Badlands Media, which analyzes politics from a perspective outside the establishment lens. There are many independent voices on Substack as well.
Invest in your neighborhood: Identify something you would like to see or change in your community and do something personally to support that idea. It doesn’t have to be a major project. Get to know your neighbors and local business owners. A simple hello and a short conversation can go a long way.
Focus on self-sufficiency and skills: Grow your own food. Even a small garden makes a difference–mushrooms, aloe, herbs, etc. Learn practical skills like first aid, knot-tying, sewing, and basic repairs. You might be able to help a neighbor someday.
Refuse to legitimize the system: Don’t volunteer for or donate to establishment campaigns. Instead, donate to local nonprofit groups that don’t rely on State or Federal funding. Challenge the narrative publicly. Write, speak, and share why you question the system. This is the most important thing you can do!
The only way to force change is to refuse to be a pawn in the endless, manufactured drama. Turn off the show, and the show ends.
by JK
Massachusetts First 
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