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While pundits and economists worry about Wall Street’s well-being, Americans worry about losing their jobs, paying their bills and the health of the planet. The capitalist marketplace promotes the exploitation of people and natural resources as cheap fixes. But you don’t have to abandon your values to save a buck. Welcome to the People’s Marketplace.

Election season is closing in from all sides. Advertisements for candidates line the columns of websites, and special interest groups are snapping up ad time between TV shows. For those of us concerned citizens with few dollars to spare, one of the worst parts of the season is the pile of mailers and relentless phone calls asking for donations. We know the issues are important, but writing a check is not an option. Instead of your cash, donate the invaluable gift of your time and talents.

In California, almost all of the November propositions are related to money – some will benefit corporations over people, and some will save the state and taxpayers millions of dollars. Learning about ballot initiatives, and then starting a personal campaign to educate your friends and neighbors, is a great way to take a little action to lift everyone’s economic boat.

Or, join the campaign for the issue that strikes you as the most important. Campaigns need lots of volunteer help, so you can hit the ground running. For explanations of all the ballot initiatives and links to campaign websites go to the League of Women Voters California information guide at: cavotes.org/vote.

But if, for you, elections are only inspiring hopelessness, then invest your time and energy with a community organization that works for change every day of the year, every year, until social justice is achieved. Justice doesn’t show up once every two years in November. The present economic mess took years of diligent lobbying and organizing among people from many sectors to achieve. If we want to see big change, economically or otherwise, we all need to take personal responsibility for doing the long-term, sometimes boring and humble work, of movement building.

So, lets say you want to get active and change the economy. The great thing about this is your options are not limited, because most social justice organizations are working for economic justice in some way or another. Housing, prisons, schools, the environment – these are all related to our economic system. To find a group to join for your longer-term activism, try the website idealist.org. Through idealist.org you can search volunteer opportunities by topic, city, and state. Many organizations will be more service oriented than advocacy oriented. The most effective groups are those that are led by folks who are actually affected by whatever issue they are seeking to solve. Also, more effective groups tend to work toward policy changes at the local or national level and also serving people directly. Critical Resistance, at criticalreistance.org, is a nationwide organization working to stop the explosion of the prison industrial complex – which diverts money away from schools and other services. In Los Angeles, the Bus riders union works for improved, and affordable, public transportation. Find it at www.thestrategycenter.org.

So, put your wallet away and get down to work. Your actions are worth way more than your money is. Try it, and stretch your dollar to meet your values. Together, we can take back the economy.