General Strike

[CloudWatcher]

We need to be prepared to shut down the country if these guys try and force a Ginsburg replacement before Trump is out. Hit them where it counts (the economy).

[kag]

1. This is a GREAT idea! n/t

[Dial H For Hero]

2. There isn't the slightest chance of a successful general strike in the United States.

[CloudWatcher]

3. We can disagree.

Not sure why you're so certain. After four years of Trump, a lot of people have had enough of the relentless undermining of the country. We don't need a majority even, just enough to cause serious discomfort to the ruling class.

[Dial H For Hero]

4. There's never been a nationwide general strike in our country's history, and unions are less

powerful than in the past. It ain't happening.

If I turn out to be wrong, please revisit this thread and mock me incessantly.

[CloudWatcher]

15. Alternative suggestions welcome :)

If not a general strike, shutting down the interstates is much more feasible. It doesn't take very many people to shut down a freeway.

Sitting on our butts and pretending that we don't have the real power is the problem.

[Codeine]

5. When was the last time we had a general strike in America?

. . .

Exactly.

[Dial H For Hero]

8. The largest one in America was, if I'm not mistaken, in Seattle in 1919.

65,000 participants. Getting a thousand times as many to participate would be a rather tall order.

[Hekate]

6. When did we last have one of those?

Oh right. Never. Because it’s not something that happens in a country that sprawls across a continent.

[GulfCoast66]

7. Great Idea... Actually, ridiculous idea.

Never has happened. Never will.

I learned a long time ago not to tilt at windmills.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

9. The way to do it - per Polish Solidarity movement

When there was the uprising here in Wisconsin back whenever that was...it seems like several lifetimes ago.... there was talk of general strike, and Ill always remember a guy at a public mtg got up to say that he'd been communicating with Polish solidarity movement people and was advised that the way to do it is - start small. Start with a five minute work stoppage. People can commit to that, and the more people that participate, the more successful it will appear to be. Then build up from there - an hour, a day, several days.... maybe more. Starting first thing with walking off and not knowing if and when youll ever return is too much for most people to commit to.

I kinda wish we had done it here, but unfortunately the Polish approach didnt get any traction, it was framed as all or nothing, and not surprisingly not many people were in favor of walking off with no idea if theyd ever be back. Of course to do something nationwide would be a challenge but who knows. Maybe enough of us are fed up by now.

[crickets]

11. I don't think a general strike is feasible.

But symbolic strikes like the one the Polish suggest, baby steps, that is doable and can have meaning. Interesting idea. Thanks for sharing that, Kashkakat.

[CloudWatcher]

16. Perhaps not a "general" strike

But enough to cause serious enough problems that the status quo is no longer an option. I'm open to suggestions

[Crunchy Frog]

13. This country is not the equivalent of Poland in 1980.

Practically the entire population of Poland was opposed to a political leadership that had been imposed on the nation by a hostile and hated foreign power.

Sadly, Trump was imposed on America by Americans, and at least 40-45% of them are still okay with him.

[CloudWatcher]

19. +1

Thanks for your insight. I suspect something short of a full-time-general-strike could be both feasible and impactful. One of the problems of so many people living hand-to-mouth is that they just don't have savings to endure such an action. But are we just slaves? I've had enough.

[Blue_true]

10. What a horrible idea, IMO.

We need to keep our mouths shut and vote. If we do that, we will be in a real position to bring about change that we desire.

[Hotler]

12. People keeping their mouths shut is how Hitler rose to power. nt

[Celerity]

14. +1000

[CloudWatcher]

17. Indeed

Having (new) empathy with the Germans of the 1920s and 30s is no reason to emulate them.

[Blue_true]

20. Keep our mouth shut and take well thought out actions to defeat fascism.

I am not one that is enthralled by loud street protest, I believe that they are too often counter-productive. Change happens at the ballot box, locally, statewide and nationally, and until we internalize that and vote religiously in every election, we will always be catching up or getting screwed.

[CloudWatcher]

18. Stolen election

I worry about them putting Barr on the court before the election and having more than just Putin with his thumb on the scale.