There's a Broad Consensus Among Activists Across the Country — Is Social Change Around the Corner?

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/activism/theres-amazing-level-consensus-activists-have-across-us-big-issues

February marks the third anniversary of the 2011 revolt in Wisconsin, the occupation of the state capital and mass protests against the attack on workers. Wisconsin was the largest of the protests at that time, but across the United States there were a series of protests against foreclosures, austerity and the unjust economy.

The Wisconsin uprising, along with the Arab Spring and Indignado movement in Europe, inspired Occupy, a revolt that began on Wall Street and spread across the nation. It was a revolt against an economic system – big finance capitalism – that is causing a corrupt and unfair economy; as well as against a government that serves the interests of the wealthiest before meeting the necessities of the people.

People often want to know what the movement for social and economic justice wants. Occupy Wall Street issued its Declaration of the Occupation of New York City which laid out a series of grievances. But, in addition to knowing what we oppose, we need to define what we stand for. If we do not like big finance capitalism, what will take the place of the current economy?

During the organizing of the occupation in Washington, DC on Freedom Plaza we developed a list of 15 core crisis issues that the country is facing and we outlined solutions to them. These solutions are supported by super-majorities of Americans who, polls show, could rule better than the elites.

[Cleita]

1. Yet, our power brokers move more and more to the right.

I would make a bet that if any honest polls were taken, 70% of the population would want to move in the direction of social democracy, yet we we have DINOS in office who tell us want we want to hear to get elected and then act in the opposite way once they achieve the power of office. If you want to disagree with me, go look at their records first, starting with the President on down and then argue with me.

[newfie11]

3. I totally agree

It's a crap shoot on who to vote for.
You listen to their promises but as soon as their safely elected those promises go out the window.

[jsr]

14. The car can only turn right. The steering shaft is broke.

[roguevalley]

26. and because this is a free will world it will change when the tipping point is reached.

I feel it coming, Cleita. The big shots run their mouths, the newspapers are reporting food prices are going up and the pugs are showing themselves to be out criminals. I have hope. Call me irresponsible ... la la la. I can't remember the rest of the words to that song but I am an eternal optimist.

[Cleita]

27. Thom Hartmann's latest book "The Crash of 2016" is exactly about that

scenario. I hope my library gets it soon so I can read it, but he has said on his radio show that we are going to have to go through a big economic crash when everything gets turned upside down, then something will be done about it and we will then emerge better. It's just that between those two scenarios there's going to be a lot of suffering especially among the poor as usual.

[roguevalley]

28. I agree. When children and old parents and such suffer enough, people will break out the

pitchforks and torches. I think I would like that to be the symbol of it. Revolution in the most basic level. I will walk all the way from Alaska to help. I am old. I don't care. It is all for the future and young things like all of you.

[Cleita]

29. I'm not a young thing either, just celebrated my

74th b'day yesterday, but I certainly had hoped to leave a better world before I died and I think I tried.

[roguevalley]

30. congrats. :D:D:D You did you know because you are self aware. If you don't

know that things need fixing, you can't help. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Every day alive is another chance. Its good not to winter kill as my uncle used to say.

[Egalitarian Thug]

31. Happy Birthday to you!

[Cleita]

32. Thank you.

[bkanderson76]

2. The last sentence....

[randome]

7. Those entire two last paragraphs.

Apparently the die-hard Occupiers at DU don't know about this list of grievances. It's not like we didn't ask often enough about goals and solutions.

And yes, social change is just around the corner.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[Fumesucker]

4. The elites came to power in the current mileu, they have zero incentive to support social change

And for the same reason the elites also have great incentive to stifle any social change.

[Helen Borg]

5. The elites are in total denial...

There is research on social media and the press that, for example, before major financial crashes often there is an odd optimism spike...

[dotymed]

6. IMO, if we do not have meaningful social change, very soon, things are going to get very ugly.

We need to implement the same kinds of laws that FDR did, at least. Americans are suffering like never before.

[Moostache]

23. I hate to say it, but I think the ugly is inevitable...

The rich and powerful NEVER relinquish power or share wealth equitably throughout human history.

From the Pharohs of Egypt to the Khans of the Chinese steppes to the Kings and Queens of Europe to the Emperors of Rome and then China and Russia and other places to the Carpet Baggers of Reconstruction to the Trusts of the 19th century to the Mafia to the Military Industrial Complex to the Communist Party to the modern Wall Street Corporatist state......all of these concentrations of wealth and power share one common denominator - the exploitation of our fellow man's humanity is part of our genetic code...

The sad fact is that humanity is easily fooled and led by fantasy. Too many people are awed by wealth and ostentatious displays of consumerism and the fleeting promise that one day they too will be rich. They wouldn't want anyone coming to take THEIR money and give to the poor THEN, so you better protect the "rights" of the current rich or that fable of future wealth for you will be imperiled don't cha know?!?!?!?!

When the internet is forced to use coded messages to communicate the to avoid the oppression of the state, then we will know the change is really imminent...until then though, critical mass is not reached and the change many seek will not come.

[fasttense]

8. Economic Democracy is the solution

"premised on the idea that people should not cede power to mega-corporations, big finance, or a “professional” political class. The people have the shared knowledge to help build an economy that works to strengthen communities and build wealth for all, not just a few. We recognize the internal contradictions of big finance capitalism and we have seen the failures of state-based socialism and are seeking to create a new type of economy that is democratized, empowers people to gain control over their economic lives and encourages cooperative solutions that create wealth for ourselves and our communities….

Economic democracy also emphasizes the commonwealth. The commons includes not only roads, land, water and resources but also the knowledge and technology developed, often with public dollars, which has been built up over generations….

Economic democracy stands in contrast with neoliberal economics. Neoliberalism privatizes public goods and seeks to commodify everything possible to create profit-centers while cutting public services in the name of austerity."

Now how do we go about implementing it?

[socialist_n_TN]

16. Sounds like basic Trotskyism to me and implementing it........

won't be easy. If you think that entrenched, multi-generational wealth and power will give up that entrenched wealth and power without a fight, I would think you naïve.

As to implementing it, it starts with organization of the working class since they're the ones that actually hold the purse strings of the capitalist system by their labor power. If workers stop working in an organized way (strikes) then that takes the money away from the capitalists. Take away the dollars and you take away the power.

[Sienna86]

9. How does this affect our choice of 2016 Democratic presidential candidate?

What candidate will fit with this social change?

[randome]

11. The 'revolution' will be delayed if we don't stop obsessing over a 2016 figurehead.

2014 is much more important.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]

[DinahMoeHum]

17. +1000s

[Sam1]

10. I will believe that Social change is right around the corner

after we have a Haymarket Massacre.

[heaven05]

12. sad, but probably true

the real conscience of the uberwealthy will be revealed and then, MAYBE, people will turn off FAUX news, limpig and beck and do some changes.

[Romulox]

13. No, I don't think so. People have been hoodwinked by promises of change, and haven't reacted at all

The population is more pacified than ever. Occupy was a diversion from any meaningful action.

[marble falls]

15. change is coming but its way too soon to relax.

[Dustlawyer]

18. I believe that we have to work together to make change, which will not occur w/o action.

OWS did help some things, but it was too fractured and distracted by too many issues that are merely symptoms of the root problem, our politicians, Republican and Democrats are bought off! We need to DEMAND Complete Campaign Finance Reform and Publicly Funded Elections! This should be our only focus until it is achieved. Make no mistake, it will be strongly opposed and they are ready this time. OWS caught them off guard. They will not make that mistake again.
If we can solve the root problem of campaign corruption and lobbyists, we will have Representative Democracy back. Then we can accomplish the real reforms needed to make this a more egalitarian society. We can break up the big banks and media conglomerates that have been controlling our society and defeating Democracy. None of this will happen without unity, organization and commitment. It remains to be seen if we can muster what we need to get this done. My guess is that it will take things getting a lot worse before this could happen.

[DhhD]

20. Yesterday, I received a letter from Chase. To me it inferred that they are not allowing

deposits and floats between Chase depositors and return transactions unless they approve of the transactions first. Chase must gives its permission to its depositors and investors. These changes are to take place at the end of March 2014 (with another update by letter then). Banks have been acquiring large sums of cash at each bank. Sounds like a Stock Market Crash is coming. Capitalism of Stockholder and Board Members of Corporations are readying themselves for something!

This is in reply to your last sentence above. Watch for the adjustments to quantitative easing to break the union/balance between capitalism and socialism.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704312104575298652567988246

Quantitative Easing vs. Confiscation/Control of Deposits

OWS vs. Stockholders and Corporate Board Members (who are not investing in the economy)

[woo me with science]

21. So many different signs and actions by banks lately that are ominous.

I wish I'd bookmarked them as I saw them posted here....would be interesting to get them all into one thread.

[seveneyes]

19. Focus is needed first

If a majority of people are to clearly understand the problem and solution, it needs to be clearly defined. It must be short and simple, without complicated and trendy buzzwords, and focused on the major crisis needing attention. Most people don't even know or understand what is being sought.

[socialist_n_TN]

22. And that was one of the big failings of the Occupy movement.......

In most cases they refused to even NAME the real enemy. Here in Nashville when I lobbied for naming capitalism as the problem, I was told it was a "strategic" move to NOT actually use the name.

Leaving aside the fact that not naming an enemy is a TACTIC and not strategy, it made it difficult to actually craft realistic and actual tactics for fighting FOR the various reforms. Add to that the obsessive need for consensus, as opposed to majority, rule and you have a recipe for a flashy, but ultimately ineffective, movement.

[marmar]

24. k/r

[woo me with science]

25. K&R