Academically speaking, that is looking at this cesspool of corruption and inequality that we call "America" set in the historical context, the ONLY way the corruption will end and the 1% will "give up" their ownership and control of the economy is through massive, massive street demonstrations. Mark my words: that is the ONLY way. These who run the show and essentially own the U.S. are literally laughing as they watch the little people presently flailing about, engaging in these scattered, disparate BUT WAY TOO SMALL protests. The population is being robbed blind and CONSEQUENTLY inequality is now worse than it was in 1923. MORALLY SPEAKING (that's MORALLY speaking), the U.S. is nothing but a glorified trash dump at this point. What is this America first crap, for instance? This America first crap represents the ranting of a sociopath, mental midget and worse. Wake me up when everybody else is ready to open their big mouths and use that one really important word, NO.

tomp

(9,512 posts)

9. agree that massive and continuous demonstrations....

Reply to Posting Anonymously (Reply #4)

Sun Mar 12, 2017, 02:29 PM

Mar 2017

...are our most powerful and most reliable tool/strategy.

Someone must organize these mass demonstrations. I believe people will flock to them in the millions if someone with the organizing ability will call them. We are WAY overdue for the next major protest.

On the other hand, we cannot diminish the myriad of ways in which people are protesting and fighting the fascists. Every bit helps, but mass demonstration is what will eventually turn the tide.

Welcome to DU.

Kimchijeon

(1,606 posts)

10. Yeah I hear you and I agree.

Reply to Posting Anonymously (Reply #4)

Sun Mar 12, 2017, 02:55 PM

Mar 2017

Unfortunately the punishments for protesting/demonstrating are really brutal in so many states/cities now.
Too many just don't give a fuck enough to bother voting, let alone go protest.

For generations people have been brainwashed into thinking it's their right as americans to just sit back on their fat asses and have the "freedom" to do nothing. (Don't vote, don't demonstrate, proud to be ignorant)

I'm really afraid that only a natural catastrophe of horrible proportions would incite change and action at this point.
Nothing short of an asteroidal impact or something of that nature. We'd be forced to rebuild and take action. (Sounds ridiculous, I realize.)

Otherwise, too many are just content to just sit in the slowly boiling pot and ignore their own demise.

calimary

(81,222 posts)

16. Welcome to DU, Posting Anonymously!

Reply to Posting Anonymously (Reply #4)

Sun Mar 12, 2017, 06:38 PM

Mar 2017

And please add to that: massive, massive crowds at the polls! In line to go into the voting booths!

There was a protest in West L.A. outside what has been exposed at Breitbart headquarters. There were probably 80 - 90 of us. Possibly 100 or so. Some loud, in-yer-face trumpsters with HUGE signs (hmmm... somebody overcompensating? ) tried to blend in and shout at us, and, it seemed to me, tried to stir shit up. Plenty of cops out there, and they soon had separated the two camps, sending the trumpsters across the street to the opposite intersection. Them I could count, because their group was much smaller. I counted 19, although a couple of 'em were milling around elsewhere. Give it maybe 22 or 23, max.

THIS is what we need to see as well. Crowds. Numbers. What we used to study about in Catholic school: OUTWARD SIGNS. It's hard to minimize a crowd of anti-trump folks when the crowd is right there in yer face, and especially when it's provably, visibly, and rather obviously much bigger than yours. THAT'S what the GOP senators and reps are seeing in these town hall meetings. They can dismiss our side because they don't see it much. If they're republi-CONS, you can bet they don't hang out with our side. You can bet they don't go to fancy three-martini lunches and pricey dinners with our side. They don't circulate among our side. So how can they know? They have it reinforced that theirs is the main world-view because that's all they see, that's all they go to, that's all they're surrounded by. That's why these town halls, where we the purportedly apathetic show up by the hundreds, are so significant, and so illuminating. That's why hard-asses like Darrell Issa are now fearful and conciliatory and trying REEEEEEEEEALLY HARD to sound "reasonable' and "moderate." That's why he's out there on the record, calling for a special prosecutor. You NEVER, EVER, EVER saw that before outta him. But in the last election, ol' smug cocky complacent Darrell Issa just barely hung onto his seat. And if that trend holds, he'll lose it a year from November.

We need the crowds showing our strength and shaking the ground under the enemy's feet. Knocking them off their high horses and their stubborn stances and "secure" Congressional seats. We need those crowds showing up not only at protests, BUT AT THE PRECINCTS ON ELECTION DAY!!!

VOTE, DAMMIT! Don't just turn out for the presidential elections. VOTE EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! FROM MUNICIPALS TO MIDTERMS!

VOTE, DAMMIT!

People died to win you that right. And more people would just love-love-love to take it away from you because they're pretty sure you won't vote for them. Use it, OR LOSE IT!!!!!!