When the GOP passes horrific new laws soon, what should we do?

[pmbryant]

[MrUnderhill]

1. I like "hold them accountable"...but...

... how do we do that???

We not going to vote for them next time?

[Eric J in MN]

5. We need to talk to swing-voter friends and acquaintances (nt)

nt

[pmbryant]

6. Loudly, but coherently, criticize the Repubs

That's what I mean by 'hold them accountable'.

The media won't help us, so it's up to each of us individually to make sure everyone we know understands what will soon be happening in Washington and who is to blame for it.

Peter

[Eric J in MN]

2. It depends if the Democrats at least tried to stop them (nt)

nt

[Fovea]

3. Beg asylum from a civilized nation

and pray that they are willing to take our huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

[TwilightZone]

4. Unfortunately, regardless of the outcome of this poll, option 1 will often

be much more common than option 2.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. How can we hold the Republicans responsible when we have no power?

Yes, we can fume and rant and write angry LTTEs and blogs, and we will be ignored by everyone but other liberals. The only way anything we say might have any impact -- and it will take time -- is through huge, massive, repeated demonstrations and civil disobedience on a very large scale. Eventually even the whore media will have to notice that many, many people are really pissed off. It took years, but these tactics eventually influenced the decision to end the Vietnam war. Be ready for the tear gas.

[pmbryant]

8. Word of mouth

As I said in a response above, the media won't help us, so it's up to each of us individually to make sure everyone we know understands what will soon be happening in Washington and who is to blame for it.

This doesn't require repeated demonstrations and civil disobedience. Far from it. It just requires speaking out calmly and rationally.

--Peter

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Sorry, I disagree.

We can talk to each other until we are blue in the face, like trees falling in the forest with nobody there to hear it, and it won't make a damn bit of difference unless we organize and take action publicly. Same was true 35 years ago. Nothing happened -- the war just escalated -- until we got out there in huge numbers. Nobody gave a shit before then -- we were thought to be just a bunch of dumb hippie college kids. The power is in visible, public numbers, not in self-referential blogging and complaining. Calm and rational plus $1.75 will get you a cup of coffee these days. We've been doing that for four years and we saw where it got us.

[pmbryant]

31. I'm not suggesting "talking to each other", but to everybody.

I'm suggesting talking to everybody you know.

Massive public demonstrations certainly have their place, but they can only be pulled out once in a rare while to have the proper impact. In between, we need to be talking to everybody. And we need to do so forcefully, yet also calmly and rationally. Doing otherwise is a recipe for being tuned out.

--Peter

[salin]

32. I agree... btw the stories are covered

just in understated and incomplete ways. Print up news articles and pass them around to middle of the roaders. Compile those articles (by topic) in "scrap books" to be pulled out when those middle of the roaders start complaining about this issue or that issue. Confront them with the facts of the actions - while they are occuring. May not have an immediate impact - but when the issues start hitting home - they will remember the items and the origins of the policies. There is only so long folks can keep their heads in the sand. One can always do the gentle bitching.... ala...
"alas, power corrupts all..." so it doesn't sound just like dem based repub bashing.

[pmbryant]

36. Love this idea!

Thanks, salin.

Peter

[salin]

39. anytime...

I actually wrote an 'article' about doing this just after the election - but never had the time to edit and submit it. Started with the same theme as yours.... now hold them accountable - but in my article the them was those who voted for bushco.

[kvining]

12. You

are fucking A right. We need to take the fight to the streets, with PROTEST PROTEST PROTEST.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. No less a luminary than Paul Krugman agrees:

"The only bright spot in having Bush in power for another four years, said Krugman, is that further economic mismanagement might trigger some sort of popular outcry.

"I do believe at some point there is going to be a popular tidal wave against what has happened," concluded Krugman. "In the meantime, you keep banging on the drum, you keep telling the truth.

"And then eventually we have the great demonstrations, which I think are important to let the government know that many Americans are not happy with what is happening," he said."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041122/pl_nm/economy_crisis_krugman_dc_1

[CheshireCat]

20. I agree about massive demonstrations, but

at the same time, we should show them our economic power. This is not as much fun and takes a great deal of organization and self-discipline.

Massive demonstrations and flexing our economic muscle - now that's a powerful combination.

Those in power cannot even imagine that we would be willing to sacrifice our Coca-cola and those low WalMart prices. I think it is time for us to stand behind what we believe with our wallets.

Combine "Buy nothing" Fridays with simultaneous demonstrations all over the country, keep it up during the holiday season, and folks will realize we are serious.

[shuffnew]

34. SCORE CARD AND "CALL TO ACTION" ON ALL BILLS!

I think we need a score card on DU and links to it from every democratic website on the internet.

We built a legislative score card (and "Call to Actions") back in 1999 (for another reason... protecting retirement security and corporate robs such as IBM, Enron, etc.) and it was quite successful due to pure "mass volume of 'real people' revolting in an organized manner". The website is inactive right now due to in-progress litigations against corporations and nothing really new to report, but you can see an example of score card and "Call to Action" by going to: http://www.cashpensions.org (click on the "Legislation" tool bar). There are many such score cards & "call to action" sites for various causes. But, I really think we need to find the right spot (DU or ??) to have a front page score card on every piece of legislation and publically post how each rep votes and pound our reps and the hill with our "Call to Action" for the day! Something the press will take note of too!

This is why I really like Kerry's latest appeal for us to take forward a piece of legislation from the "real people" on child healthcare.

If you cause enough static on the hill your representatives cannot hide their corrupt agenda forever!

WE NEED TO VOCALLY OBJECT TO EVERY "WRONG" VOTE AND GET IT PUBLICIZED TO HAVE AN IMPACT. For instance, do you know that it is actually a rarity for Capitol Hill to be inundated with phone calls, petitions, etc. THEY WILL TAKE NOTICE & SO WILL THE PRESS (NOT BY CHOICE)!

:kick:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Nothing. Let them have what they want.

Obviously the REASONABLE people of society didn't get it this LAST time around..let them LIVE with what they voted for.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Nothing. Let them have what they want.

Obviously the REASONABLE people of society didn't get it this LAST time around..let them LIVE with what they voted for.

[EricWhitaker]

13. Am I the only one

So damn bitter by this time that i'm just sitting back rooting for the whole fucking downfall of humankind.

[EricWhitaker]

18. -----------

So many motherfuckers deserve so much shit, and yet, it seems 9 times out of ten its you and me that actually feels it. I just don't trust shit anymore.

I'm Mad, Im angry, I'm deppressed, im no fun to be around, i have no idea how anybody can be aware of whats going on and not be. I want to say fuck the world and everybody. After all the shit that's gone on the last 4 years, I had no idea just how deep this deception is. Just how many people were involved. Just how hippocritical this society is, just how many people out here are heartless and just don't give a fuck about anybody if it aint them. How people you thought you knew, could feel the way they do about certain things. How so many people have just sat back and watched this shit all go down.

How is it that all these people with all these fucking titles and degrees cant call shit for what it is. I living in fucking bizzarro world.

I'm at the point where i need some psychological help an shit. Don't people realize what shit is gonna be like in 4 years. Any advice. What are any of you doing to stay sane and have some kind of faith in the relative goodness of anybody. Does anybody do things out of the goodness of their heart anymore? Are all of us intrensically evil and self-centered and just put on an act for the benifit of others? After all of the things you've been made aware of as regards so many things in this country, what do any of you is the nature of mankind. How could this shit happen in 2004.

At least Germany was going through a grand depression at the time. How quick can any of us be sacraficed like the Jews. How quick can the evil of our fellow citizens turn? G_D Damn im bitter.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. I hear you..I have those moments myself of absolute despair

I just tell myself that I have a keen survivor instinct..I've been so angry for the last 4 years, that now I am simply resigned.

welcome to DU...all I can tell you is make sure you go someplace where you can simply look at trees, nature, water or anything that calms and centers you...do this from time to time...hang in there..welcome to DU...oh..and this place can help at times too (other times it can make things worse but..hey..we never promised you a rose garden ;-) )

[newyawker99]

26. Hi EricWhitaker!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[pmbryant]

35. Only 20.7% of the US population voted for Bush

Bush's victory margin of 3.3 million is only 1.1% of the population of the United States. Even all of Bush's voters make up barely 20% of the population of the United States.

What about the other 80% of us?

Peter

[shuffnew]

42. AND THAT EVEN COUNTS ALL THE "EXTRA/FRAUDULENT" VOTES!

so it's even less than 20.7% in reality...

[xultar]

14. Sit back and laugh...what hurts us hurts them. n/t

[American Tragedy]

38. I've been saying that for the past three years but it hasn't proven true

It doesn't disturb me at all that people like Bush and Co. exist. I have known that my entire life. What scares me is the public reaction to it. After November 2, I no longer feel qualified to say what the people in my own country would find acceptable.

Democracy without the critical participation of an informed electorate is tyranny. If the American public has embraced Bush's actions thus far, how much do you think they would be willing to endure? Do you have any idea? What is the limit of their apathy and naivete? I know without a doubt that Bush is wondering the same thing.

"I've earned political capital, and now I'm going to spend it."

[Zorra]

15. Engage in a massive nationwide boycott of all republican supporting

corporations immediately.

DU Economic Activism Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[pansypoo53219]

16. i have considered putting a big L on my chest

ala scarlet letter.

[Captain Ron]

17. Give me an example of a "horrific new law"

[pmbryant]

28. I think we had a preview this past weekend

The Istook provision that would have eliminated privacy of IRS tax returns for every American.

Also, a potential horrific new law is the corporate welfare, pork-fest "energy" bill.

There will be plenty of others no doubt.

Peter

[DuaneBidoux]

21. Other: sabotage and disobey the laws.

[imenja]

22. Mobilize and exert pressure so the laws aren't passed

Why give up the fight in advance?

[pmbryant]

33. That is all well and good

But do you really think Bush and the GOP listen to us? In fact, they seem to enjoy not only ignoring Democrats, but purposely pissing uss off.

We can try, and I plan to join in the efforts, but we need to be realistic about the chances for success in most cases.

--Peter

[imenja]

50. if enough people exert pressure yes

If your representatives get enough calls or letters opposing a bill, they have to listen. Bush is another matter, since he isn't facing election again, but your congressperson has to run every two years.
The other options suggested--disobeying the law afterward, complaining, etc... are sure to accomplish nothing.

[Skidmore]

23. Engage in

civil disobedience where possible.

[sangh0]

24. What a silly question

As if there's one answer that suits every occassion, no matter what the specifics of the situation are.

[pmbryant]

29. In the immediate future, there is only one answer...

if we want to remain viable as an opposition party.

This is about as far from silly as you can get.

Peter

[sangh0]

46. Even sillier

"only one answer" sounds like what the TheoCons says about their beliefs.

[arwalden]

27. LEAVE

[pmbryant]

30. That's equivalent to unconditional surrender

We were barely beaten. I am not prepared to leave the battlefield now.

Peter

[arwalden]

37. Sadly, They Wield More Power Than The Election Results Indicate

It may be a 50/50 Nation (or 51/49)... but the balance of power isn't so balanced. A smart man knows when he's been beat and when he's outnumbered and outgunned and outfoxed and outspent and outpaced and outdone.


Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

[pmbryant]

40. That power won't last forever.

But if we give up, then it will last an awful long time.

We have to set the stage for the coming electoral revolt here on the ground.

[sangh0]

47. Ironic that those who criticize the Dems for "giving up" & "rolling over"

are the first ones to give up

[shuffnew]

41. DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!

"We were barely beaten (and likely not beaten AGAIN at all!)". I totally agree with you... I, too, am not prepared to leave the battleground -- quite the opposite... BUILD BUILD BUILD a united coalition to expose the crimes to a point where even the biased press may have to take note and report on it!
:kick: :kick: :kick:

[catmandu57]

43. Pinch your nostrils together, swallow and

realize that through hook and crook and an unhealthy dose of fear they snatched control of the government. Sooner or later the unwashed masses are going to wake the fuck up and join us, those repukes that pinched their nostrils and voted for this gang of fuckups will come around.
They have very little time to consolidate their grasp on us, keep nudging the couch potatos and the intelligent repukes ( there are some ), and keep chanting nothing lasts forever.
The harder things get the better, help them along call or write rabid dog letters to your paper, give high fives everytime these fools do something stupid encourage them right into the grave, hopefully, we won't wind up in there with them.

[dorktv]

44. SHUT THEM DOWN!

Call them until the phone system stops working, email them so many times their email shuts down, stage sitins both home and Washington offices. And do it every time they try to screw anyone over.

[greenohio]

45. Wow, I never thought of doing the second one.

I thought we just beat up on Dems here.

[sangh0]

48. Many are being dishonest

and a simple count of threads criticizing Dems and threads criticizing repukes will show it

[UpsideDownFlag]

49. We criticize any senator who supported them, regardless of their party.

that's what we do. If any dem senator tries to outpub the repubs, it wont be pretty.