You say you want a revolution...The Ninth Amendment and Our Troubles:

[originalpckelly]

You know we could have a revolution. I mean an actual revolution. It says so in the Ninth Amendment:
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."

That means we still retain the right to revolt if we so choose. There is a lot of evidence to support the fact that the founding fathers believed there was a right to revolution, but I happen to remember one very important example, they exercised it on July 4, 1776:
"That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

And there is the Constitution of New Hampshire, which provides a codified right to revolution:
" 10. Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. For a revolution you need revolutionaries.

And, the revolutionaries need the support of, at least, a substantial portion of the population.

A "real" revolution of barricades, storming the palaces, and blood in the streets, is nowhere on the horizon.

[originalpckelly]

2. Not all revolutions have to be violent...

do they? We'll ask really nicely and if they turn us down, we'll keep asking.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. I'm with you. I just don't see it happening.

For the most part, the American people are fat, lazy, and content. They may bitch and moan about the government for one reason or another, but that hardly makes for a revolution of any sort.

I was around in the '60s when there really was a passion for changing the whole system. Many of us fancied ourselves revolutionaries of one sort or another. Despite some changes, the system remains intact and has the support of most of the people.

Perhaps, one day, the average people will realize that they're being screwed by their "leaders" and do something about it, other than going through the bi-ennial charade of electing more or different corrupt leaders. But, I ain't holding my breath.

[treestar]

9. But exactly. So they will not have the stomach for what the neocons

demand. Making all those sacrifices. It'll piss them off if they ever have to do more than just cheer the wars on from their living rooms.

[originalpckelly]

11. I think people don't know how bad things are...

it sounds weird, but I don't think people actually understand the US Constitution. If they did, they would understand how profoundly fucked up this administration is. If they understood that they are protected by the same laws that the terrorists are, they might understand how important it is to restrain their hatred of the terrorists (or at least people accused of being terrorists.)

We might be joined if they understood all they have lost.

[treestar]

8. IA, in this century it is possible

The Russians managed theirs in 1991 without major bloodshed.

[Union Thug]

13. And look how well that worked out...

From one party domination of the system, to the rule of Oligarchs.

"Meet the new boss - the same as the old boss..."

[treestar]

14. I disagree, I think they are better off and have some freedom to

work with. It couldn't be perfect immediately. And given that nobody died over it, then it is a major gain. They had a revolution for which people died that gained them only tyranny, too. IOW, because it is bloody doesn't mean the new boss won't be just as bad or worse.

[Union Thug]

15. Well, not according to my wife, who grew up in soviet russia..

So it's a matter of debate, I suppose. But moving power fromt he hands of an elite few to the hands of another elite few is hardly a move toward the elusive concept of 'freedom'.

Counting spilled pints of blood isn't the point.

[originalpckelly]

3. I think you do have a point though...

these lazy asses have no clue about the US Constitution. There was a survey that said this. Most people could name more Simpsons characters than they could freedoms in the 1st amendment.

[elocs]

16. Understanding the Constitution is important.

That is why I gave my 14 year old daughter the book the "Constitution Translated for Kids" by Cathy Travis. One can only hope.

[Totallybushed]

5. The problem with this

is that, of course, it will be resisted.

Not just by the government, which we all know is corrupt, but by the people, a little under half of the country, which is satisfied, or even happy, with the present circumstances. Then there are the complacent, who will greatly resent their comfort being disturbed by "troublemakers".

Which isn't to say that it can't be puled off. But there is going to have to be a lot more interest in it at the ground roots level than I see. But I'm in a red state, so I could be wrong abouot that.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Wait until the earth changes become really bad

Then we'll see a change from contentment to anger, not only here but around the world. If we have more bad storms, a major earthquake here (New Madrid would take out Memphis and St. Louis and mess up the Mississippi River for transportation), or simply unrelenting drought, and the government does nothing, more people will get involved and demand something happen. I just hope this time the revolution is peaceful.

[originalpckelly]

7. Peaceful revolution...

wouldn't it be nice if we could remake America and start off with a clean slate?

[Union Thug]

12. That will be part of it... factor in that we have matched

similar levels of wealth disparity as the Depression, health care is becoming more and more difficult to secure, credit card companies own the sympathies of government, and the entire economy is teetering on the false prosperity of the credit system, and it may very well be that the 'perfect storm' looms on the horizon.

I think that potential is there, but the ruling class understands how to use the media to keep the populace docile, and to keep them so preoccupied with either paying the bills or by turning them into market-slaves (ie. chasing satisfaction by purchasing a lot of useless shit), enthralled to their credit debt that allows them to pretend that they are rich, then it is unlikely anything will happen in my lifetime. The soma works WONDERS.

[blogslut]

10. My favorite amendment!

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