So: How Do We Take To The Streets?

[MannyGoldstein]

Bailouts of financial titans and economic sodomy upon the rest. War for amusement in Iraq. Fixed elections. Jaw-dropping cronyism. Torture. And a Democratic Party that vacillates between spinelessness and complicity.

Seems to me that the time is right for getting out there and raising Cain. Anybody know how to do this effectively?

The French and Italians know how to do this - how do they pull it off?

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. Someone point me in a direction.

[antigop]

1. I think I will make a sign "Don't you dare" and parade out in front of my congressman's office.

Do I need a permit?

[tekisui]

2. Organize a General Strike.

Unemployment numbers are up, anyway. Get everyone who is out of work, or willing to take time off to grind it to a halt. We would need a few million willing to give up work and risk losing their jobs.

Quit Working! Start Striking!

[wundermaus]

19. A sustained boycott is the only way to get their attention...

short of violence... and by a national boycott I mean work stoppages where possible but more importantly, stop consuming. Buy only what is necessary, nothing more. Stop using any form of banking or credit: use only cash or postal money orders. Stop driving except as absolutely necessary and combine stops in one trip such as driving only one day a week. Walk as much as you can... a dispersed mass of people milling about on the streets is more difficult to control or detain. They will be looking to take out the leaders and organizers so minimize exposure of those key members of our activist community. Don't buy anything except what is absolutely necessary. The key concept is minimalism... starve the corporate beasts.

[tekisui]

20. Exactly. We can control this. We can bring the economy to its knees on

OUR terms. It will take sacrifice and diligence and cooperation, but we do have that power. Vote with your dollars. Keep them local. Stop the money flow.

[Tesla]

3. My stomach has been in a knot all week!

I'm glad my dad and grandfather aren't alive to see what they fought for in 3 seperate wars has gone to the dogs. Our freedom is done.

How do you fight!!
Will anyone listen?

[galileoreloaded]

10. BRAVO. N/T

[geckosfeet]

4. They have countries the size of a large state. It is much easier for them.

Here, I suppose that one tactic would be to surround Washington and block streets.

[Skidmore]

14. Not a reasonable argument. They have citizens who are

willing to risk something for their beliefs.

[geckosfeet]

22. Sorry - it's true. It takes 5000 people in the streets of Paris to tie up the country.

Try doing that DC or in a state.

The logistics are quite different. Smaller numbers of people can have a huge effect.

IMO it comes down to organization and coordination of large numbers of people in this country. Get 500,000 people tying up DC for two weeks. In the streets and stopping all traffic in and out of the city.

[billyoc]

5. The French and Italians have a real class consciousness. Americans don't.

30% of Americans think they're in the top 1%. :eyes:

[quartz]

7. That´s funny,

30% think they are the 1%, haaaaaaa.

Thanks!

[Wilber_Stool]

6. Yeah, let's take to the streets.

We'll get the best seats in the concentration camps that way.
First come, first served.

[quartz]

9. At least you´ll have a chance to visit a foreign country!

[EV_Ares]

8. Manny somewhere, sometime it is going to come down to this if there is going to be change and a

government that is there for the tax payer (all taxpayers) instead of just the rich and powerful. Paulson's plan shows you how this is a bailout of the rich, the corrupt and the friends of the republicans, it is a screw the little guy, the homeowner, the lowly taxpayer.

I agree with Naomi Klein also that this and especially McCain gets elected, by, by social security and medicade, medicare, a very real possibility. They will simply say, the government cannot afford these programs. That I think has always been a part of the Bush Doctrine, "starve the beast". If you do that you can get rid of these democratic programs. Do that, what do the dems have left? They want to get our retirements in the hands of Wall Street.

[MikeE]

11. We were hanging out with some friends

...drinking, and grilling. Anyway, we were talking about what to do if McSame should steal this, and someone joked about being old school and wanting to pull out pitchforks and torches. I was like, "Dude, we're in the city. Nobody has pitchforks. We need grilling forks, butane grill lighters and charcoal starter". Can you picture everyone storming the halls of power with kiss the cook aprons?

[dysfunctional press]

12. i have 3 pitchforks...someone can borrow one.

my wife and i each need one.

[summer borealis]

13. Two ways to do this

1. Violence (any further descriptions or specificity here would be moderated into the ozone).

2. Separation. More must be done at the state level to tell DC to go to hell. We all must elect secessionist state governments, be MS, AK, VT, MI, ME, GA ... places of ALL political stripes. This beast called the US must be killed ... somehow.

Discuss.

[MannyGoldstein]

15. Lincoln Put The Kibosh On Option 2

I don't think folks have the heart for 1. And it's tough when the other side has F-16s.

[slackmaster]

17. DAMNED REPUBLICANS!

:argh:

[Blarch]

21. It's not the government you will fight.

It's the people who support the government, your friends, family, and neighbors who support this shit.

[Blarch]

16. The first step.

start treating republicans, ALL REPUBLICANS like dog shit.

These people are not our equals, they should not be treated with respect. Including friends and family.

If you wish to continue treating republicans with respect and as equals ...then don't even ask "what can I do" ...because you have already rejected the first step you need to take.

If these monsters are isolated by society, their numbers will dwindle to a mere peep. It can be done without violence.

But if violence must take place, then I am willing to pile up the bodies.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

23. Start?

That bridge has been crossed and burned.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. I have been in the streets 3 times a week since we invaded Iraq

I would bet there is a group doing this in your area. Find them and join them. I am sure they will gladly welcome you.