You know it felt good to sign a petition

[nadinbrzezinski]

it felt good to call the secretary of KO's boss and tell her that this was unacceptable... and I feel sorry for her.

But you want things to really change? What will it take for the American people to finally take to the streets?

Yes, that is what it will take... a concerted popular movement. As they say a REAL grassroots movement, and one that I do not expect Rachel to cover... she is still part of the MSM, the paper of record. That this movement will get coverage only when it's gotten some real depth.

But how long?

We are too cowardly to even use bumper sticker politics... and that is part of the problem.

[madmax]

1. Been itching to take to the streets

Feeling so useless just venting on DU and sending letters and emails to idiots.

A massive demonstration like Seattle without much violence would get me there. A little head bang or tear gas is ok, I'd survive. Been there done that.

It's good for the soul.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. It is beyond one demonstration

it is strikes... local, regional and national... it is far more than just one demonstration. People think that demonstrations are the way to go.

They are PART of a tool box...

It is work slowdowns

It is blue flues

It is far more than just one demonstration.

It has to be constant and unrelenting and the results may take a lifetime.

[sabrina 1]

3. Taking to the streets in great numbers would help, but if that's

all we do, it will just be another fun day where you get to meet people who are with you on the issues.

To get real attention from the government, they have to feel the pain of the people's anger. Strikes, boycotts, removing money from big corrupt banks and putting it in Credit Unions and small Community Banks eg.

Target specific business for boycotts because of their actions towards, the environment, the press, outsourcing etc.

Do not do business with corps that are using foreign cheap labor etc.

We do nothing to make them feel their 'lifestyles' are in any danger, so they just keep taking more and more.

I would prefer to skip the marches, if it's a choice, and focus on boycotts and strikes.

If the Unions and liberal organizations joined forces, and anyone who believes this government isn't working for the people anymore, we COULD get some things done.

Turning off Cable TV until we get real news is another thing to do that is easy, but people do not want to make that sacrifice. People have sacrificed their lives for their countries, but we can't just turn off tv for a week or a month at a time. So, we get the government we deserve I suppose.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I know, taking to the streets is metaphor

it is strikes... local, regional and national... it is far more than just one demonstration. People think that demonstrations are the way to go.

They are PART of a tool box...

It is work slowdowns

It is blue flues

It is far more than just one demonstration.

It has to be constant and unrelenting and the results may take a lifetime

[madmax]

7. Such as the French recently showed us.

The problem with that is there are so few unions left. Raygun took care of that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. We are where we once were

at one point organizing a union was ilegal Republicans want to do that again. And you know what? IT might be a good thing... it might wake up the slug.

Of course a good thing in the long view of social evolution, not the short term...

When the regular joe loses it's eight hour day that might start to become really uncomfortable.

[madmax]

Yes, especially if average Joe has a family.

Add times being what they are those who have a job are not likely to rock the boat.

It's a long term slog but, it has to start somewhere. I work on the grands at every opportunity. This is the world they will inherit. Put the damn video game down and read a book. Watch Rachel, talk to me. I don't bullshit them they're old enough 15 & 20 to hear the bad news and grow up.

I was a child bride :p

[madmax]

9. dupe

[asjr]

4. I have been paranoid since election 2000. I

don't like reading scenarios that come from my head but something is really amiss. A theme seems to be running throughout the Republican party. First we lost, through tricks, election 2000; then election 2004, and I really don't think we lost. Maybe 2008 was such a fluke the Repubs were caught shorthanded. Then this year the SCOTUS handed them on a silver platter millions and millions of dollars. They used those dollars to put out some of the worst ads I have ever seen. Were votes really counted or were some hidden? See what I mean about paranoia? Now they have gotten to one of the best champions Democrats could have and are trying to get rid of him and are not even subtle about it. I do not like the way this country is headed. Also, when we lose neutral internet we may as well hang it up. When we can no longer tell and hear the truth we are in deep.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. That is when you move back to MIMEOGRAPHS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph

We will end up with a zamisdat press not far from now.

http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

We are there.

[madmax]

10. I swear - when Bush was selected

and perhaps even during the campaign the word 'Fascism' was stuck in my head. At the time I had little understanding of the term but, it nagged at me so I bought a book 'Fascism, Past, Present and Future' by Walter Laqueur and 'American Fascists, The Christian Right And The War on America', by Chris Hedges. I was stunned!

Don't know why my gut and my head was telling me this is so wrong and the word was like an ear worm, fascism over and over. People I know think I'm over the top but, I know my instincts never let me down.

[madmax]

11. Read my post on this thread.

That's when it hit me, too. The end of times according to the wing-nuts 2000, hell it may well be but, not in the same context that they predict.