We've GOT to get over this notion that we MUST obey our government.

[Philosoraptor]

We've have got to get over this silly idea that a small group of crazy people in suits rule our lives and destinies. We've got to remind everyone that they work for US. We pay them. They have royally screwed up their jobs, now we must fire them, and remove them, and replace them, it's our CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

There are millions of us, and there are only hundreds of them.

THEY don't obey the laws, why should we?

[marmar]

1. Agreed...

After all, aren't WE supposed to be the government? This trained dog syndrome is killing us. Would MLK have been effective without civil disobedience? We learn nothing from history.

[bowens43]

2. Obeying the government and following laws

are two different things. We are a country of laws. But you're right, it is time to throw the law breaking neo-cons out on their asses. There are legal ways to do this.

Why should we obey laws if they don't? Because we're better then they are, that's why.

[atreides1]

10. In order for a law to work no one must be above it

"We are a country of laws."

True, but were we not a country of laws prior to the American Revolution? And did not the Founders
try to follow those laws prior to declaring their independence?

They followed the laws and it didn't work, we also have followed the law and the elections of 2000 and 2004 was an indicator of how those in power, like King George, have all the cards.

If the laws are already slanted for the bad guys then obeying "their" laws doesn't make us better, it just makes us dumber

[Selatius]

3. They never worked for you or any of us

They only suckered us out of voting for them. The reality is they work for the Corporatists, and they're the biggest power brokers on the block.

You are just a peasant, just a serf to them. You are chattel. Your worth is measured by how much money you can make for them by working like a slave for them. You are an expendable asset, and you've just been expensed--expensed in their wars, expensed in the race to the bottom, expensed in their struggle for power and domination.

[Philosoraptor]

4. You are too right.

They are SUPPOSED to work for us, but none do.

[acmejack]

5. In my case discarded.

Health became too expensive for them to support. Now I cannot get a job because I have had these health issues. They "share" this information, I get a letter from a past disability insurer every time someone conducts a background check informing me of this.

A case of letting me know if you don't play nice with them-I took them to court in a dispute over them denying me long term disability benefits-that they will retaliate and the system will crush you.

[Philosoraptor]

6. You must remember to never get sick in America.

If you can't keep up, we'll march right over you. But seriously, I know of MANY people currently going through similar travails. They are too busy killing and crippling people to help out a few stragglers.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Spot on, Selatius. I feel so, so, so, USED. I've been a USEFUL IDIOT.

They care about CORPORATIONS and SPECIAL INTERESTS ONLY and it's now quite OBVIOUS. When Senator's staff hang up on constituents, it's clear where you stand.:( We're PEONS. NOTHING. In fact, we're probably more like a thorn in their sides. They probably roll their eyes and sigh every time they get an email or phone call from us, their pesky little constituents. What a pain in the ass we are. We're interupting their business with their moneymen...the Lobbyists and CORPORATIONS. They care ONLY about THEIR reelection...period. The PEOPLE aren't even part of the equation anymore.

[leveymg]

7. They're looking for an excuse to crack down. Don't give it to them.

That sounds like the same revolutionary rhetoric we heard from the WeatherUnderground types in the early 1970s. All it did was get people killed and thrown in jail, and justified Gov't surveillance and disruption of the anti-War movement.

If you're serious about direct action and stuff like that, don't talk about it on public sites. Unless, of course, you're a provocateur and you're just helping The Man.

[Philosoraptor]

8. I guess I'll talk about what I want until it's against the law.

"I'M" a provocateur?

[mrcheerful]

9. Problem is with our education system, free thinking is frowned upon and

going with the flow is rewarded. You see it even in DU when people support laws that supposedly keeps them "safe" from the evils of life. The free thinkers know that no law can keep anyone safe from crime or harm, the laws only apply after the fact not before. The best we can hope for is rehabilitation yet the present system is set up for punishment and little to no rehab.

Back in the 70's the prisons tried education along with rehab and the return rate went down, but the american people didn't like that system, they wanted punishment and mandatory sentencing. The current system is set up so the rich and famous go free or serve very little time and then they are welcomed back with open arms. While those who can't not afford legal fees are pressed into plea bargains that drive the numbers of prisoners in prisons up.

Did you know that theres a term thats used in the justice system that tells you whats going on? They call it being caught up in the system and those that get caught up are either not guilty or guilty of a lesser crime, yet get the book thrown at them. Then these people are let out of prison and told you'll never be a law abiding citizen again as long as you live, but get over it, you should have thought of that before you broke the law.

These are the realities of american life, right now there are so many laws on the books that each and every american has managed to break at least one law in their life time, most never get charged so they think they are law abiding citizens that never broke a law.

How do we the people go about getting our country back facing whats been done in the last 40 years? For one thing most americans are afraid of everyone and everything, we have forgotten we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Theres the few out there that understand that to get america back from the government and their police force it will take baby steps and will take a long time and then theres nothing to say it will happen, but its worth the effort to live as free men again.

[Warpy]

11. Aw, hell, I got over that one in the 60s

and although age and disability have curtailed my ability to be civilly disobedient, the spirit is still there.

They can take my rights only with my permission. They don't have it.