What will it take for Americans to take to the streets?

[polichick]

We've watched our politicians hand the country over to their corporate masters for thirty years, even at the expense of the planet itself.

Following the lead of our party, Democrats rolled over when the Supreme Court installed W in the White House - and when the same body made the corporate take-over official with its Citizens United decision, the nation snoozed.

Now both parties seem ready to feign balancing the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class while the torturers hawk books, the banksters continue the habits that brought our economy down, and the military industrial complex insures that more and more people "hate us for our freedoms."

Really, wtf will it take?


I no longer believe that the change we need will come through the Democratic party - but if the country ever wakes up enough to take to the streets, I'm in. To start, we would have to demand 100% taxpayer financing of "free and fair elections" with uniform and verifiable voting. (Amazing to think that this country lectures others about democratic elections!)


What do you think it will take? Will it ever happen?

[villager]

1. Even the predictable first unrec is telling -- many here imagine our corporate masters

...will simply bestow change on us, because, gosh darn it, we heard that word in a speech a couple of times!

[polichick]

37. Yeah, that delusional thinking is why I haven't posted in a while...

The right-wing isn't the only place one finds cult-like craziness.

[Badfish]

2. The TV goes fuzzy.

1 hour later there is chaos in the streets.

[tularetom]

3. Cancellation of American Idol? Outlawing sugary soft drinks?

Sharp increases in the price of beer?

IMO it ain't gonna happen. It seems like the more we get beaten down, the meeker we become.

We don't question anything. We just accept it.

[Perky]

10. Beat me to it....LOL n/t

[Avant Guardian]

53. The banning of slurpees....

There are a plethora of things that could set it off.

[ensho]

4. beer gets too expensive to buy and no sports on TV

the rage couldn't be contained

[earthside]

5. Maybe if ...

... 'American Idol' is canceled there might be movement into the streets to demand change in how TV programming is done.

I really can't think of anything so outrageous that would cause most Americans to 'revolt'.

Sadly, it is my belief that the plutocracy has become very sophisticated in how it delivers tyranny -- we are not free in the sense that the 1776 patriots used the term -- but we simply don't see or understand that anymore.

The TSA pat-downs at airports are a perfect example: Democrats and Repuglicans ultimately defended this Gestapo-like tactic because of 9-11 ... we want to be safe and comfortable and entertained -- at all costs.

So, frankly, I think the American people in the present corporate state are perfectly willing to become a 21st century version of medieval peasants as long as we've got our TV and video games and relatively cheap gasoline.

[polichick]

38. Good point about the delivery of tyranny! Sadly, it does seem that...

...many Americans are okay with becoming "21st century version of medieval peasants" - at least so far.

I credit teabaggers for at least realizing that something is wrong - unfortunately they've been so manipulated by the Fox Propaganda Network and their corporate string-pullers that they're delusional about what that something is.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. Funny related story

When I go out to the local, I often have some right winger tell me: "I can see that happening here". Their insightful expression changes when I ask if they know the issue is about poor people who want more government aid, better living conditions, and higher wages.

Appaerntly, they thought the Egyptians were uprising over high corporate taxes and handouts to the needy.

[jtuck004]

7. They think it's Egyptian "teabaggers" rising up against the tyrannical state. n/t

[CrispyQ]

8. It will take a lot more Americans feeling a lot more pain.

Right now, too many are still too comfortable or if they are struggling to get by, they still have too much to lose to risk hitting the streets. We have not reached critical mass yet.

[jenmito]

9. It will take a dictator to take control of our govt. Right now, WE have free and fair elections,

which is what the Egyptians in the streets want. They may not like who they end up voting for, but they'll just vote them out in their next election.

[grahamhgreen]

17. Disagree. Bush V Gore.

[polichick]

47. True, plus purging of the voter rolls, bullying at the polling place...

...and the use of paperless machines provided by Republican donors - a far cry from "free and fair elections."

[joshcryer]

68. This happens in all democracies.

Pure impartiality is impossible. We're human. Sure the Republicans are better at voter roll manipulation, and gerrymandering, etc, but democrats are not immune. In the end the exit polls reflect the population at large except for small immaterial events.

[joshcryer]

67. Bush v. Gore was an anomaly.

A very rare and unexpected anomaly, but one none-the-less.

[phleshdef]

11. We aren't even close to being a third world country.

Acknowledge our serious problems regarding poverty and wealth distribution. Thats fine. We aren't going to disagree on the severity of those things. But also acknowledge the reality of our overall quality of life versus that of people living in true third world conditions. These people are taking to the streets because their situations are really, really, really, really bad, whereas our situation is just really bad (maybe 2 reallys, but definately not 4 or 5).

We shouldn't ignore our own problems because others have it way worse. We also shouldn't devalue the severity of the problems some of these other countries have by having the audacity to suggest that our problems even come close to it. They don't.

[Hello_Kitty]

65. Neither is England but they are out in the streets protesting budget cuts.

[Jefferson23]

12. You recall the 2005 memo leaked from Citigroup? My guess is we'll

need another one similar to it and well published. At least then perhaps not many will believe the "change" rhetoric and
as a result demand public funded elections, as a start anyway.



WELCOME TO THE PLUTONOMY MACHINE

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6674234/Citigroup-Oct-16-2005-Plutonomy-Report-Part-1

[polichick]

39. Yes, these things are helpful, and the more we have the better the chances...

...of breaking through the shield of fear and mistrust that keeps the other side from seeing the truth.

[Yavin4]

13. A New Generation

The Egyptian protestors are mostly the nation's young.

[Fire1]

23. Ditto! n/t

[polichick]

40. For years I have heard from teenagers and twenty-somethings that...

...both parties are corporate whores and it will take a revolution - I agree, and will gladly join them when the time comes.

Reminds me of these Dylan lyrics:

"Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'."

[zalinda]

14. It will take a truly unbiased news system

How many people even saw the protests that have happened over the years? You could have 3 million people descend on DC, and if no one reported it, would it have happened?

Unfortunately, our country is so big, that without good journalists, the west coast would never know what the east coast was doing. It's the old 'if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?' question.

zalinda

[Jefferson23]

15. Yep, that's another one to add to the list, reversal of the Telecommunications Act 1996. n/t

[polichick]

43. So true. I am very excited and hopeful about the plans for Current TV. nt

[grahamhgreen]

16. just a little more caving on the part of the Dems will do it.

[Yavin4]

19. Dems Don't Cave

They're bought and paid for. Just like the Republicans.

[quaker bill]

22. Not even in the ballpark

If proof that our government is torturing people is insufficient, if going to war on false pretenses is insufficient, there is nothing the Dems can do to top it via "caving". On the other hand, beating all the tea party reps and candidates, re-electing President Obama in 2012, and retaking command of both houses of congress, could come rather close...

Of course this would not be the "taking it to the streets" I suspect either of us would like.

[JoePhilly]

18. Will. never. happen. period.

[cottonseed]

20. Crippling poverty, mass hunger, breakdown of institutions.

That would be a start.

[WiffenPoof]

21. A Draft...n/t

[killbotfactory]

24. A belief that taking to the streets would accomplish anything

Other than getting their asses teargassed and being put on the wrong side of the riot police while the mass media looks on in contempt.

[Hutzpa]

25. You no longer believe the change we need

will come from the democratic party?? So who do you think will do a better job then?

I no longer believe that the change we need will come through the Democratic party - but if the country ever wakes up enough to take to the streets, I'm in.

This is your idea of starting an uprising, were where you when people were marching against Bush? You calling for this shit now that we have a democratic government working hard to clean up the mess left by Bush and his cronies.

:banghead:

[polichick]

44. You miss the point. We've tried change through the Democratic party...

If it can't come after an election like 2008, it ain't gonna happen.

We did march during the Bush years - hundreds of thousands against the war - though the press didn't cover it.

The current administration has turned its back on justice and allowed war criminals and the banksters to walk free, and continues the fake wars while cutting programs that help the neediest among us. Pragmatism or collusion? Either way, it's not good for the country or democracy.

imo it's the perfect time for voters to demand taxpayer financed elections, uniform and verifiable voting, and also to take a stand against a Supreme Court that has become so politicized it officially enabled the corporate take-over of America. It's the perfect time because I find it hard to believe that President Obama would use force against the people or stand in the way of those changes.

[fadedrose]

26. A fearless, charismatic, fearless, progressive leader who is fearless

who isn't afraid...

[polichick]

42. Could work, if that person cared more about leading than being re-elected...

But I think real change is more likely to come from the bottom, once a critical mass of voters finally decide that government of, by and for the people is preferable to government of, by and for the corporations, facilitated by corrupt and/or chickenshit politicians.

[socialist_n_TN]

63. Bottom up is the way it will go. Unfortunately..............

we're still in the education/agtation stage in the USA. Now there MIGHT be something that would spark a large section of the population to get out in the streets, but nobody will know what it is until it happens.

You get a buildup of SEVERAL things that stick in the craw of the AVERAGE person, then it only takes the spark. And remember it doesn't actually HAVE to be a majority taking action. A minority of activists (new or old) WITH tacit backing of a near majority could do it.

[golfguru]

27. "100% taxpayer financing of free and fair elections"

That is the only thing which can do it. SO long as corporations contribute
to the politicians, they will always be slaves to the corporate masters.
Does not matter if they are Democrats or Republicans.

[cliffordu]

28. Lack of Ipod.

[BeFree]

29. Verifiable voting

The lack thereof is our real downfall. It is why the politicians don't listen to us: they don't have too.

In a few years, peak oil, inflation, unemployment and several Katrina like events will pummel the people to an extent that troops will fill the streets and blood will flow. It's inevitable. We have way too many rich people who will cave under the pressure and support the repression like they love their faux news now.

50 years from now, the streets may be won over and the regime removed. 10 year olds will see it and live it. The rest of us will just roll over and play dead if we can afford to do so. The rest will be slaughtered and encamped or otherwise suffer.

But if we had verifiable voting and they had to do our bidding, it would be totally dif.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

30. we marched against the war but that's about it

[laylah]

31. I read this in the '70's and have

never forgotten it. http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/reviews/books/6204-the-deliberate-dumbing-down-of-america

[marlakay]

32. The internet goes out across america

Immediately within a few days we would all hit the streets....we all depend on it now. To comunicate, to pay bills, to do our jobs, to play

[polichick]

45. I agree with you - that would shake people up. nt

[golfguru]

33. Answer is very simple

When we will have 30% Unemployment and a dictator in office for 30 years.
That is what Egypt currently has.

[polichick]

48. It's silly to think we have nothing to fight for when corporations now run both parties. nt

[golfguru]

56. I have no problem if both parties are in pockets of corporations

I have huge problem when people are having trouble finding jobs.
I have bigger issue with high unemployment rates.
And my biggest problem is when economy is not creating new jobs.

[polichick]

59. All of those things you have problems with result from corporations...

...owning the parties - our politicians are in the business of corporate welfare at the expense of people and jobs.

[golfguru]

62. Bill Clinton was more corporatist than Obama, so how come

jobs were going begging during Clinton (after 12 years of Reaganomics) and
now people are going begging for jobs.

[Honeycombe8]

34. The Tea Partiers are on the verge. When they lose in 2012, I am concerned.

I am concerned their militia with assault weapons will hit the streets and start killing whoever they perceive as liberal.

[paparush]

35. The abrupt disruption of cable and satellite TV service.

Losing jobs hasn't done it.
Losing homes hasn't done it.
Losing health care hasn't done it.

Disrupting America's feeding tube just might.

[Vinca]

36. Take away their "American Idol" and they're out the door.

[slackmaster]

41. Another "New Coke"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7209828/ns/us_news/

[Jennicut]

46. We have a democracy that is now over 200 years old. It is getting creaky and over comfortable.

But you are looking at the wrong place to have a revolution. We are no longer a startup country anymore. We have gotten the equivalent of fat and lazy and uninspiring. Our percentage of people actually voting is pathetic. What we have is a public not interested. We have moments of more engagement but as a whole we are nothing like Egypt. We are too big, we have too many differing points of view, and we have a democracy already. An imperfect democracy. A declining superpower. We are too separate in our beliefs to come together for much.

[AtomicKitten]

49. Well I hope when y'all take to the streets that you wear matching T-shirts

so we can tell you apart from the teabaggers.

[polichick]

50. The smart thing to do is educate teabaggers and then march...

...wearing matching tees.

[totodeinhere]

51. If they can do it in Egypt, why can't we do it here? Or are the American people hopeless clueless

sheep?

[polichick]

52. Right now, too many people are delusional about our own "democracy" or...

...manipulated into seeing "the other" as the bad guy instead of corporations and their political whores.

[Ter]

54. You're not gonna like this, but you wanna know what it would take?

The SC to rule that "In God We Trust" is un-Constitutional and must be removed from future monetary. Hello Civil War II.

[Swede]

55. A 30 year dictatorship,torture,killing etc

:shrug:

[old mark]

57. Actually our basic system works-we hust have a lot of ignorant and manipulated people

who are being lied to by groups of the very rich and powerful, some even from outside our own country. We have many poorly educated believers in mysticism who don't think very well and are easily led, and they all seem to vote.


mark

[Onlooker]

58. A clearance sale n/t

[Safetykitten]

60. No cable, no football, things like that...

[pulledpork]

61. Sadly, the only protesters of note in recent years:

Slobs wearing tri-corner hats with dangling teabags, carrying racist, misspelled signs, and believing that they are advocating for 'small government', when in fact, they are shilling for 'big corporate'. They decry one form of tyranny while pleading for another.

[polichick]

64. As misguided and gullible as they are, I salute them for getting off their asses. nt

[joshcryer]

66. February 15, 2003 anti-war protest

It affected nothing.

When you live in a democracy it takes more than just protests to overthrow the status quo, it takes action on an unprecedented level. We're talking about full on union support across the country in every facet of production and business.

People can't even get involved in local politics, it is naive to believe that we can go further than that without overwhelmingly revolutionary actions by certain groups. ie, "cultists" cutting off the governments of their states, deciding to run their towns without paying taxes and so on.