The Most Widely Known Secret People Are Writing On $1 Bills

[Playinghardball]

Source: MoveOn.org

It’s today’s message in a bottle. Will recipients take heed?



http://front.moveon.org/the-most-widely-known-secret-people-are-writing-on-1-bills/

[rfranklin]

1. Yeah, so what?

I mean, what can the average person actually do in response to this message? Email your senator? Are you kidding? They never read that shit. Withhold support? Hell, those are their campaign contributors. Why would they do anything?

[KittyWampus]

2. Your response is part of the problem. Apparently you want inaction & apathy. Cynics prefer those

because they help validate their world view.

[Cirque du So-What]

6. 'Crabs in a pot' syndrome

Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless "king of the hill" competition (or sabotage) which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to "pull down" (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.

This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to "escape" a so-called "underprivileged life," but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.

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

It's all I can figure when I see someone take the actual time to compose a post (admittedly it doesn't take much in the way of time or energy to tippy-tap a few words of discouragement, however) that mocks any effort toward improving our collective lot in life. I mean, if one thinks things are hopeless, that's one thing...but when one goes out of one's way to attempt spreading apathy & despair, that's quite another.

[rfranklin]

9. Please tell me how rubber stamping this message will improve anything...

and patting oneself on the back for cheering such an ineffectual act us delusional. So dream on.

[roguevalley]

18. tell me how a single rain drop can erode a boulder? If enough

raindrops fall it happens. Each person reading that is one thought among many. The more that see it the more it erodes the fog we all wander in. that's how it happens. One light in the darkness illuminating another and another. that is the only way real change has ever happened.

[defendandprotect]

98. Agree -- this is a good example of independent action -- buttons are another great idea --

we should all be wearing them --

GOP'S UNCLE SAM IS A DEAD BEAT --

MEDICARE FOR ALL --

80% OF US WANT AN END TO THE WARS --

76% OF US WANT MEDICARE FOR ALL --

END THE WARS -- STOP BANKRUPTING THE TREASURY --

PATRIOT ACT IS TREASON --

[chervilant]

134. Another suggestion:

Buy a package of Avery Labels and print pithy facts and comments on them. Post them at bus stops and any other location where the GP is likely to read them.

Oh, and:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead, (1901 - 1978)

[defendandprotect]

162. Thank you -- - :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Read on this

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

How do you think people start down the radicalization process?

[rfranklin]

30. Yes, now I remember Tom Paine stamping those pound notes...

thanks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. He dud the equivalent

[tomg]

78. As usual,

You are spot on. When I first saw this op, the first thing that hit me was the potential. You have it dead to rights.

[Cirque du So-What]

35. Check this out:

The Use of Bank Notes as an Instrument of Propaganda

A lengthy passage on its use in the American Revolutionary era.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

40. Oh, I love subversion!!!! n/t

[Generic Other]

42. Fascinating!

I love the one with the altered image of the German worker with a vampire sucking its neck. Some things never change, eh?

[krispos42]

110. You could see the vampire?

I spent 10 or 15 minutes staring at that damn thing, trying to see it! Zoom in, zoom out, zoom in, zoom out!


NO LUCK! :grr:

May I beg some help from you?

[Generic Other]

147. when you turn it sideways, the whole neck is the ghoul face

You are looking too close I think. :)

[krispos42]

148. No joy.

:banghead:

[krispos42]

111. Very neat. I read it and saved it! n/t

[Generic Other]

39. committees of correspondence communicate subversive ideas in many ways

Today, message boards are the modern equivalent...the stamp on the bill is more like V for Vendetta. Or if you want an even more revolutionary example, think of Christians drawing their fish symbol or making the sign of the cross. THe idea is spread. Slowly but through far more hands and for less effort than it took for one person to decide to make their money talk as well as walk.

[rhett o rick]

80. And your suggestions are so much better. nm

[defendandprotect]

99. Great point -- and didn't the Founders begin with the Dec of Independence in that way?

And wasn't it actually criminal at the time to distribute it?


Thomas Paine's Common Sense was distributed by hand --

French used this method of writing on bills -- "all are equal" --

[Chorophyll]

31. Better to do absolutely nothing

than to possibly enlighten one person somewhere, huh?

Jeezus.

[Fire1]

48. I think that's the plan. n/t

[rfranklin]

57. No, better to think of something that actually works....

Let me know how to stem the flow of corporate corruption of our election process and I'm with you.

[Chorophyll]

67. Well, since you're the one who's intent on dousing a clever idea

that might at least cause someone somewhere to think, why don't YOU try to come with something more efficacious? Huh?

[roguevalley]

82. So if we can't steam roll them down in a mass there is nothing else

we can do? Then don't do it. It's okay. there will be others. They will be handing the bills to the people out there wondering if they are all alone in what they feel and they will find out they aren't. I am sure that is how the protest in Wisconsin came about, the crowds coming together because one or two people told one or two people.

[sabrina 1]

106. Knowledge is power. Most Americans do not get information

from their news sources so a majority of them have no idea about the way wealthy Corps get away without paying taxes or very little. Generating mass anger at injustices has been done in different ways throughout history and when enough people are angry, things happen.

See Egypt, Tunisia eg, who once they had enough information on the extent of the greed and corruption of their Regimes and the contrast between the lifestyle of the ruling class and ordinary people, they rose up against those injustices. There were many catalysts for this, one of which was the Wikileaks revelations which confirmed what they suspected but now had absolute proof.

We cannot rely on our media to inform the people, since the media is part of the problem.

Something like this can reach untold numbers of people and can contribute, along with other methods, to informing the population of something they have a right to know.

No one is saying that alone, this will change everything, but combined with other actions, it can be very effective.

I think it's a great idea and it doesn't even cost anything.

[verges]

145. The rubber stamp will cost something. nt

[caseymoz]

118. A lot of stopping it is luck.

Nothing any of the Founders of this country did would have worked, except they got lucky. The Battle of Yorktown has rightfully been called a miracle. So, now we call them geniuses.

But you never get lucky if you don't play. Let's put a messages on dollar bills. And try other things.

[WinkyDink]

49. If advertising didn't work, ad companies wouldn't spend billions doing it.

[defendandprotect]

101. So true -- !!

[Divine Discontent]

51. there are a lot of negative mindsets that feel this way. the way things change is by small acts...

[Fuddnik]

74. Follow it up with a taxpayer strike.

We'll pay our share, when they pay theirs. Not until.

[roguevalley]

84. Okay. Organize it. You want macro NOW you make it happen. I

think its pretty easy to diss someone else's effort when you have nothing but 'organize ______' to offer. YOU begin something and we'll be there.

[StarsInHerHair]

96. learned helplessness, eh?

[ooglymoogly]

116. Why bother you just would not understand....NWAMT.

[caseymoz]

117. I take it you have proof already that this is ineffectual?

You have the study and focus group reports to back it up. Come off it, will you!

One thing is certain: this is cheaper and far more effective than handing out fliers. Unlike fliers, money circulates far and wide. Don't you think people should point out problems with enormous social costs, somehow? Or is even pointing it out an "act of patting oneself on the back" to you? How can you ever start any activism with your attitude?

Please, spread your discouragement somewhere that it will do some good, like, the Free Republic or some other Conservative website.

[Maraya1969]

120. All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. "

-Albert Camus

[MH1]

126. You'd be surprised how many people DON'T know this tax fact,

and some of them might happen to read the message on the bill while waiting in the checkout line.

Small things that raise public awareness and can be widely done, are good things.

[whathehell]

159. +1

[chervilant]

133. Well, now...

For ONE thing, there are a great many people in this nation who are completely unaware of the fact that Exxon and BOA do not pay income tax. (No worries, wee mannie, your 'singular' ethnocentrism is a common malady...)

Furthermore, if you're sincerely concerned about 'effective' activism, I'm sure you've pledged to be in Freedom Plaza on October 6. Right? You're an 'actual' activist, aren't you?

[verges]

142. awareness. nt

[paparush]

146. Perhaps it will raise awareness of an issue largely ignored by corporate media?

[The Wielding Truth]

154. Graffitti...V...GIve Me Liberty...,ect.. Posted protest has it's place.

It makes a difference. Sometimes in very big ways.

[whathehell]

155. It's education for a lot of people...I don't think that can ever be bad. n/t

[Butch350]

76. Are you the Master of Platitude...?

[11 Bravo]

16. Back off! We are clearly in the presence of a very serious person thinking very serious thoughts!

[MissDeeds]

53. Power to the people

:toast:

[roguevalley]

17. agreed. I also write something on a dollar bill to repay one I got

when I was scraping bottom: Remember, someone loves you.

I will put this on dollars too.

[Butch350]

73. OK. But you forgot to tell how to change things.

[PatrynXX]

123. Inaction is how Wisconsin got Scott Walker

o_O look how well that turned out

[Maru Kitteh]

124. It also assists in their quest to blame absolutely everything on Obama and Democrats

because gee . . . we've seen so many (R)s advocating for oil companies to pay taxes!

[liberation]

157. The word "Cynic" does not mean what you think it does

[Chimichurri]

4. Our economy was held hostage over taxes. The average person who is dizzy with the nonsense

has no idea that they are being lied to. This is a powerful way to let them know, IMHO.

I understand how you feel but I myself think things like this count. If messaging didn't work, Fox News would be out of viewers.

[bvar22]

8. Revolutions have been started with pamphlets.

This is just a small but powerful pamphlet.

I WILL start writing this on MY dollar bills.
Might even get a stamp.

SOLIDARITY for Working Americans!
VIVA Democracy.
WE outnumber THEM.

[socialist_n_TN]

13. Yep. Me too............

A small, but powerful pamphlet. That's EXACTLY what it is. May I steal that phrase? :)

[bvar22]

15. Help Yourself.

I claim no ownership of anything I post at DU.
Most of it is borrowed anyway.

[russspeakeasy]

95. None of those assholes would recognize a $1 bill anyway.

[defendandprotect]

97. Knowledge is power -- even if you don't know what to do with it at the moment --

[radhika]

114. As useless as a 1-day gas boycott n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

137. More useless, imho. Not to mentionthe fact that defacing U.S. currency

is a federal felony, a fact that goes unmentioned by all the Keyboard Quixotes populating this site.

[verges]

149. Are the "Where's George?" folk

serving time? They would be easier to find than a mass civil disobedience thing like this.

[MrMickeysMom]

129. So, while we're all listening to that reminder...

You might just find yourself a stamp with similar wording, and give a way a few of these bills to the folks going into the Exxon Station, where they'll have to keep them temporarily and make change with them.

You are part of the many, and although you deserve to bitch, you deserve to act on your bitch.

[dotymed]

130. Recently, I posted the Al Jazeera report on

America wealthy inequality, to my FB page. As we know, America has the biggest wealth inequality in the world. These are the same kind of responses that I received from that posting.

"IS this a News-Flash?", " This sure ain't anything new", etc..

I pointed out to the FB commentors, like I am doing to you, that is the Biggest problem..,APATHY. When Americans get to the point, and the majority are, that these kind of inequalities are accepted rather than seen as "fighting words," Then our country has no hope.

IMO, No pride or sense of Justice either. When we accept these terrible inequalities as "the American way", we have lost.

Every time I think about how much America has become "for and by the elite". I get pissed and want to do whatever it takes, to stop the bastards. This is a country founded on Democracy not feudalism.

Our constitution rejects the tenants of third world countries and embraces a country based on equality and justice for all. Yet we have our political parties, almost completely controlled by the few (5% at most) wealthy,

amoral minority. Sickeningly, the Republican party (which seem to control the Democratic party also, "DLC" approved,uses morals and a distorted view as it's ironic "cover" to decimate all but the wealthy.

Unless we as Americans refuse to accept the terrible future that these warped, greedy individuals have laid out for us, then apathy is the correct tools to use.

[chervilant]

136. Apathy?

Like a growing number of DUers and others, we can choose action: Freedom Plaza, October 6 until...

Envision hundreds of thousands of us encamped there. This is how Gandhi and millions of Indians broke Britain's economic stranglehold on their country.

Also, as above:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead, (1901 - 1978)

[liberalmike27]

153. This is a delightful

Peaceable technique, and I would not worry about detractors. Nothing much is going to work completely, but at least this dollar is going to circulate, and maybe it'll make some people think, who aren't like us, pasted to political boards all the time. It's a lot like bumper stickers, both having a kind of randomness to exposure, to allow ideas and choices to infiltrate into areas where they normally might not.

[Blue_Tires]

3. lol at that!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. I want the stamp - someone must have had one custom-made

or...did a really good photoshop job.

[csziggy]

20. You can get one made very cheaply

Any stamp you want, so if the message above is not to your liking, you can come up with your own message.

Way back, there was a site where you could enter the serial number off your money, put the site on the bill, and if anyone else also entered the serial number, you could track where your bill traveled. Hubby made a stamp with the site name and stamped bills at his job. When he had time, he'd note the serial numbers and come home and enter them.

Some of the bills that passed through the business here in Tallahassee ended up exotic places such as the Phillipines, Sri Lanka, and a lot of European countries. It was fun to track them.

I wish I could remember the name of that site - it was kind of neat.

Edited to add - Where's George? http://www.wheresgeorge.com/

Edited again for statistics:

Bills 194,458,574
Totaling $1,048,543,333
Entered Today 38,237

It did prove how viral something like that can be and that a message on a bill can spread that idea very far. Not only were thousands of people putting the site on their bills and entering the serial number, but additional thousands who saw the site name on the bills were visiting just on that basis and checking the information out.

A stamp with a three line message would cost the same as an address stamp - the easiest to use are the self inking ones since they are stand alone and don't need a pad to re-ink them. Check places like Office Depot, Staples, FedEx Office, etc.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

27. Hey that's fascinating! Thanks for the tracking info. n/t

[proud patriot]

7. I remember when people were writing "bush lies" on Dollar Bills

[rfranklin]

10. And that was very, very effective wasn't it?

A perfect illustration.

[roguevalley]

19. a perfect illustration of how things go so slowly, your response. Even

if you don't do it, someone else will. Several people on this thread already see it as a thing to do. I will do it. It is the way things change. Or, you can sit and complain and do nothing. Small steps or no steps. I'll take the small steps.

[rfranklin]

28. I seem to recall that George Bush occupied the WH for 8 years...

so I guess the dollar bill thing was a wild success.

[Chorophyll]

33. Someone cue the Debbie Downer music.

You know, if you think this is such a terrible idea you're under no obligation to take part.

But you keep on thumping that keyboard at us, because that's fixing things a lot. Really.

[JimDandy]

93. LOL +10

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. Long view,

The US War of Independence started on July 4, 1776.

The process that led to that moment started in the 1730s and 1740s.

That is the long view.

[coalition_unwilling]

138. Well, the true 'long view' would be that the process that

led to it started in 1215 (when Magna Carta was adopted in England :)

In fact, most real historians view American history as merely 'current events' :)

[comtec]

36. Don't forget the IMPEACHMENT, or TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES those notes caused...

oh.. wait...

[Remember Me]

68. Actually, by the end of the 8 years he was overwhelmingly

considered a liar. And very much disliked.

I guess it was a wild success.













(Actually, I don't really think the campaign ALONE led to those outcomes...but I think it's equally silly to insist that a campaign like that ACHIEVE getting someone out of office to be considered successful.)

[roguevalley]

86. hi, remember me. welcome

[Bjorn Against]

69. I also remember him going from 90% approval to 28% approval

Your point?

[krispos42]

112. Oh, I remember, too

:D

[tomg]

79. It kept some of us

Going when we wanted to quit, and got a few others in the game when things were hard.
As they are now.

[roguevalley]

81. How sad. (For debbie downer.) (Not anyone else. I hate these dropdown threads) :)

[RetroLounge]

102. Maybe you shouldn't have voted for him?

:shrug:

RL

[kestrel91316]

63. You are so correct. No idea in the modern age has even gone viral.

We may as well stay home and not even vote.

[roguevalley]

87. viral is king. check out youtube.

[Warren Stupidity]

127. this has really got your dander up, hasn't it?

[verges]

152. Did it hurt? nt

[B Calm]

161. I got one that said "9/11 was an inside job"

[shireen]

11. legal questions ... ;)

This is a great idea! So many people are totally clueless about this stuff.

So l checked to see if this is legal. According to http://www.wheresgeorge.com/faq.php (great project, tracking dollar bills across the country!)
#8 Is it legal to write on or mark currency?
'Where's George?' does not encourage the defacement of U.S. Currency. The law defines 'illegal' defacement as defacement that renders bills unfit to be re-issued. For the legal details from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, please Click Here

As far as I'm concerned, we're not breaking any laws. :evilgrin:

[proud patriot]

12. wow that's good to know

[comtec]

37. it's little more than mental masterbation. if it makes yuo feel better go ahead and do it

but don't think he average person gives a fuck.
thats how we got into this mess

it's amazing... we have the most information at our fingertips than any point in human history... and yet we still vote like drunken morans at the ballot box.

what is wrong with this country? (that was rhetorical if you didn't know)

[shireen]

44. i think this campaign will be more effective since it involves money! nt

[chervilant]

163. Yeah, well,

mental masturbation beats brain dead any day of the week. In fact, I consider 'the average person' who 'doesn't give a fuck' the "walking dead." I have to remind myself--often--'there but for the Grace of the FSM...'

[renate]

14. I would love that stamp

It's more effective than writing "Bush lies" was, because just like I would ignore "Obama lies" on a dollar bill, nobody's going to be persuaded to a whole new point of view by a factless slogan on a dollar bill.

This, however, is a tangible and easy to understand and easy to research fact. "Wow. I'm spending more on a candy bar than Exxon and B of A pay in taxes? I had no idea!" Because most people don't.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

29. Ordered one this afternoon

with red ink - around $20. I think you're right that facts are persuasive, whereas a flat statement with no info to back it up isn't. With this, the entire perspective with verifiable facts is presented in just 3 lines of text.

[qb]

21. I'm pissed off after reading it. It's an effective way of getting people's attention.

[Horse with no Name]

22. I'm a geek. I love Phineas and Ferb.

"Ferb, I know what we're gonna do today!"

:thumbsup:

[Spike89]

24. corporate taxes pretty much a red herring

simply stop and think about it for a second in general terms. If the profits get plowed back into the business, isn't that what we want and doesn't that investment help unemployment? Obviously we've got a seriously broken tax code, but I'd be 100% happy with virtually every business earning enough tax credits to avoid paying taxes--if the tax credits were legitimate.

For instance, if we assess a 50% tax on corporate gross income, but allowed 100% write off for labor and labor benefits (with plenty of incentives and rules to ensure that the labor isn't 99.9% in the CEO salary). The real problem right now is that from the corporation's standpoint, paying the CEO an extra $1 million, (or paying dividends on stock) is exactly as beneficial, tax-wise, as hiring 20 $50K employees.

That the CEO pays about the same tax rate (or lower) than the janitors in the corporation is a much more important and shocking tax fact than the structure of the corporate books.

Us liberals need to understand, Walmart (Exxon, etc.) are NOT the enemy. Ironically, we know they are not persons, but then we demonize them as if they were. The enemy are the people running these things and the politicians that refuse to use the tax code to enforce the social contract and fairness that nurtures and protects the democracy.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

43. But they use loopholes in order to get out of reinvesting in their nation.

That, I most certainly have a problem with.

And yes, Wal Mart, Exxon, etc. are my enemy.

[saras]

64. You're confusing business and corporations

Business is nothing more or less than one of many human activities. When humans do business, they weigh their various values, and make compromises based on them. An extreme example is the need for sleep versus the desire for more work hours.

A corporation is a completely artifical entity, constructed for the purpose of doing business, but not legally allowed to have any other purpose. (They do, of course, the purposes and values of the class of people running them, but it is usually illegal for them to serve those values over those of making a profit for the shareholders).

At this point in time, corporations have so much power relative to other elements of society that they are consistently finding it more profitable to manipulate the entire rest of the game board than to play their role by the rules. Until we repair that problem, I see little to no chance of getting large corporations to treat people - customers, employees, neighbors - with respect.

[roguevalley]

91. Fuck corporations. The minute they went multinational we all became doomed.

corporations are the sum total of the evil of their leadership and people are dead because of the slavish devotion of tools to their corps. I am sure the people of Bhopal know who they hate.

[KT2000]

65. Corporations do not want

any taxes at all. The meme is that corporations, often referred to as business, are sitting on their cash because they are unsure of the tax and regulation atmosphere. The Repubs are fighting for NO corporate tax. They also want no interference from the EPA. Having to p;protect the health of the citizens impinges on the profits for CEOs and shareholders.

That is interesting because take Boeing for example. They want a well educated work force, they want utilities and well maintained infrastructure to serve their needs, they want medical facilities available, they want universities available to them, they want transportation for their employees and their materials. They want a well run airport that is convenient, they want police and fire service for their facilities. When they have spills of toxic materials - as has happened - the city and state must respond. They expect the State Department and other government agencies to act on their behalf in international trade.

Ireland instituted the lowest corporate tax rate. They are now one of the most bankrupted countries

Yes - corporations are the enemy in my mind. They are things that exist to make money. They should be expected to contribute to the common good - something that was once required in a corporate charter.

[defendandprotect]

108. Little difference between corporations and organized crime --

[roguevalley]

89. Exxon is the damned enemy. They killed the Prince william sound

got a fine reduced and wrote it off in taxes. Exxon will always be the enemy in Alaska.

It doesn't matter the big issues that you speak of. We want to hit a nerve and knowing that the fucking corps don't pay dick is enough to set off even teabaggers.

[defendandprotect]

107. Are you kidding? Corporate/fascism is no "red herring" --

Profits are no longer "plowed back into the business" --

They're paid out to CEO's --

Especially because taxes were made lower on the wealthy -- and tax rules were changed

to make it easier to keep money out of the business rather than reinvesting it!


What we need to do is return to progressive taxation on the wealthy and on corporations --!!

And charge every corporation for the damage they've done to the environment -- !!

How much is the planet worth? How much is the human species worth?

What we have to do is stop judging everything by the yardstick of a dollar bill!


What we need is MEDICARE FOR ALL to free employees and small businesses from this yoke

around all our necks of being tied to a company for its benefits --

or having to worry about outrageous insurance costs -- !!



Us liberals need to understand, Walmart (Exxon, etc.) are NOT the enemy. Ironically, we know they are not persons, but then we demonize them as if they were. The enemy are the people running these things and the politicians that refuse to use the tax code to enforce the social contract and fairness that nurtures and protects the democracy.


Evidently you don't understand Global Warming or corporate/fascism --

Time to dismantle capitalism which is a ridiculous "King-of-the-Hill" system instended to '

move the wealth and natural resources of a nation from the many to the few --

Unregulated capitalism is merely organized crime --



"Walmart, Exxon, etc are NOT the enemy" --


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[coalition_unwilling]

139. Taxing corporations will mean taxing union and public employee

pension funds (which are big shareholders in the publicly traded corporations).

Far better would be to re-enact a truly progressive income tax, so that wealthy and high-income individuals pay a higher percentage of their incomes than do the poor and working classes.

Thanks for your sensible comments on a thread that elevates exercises in futility to a whole new level.

[Doctor_J]

141. But the profits get plowed back into officer bonuses

Your post is practically verbatim from the Norquist/AEI propaganda factory.

[mfcorey1]

25. I got one that encourages a vote for Ron Paul printed in red ink across the legal tender.

[No Elephants]

41. Devilish. I like it!

[abelenkpe]

58. You want people to vote for Ron Paul? nt

[mfcorey1]

100. Not in thia lifetime!

[i miss america]

135. Of course not! Only people who believe in the Constitution & want a healthy monetary system should.

You want people to vote for Ron Paul?

I mean, what other reason is there to vote for Ron Paul?

[coalition_unwilling]

140. ROTFLMAO - Awesome! - n/t

[amborin]

26. K&R

[Lifelong Protester]

38. I write on mine: "Free Wisconsin-Recall Walker!"

It makes me feel good, and gets a message out there.

[Major Hogwash]

45. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

Good one!

[shireen]

46. if you have facebook, check out these images!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.247696611916441&type=1

:rofl:

[abelenkpe]

61. Love the NO Michelle Bachman 2012 :) nt

[shireen]

47. question ... a more generic wording for other notes

Would this work?

GE, EXXON, & BANK OF AMERICA
PAID LESS THAN THIS IN TAXES!

[Lifelong Protester]

52. I also like "IF FOUND, RETURN TO THE UPPER 2%"

[defendandprotect]

109. No -- the original in the OP is better ... gives reader more time to think, have msg hit them -- !!

[Ter]

50. Isn't is a federal offense to write on US currency?

Or is that a myth?

[druidity33]

88. See post #11. nt.

[XanaDUer]

54. Every little bit helps

nt.

[Moonwalk]

55. Actually, the biggest problem I see with this is that people aren't using dollar bills that much--

More and more, we're switching to credit/debit cards, gift cards, even electronic payments. My local bus costs a dollar and I use a bus pass rather than slipping dollar bills into the slot. And I use an app on my iPhone to pay for my Starbucks coffee. Just beep it under the scanner and it deducts what I paid and lets me know how much I've got left. When I want to refill it, I use the debit card. No dollar bills get passed between me and the barrister behind the counter.

How many dollar bills do most people have on them these days?

[abelenkpe]

60. I use cash

Take out money each week and pay for everything out of that cash. Helps me keep spending in line. I literally can say to my kids: "We don't have enough for that. How about something that costs less?"

I've written messages on dollars since a teenager. It's not a bad idea.

[defendandprotect]

104. Gasoline prices may be changing that -- and causing them to THINK about credit cards ...

and how they add to the cost of everything we buy --

My little vegetable store in my town told me .56 cents just to swipe a credit

card --

Costs him more than $35,000 a year to have the cards --

Could hire two more people for that money --

PLUS you can be sure that he has to factor in the cost of the cads in all his pricing!

[Philippine expat]

105. Many people still use cash n/t

[barbtries]

132. i always keep some cash on hand

and use it fairly often. i don't like using my debit card to buy a $1 sweet tea for instance.

[Liberal_in_LA]

56. wow.

[drm604]

59. That's good but it should include a URL to some kind of relevant website.

Someplace with a lot more information.

[chill_wind]

119. Excellent point! Gives me another idea.

I would love another way like this to promote the Cost of War website.

[TheCowsCameHome]

62. I wish I had one.

That's pretty cool.

[progressoid]

72. Make one...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2049108960193&set=o.247696611916441&type=1

[GSLevel9]

66. is it a felony to deface US Currency? nt

[hay rick]

70. Nothing could be uglier than the truth.

[shireen]

71. see post 11. it depends

the way i read the law, it sounds marginally legal.

But even if it's illegal, who's gonna track you down and arrest you for it? :D

[socialist_n_TN]

77. Well not only that, we're going to have to get over

an obsession with "legality" when it comes to economic democracy. ANYTHING that is EFFECTIVE that is going to go against the exploiting classes WILL BE ILLEGAL. If you're afraid of illegal, you might as well change sides now.

[cui bono]

75. I'm ready!!!

[AllyCat]

83. I saw this on FB. How do I get a stamp that says this???

I want one. Forget Where's George. Lets go with this.

[Lisa0825]

85. Getting out my wallet now.... even if it doesn't help, I will enjoy it. nt

[DissedByBush]

90. $7.721 billion dollars

According to their latest 10Q statement, that's how much Exxon paid in income taxes in the last quarter alone.

This is obviously not true.

[Jamastiene]

94. Not to the IRS for income taxes...

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/news/1004/gallery.top_5_tax_bills/2.html

They are paying those income taxes elsewhere, not in the US.

More:
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/04/exxon-mobil-paid-zero-income-tax-offshore%20shelter-wal-mart-general-electric-forbes

[Zax2me]

92. Exxon, B of A - why not add GE?

[lonestarnot]

103. Excellent secret message!

[CoffeeCat]

113. A revolution starts with a single, bold idea...

...and no revolution began without a single, bold idea.

When I see this dollar, I think about the movie V FOR VENDETTA. Those people sat around
in a stupor, much like we are doing today. We're getting so used to corrpution, our democracy
eroding, stolen elections, war, illegal surveillance--that we're getting numb.

A single idea on a dollar bill, like this, would have been powerful to those numbed-out people
in that movie.

It's important to remind people--when democracy is failing and the corporations are amassing
untold amounts of power--by buying off our elected officials.

[ooglymoogly]

115. This is brilliant

This rubber stamp needs to be available on ebay or a seller here on DU or any of the fundraising organizations we support as a reward for a donation instead of a tee shirt.

[Maraya1969]

121. I DID IT. IS ANYONE ELSE DOING IT??????

All this talking and nothing getting done. The Democratic party in one thread.

[chervilant]

151. Yes, indeed!

Also, I get Avery labels and post pithy quotes and relevant messages on any surface visible to a significant number of the hoi polloi (eg, bus stops, corner light poles, drive-thru windows, etc). I did NOT originate this awesome idea, but I use it. Plus, both Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright took several pages of my labels to post as they traveled across the US.

I hope more of us will participate in these 'outrageous acts and everyday rebellions.' If all of us get busy, and write the suggested message(s) on our currency, think how many bills would spread the word!

[Maraya1969]

122. I DID IT. IS ANYONE ELSE DOING IT??????

All this talking and nothing getting done. The Democratic party in one thread.

[Maru Kitteh]

125. Didn't know about it till now.

Going to look for a movable type stamp tomorrow. It will be useful in other ways as well.

[MrMickeysMom]

128. P.S. ....

and... GE!

[Hubert Flottz]

131. They don't pay taxes but we fight their wars for them...

The terra-ists have won.

[teewrex]

143. Not to defend them but if they pay dividends to stockholders than they pay taxes

[lonestarnot]

144. Did you run out of bags?

[B Calm]

160. LOL

[Generic Other]

150. A cheap source of rubber stamps

11/2 by 3 inches is $6.95 ( way more than Exxon or BP paid in taxes!!

http://www.rubberstamps.net/unmounted-custom-stamps.aspx

I even pre-made one for us!

http://orders.rubberstamps.net/FixedSize.aspx?ProductID=UNMOUNTED7&qty=1

[whathehell]

156. I love it. n/t

[booley]

158. There's knowing something & then there's grokking it

That seems to be a failing for alot of liberals and why I think so many get discouraged.

One can know a fact but not really understand what that means so the full implications get brushed aside.

I see this every time cons say that business exists to make money (which is true) but somehow fail to get that making money is why they cant' be trusted to self regulate or do the job of government.

And Right wing groups like Fox take advantage of that. It;s why they repeat and repeat and repeat the same lines over and over.

There's no reason not to do write this sort of stuff on dollar bills. It only costs a little time and potentially can reach a huge audience.