Alabama needs a 'Gandhi'. Gaining home rule by civil disobedience.

[trof]

Last edited Tue Feb 26, 2013, 07:15 AM - Edit history (1)

OK, you don't live in Alabama (lucky you) so you don't give a ratz.
I get it.
But I'd like your comments.
BTW, there are about three of us who post in the Alabama Forum.
It's not exactly 'active'.


I watched the excellent movie 'Gandhi' last night.
Gandhi used civil disobedience to achieve 'home rule' for India and defeat the British government.
I think we need a Gandhi in our state.

Alabama's constitution, written in 1901, is the longest in the world.
ANY change to local government MUST be voted on statewide.
Look it up.

All power lies in the statehouse in Montgomery.
Any strictly local issues must be voted on statewide.
Does your county commission want to increase sales or real estate taxes?
Build a road?
Make voting easier?
It has to go through the statehouse.
Those in the statehouse rule on whether it can even BE on the ballot.
ONE rep or senator can keep it off the ballot.
If it DOES make it to a ballot, the majority of voters IN THE WHOLE STATE have to vote 'yes'.
This is idiotic.

So...we need a Gandhi.

It ain't me.
But what if we refused to pay our real estate taxes until we get home rule?
Same for sales taxes and state income taxes?
We'd cripple state finances, even more than they are already crippled.

Tilting at windmills?
Comments?
trof

[still_one]

1. Actually that is what MLK did, and succeeded in getting the civil rights act passed

The sad thing is that the era could not pass which is a sorry statement on our country

To answer your question with a question, when will people stop voting against their own interest?

One positive thing, Alabama did accept the 13th amendment it took Mississippi over a 100 years to do it

You are right, great movie

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Have at it, my friend.

The problem is usually getting a big enough "we" to get on board.

That is to say, a wee "we" won't accomplish much.

[demwing]

3. No disagreement, just extend the scope

America needs a new peaceful civil disobedience movement, before the "peaceful" bit becomes a secondary afterthought....

[undergroundpanther]

4. Gandhi

Basically interfered with and limited the Indian revolution,he compromised with the enemy.Revolutions cannot happen without revolt.And sometimes revolution means you fight,get hurt even killed.
Alot of people in India have disdain for Gandhi. Look up Gandhi and the Dalits.

Non-violence is just not reality. It can work for some things,but if the problem has no capacity for shame than it must be fought. Chaining yourself to a door,letting cops beat you up it's a nice fantasy to effect real lasting socio-political change without real risk. The Banksters and other repug types rely on our fear to keep doing as they are doing right now.

http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/wayne-price-why-i-am-not-a-pacifist

[dembotoz]

5. i need to watch ghandi on a more regular basis

i am not sure that our local cops would be as civilized as the british were.

[liberaltrucker]

6. I was born and raised in Alabama

Carbon Hill (Walker County) to be precise. I remember several
attempts to reform the horrendous document called the State
Constitution. All failed due to the Powers That Be in Montgomery.

IIRC, the Big Four cities (Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery
and Mobile) have home rule, but it had to be decided by statewide
vote. I wholeheartedly agree that this is pretty fucking stupid.

As far as civil disobedience or a tax "strike", if enough Alabamians
got on board it might just work, MAYBE. The corruption in Montgomery
is VERY deeply entrenched and Bentley has the State Troopers and ABI
at his disposal. Just ask the folks who were on that bridge in Selma.

I'm safely in Pennsylvania for now, but home will always be Alabama.
Good luck, Trof!