What will the "revolution" look like when people have had enough?

[marions ghost]

161. I think

that we have to do more than just vote at this point. Of course we do have to vote, especially since the right to vote is currently being threatened. And populist movements of the past have certainly influenced voting. So it's not an either/or situation at all. It's both. It's all. It's a continuing effort. It has to be a really serious populist movement, a coalition of all concerned groups and individuals.

Voting alone is not going to be enough to bring about the revolution we want to see. Try not to be so literal about the word "revolution." There is not just one definition of the word. I don't fantasize overthrowing the US government. I fantasize CHANGING the US government to more fairly and justly represent its people. In other words, to petition it to address our grievances, to bring it around to acting like a real Democracy--ie. a nation that invests in its people. Not a sham democracy exploited by a tiny fraction of the populace. That job is going to take work.

As far as I'm concerned there has already been a right wing revolution in this country--beginning with Reagan and continuing today. They may not have 'spilled blood" in the streets technically but they have used every dishonest, cruel, and criminal avenue they could to claw their way to inordinate power. They have changed this country in a big way--that IS revolution. We Liberals, Democrats, Progressives--we don't stoop to the criminal. We can't use those tactics. But our adversaries in power have used their lack of integrity to full advantage, and they have succeeded beyond our imaginings. We really are up against liars, thugs and thieves. They will never do anything differently as long as we put up with it.

So I think a non-violent movement advocating for the changes we want to see is justified, and its time has come. The egregious abuses of power must be countered in an effective way. Yes, that's a real challenge when you live in a high surveillance, high "security" state, where any sort of civil unrest is instantly met with lethal force. So conscientious objection to what we see going on today HAS to be non-violent, within the bounds of law, but relentless. Liberalman is not going to save us. It has to be you and me, average people--not just students, not just labor, not just voting rights advocates. Everybody. No contribution is too small. And I don't only mean taking to the streets--there are plenty of other ways to participate. Use buycott apps, support businesses that practice true responsibility, support anything that offers change in the right direction. There really is no other option. This is what we owe the children. Otherwise just teach them to passively knuckle under to their masters.

cheers