What do you do when politicians ignore polls, contact from voters, demonstrations...

[yurbud]

and Media Benjamin yelling in committee hearings?

Since Washington acts like they are immune to public opinion, and the constraints of our two party system make that true in some ways, what can we do to bend their will in the direction of public opinion?

Besides the anti-war protests, the long occupy protests seemed to only give the politicians fodder for campaign commercials.

Is more substantial civil disobedience called for?

Also, can insiders do more than oppose internally and leak to the public?

For insiders, they could also do things that would gum up the works more without endangering American lives:

• leak orders that could lead to a world war
  
  
• slow walk on orders
  
  
• refuse to follow orders that would lead to a world war
  
  
• Not pass on orders if they are higher up the chain of command
  
  
• monkey wrench

This would apply to the relevant civilians as well as military.

What can those us who aren't in the DC bubble do to alter the course inside?

[Gman]

1. Media Benjamin screaming would be enough

To make me vote opposite her. Throw in Cindy Sheehan and its a done deal. They're all about their own publicity. It even got Benjamin a mention on DU (again).

[G_j]

2. It's true

Last edited Fri Sep 6, 2013, 01:03 PM - Edit history (2)

that people with the courage to speak out are subject to the distain of people who lack courage.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Yup

[Gman]

4. I think you mean "disdain"

[yurbud]

8. or just "stain"

[Scuba]

5. +1

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I know exactly how I'm voting in 2014

Some here will not be pleased. I am done with voting for one conservadem, to keep the crazy out. They are both crazy, and in this case doing ALEC's bidding.

So, I will vote my conscience. If enough joined, we might get a granger rebellion.

And to those going, well work for a progressive. I am media. I don't work campaigns. I don't give to campaigns, I don't speak to pols outside of official duties. Though I do dig into their policies.

Americans need to do that within the system, and some pols are real progressives, cherish them. The majority are there to feather their own nest.

And people need to work outside as well, and take to the streets even if pointless. They do live in a rich man's bubble

[leftyohiolib]

9. by not voting dem you run the risk of the next s.court nomination coming from a republican president

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. See, that does not work anymore

I voted for a dem, keeping the previous republican in congress or voting for this guy has made zero difference. He even voted to defund Obamacare.

So I am sorry, I will pass.

[leftyohiolib]

13. yea i know what you mean it's so much better to lose at the supreme court 5-4 -

such defeatist foolishness - do you cut off your foot cause you have a splinter in your toe?
you'll "SHOW THEM" like you did in 2010
oops sounds like youre talking congress i was refering to potus

[leftyohiolib]

14. sounds like youre talking about congress - if the republicans take the house and senate it will

be impeachment hearings for the next 2 years wont that be fun

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Have fun trying that with somebody who gives a shit

Over that inevitable threat. Some of us are prety much done.

On and 2010 I voted Dem all the way, so you can go stuff it.

[frylock]

12. yeah, that's a real shame..

and something the conservadems should consider as they continue to take progressive voters for granted.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. The old coalition is shattered anyway

So many of us are in search. As is I am not represented by either, so why the hell keep them in office?

[yurbud]

17. that's at the presidential level--Congress and local politics is something else

[JoePhilly]

7. The polls said the American people supported the Iraq invasion.

Governing by polls isn't going to be the answer.

[frylock]

11. i stop giving them my vote