The USA is not a place, it is a process. We don't need to be resigned to this.

[mahina]

The Wikileaks info should have us all ready to throw out the corporatist power and rebuild our communities. We have a process to re-create the America we grew up believing in, and I hope every DU'er out there is engaged locally and does so.

[polichick]

1. Your surfer dude is very much part of that "corporatist power"...

If you doubt it, read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Mendacity-Hope-Betrayal-American-Liberalism/dp/006201126X/

[mahina]

3. Okay.

[mahina]

8. Publicly financed campaigns

are the way out of this mess. Free air time for all candidates too.

We have good people trapped in a shitty system.

[mahina]

10. ps

that's not surfing. That's surfing.

[polichick]

11. It's body surfing - I grew up doing it every day. nt

[Goldstein1984]

2. What? Interrupt Christmas shopping?

Step outside the two-party system?

Question the American myth?

Okay. I'm in.

May I suggest, as I often do, stopping non-essential consumption in a nation where consumption is 70% of the GDP? Maybe directing essential consumption, whenever possible, to local, non-corporate and/or fair trade products? And stepping outside of the formal economy and using the "informal" economy to the maximum extent possible?

In America, where consumption is everything, dissent can be as simple as tactical austerity.

[laughingliberal]

4. +1,000,000 nt

[mahina]

5. Pretty sure most of us are right there with you,

[Goldstein1984]

6. You'd be surprised how much negative feedback I've gotten on DU

When I've advocated a general boycott of non-essential spending.

The standard reason is: The poor will suffer from a boycott more than the rich.

Class war, like all war, is painful in the short term. But submission takes a long-term toll on the soul.

[WingDinger]

9. but that is the only economy left?

[WingDinger]

7. Was it ever thus? Not unless you were born fortunate son.

if not absolutely, at least on average.