General Discussion

Demo_Chris

(6,234 posts)

35. Marches and petitions and drum circles do not intimidate the elite

Sun Apr 7, 2013, 09:45 AM

Apr 2013

These things alone have never changed anything. I understand that this is one of the big lies we teach our kids, but there it is. Ghandi and King were not successful because their calm quiet resistance swayed society's elite. Rather, for the elite it was a choice between dealing with them, or dealing with the violent militants standing behind them.

When people have to get permission from the elite to protest against the elite, and the elite laughingly grant the boon, it's a safe bet the elite weren't inconvenienced by the protest.

The same applies with politics. President Obama said as much himself, we have to FORCE him to do what he promised. Left unsaid was the rest of the story, we either force him to do what he promised to us, or he will do what he and Romney both promised to Exxon and Goldman and UnitedHealth and Lockheed and Monsanto and Dow. Politicians work for the people who pay them. The elite pay them with cash and expect obedience, we pay them with votes and expect nothing. Ten million people marching in the streets don't have the influence of a single phone call from Goldman.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

224 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

You ain't gonna do shit [View all] UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2013 OP

Yes - Americans Are Being Played For Chumps cantbeserious Apr 2013 #1

I am doing something. I realized nothing is going to get fixed in the US. Once I get my Masters Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #30

So, where are you headed after grad school? Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #60

Either Japan or South America, would prefer Japan :) Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #121

Too close to N. Korea! n/t SylviaD Apr 2013 #191

That is my goal as well demwing Apr 2013 #72

Agree, nothing will get fixed here. The system has long been sold out. I have no desire to try and Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #122

More about Uruguay: demwing Apr 2013 #149

Thanks, will put it in as part of the list of possible countries. Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #156

Smart move IMO. I would do the same. Countries become very weird, and the US is well on its way. RKP5637 Apr 2013 #127

I think its past the point of being fixed. Maybe it will right itself in ten-twenty years, but I Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #129

Yep, agree, it'll need to be a generational change. n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #136

Basically the country will take a nosedive and discover how bad they can make it for ourselves Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #140

What concerns me is today with current technology there are so many tools and RKP5637 Apr 2013 #146

Yep, there are to many ways to suppress the masses. I am reminded of a scene in "V for Vendetta" Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #173

Yep! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #177

It won't tavalon Apr 2013 #183

I agree, Japan may not be the best spot unfortunately. Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #184

I always wanted to visit there tavalon Apr 2013 #185

Me too lark Apr 2013 #142

Either Japan or South America, would prefer Japan although any of the Northern Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #143

Good luck lark Apr 2013 #145

I do like the idea of Brazil, your right Europe is busy pricing itself out. Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #157

I have waited too late... dotymed Apr 2013 #211

Cold's no problem to me! Oakenshield Apr 2013 #205

Good luck to you as well lark Apr 2013 #221

du rec. nt xchrom Apr 2013 #2

That system has boundaries and limits which aren't infinitely expandable. leveymg Apr 2013 #3

No problem....it just recycles. pocoloco Apr 2013 #31

In chemistry, there is a classic experiment done by most Vinnie From Indy Apr 2013 #4

Yep, I remember that well working with titration points. I was always amazed at how RKP5637 Apr 2013 #28

If THAT'S how it's gonna play out Plucketeer Apr 2013 #65

Yep, JEB Apr 2013 #74

Yeah, same here ... I thought that was the line crossed, but people just took it RKP5637 Apr 2013 #155

And the red will be blood, most likely Demeter Apr 2013 #92

what you are taking about is a titration. DeadEyeDyck Apr 2013 #108

Except, poverty acts as the buffer Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #172

That's been the case throughout history Warpy Apr 2013 #176

First comes awareness, followed by despair. Then comes action, finally followed by change. reformist2 Apr 2013 #5

The revolution was won in 2008. Everyone should stop wanting instant gratification graham4anything Apr 2013 #9

I agree with that, in the sense that it was a turning point. But... reformist2 Apr 2013 #10

See reply #11 UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2013 #13

So you are telling seniors, vets, those in poverty, people still losing jobs and retirements, etc., rhett o rick Apr 2013 #21

those are lovely soundbytes, however as proven 100 times, none in your title are affected graham4anything Apr 2013 #37

You are either pulling our legs or something. rhett o rick Apr 2013 #40

This is meant to be funny, right? You should include a sarcasm icon, people sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #75

means I am WINNNNNNNNINGGGGGGGG graham4anything Apr 2013 #79

When you get tired of arguing the viewpoint......... socialist_n_TN Apr 2013 #91

Agreed. You won't get anything better than President Obama for maybe 50 years if then. graham4anything Apr 2013 #168

singlehandedly saved the US auto industry? Mnpaul Apr 2013 #133

Bush basically handed the reins over by that time graham4anything Apr 2013 #134

Handed the reins over for what? Mnpaul Apr 2013 #135

No, 2008 was a further win for NeoLiberalism. newthinking Apr 2013 #167

You are correct about this (quoting): delrem Apr 2013 #200

It is a global coup Mojorabbit Apr 2013 #203

I long ago put Glenn Greenwald the libertarian on ignore graham4anything Apr 2013 #210

Your response doesn't surprise me. delrem Apr 2013 #223

You've been drinking too much Kool-Ade. Scuba Apr 2013 #25

yep. nt awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #138

Oh yeah ... Newest Reality Apr 2013 #32

The revolution was won in 1963..... pocoloco Apr 2013 #34

actually, that is not historically true graham4anything Apr 2013 #85

There we go! n/t AverageJoe90 Apr 2013 #196

Yep...you got it right. zeemike Apr 2013 #131

Obama sucks. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #43

There is a truly adult slogan.Saying someone sucks is a fine means to change. graham4anything Apr 2013 #45

If the truth is simple, then keep it simple. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #48

Bush wasn't an idiot. He won two seats as President. And his brother is favored for a 3rd graham4anything Apr 2013 #54

He was an idiot and he won because gore and loserman couldn't find water if Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #58

Why didn't you work harder for Jesse Jackson and Jerry Brown in the 80s and 1992? graham4anything Apr 2013 #61

Because I was ten. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #100

I worked very hard to have Bob Graham named VP both in 2000 and 2004 graham4anything Apr 2013 #104

So Nader is sooo powerful to undermind gores campaign? Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #125

How come Bob Graham didn't do anything to stop Bush? Mnpaul Apr 2013 #139

How come Paul Wellstone didn't do anything? graham4anything Apr 2013 #206

+1! CrispyQ Apr 2013 #62

+1 n/t whathehell Apr 2013 #105

It only took a few minutes reading your posts to see that you have an agenda. Won two seats lonestarnot Apr 2013 #110

Bing Crosby- Everybody has an angle. graham4anything Apr 2013 #111

Will forever be known as the 42 and 43 takedown of the top without a shot being fired. lonestarnot Apr 2013 #118

Should have begged LBJ to run in 1968 and beat Nixon. I know I did. graham4anything Apr 2013 #119

How come LBJ didn't expose Nixon? Mnpaul Apr 2013 #141

Just like you or me, he expected others to expose the the right and wrong nolabels Apr 2013 #207

Because America comes first. Vengence and Anarchy is plain stupid. graham4anything Apr 2013 #208

If LBJ loved America Mnpaul Apr 2013 #213

At that time, it is Nixon's ballfield. One don't armchair quarterback.Or backseat drive graham4anything Apr 2013 #214

It wasn't Nixon's ball field Mnpaul Apr 2013 #215

The public prevented LBJ from being president. Pretty stupid of them graham4anything Apr 2013 #216

You have a lame excuse for everything don't you? Mnpaul Apr 2013 #218

Yes , Yes he was an idiot and he Never Won anything. He Stoled It:) 4 t 4 Apr 2013 #198

bush was my governor six years before he was installed as president Skittles Apr 2013 #199

he already HAS changed much for the better and moved the country left. Only people with their KittyWampus Apr 2013 #144

Hold on while I read your examples of leftward progress. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #166

If the revolution was won in 2008, then why are things still going down hill and why are we still RC Apr 2013 #47

I think he means that Wall St. won the revolution! sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #76

Ask Gorby in Russia. He tore down the walls and Russia went back to the past with Putin graham4anything Apr 2013 #112

Yep. (NT) reACTIONary Apr 2013 #69

If that was a win, how bad would losing be? Doctor_J Apr 2013 #71

You are confusing a revolution with window dressing. MotherPetrie Apr 2013 #101

awareness is systematically and pretty effectively blocked... tomp Apr 2013 #66

different people are at different levels demwing Apr 2013 #88

I agree that the next 10 years will shape humanity for the next century or more... Moostache Apr 2013 #120

Latter day Les Mis�rables unrepentedhipster Apr 2013 #81

Then we may be doomed to repeat the mistakes ... unrepentedhipster. In_The_Wind Apr 2013 #222

Sad but true Glorfindel Apr 2013 #6

AMEN sorefeet Apr 2013 #7

What did they do? They voted for Ralph Nader in NH in 2000 and threw it to Bush graham4anything Apr 2013 #8

Your post is like streamlining straight, uncut irony. Bonobo Apr 2013 #16

My answer is anything but ironic- I am doing something- graham4anything Apr 2013 #22

Non-responsive. Move to strike, your Honor. Bonobo Apr 2013 #23

Because I am not a player in Ron Paul's game. I peel the layers of the wedge of lettuce graham4anything Apr 2013 #24

I think part of the posters point onpatrol98 Apr 2013 #38

The media died when Dan Rather was uniformally character asssasssinated & no one had his back graham4anything Apr 2013 #42

So you're anti the 1st Amendment also. You forgot the Civil Rights movement, which sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #82

Most countries had rightwing leaders, now being replaced by their Barack Obama's graham4anything Apr 2013 #126

There is so much wrong with your comment that it would take all day to sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #171

Saying Jefferson was a liberal and he owned slaves and fought to keep them and profit from them graham4anything Apr 2013 #180

Gore lost because he sucked ass. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #44

2 cars left NYC for Tampa. One a reliable Honda, one a fancy flash red/green Corvette graham4anything Apr 2013 #53

Nader was the forward movement. Fuddnik Apr 2013 #68

Then you must be happy with what Nader won in 2000, Alito and Roberts graham4anything Apr 2013 #70

My head hurts G_j Apr 2013 #124

Oh yeah, UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2013 #11

Very true. Good name for Ralph Nader. graham4anything Apr 2013 #20

Yep! bvar22 Apr 2013 #96

he was a patsy for the republican party. He knows it, he couldn't contain his ego graham4anything Apr 2013 #99

Nader wasn't that strong. bvar22 Apr 2013 #103

Hear, hear! Thanks for the sanity, bvar. nt Mnemosyne Apr 2013 #107

+1000 nt laundry_queen Apr 2013 #109

It's always someone else's fault Mnpaul Apr 2013 #123

he did not need to be a superman DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #165

What you are afraid to consider is that the Democratic Party threw away those votes. bvar22 Apr 2013 #179

with all due respect DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #188

I offer NO respect for Blaming Failure on that which you can NOT Change. bvar22 Apr 2013 #190

no respect? Cute DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #194

Another Fail. bvar22 Apr 2013 #220

You ignored the part DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #224

Sad but damned true. AverageJoe90 Apr 2013 #197

How about... ramapo Apr 2013 #12

Simple (but radical): Demand a basic income because there aren't enough jobs to go around. reformist2 Apr 2013 #17

Commie. CrispyQ Apr 2013 #67

and when TPTB sneer at us, just as the OP noted? demwing Apr 2013 #89

K&R. !!!!!!!!' newfie11 Apr 2013 #14

kr HiPointDem Apr 2013 #15

Exactly. Yesterday I marched in the streets but it was an exception to the rule. eomer Apr 2013 #18

Marches and petitions and drum circles do not intimidate the elite Demo_Chris Apr 2013 #35

Great post. nt raccoon Apr 2013 #128

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but your actions may be too random. rhett o rick Apr 2013 #36

Maybe I created a false impression; the march yesterday was part of an orchestrated campaign. eomer Apr 2013 #150

Please dont think I am saying we shouldnt do these actions. rhett o rick Apr 2013 #158

I think you are right. Unfortunately most of the people I know are nowhere near ready for this. eomer Apr 2013 #169

I am with you. Right now the brave are fighting the real fight but at some point, rhett o rick Apr 2013 #170

eomer, you are not alone mrdmk Apr 2013 #217

What are you gonna do? geckosfeet Apr 2013 #19

With all due respect. 99Forever Apr 2013 #56

Oh thank you so very much! And here I was thinking geckosfeet Apr 2013 #64

So then... 99Forever Apr 2013 #87

I have no intention of taking back anything by force. geckosfeet Apr 2013 #114

From what? 99Forever Apr 2013 #115

Enough of you. geckosfeet Apr 2013 #116

So you have no reasonable answer. 99Forever Apr 2013 #117

"Peashooters" at the very least insure they have to kill us to totally subdue us. TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #94

So you do advocate violent revolution. 99Forever Apr 2013 #98

Not exactly, what I favor is all options on the table. TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #193

Begging? 99Forever Apr 2013 #209

Some will send emails, call congress, or sign a petition NightWatcher Apr 2013 #26

Hubris sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #27

Oh yeah, what would they do if ALL of us RoccoR5955 Apr 2013 #29

Maybe it's time to replace both party's in the Autumn Apr 2013 #33

When the official unemployment rate reaches 25% a la 1933..... steve2470 Apr 2013 #39

Not likely to happen, they'll pretend more folks just stopped needing money in America TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #50

I'm afraid you are indeed correct nt steve2470 Apr 2013 #51

Just like with elections Doctor_J Apr 2013 #78

The slaves are too busy working, and the unemployed are too poor to get to rallies. jsr Apr 2013 #41

They assume and hope we'll do nothing. winter is coming Apr 2013 #46

There IS nothing we can do to make an effect Doctor_J Apr 2013 #73

Pepper spraying peaceful protestors and sending in undercover cops trying winter is coming Apr 2013 #86

I agree with you. Marr Apr 2013 #102

Most of them don't even 'truly' understand what 'they're doing' themselves... Amonester Apr 2013 #175

Of course ... Newest Reality Apr 2013 #49

+1 nt Poll_Blind Apr 2013 #52

Welcome home UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2013 #55

Not sure about SS--friends who don't pay much attention to politics are concerned AndyA Apr 2013 #57

No, not leaning on fables like Gandhi freeing India and the effectiveness of Viet Nam protest TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #59

Word Doctor_J Apr 2013 #77

I will no longer subsidize the robber barons and war criminals Fiendish Thingy Apr 2013 #63

What you say is generally true. But some will mix more kool-aid. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #80

Well of course broadcaster75201 Apr 2013 #83

I think I would alternate "You ain't gonna do shit" with "You gonna do it with enthusiasm" Paul E Ester Apr 2013 #84

You're wrong. People have said they had enough. caseymoz Apr 2013 #90

Occupy SANDY AndyTiedye Apr 2013 #204

No, it's not dead caseymoz Apr 2013 #219

Well done. russspeakeasy Apr 2013 #93

In France, they want to raise the retirement age to 62... Bigmack Apr 2013 #95

There is NO SS in France. They have the best system. It is called WELLNESS graham4anything Apr 2013 #113

Hold on to your Memories! bvar22 Apr 2013 #97

It'd be a nice change if people wouldn't do shit. raouldukelives Apr 2013 #106

Is this a song? If not ...it should be. L0oniX Apr 2013 #130

K & R !!! WillyT Apr 2013 #132

and that's the bottom line d_b Apr 2013 #137

The tubes are our only way to protest the system, but erronis Apr 2013 #147

If we stand up to the corporate bullies and overturn Citizens United, all this goes away. Initech Apr 2013 #148

Someone made me mad on fb and I stole some of this. Festivito Apr 2013 #151

In my opinion pandadug Apr 2013 #152

Exactly! Shit keeps being served up and Americans say thank you! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #153

K&R limpyhobbler Apr 2013 #154

To quote Bill Hicks: "Go back to bed America your government is in control" Initech Apr 2013 #159

I'm gonna drink more KOOL AID. Grip and sip. mmmm n/t pa28 Apr 2013 #160

Just talking about it is doing shit. grahamhgreen Apr 2013 #161

Is it time yet for a General Strike to 'brush back ' the PTB? on point Apr 2013 #162

true...unfortunately. add -"when male lawmakers ban abortion. women dont do shit Liberal_in_LA Apr 2013 #163

So....what's the answer? To "not do shit?" MADem Apr 2013 #164

You ain't gonna do shit! blindhog Apr 2013 #174

Said by the French aristocracy in the 1780's. nt Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #178

K&R n/t Cali_Democrat Apr 2013 #181

Rec with profound sadness. tblue Apr 2013 #182

Right, I ain't gonna give money, I ain't gonna volunteer time and I ain't gonna vote HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #186

Yup. woo me with science Apr 2013 #187

It's the media! Win-the-fight Apr 2013 #189

That's the Problem with Mainstream Media Owned by Corporations KoKo Apr 2013 #192

Not true. Nye Bevan Apr 2013 #195

Not going to do shit? Is this 2010 style prep for 2014? Yeah, that worked real well for us. patrice Apr 2013 #201

DU Un-Rec patrice Apr 2013 #202

Agreed Mr Dixon Apr 2013 #212