The minimum wage debate is proof that Republicans have ultimately won.

[Scootaloo]

54. Well, I do think there are different protest cultures

I would expound on my earlier thoughts, but oh boy, the greatest sin on DU is being even midly critical of hippy culture in any respect whatsoever I don't particularly give a fuck - i'm a crusty old punk, after all... I just don't want to get bogged down with the feigned outrage posts.

So suffice it to say... yeah, there are different strains of protest, and some are more 'rel' than others. The real ones tend to come from people who are actually facing some shit, most often minority groups as we see in Ferguson, or as we are seeing with Idle No More campaigns in Canada and communities in the US.

The difference revolves around action. There's a difference between taking to the streets, and taking the streets. This doesn't mean violence - a frequent whiny excuse used by the... popular protest culture. It just means noncompliance with authority. Take your streets. Show your community's strength. Refuse to budge. And yeah - leave the kids with a sitter, because bad things could happen. They didn't turn dogs and hoses on people on accident then, and they don't bludgeon and gas people on accident today.

Assertion of the power and dominance of the public in a democratic system is what it's ultimately about. As you note, voting doesn't change much, because voting is an inheritance passive act. it's once every four to six years, you make some checks on paper and go away. it's less involved than getting a lotto card from the liquor store, and you're less likely to win something. You vote for people you think will listen to you, but for fuck's sake, you have to give them something to listen to. Pry their ears open if that's what it takes.