Let's Call a General Strike!

[TomClash]

Want to actually do something to end the US participation in the Iraq War? I know - you've emailed your congressman, marched in a protest or two, joined moveon.org, posted on scores of websites, worked and voted in elections. And none of it has really stopped the War. And Congress has now told us it won't. They don't have the votes. And the War Profiteers have the cash and the power.

Let's hit capitalism where it hurts. Bling, bling, ca-ching. The pocketbook. The bottom line. Net profits. The almighty dollar - ok, the once almighty dollar, until the Bush Crime Machine got a hold of it -it's what politicians and the military-industrial complex understand. The hell with the do-nothing Congress, the fascist Administraton.

Let's call a General Strike. Start in June or September. No one works. Yes, no one, except for essential medical personnel - we don't want anyone to die. No one shops, no one buys. No cargo comes in, no cargo goes out. No stores open, no phones get answered, no email gets delivered. None of us gets paid, but they don't either. Make a real sacrifice - you get less, but maybe the War ends.

It starts with labor and liberals and anyone who is antiwar - that's us. Maybe others listen and see and join and maybe it spreads, even to the commanding officers in Iraq - without them there is no war. The politicians have to listen to that.

To those who have some power, any power, help us build on this idea - I know it's not perfect but it beats whining and crying and sulking. Use it, tweak it, alter it, shape it - but actually do something, make it blossom, act on it. There's no other way to stop the War, the Oil/Business War without end. And if we don't stop it here, God help us all, the Bush/Cheney cabal will get their mushroom cloud - and don't be surprised if it happens here.

Let's call a General Strike.

[Colobo]

1. In other societies (Latin America, for example)

that would work. People are willing to go through hell to fight for what's right, and in many cases not much is at stake when people go on general strike, because they don't have much anyway. Our society is not like that. People are not willing to sacrifice, and if you do, you will pay a very high price.

[TomClash]

12. The there is no hope for the People and . . .

. . . they deserve "The Dictatorship of Death."

[rinsd]

2. Quick name the last time there was a general or national strike in this country.

[Colobo]

3. Has it ever happened?

[rinsd]

6. A national strike as the OP has envisioned? No.

The last big general strikes in this country were in the 30's. And those were usually in response to the killing of picketers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1934_West_Coast_Longshore_Strike

[TomClash]

15. As opposed to the killing of soldiers? nt

[54anickel]

7. Nationwide in the US? No, but according to Wikipedia there have been

some pretty big ones here and national ones elsewhere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strike

[TomClash]

13. There's a first for everything nt

[LiberalEsto]

4. Oh, they'll just bring in more H1B techies

and more illegals, and ship more jobs overseas. We, the American working and middle classes, are pretty expendable these days. How I wish a general strike were possible, and could actually change anything.

[54anickel]

5. A self-induced sacrifice since Bush has never asked us to make one?

It would be hard to pull off, and the true reprecussions could be much more serious than one could imagine. I think with enough advanced warning TPTB could make allowances to avoid setting off another great depression, but there's some risk involved any time you "bite the hand that feeds you". :shrug:

It's easy for me to say count me in - I'm unemployed. ;-)

[TomClash]

16. ".... the true reprecussions could be much more serious than one could imagine."

That hitsvthe nail on the head. No one really wants to end the War badly enough to make a tangible sacrifice. This is America afer all.

Thank you very much. Your integrity may have just led me to a new article. :-)

[54anickel]

18. Why do I feel like some low-life, self-centered snob after reading your

reply? :freak:

You're welcome and thank you for saying I have integrity - it made me feel much better about myself. :-)

[TomClash]

19. You shouldn't feel that way

At least you're addressing the issue head on. Most others have their head buried in the sand while they reap the benefits of war.

[54anickel]

20. Thanks, please let me know if you get that into the new article you mentioned.

I'd like to read it.

[TomClash]

21. Will do nt

[sandnsea]

8. Get the Unions to call it

That is the only way it would ever happen. Perhaps we can put pressure on the Teamsters, they were pretty riled up back when the war first started. Unions and minorities, it would have to start there.

[TomClash]

14. I agree

There would have to be some level of union support to make this effective. Which union is bought off the least? SEIU?

[sandnsea]

17. lol, no

And I won't even go there as I know DU loves the SEIU. I have issues with them.

Anyway, it was the Longshoremen who were outspoken against the war, now that I think about it. They would probably be the best place to start.

[Jensen]

9. General Strike for a Day and to the curb in mass, Sept 11, 2007?

:think: Naw, it'll never happen!

[snowbear]

10. Instead of a General Strike.. How about a "strike for the General"?

"Get into this damned race NOW !!!!!"

[moodforaday]

11. No. This is exactly the wrong way around.

On the one hand, you have a mass of people. On the other hand, you have one person in which those people can put their trust. But it's imprudent (I really wish to say foolish) to place all your hopes and entrust your future to one person.

Some people trusted in Nancy Pelosi, some people still trust Hillary, others cheer Conyers, Kusinich, Waxman... (and by the way, what about those hearings you promised to Sibel Edmonds, Mr Waxman?) It doesn't work that way. I don't think it ever did. I think it only works in Hollywood - there's always one guy who saves the world. That, like most things Hollywood, is a lie.