Forum Post: BREAKING NEWS: Hijacking Occurring Every Day in the Same Location. Authorities not solving crime due to their role in it.
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 31, 2012, 11:43 a.m. EST by therising
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This content is user submitted and not an official statement
In case you haven't noticed, corporations have hijacked our government. The richest 1% and their minions are ruining our environment, wrecking our economy and stealing our children's futures all in the name of profit. These corporatists are buying candidates and elections at the local, state and national level, quietly ramming legislation through state legislatures (see ALEC) and rigging laws for their benefit. They're pushing austerity measures, using their ownership of the mainstream media to convince us that services for the poor and middle class need to be cut even as the richest 1% are growing ever richer (they hold over 30% of the wealth now. See this link re the austerity lie: http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-message-to-all-the-well-meaning-democrats-and-re/ ). The 1% and their minions want all the benefits of our system to come their way. This is nothing but a massive underhanded transfer of wealth from the 99% to the 1% and we can't let them get away with it.
On top of that, the 1% and their minions are pushing through all sort of laws and provisions that systematically limit dissent and they're coordinating with local, state and federal authorities who are illegally monitoring nonviolent peaceful protesters exercising their first ammendment rights.
What the hell is going on here?
We have great republic. The founders designed an excellent system, but it has been temporarily hijacked. Through consumerism, those same corporatists who have stolen our government have invaded our minds and made us feel like isolated separate individuals instead of part of a community.
Enough is enough. It's time to push back harder than we ever have before. We need to engage in nonviolent direct action of all kinds to raise awareness, unseat these corporate hijackers and restore our great republic. In this way, we can enjoy our lives as individuals and also thrive as part of a community.
This is a damn good country. And there's no way we're going to let a bunch of nihilistic self serving misguided corporatists run it into a ditch to further enhance their wealth. For every one of them, there are 99 of us. We can win this.
The proven tactic of nonviolent direct action of all kinds will expose the injustice and underhandedness for all to see. Strikes, boycotts, sit ins, walk outs, marches, teach ins, street theater, writings, blockades, ....It's time. We have the power -- check out these 2 links! http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-dont-see-the-power-we-have-in-our-hands-to-tran/ AND http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-have-the-power-to-turn-this-world-around-this-o/
"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." ~ Gandhi
We're not fighting against the government. We're fighting to put up guardrails to unseat the corporate hijackers in order to RESTORE our government. To win, we're going to have to create a lot of nonviolent tension to bring injustice out into the light.
We the people can't be afraid of the word tension. Nonviolent tension can be transformative and good.** The following is from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail":
"Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. . . I am not afraid of the word 'tension'. I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. . . The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. . ."
To bring the corruption into the light of day it will take relentless nonviolent actions small and large. As the movement continues to gather steam, multiple gatherings of 800,000 or more in DC and NEW YORK are possible. We need to be RELENTLESS in our push. Here's what the call to action for one Washington, DC nonviolent protest might look like (just an example):
We should take the following action in late spring 2014 to allow time for planning, laying groundwork and buildup:
We should make the 8 demands BELOW very publicly at a press conference a few days after arriving in DC. When laying out these 8 demands, we should give a clear deadline of 30 days for a firm written commitment with signatures from at least 60% of members of House and 60% of the members of the Senate to pass these bills by the end of the year. If this commitment on the full slate of demands is not met by midnight on the 30th day (which it won't be) we should be prepared to non-violently block access to all or part of the Capitol complex the next morning by traditional proven non-violent tactics. The purpose is to bring the leaders of the House and Senate to the negotiating table.
KEEP IN MIND: There are always entrances because there is always a point where people who work there have to leave the public street and enter secure space. We should focus our non-violent direct action and civil disobedience on those entrances no matter where they move them because these are, by definition, always accessible.
8 DEMANDS FOR CONGRESS
CONGRESS PASS HR 1489 ("RETURN TO PRUDENT BANKING ACT"http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1489 ). THIS REINSTATES MANY PROVISIONS OF THE GLASS-STEAGALL ACT that were repealed in the 90's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass–Steagall_Act . Most economists believe the repeal of this act directly contributed to the severity of the financial crisis of 2007–2011.
USE CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY AND OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AGENCIES FULLY INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE THE WALL STREET CRIMINALS who clearly broke the law and helped cause the 2008 financial crisis
CONGRESS ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY BY REVERSING THE EFFECTS OF THE CITIZENS UNITED SUPREME COURT DECISION which essentially said corporations can spend as much as they want on elections. This law should also restore the "Fairness Doctrine".
CONGRESS PASS a revised version of THE BUFFETT RULE ON FAIR TAXATION SO THE RICH AND CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE & CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOP HOLES AND ENACT A PROHIBITION ON HIDING FUNDS OFF SHORE.
CONGRESS COMPLETELY REVAMP THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION and staff it FULLY at all levels with proven professionals who get the job done protecting the integrity of the marketplace so citizens and investors are both protected.
CONGRESS PASS SPECIFIC AND EFFECTIVE LAWS LIMITING THE INFLUENCE OF LOBBYISTS AND ELIMINATING THE PRACTICE OF LOBBYISTS (including ALEC) WRITING LEGISLATION THAT ENDS UP ON THE FLOOR OF STATE LEGISLATURES AND CONGRESS.
CONGRESS PASSING "Revolving Door" LEGISLATION ELIMINATING THE ABILITY OF FORMER GOVERNMENT REGULATORS TO GO TO WORK FOR CORPORATIONS THAT THEY ONCE REGULATED. So, you don't get to work at the FDA for five years playing softball with Pfizer and then go to work for Pfizer making $195,000 a year.
ELIMINATE "PERSONHOOD" LEGAL STATUS FOR CORPORATIONS. The film "The Corporation" has a great section on how corporations won "personhood status". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuUzmqBewg . Fast-forward to 2:20. It'll blow your mind.
The list of 8 items above is NOT an end all be all, of course. But those things will get the corporate foot off our neck long enough to allow us the breathing room to go further towards the root of the problem. Also, I absolutely agree that we need to push with all kinds of protests of all sizes today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. I'm not suggesting at all that we do nothing between now and 2014, just as I'm not suggesting summer 2014 protests will take care of everything. We need thousands of protests small and large and we need to push from inside the system and outside the system using all nonviolent means at our disposal.
The list above only focuses on one aspect. We of course ALSO need to push back on the civil liberties front (see NDAA), environmental fronts, economic justice front, poverty / income disparity / wealth disparity, workers rights, food safety, healthcare and so much more. We can bring about a fundamental shift if we band together as the 99% and push. We just have to realize we have more in common than we have separating us. We have squabbled amongst ourselves for too long while corporatists have slowly hijacked our republic, damaged our environment, wrecked our economy and stolen our children's futures. It's time to push back.
Once we realize we have more in common than we have separating us, we'll be able to make decisions from a position of unified strength instead of demands from a position of divided weakness. There's nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
Here's another part to work on too, something that will get to the very root of the problems we are having : GOOD NEWS http://occupywallst.org/forum/new-view-why-gun-control-peace-treaties-campaign-f/ ).
Check out this short quote from John O'Donohue: http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-have-the-power-to-turn-this-world-around-this-o/
We can't sit on the sidelines. Remember, Martin L. King, Jr. didn't let us off the hook at all. He once said this:
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
'Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many - they are few."
(P.B.Shelley)
Check out these 4 award winning documentaries** -- INSIDE JOB, THE CORPORATION, WHY WE FIGHT & MANUFACTURING CONSENT.
We can do this. Gandhi knew the process quite well. “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” - Gandhi
Let's rise!
Thats an incredible post. I brought up a list of possible demand at the OT GA....needless to say half were thrilled that I did, the other half were appauled that we would even humor this corrupted entity.
I thought it was a conversation worth having, regardless of feelings about it.
In some ways, I completely agree with those that say we shouldn't be making demands of the power structure because that only reinforces that power structure. But what I'm interested in is results. And, in the end, I honestly want to END the need for demands, nonviolent direct action etc. What I want is for us to unify. I want us to realize that we the 99% have more in common than we have separating us. Once we realize that, we will be in a position to make decisions from a position of unified strength rather than demands from a position of diivided weakness. In the end, that is the true goal in my view. Government of the people. Let's restore government of the people. Let's be very careful that we have an excellent alternative to what the founders designed before we throw the baby out with the bath water.
My view is that this system is good but it's been hijacked. And we can unseat the hijackers. Others may believe this system is not salvageable for a multitude of reasons. But that doesn't mean we can't work together. The actions I'm describing would certainly contribute to "both types of revolution" in many ways. I would think even the most adamant anarchist would love to see the hijackers unseated this way over the next 2 - 10 years.
I agree on the more similarities than not. And I think that focus was strong at the beginning. Focusing on a bought out system and a gone-mad banking cartel. Once the focus become the smaller things, the unity is destroyed and nothing at all, mainly the big things, are accomplished.
Classic technique of the MSM- ignore the big game changers, focus on the small stuff.
I see what you're saying. And admit that from a certain perspective that's true. But let me play devil's advocate for a moment. What if the fact that Occupy is an idea is its strength. If the idea of Occupy is strength with the 99%, the people, instead of with the corporations and the 1%, then this "idea" can apply to all sorts of things.
To me, the idea of Occupy is that we the people have been hoodwinked into bickering amongst ourselves while thieves are exploiting that division. Occupy emerged and said, in essence, "Hey, wake up! We have more in common than we have separating us. If we recognize this, we don't have to demand things from the powerful. We can BE the powerful. And not in the sense of replacing one ruling elite with another but in the sense of the PEOPLE, all of us, can rule."
So, as problematic as 185 or 1850 different missions under the mantle of Occupy can be, it's a net gain big time in my view. Occupy is an idea and anyone who realizes that they are not alone in getting the shaft in a rigged system can apply it. That's why it spread round the world in a matter of weeks right?
As far as the mainstream media is concerned, Gandhi and King had methods to play them to their advantage and we should learn from their example. This goes back to my earlier point: they had very focused actions, each with a specific message and they made sure the press was in exactly the right place at the right time. They were masters at this.
Obviously the issues on the ground at each past, current and future occupation (whether it's a park, a statehouse, the entrance to Goldman Sachs, or the local mall) can be unique. I'm not in any way trying to diminish individual challenges. Believe me, I and lots of others know exactly what you're talking about when you're trying to get one thing done and the mission gets muddled. I'm just trying to point out that sometimes a lack of focus isn't really a lack of focus. It's just a laser focus on a succession of individual actions. :)
Thats a good way of looking at it.
I'm just beginning to comprehend all this myself. I came into this forum last September hellbent on joining with others to answer adbusters question: "what is your one demand". But now I realize really all we each need is to support whatever actions we feel strongly about and the rest will kind of take care of itself. I honestly don't think there's any "they" in occupy. It's just us. And that's fucking beautiful.
HAving places in local communities that are constantly discussing things was probably the best thing that could ever happen in terms of turning this thing around.
Of course, local municipalities, regardless of party, viewed it as a threat so no more of that.
Every city needs a bughouse square. Thats what I envisioned. It got crushed. Here we have all city council members as Dems, and the Mayor is a Dem, and they told us to fuck ourselves (with the exception of one council member whose name I wont put out there...great person).
It does make it very hard to get people to come out when the group has decided to make its focus on the current issue in the news, because I think the ones that really understand whats going on dont want to get caught up in the MSM stuff, and then probably feel that its just too disorganized to give it the proper amount of time.
Happy New Year - hears to a 2013 full of bright lights shining on all the hidden recesses where corruption burrows its head. Here's to emerging community, solidarity, peace and the rise of the people.
I think many camps will reconstitute virtually or actually in the same places or others with larger numbers as things become clearer and clearer and the 1% push more an more of their austerity measures.
I love what you said above: "HAving places in local communities that are constantly discussing things was probably the best thing that could ever happen in terms of turning this thing around. . . Every city needs. Bughouse Square."
I fuckin love it. So damn true.
That is so spot on and so beautifully put.
Well, I think any conversation is worth having, even if the outcome is no action but we better understand each other. Whether I agree with you or not, I can at least listen to you.
Ya, thats what I always liked about Occupy. I didnt agree with a lot of the communists, the libertarians, or the socialists on many issues, but the ability to rationally discuss and learn was so incredible.
The only other place you really have for a nice mix like that is the internet, and we see where that usually leads to :)
Yes. I think that is one of the revelations of Occupy Wall Street... That being a part of a protest or occupation does more than just push back on one issue or group of issues. It also gets us face to face, out from in front of our TV's and computers and into the streets. That face to face energy is unmatchable as you know. The feeling a occupations on the best days is electric, invigorating. It feels like you're riding on the wave of history in the present. It is empowering, energizing and motivating to the nth degree. It renews them spirit to be in a place with others who see what you see and feel what you feel. . .
And conversely it raises our game to an even higher level when we're challenged face to face at these protests and occupations with new ideas from people sitting right across from us.
Kanye West is a deluded materialist at times but other times he actually gets a few lines right. I think too often we get dejected and think we've thought of and tried everything and there's no hope. Neither is true. The truth is that impossible is only a word. Once we decide and commit, there's no stopping us. But first we need to get unstuck. A few of Kanye West's lyrics can help us out here:
"You might think you've peeked the scene You haven't, the real one's far too mean The watered down one, the one you know Was made up centuries ago
It may just sound all whack and corny Yes, it's awful, blasted boring Twisted fiction, sick addiction Well, gather 'round. . . . listen
Can we get much higher? So high. So high.
. . . Respark the soul and rebuild the energy." :::::
To paraphrase James Baldwin, "What I had always wanted to say to them is exactly what they were saying to me and it was a beautiful thing to behold, them coming alive and realizing they could step out of the lie and the trap of their history and be, just be. Watching them come to life was amazing. I saw some, not all but some white boys and girls come to freedom on that road and it was a beautiful thing to behold."
Really? brought up at OT GA? When?
It's time for humanity to rise and evolve.