Forum Post: Please calm down, and forward the 99percent Declaration to everyone you know.
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 22, 2011, 10:09 a.m. EST by NLake72
(510)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that all my posts in support of the OWS movement have to be removed. Sadly, this movement, as a whole, appears to be moving in an anarchistic direction that I can no longer endorse or support. The recent decision by the OWS to disavow the NGA and the document known as the 99% Declaration may indeed be well-founded. This is an issue that I don't claim to understand. However, it seems indicative of the lack of direction and leadership this movement is experiencing as a whole. Sadly, this lack of endorsement, and seeming lack of trust between these groups, only seems to lend support to my conclusions that the OWS movement, as a whole, is pushing an agenda that is, at best, inscrutable. In short, if the OWS produces an agenda that I can support, I may decide otherwise. However, at this time, I don't think the OWS is being directed toward a realistic, workable set of solutions to the problems that face our country.
I firmly believe that our system can be can reformed using the tools provided in the Constitution. We have a legitimate right to redress our grievances to the government. I'm unsure if I will endorse any group at this, or a later time. Like the vast majority of Americans, I think the system is badly broken. While I tacitly support the agenda known as the 99% Declaration, I am still hoping for a more perfect document to be created. I certainly don't support all of it's initiatives, nor do I endorse any group at this time. But, until a better plan emerges, I will continue to support the 99% Declaration, because it is the best agenda that I've seen to date. It is a document that deserves to be discussed, and improved. It deserves time in the national spotlight. The issues it addresses deserve a national debate. It's the best document I've seen to date, and I hope something that suits my personal tastes, and more particularly those of the vast majority of Americans emerges.
Clearly this movement is not going to change its ways in the form it is in now. It has no intention of working with and through government to affect change. I have seen the 99%Declaration. I feel it is perfectly legitimate, as a way to get results through legislation that would be beneficial to the 99%.
There's also another option that I ran across that also has the intentions of working with and through government. I'm not advocating one over another, just sharing!
http://occupywallst.org/forum/so-much-of-whats-here-is-contrary-to-the-actual-mo/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/proclamation99/
Thanks for this post, I didn't get to read through the whole thread but the peition is a much better starting point than anything else I've seen yet. It also brings up a HUGE point about Direct Democracy that I've always been wondering about as well.
I'm glad. Good luck on this kinda crazy, but necessary, journey! : )
I agree, it's crazy. These are crazy times, and it's our duty to keep trying to get the word out. Forward the link. Print a few copies and distribute them in places like coffee shops, waiting rooms, anyplace you can think of where people will read it. Make sure you put the url, and a note to pass the link on. That's my suggestion today, anyway. We still gotta do the protest marches, that's the only way we'll get the ranks to swell with fresh faces.
Of course, we still have to go back to paper ballots, there's far too much room for sneaky b@stards to fiddle with the computerized results... I've got a couple good articles saved somewhere... There's 1001 ways to foil the cause...
I clicked the link, I'll look into it more carefully when I have time to really focus on the content. Thanks for providing us with alternatives to think about.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the occupiers, keep the faith, you are inspiration to us all.
ok read it and it does have some good points term limits for one, ed reform is like 30 years overdue but I can not put my ink to this.. in the way it is now. To much theory and not enough reality in this .
It is a series of talking points, not a new Constitution. I don't ask you to sign it, merely pass it along to those you know, so that it may be read. It deserves to be seen by the world, and perhaps some people will thank you. It will certainly spark debate, no two ways about it. Each of us has to search our hearts and ponder these ideas. It's gonna be a big debate, and compromise is surely going to sting for us all. Food for thought, thanks for giving it an honest look.
what if there is not a fit man or woman who is running for office. Why can't we vote in 2 men or 2 women. Stop forcing "equality" down our throats.
Well, you do make a fair point, that this is an extra step toward egalitarianism that need not be taken, but it is to be taken because the women's rights and voices have often been ignored, historically speaking. This is an extra safeguard against the danger of unintended chauvinism that could enter the process. Consider it YOUR personal compromise: that we intend to make the long overdue process of debating the grievances against our government as fair and equal as humanly possible. Women make up pretty close to half this country, and if you can't find one woman of equal quality to a man in your whole district, then you're hanging out in all the wrong places. I tend to agree that this is sexism by a different flavor, but we all have to make sacrifices to the cause of inclusion, and I think this simple act of chivalry will be a footnote for the ages.
fyi - just attached your link to another post entitled, "if this is our movement what is our message."
This forum site is sloppy. no organization. people have made great posts that just end up falling into the abyss with no further action.
Once it hits the web, it's open season. Keep my comments in context, and quote me in full. And, for the love of all that's holy, if you see a punctuation error? Geesh... could you fix it for me?
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I want you to go to this post. I want you to speak truth to power!. Say it once, say it twice. Say it loud. Say it proud. I'm down with the KTC. The Revolution starts here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGaRtqrlGy8&feature=related
http://occupywallst.org/forum/make-a-stand-join-the-clan/
The Revolution starts here! No one can silence the Revolution!
The revolution will not be televised...
http://occupywallst.org/forum/update-on-the-99-declaration-and-the-national-gene/
You want action? How about this? http://occupywallst.org/forum/to-those-occupyint-dc-or-considering-it-tactics-th/
I want you to go to this post. I want you to speak truth to power!. Say it once, say it twice. Say it loud. Say it proud. I'm down with the KTC. The Revolution starts here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGaRtqrlGy8&feature=related
http://occupywallst.org/forum/make-a-stand-join-the-clan/
The Revolution starts here! No one can silence the Revolution!
71 comments!?! SWEET! some rebuttals added below
NGA NOW all roads lead to Philadelphia https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
Alas and alack, these forums are so busy... :)
Folks, there are some BAD ASS good guys on the internet, and they seem to really hate fascists. The 99% should all light a candle for the occupiers, whose movement is too important to be crushed so easily. Keep the faith, be peaceful, be non-violent, and don't forget to put on your coat when you get out and MARCH!
rep. martin heinrich (R-Ohio) recently introduced a bill to start dealing with corporate cash in politics. see link. also, from a legal perspective, it is going to be very difficult to uproot the constitutional moorings finding that campaign money is tantamount free speech since there is a very a long line of cases that have accepted the premise (albeit wierd and faulty). moreover, OWS will have to address the issue that each candidate faces, which is the high costs of running a campaign. perhaps the solution is to make the comcasts of the world donate 20 minutes of advertising per day 4 months prior as a start. the problem has always been the faulty, tacit assumption that more $ equals more support.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/citizens-united-constitutional-amendment-house-democrats_n_1093498.html
The only turn off of that link is the Website design, sadly. Almost disregarded it but the better half prevailed. I signed your petition.
Edit: No offense intended, it's a shame when that happens.
No offense taken, I'm sure :)
Thank you, Sir. It's not my petition, but it's a good start.
there's a GLARING HOLE in this: to wit, lobbying reform--that's how the wealthy and corporations get their tentacles into these suckers, it's not just giving to the campaign. i would also throw in a low limit on campaign financing--say $250 per person like the Lessig (harvard law professor) suggests--that way everyone who can pony up gets a seat at the table and a meeting with their congressman. currently the limit is $3,500 or so to the campaign, and I think it's unlimited to the PAC.
Also, some of the more reactionary language needs to be removed if you want to be taken seriously. Otherwise, good first draft.
I agree that contributions have to be kept extremely low, that's a critical item that has to be addressed. It's an imperfect document, I endorse it with my own caveats... I certainly agree that there are some items that need (a lot more) thought. I will even add that it is a very long read to expect, and a bit too much effort to expect from your average person. But, I believe that it is a good place to start the debate. It fills the void of "there is no message." It gives a direction, and it's something we can pound on the table. It's a tool for a job that isn't getting done.
I don't agree with all the items on the list, but it's a good agenda for a conversation that is sure to give us all a big headache by the end. If the mainstream media would only give it some coverage, we'd have 20,000 signatures before the newscast was over, and we'd all have something to talk about, something tangible to point to. Right now, the stories are "anarchy" and "police baiting" and "leaderless" and "no message." That's the media trying to control the message, silence the voices, kill our momentum... We have to get this message out there for people to see... Eventually, these ideas will have to get airplay, or this really IS 1984, and I'm changing my name to Winston Smith.
This is a sidenote... It is related to american politics, "COOPING" was a term that I wasn't familiar with...
Edgar Allan Poe is thought by some to have been the victim of cooping before his mysterious death in early October 1849 (wikipedia)
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http://occupywallst.org/forum/why-not-vote-for-the-green-party/
I clicked the link, I'll look into it more carefully when I have time to really focus on the content. Thanks for providing us with alternatives to think about.
likewise
It's all part of the democratic process wouldn't you agree?
In the Spirit of NLake72...
Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.
Lol... One of my favorites that is sure to get Peta pounding on Mark's grave...
"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." Mark Twain
First, who say this document represents OWS ? Is it "official" ?
Second, there are so many holes in the arguments surrounding some of the demands that they will be shredded to bits by the taking heads just as soon as things get serious. People really do need to get more educated regarding the system they seek to reform.
Some examples of popular misconception: The modern Federal Reserve was specifically isolated from political control after the Great Depression because the politicians manipulated the Fed for political gain and caused the Great Depression (see Banking Act of 1935). The recent Citizens United case did not define coporations to be persons (that was finally and fully done by Congress in a 1948 revision to USC 1.1 after it crept up through contract law, and it applies to unions, "associations" AND corporations), they only said they had no way given the law to allow some corporations like Fox and MSNBC from talking about politics all day while baning other corporations from also talking about politics.
I know you're going to say "tell me what you'd change." I've been all over the place in the forums debating the issues with folks and trying to inject fact into the discussion. I don't have the time or patience to do it all again.
I didn't say it was perfect. I agree that the fed reserve is out of political hands for what seem to be very sound reasons. But, this document opens the debate, and it seeks to reform the system by the rules set forth in the Constitution.
I guess my feeling is... Given that the fed reserve is somewhat... suspect.. I think that the call to return its control to the treasury (might) be a good idea. IF (and only if) proper restraints are put in place to prevent it's manipulation by our politicians. Reforming the system may require a series of checks and balances that address that very serious concern. "Letting it ride" might be the smarter move, history strongly suggests this is so. But... It's not a perfect document, and I say we should put it up for debate. I'm willing to take the gamble, because overall, this document addresses many fundamental issues. And? It's not getting any airplay at all. It is not up for debate, as it were. That is definitely a case of journalists abdicating their responsibility to inform the public.
The NGA's job is to make it a 'more perfect' document, in consultation with the 99%. They aren't writing laws, but they do demonstrate the process they will use to write laws... WHEN THEY OCCUPY CONGRESS lol!
Philadelphia will bring the media, and the people's, attention:
I think OWS should morph into OLB, Occupy Liberty Bell or OIH Occupy Independence Hall. Have small peaceful assemblies all winter long in every congressional district spreading the word about the National General Assembly starting July 4th in Philadelphia. Ask the people of Philadelphia to invite their fellow Americans into their homes for the NGA and coordinate this all winter too. Have occasional "occupations" throughout the winter, growing in size as the spring approaches, the WE ARE THE 99% growing louder with each event. This keeps the light shining and the movement looks smart, smells like a rose. Imagine the city of Philadelphia's population doubling or tripling for four days in July 2012.
then why don't you become a delegate?
There are reasons why I must remain anonymous, and I am very busy on other fronts. I contribute via debate here, and that's about as much as I can do.
Is this a NYCGA approved declaration?
who are they? No. I'm Nicholas Lake. It's my idea to push the document out into the world. (*edit... It's not my idea, I'm just a reader who was inspired by the hard work of other people far wiser than myself.)
NYC GA is one of 435 USA GA's. Or is NYC the Elite GA?
I thought this would be even more fun if we added some quotes... No particular reason but to make the bumping and grinding a little more juicy...
A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds. Mark Twain
Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today. Mark Twain
I signed the petition earlier - pass it on! All others... Keep in mind, the last few years, we have been bamboozled by using our own fears, hopes and terrors against us. This has allowed the establishment to cow us and mold us into the society we are today. Cow-eyed, apathetic, disillusioned, unsuspecting, ignorant consumers. No longer are we active, out-spoken, rhetorical, intellectual or inquisitive citizens. Change who you are and throw off the apathy. Get active and we will all awaken Democracy. We are the American people, not a couple thousand elites. The odds are with US - 300 million to less than 1 million... The choice is yours. Sheep for the slaughter or lions on the range!
Get the word out! Education is one primary goal of the OWS. Be a part of the solution.
I cannot support the idea or notion or Entitlements (handouts). We are not a social state. This declaration goes outstde what the movement is about.
The concept of free housing, medical care, free school is the idea of a socialist state and a utopian society. It is flawed.
Who pays for all that you seek, the 99%. Everything has a cost, without a value placed on services, commodities, and the needs of people only corruption will reign.
There are no easy solutions. And a problem cannot start to be solved w/o a motion. This is a petition, not a push for a Law or Bill. Details will be fleshed out at a later date. This is a document for the unification of ideas. This is a petition of individuals, who, in principal, agree enough with one another, to form a solidarity in written (electronic) form. Do you agree with any part of it? None of us agree (except in small measure, I am sure) with all of it. If you agree with any part of it, we would welcome your inclusion.
To agree to something I must agree to all of it. To sign it when one only agrees to a small portion still makes one accept all of it, or look as if one accepts all of it.
The declaration is not finalized, as it says on the website. There are going to be representatives elected to represent each Congressional district, who will then form consensus on the final declaration in June.
This seems like the most sensible way to come up with a platform that most people will agree with.
Committee of Observation and Inspection. Look up what this is.
It is a historical and very relative to what is proposed.
Bogarts Tavern and the Crossing of the Deleware come to mind.
Overcoming such odds but it all started with the first continental congress and the Committee of Oberservation and Inspection.
Yes, and the Committees of Correspondence will do their job here too, you'll get 99% of the 99% to sign on. Think positively : )
Suffolk Resolves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffolk_Resolves
Yes!!
well then you're out. you're sounding like the republicans at the super-committee. and that was a pathetic failure.
note that it is a SUGGESTED list of grievances. The 435 district GA's work on their list to prepare their delegates to go to Philadelphia, There all 435 ideas are put on the table where the NGA works with them to propose a final draft, that could/would return to District General Assemblies (DGA's) for approval. In the end, I think the list is a living document and what's on the list is not as important as the fact that The List exists, for 1st Amendment rights purposes. Remember, it's fully expected that The List will be ignored anyway.
something else to think about: but there's always money for prisons, police, bank bailouts, ivory towers. Corporations privatize profits and socialize losses.
Why are you trying to tell people what the movement is about? Makes it sound like the movement is about an oligarchy doesn't it?
The Laws enable the behavior and support the 1%. Most look at only what they want (entitlements aka hand-outs) and what the outcome of the laws are (the 1%).
We need to audit the Laws and fix the Problem first and get our house in order.
That is the only true solution.
I think it's dubious to stereotype people in the lowest socio-economic class and use them as a scapegoat. 'Never make the mistake of being born poor'
A congress full of 99r's will fix laws and the 99% will hold their feet to the fire!
Holding congress to a formal petition and forcing them to capitulated to an audit and forcing the fix through a peaceful means. This is not about socio economics but about over all wealth access. Given a level playing field you will quickly see a more balanced shift in wealth and power.
Some do not care for either but want to live a peaceful life. Other will always strive for more and will be rewarded for their success. The current laws do not allow this to happen.
I don't know what the diff is between So-eco and wealth access but laws to level the playing field are what 99r congress people will have to deliver. I'm sure they will.
Did you see this status update: http://occupywallst.org/forum/update-on-the-99-declaration-and-the-national-gene/
historically similar to the Committee of Observation and Inspection
it's too much isn't it?
well, to the extent taxpayers pay for these services via the government conduit, then we are in fact currently a socialist state. can you afford an $180,000 open heart surgery?? it's paid for by the collective through insurance which requires most people not to get sick and spreads the big costs across many people in small increments (they're called your monthly premium). there's no mention of free housing or school, just better financing than what has been lobbied for through the years.
You said "Who pays for all that you seek, the 99%. Everything has a cost, without a value placed on services, commodities, and the needs of people only corruption will reign."
As I see it, the corruption already reigns.
There is a process to correct such an inequity, a Committee of Observation and Inspection. To correct such problems and move past such fault brought on by greed supported by government cronies
Lol... well... I'm not familiar with that committe, but they seem to be asleep on the job, and nobody is going to wake them up until it's time to go home. I agree, this will cost a lot of money, but that's the work we have before us, to figure it all out, as a country. We need the debate, it has to be serious, it has to be real. It can't be left up to the media to frame the debate for us. That's our civic duty.
I Asleep is and understatement
LOL... I'm guessing they are provided with free ludes... Kinda like at the psyche ward... You don't actually get a choice about what color pill you are going to take. I took the red pill, a lot of us took the blue pill, and I think they got a couple of big pink ones :)
and Some took all!!
Europe is a fine example of how correct you are. BTW In Europe housing is unafordable. medicare is bad for health, education makes people stupid and everthing is unafordable even for a working family.
Funny how the countries that are doing the best over there are the ones with universal healthcare... Tell the truth, don't spew spin.
i am not in favor of a socialist state but the financial corporations need to be penalized or taxed for the bad bets that they made. It is unfathomable to think that these corps can keep the profits, reject the losses, create syhthetic cdo's, etc at the expense of the average american. They will be receiving their year-end bonuses soon (our money). It is a blatant slap in the face.
People love to scream "socialism, marxism, whateverism." Historically speaking, within my own lifetime, capital gains over two million dollars were taxed at 90%. Think about that. The old saw was no joke "It's all just gonna go to the government." I'm actually old enough to remember people saying that. I haven't heard anyone around me uttering that "complaint" in a long, long time, have you? Maybe I'm just hanging around with the wrong folks, eh? The reason why the tax rate was so ludicrously high was because 1.) America costs money to maintain, but more importantly 2.) The money that would otherwise go to the government was forcibly reinvested into the company, where it actually trickled down providing money for the workers salaries and benefits, as well as money for advertizing campaigns, new product lines, and other business expansions. It was jobs creation built into the tax code. The idea being, you could give it to the government and let them reinvest it in our country's maintenance and infrastructure, or you could reinvest it in your own company and community. Nowadays, when you look at top executive paychecks, you'd see that many of them are earning the equivalent of one or more state lotteries for each year that they work. How much is enough? They get that mad money while other people lose their jobs, and basic benefits, and the small businesses in the community fold up because nobody has any cash anymore. I'm certainly not suggesting 90% taxes are what we need, but I'm suggesting you look up tax rates in America over the last 60 years or so. Reagan cut taxes and has been worshiped like a God for thirty years. If you ask me, the usage of the word "sense of entitlement" as we hear it today is entirely misplaced. Whatever the tax rate we live under, we always have a responsibility to our community and to our country, and that includes paying to live in the land of opportunity. Seriously folks... Everyone who was born in America won the lottery at birth. But, we still have to work to survive-- and we all have a responsibility to pay a fair share to maintain our communities. KVNLGN is correct... It is very much a blatant slap in the face. Greed isn't good. Greed doesn't work.
The law perpetuates the problems. What is needed is a Committee of Observation and Inspection. Remember Bogart's Tavern and what it is all about.
This is a good proposal. I agree with almost all the points. Healthcare and education for all, and getting money out of politics would be my top priorities. If religion and conspiracy theories could be made illegal, I would by joyous ;-)
The only problem is OWS will never make demands within their current structure. The first step would have to be for non-anarchists to take control of the movement and adopt a new set of strategies. Unfortunately, I don't see this happening at this time when Occupy is more concerned about the police and the protests in Egypt, then about working for governmental changes for the American people. Occupy wants a revolution like in the Arab Spring protests it badly tries to emulate; it wants a revolution. Personally, I think this is fanciful thinking. Occupy need to start realizing it must need to work within the system, and not try to crush it.
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The 99% declaration will kill the movement
Anarchy will kill it quicker. This fills the void that anarchism seems to occupy. And, it speaks directly to the issues of systemic corruption, the fascist agenda that has seeped into our society and government.
it is mostly good but it has a couple earmarks that will kill it
Well, right now the OWS is kinda like Seinfeld, which was billed as "A show about nothing..." So, that gives the media a chance to write a new episode each week. This document is worth reading, and it is worth debating, and it is most certainly an agenda that should be getting prime time slots.
the only problem is that nowhere near 99% will support all of it, as is.
That is up for them to decide. First they have to read the declaration. I think they will come around in the end.
I'm not coming around to it and i know many others who won't as long as there is a carbon tax in it which is a fraud.
1) it's a suggested list meaning that you have to get involved at your District GA and speak up. Be the delegate if you care to.
"The Delegates shall deliberate and vote upon proposals and solutions to be included in the PETITION FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES and if necessary adjourn for further consultation with the 99% of the People of the United States of America as our founding fathers conferred during the first two Continental Congresses. "
2)What's the downside risk of holding the NGA? In the end, whether the list has one thing on it or one thousand including flying elephants to the moon, it's the fact that the list exists that's important, because it will likely be ignored anyway, as OWS is being ignored and laughed at now.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that IF the PETITION FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES approved by the 870 Delegates of the NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY in consultation with the NINETY-NINE PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE, is not acted upon within a reasonable time and to the satisfaction of the Delegates of the NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, said Delegates shall reconvene to utilize the grassroots network established in the election of the NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY to organize a new INDEPENDENT POLITICAL PARTY to run candidates for every available Congressional seat in the mid-term election of 2014 and again in 2016 until all vestiges of the existing corrupt corporatocracy have been eradicated through the power of the ballot box.
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"I dont' see nothing wrong, with a little bump and grind..." - R. Kelly
:) good idea with the quote, Sir
Great job ! Just signed the petition.
Regarding #10 (student loan forgiveness and reparations made by wall street due to bailouts) - I already paid my student loans yet I feel that wall street should compensate me for bailing them out. At the very least, they should not be paying themselves the enormous, year-end bonuses.
I also feel that there should be a provision preventing employment by the SEC if an individual has previously worked for an investment bank.
Lastly, I do not see anything related to the regulation of the ratings agencies.
I think this List isn't quite the same as our personal lists would itemize. Ultimately we're aiming to re-write the laws so our children don't suffer the injustices we already have, yes?
Yeah, I got mine paid off (finally). It wasn't much, but was killing me a lot of the time.
Thanks man... I suggest you post it to your f-book, or email list, whatever... my fear is this will never see the light of day unless we "grassroots" it ourselves. I told the hot babe at the gas station and she was excited to know it was out there... Keep the faith!
2 minutes later and I'm halfway down the page... Help?
Bumping is fun, but grinding is even more fun with a group!
41 seconds later, this post is 5th from the top. The forum war is in high gear today, So, I bump myself again. I need help doing this today. I need help making sure that we spread the document far and wide. That is how we'll achieve a national debate.
It is not a fix, it will never be recognized by any government and you are spamming it.
Fantastic, I'll never be recognized by any government.... Folks, we are being turned on ourselves, I keep spamming it.
Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. Mark Twain
Yes, spammers are assholes that think their message is so valuable that everybody should be forced to deal with it.
You are a spammer. This is my last post on this thread, may die like all spam.
Well, it's an OWS website, but you're right, spam is spam. Better one post with spam than dozens of posts with nothing to sink your teeth into. But... I have to run some errands, I'll take a break and let the people do their thing... or not. Pretty fair compromise, and I didn't even call you any obvious names.
wait a minute, didn't unimportant just call itself an asshole? ; )
When we gaze into the mirror, we all must have the courage to face ourselves, and be willing to pop a zit. Even if it is upon our buttocks.
I'll give you a bump because I agree with this idea.
That proposed amendment and this declaration don't have to be mutually exclusive. I could see the amendment proposed above to be added as a point on the declaration.
King George ignored the colonies grievances too. There fixed it for ya.
How is it not a fix ? What would be considered a fix ? At the very least it provides some direction and education to those who are still in a fog.
Try a Constitutional Amendment barring big money from the political process:
http://www.nycga.net/groups/political-and-electoral-reform/docs/amendment-28-to-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-of-america
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to clarify the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state and to expressly exclude corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state from the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures.
The FOUNDING FATHERS made their meaning clear when they drafted the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES and the AMENDMENTS.
Thomas Jefferson – “I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
Thomas Jefferson – “If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them (around the banks), will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
Thomas Jefferson – “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”
John Adams – “Banks have done more injury to the religion, morality, tranquility, prosperity, and even wealth of the nation than they can have done or will ever do good.”
James Madison – “History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it’s issuance.”
Resolved by the CITIZENS of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within twelve [12] months after the date of its submission for ratification:
“ARTICLE—
“SECTION 1. We the people do ordain and reestablish the rights protected by the Constitution of the United States to be the rights of natural persons.
“SECTION 2. The words people, person, or citizen as used in this Constitution do not include corporations, limited liability companies and other private entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state.
“SECTION 3. Such entities not identified as a “natural persons“ in SECTION 2. of this Amendment, shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures to, for or against, any candidate for public office or to, for or against, publicly elected official or to, for or against, any legislation before the Congress, the Senate or the people.
“SECTION 4. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the people’s rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free exercise of religion, freedom of association and all such other rights of the people, which rights are inalienable.”.
Great, so why don't you come on in to PHiladelphia next July and work together. It's plain you have much to contribute. If it requires an Amendment then Americans need to know why. This is without a doubt a CORE issue and you'd likely find many friends in Philly.
I live to far away to come to the GA. Take the amendment and present it to the GA. If you have questions about this I will try and answer them.
This is what our founding fathers had to say about those of you that would have us do nothing
"A generous parent would have said, 'if there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." Thomas Paine, Common Sense
"Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it." John Adams
The FOUNDING FATHERS made their meaning clear when they drafted the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES and the AMENDMENTS.
Thomas Jefferson - “We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our selection between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts as that we must be taxed in our meat in our drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labors and in our amusements, for our callings and our creeds...our people.. must come to labor sixteen hours in the twenty-four, give earnings of fifteen of these to the government for their debts and daily expenses; and the sixteenth being insufficient to afford us bread, we must live.. We have not time to think, no means of calling the mis-managers to account, but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow suffers. Our landholders, too...retaining indeed the title and stewardship of estates called theirs, but held really in trust for the treasury, must...be contented with penury, obscurity and exile.. private fortunes are destroyed by public as well as by private extravagance.”
This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering... And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.
Thomas Jefferson - “I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
Thomas Jefferson - “I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform them."
Thomas Jefferson - “If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them (around the banks), will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
Thomas Jefferson - “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."
Thomas Jefferson - “The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press."
Thomas Jefferson - “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”
John Adams - “Banks have done more injury to the religion, morality, tranquility, prosperity, and even wealth of the nation than they can have done or will ever do good.”
James Madison - “History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it’s issuance.”
James Madison - "We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government."
Patrick Henry - “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
William Pitt - “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.”
I think it's a good start. I have to admit, I get the "democratic willies" when people start talking about amendments to the constitution, but, this is certainly seeking to address one of the most maddening areas of corruption that are perverting our government today. And, I could read Jefferson all day :)
bump this post. Reply to it, and keep it at the top of the forum so that visitors to this site will find the link
Non-Partisan? WHAT BULLSHIT !!! This "decoration" is nothing more than the political platform of the left over the past 20 years. Fuck you and your declaration you fucking hypocrites!!!!
I'm not the 1% nor am I the "99%" I'm the III%. The III% that willing to fight BOTH you Marxist shits that claim to be the 99% and the 1% that's trying to screw everyone over.
Ok, I'm convinced. Thanks for the input. We all have a voice that should be heard. Marxism... I'll wiki it. How about you wiki Fascism in return?