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The War on the Homeless

Posted 11 years ago on June 12, 2012, 9:06 a.m. EST by jart (1186) from New York, NY

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20 Comments

20 Comments


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[-] 3 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

Anti homeless laws are passed by both parties for one reason. The people do not care! Left wing Progressives who might care have been asleep or been cowed by 30 years of "blame the victim, right wing rhetoric" OWS must continue (for years to come) to sound the alarm in order to wake up the progressives who have become apathetic. They have given up for good reason. The left wing has disappeared. The Dems have drifted right for 30 years. But remember the left wing brought us Social security, medicare, civil rights, voting rights, healthcare reform. They CAN be made to work for the 99% again. But not without a potent, constant, growing protest movement (OWS) that is agitating continually for the changes (like repealing anti homeless laws) we need. Let's not alienate Dems since they are our natural supporters. The right wing only attacks and degrades us. But not the left wing, they actually speak supportively and certainly claim to support goals we support.

[-] 1 points by writerconsidered123 (344) 11 years ago

I disagree first of all the big problem is dems and repubs alike are owned and operated by big money. Until you cut off the money supply nothing will change. secondly we need more viable parties like 4 or 5 more this will dilute the power of the 1 party plus one subset party system we have now.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

the party duopoly prevents 3rd party success. we must have open primaries, shortened publicly funded(no other money) campaigns with weekly debates for all parties. top 2 from open primary (whatever party) should go to general. You want change? eliminate the electoral colege expand house to 1000 members, mandate all eligible voters must vote. These changes will create the change you seek.

[-] 1 points by writerconsidered123 (344) 11 years ago

I agree with everything but the 1000 seat house, it's already a clusterfuck we don't need to add to the insanity with 500 plus more seats

and I'm voting for a green party canidate running for president in the general election

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

more members would allow more of the 99% to be represented. It would facilitate more 3rd party opportunity. Keeping the house at this level while population has grown so much creates more gerrymandering and less minority reps. More corruption and unfairness. I thought thatwas the goal. What is this new issue of cluster fuck"? what does that mean?

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

They CAN be made to work for the 99% again. But not without a potent, constant, growing protest movement (OWS) that is agitating continually for the changes (like repealing anti homeless laws) we need.

Are you saying if we just get enough people to join the movement, things will change? That's not an actual political strategy.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

growing the movement seems logical. Is that not a goal?. Isn't there strength in numbers? Certainly I don't think "just" growing the movement will change things. First I suppose we must specify what must change. In so far as political strategy I personally have some ideas but can't say how much consensus they would garner. What strategy would you ( a fellow brooklynite) suggest.?

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

Of course I want to grow the movement. But more importantly, I want to see people organize their workplaces, shut things down, and start some shit in the streets. That's why I created the pledge to fight back a couple days ago, to try and convince people to start using some tactics that are more effective than just marching. The 1% knows what they're doing wrong and they're not going to change a thing unless we hit them where it hurts. Organizing to disrupt business and infrastructure is a peaceful and effective way to do that.

As for what we want changed, I think an end to capitalism would be a good start. That's a message we've been starting to push a lot more lately: labeling this movement as anti-capitalist. After all, that's been the truth all along.

[-] 2 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

I support civil disobedience. I would love to see it. I was happy to see we won the 1st court case last week regarding the brooklyn bridge marchers. I signed the pledge and have committed to agitating to shut things down but I don't have a lot of confidence that I can get people on board. I have found a lot of people are too scared of losing their jobs for instance. What would you suggest I tell them to persuade them? Have you done any disruption at your job? have you had any success convincing anyone to disrupt any business? I haven't heard of any.

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

What you mentioned is one of the biggest obstacle for organizing workers and I'm honestly not the best person to offer advice on how to overcome it. I don't have the talent or charisma to be a good organizer; most of my skills are in technology, media, making projects happen, and keeping people happy. I also don't have a proper job because I freelance for a living.

Your best bet is probably to reach out to the IWW to see if they can put you in touch with someone who can give advice and point you in the direction of learning resources. If you don't have luck with them, let me know and I'll see if I can put you in touch with one of my friends who know labor organizing.

[-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 11 years ago

very good. thanx

[-] 1 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

Please keep me posted though :) I wish you so much luck and I'm very excited to hear about how things go for you in the future.

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 11 years ago

"The measure of a civilization is how it treats it's weakest members." Mahatma Gandhi

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

I've been trying to discover who or what has written the template for these laws.

Google isn't always your friend.......:(

[-] 1 points by JusticeF0rTrayvon (-58) 11 years ago

Jart is right, voting for one party or another will not solve the problem.

[-] 0 points by anarkos (-7) 11 years ago

This post is crucial since this website has become about elections and is no longer about OWS.

It's funny that the postings on the forum portion of this site have nothing to do with the postings in the news portion of the site. For example, the news portion of the site talks about the LGTB OWS protest for this summer, but nobody talks about this in the forum. Likewise for the disobedience school, or Occupy our homes.

This website has unfortunately been co-opted by the pro-democrats in an effort to campaign for this party to the OWS crowd. One poster mentioned he had proof that VQkag2 and DKAtoday were paid demo-plants.

We have to double our efforts to make people understand that change should start from the bottom. We have to be there on the streets and do it ourselves. Why wait for the government to create homeless shelters, let's do it ourselves right now. Let's Occupy everything, except the polling stations and this website which must remain hierarchical in the way it's organized.

[-] 2 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 11 years ago

That's the way this forum has always been since day one. If you want it to be more radical, please join in on the discussion more often and convince your far left friends to come here too.

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

To find out about me take a look at my posts. I am non-partisan.

I should say people partisan. I do not believe in party politics as I do not believe in religion.

I believe in issues that benefit all in society and in extension to all societies = The World.

[-] 0 points by Misaki (893) 11 years ago

Seems like a good reason to create jobs, hm? The accelerated work week would create jobs WITHOUT government spending and also without more spending by the rich, which some people seem deluded into thinking we need more of.

[+] -4 points by JS93 (-321) 11 years ago

Give me a break! The Class War on America waged by the King-Cons has many casualties, but let's not make common sense one of them.

Homelessness is not the result of Dems being as evil and indifferent to the plight of the poor as RepubliCons and their 1% masters. That is stupid and insulting. Homelessness is the result of class warfare and fewer and fewer funds available for anything but Swiss and Cayman Island bank accounts and untold Citizen United $Millions for GOP elections.

Big Money and Big Biz is hoarding unprecedented $Trillions in a despicable plot to make us all wage slaves in the long run and to cripple the Obama Presidency in the short. The RW ploy to paint both parties equally culpable is an old trick. Republicons know they do better when fewer people vote.

The people should know that Dems have been sabotaged by Cons in every effort to save or create jobs, put an end to tax breaks for the rich and corporate, stop off-shoring practices, and allocate funds for all social services, including the homeless. Even though we are suffering yet another Republicon Recession/Depression, Cons push for fewer jobs, more cuts, austerity programs, and more breaks for the rich and corporate.

This is Class War, and until we wake up, recognize the real enemy and fight back, we will continue to lose, and the poor feel it first and hardest.