Forum Post: We need to change or we will fail
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 27, 2011, 7:05 p.m. EST by yroc1234
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We cannot simply go out into citys and occupy locations anymore if we actually want to accomplish anything from these protests. The tea party and the Arab spring movements were successful because they were practical. The tea party sent their people into televised town hall meetings so they could let the world and the politicans know what needed to be done. They had supporters begin to get into politics to make sure people who supported their ideal were in power. They proposed legislation to their local politicians and asked them to sponsor it. This is what we NEED to be doing otherwise we will accomplish NOTHING with these protests. These actions are actually EASIER than our current route and they accomplish SO MUCH more! Spread the word about what we really need to do if we want to be successful!
This is just the beginning. It will evolve and so forth. We're in the assembling stage (right-to-assemble). It will take time; we should have started must earlier.
No time left. OWS needs to finish reading the 1st Amendment. After the religion, speech, press, assemble comes the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances part.
https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
There are a huge number of great, well thought out, COMPLICATED ideas that will require a huge amount of "selling" and explanation" and will garner GREAT OPPOSITION.
We need to be realistic & pick an issue that is simple - that is popular -
that 83% of Americans already agree on -
that will bring together the people in OWS with the people outside of OWS.
Everybody wins! Our only goal should be to pass a constitutional amendment to counter Supreme Court decisions Citizens United, that enable unlimited amounts of anonymous money to flood into our political system. We don’t have to explain or persuade people to accept our position – we have to persuade them to ACT based on their own position. Pursuing this goal will prove to the world that we, at OWS, are a serious realistic Movement, with serious realistic goals. Achieving this goal will make virtually every other goal – jobs, taxes, infrastructure, Medicare – much easier to achieve –
by disarming our greatest enemy – GREED.
What do we want? Look at that almost endless list of OWS demands – goals - aims.
Tax the rich. End the Fed. Jobs for all, Medicare for all. So easy to state! Can you imagine how hard it would be to formulate a “sales pitch” for any of these to convince your Republican friends to vote for any of them? 83% of Americans have ALREADY “voted” against CU. All we have to do ask Americans is to pressure their representatives – by letters - emails – petitions.
I feel that using the tactics of the NRA, the AARP an the TP – who all represent a minority – who have successfully used their voting power to achieve their minority goals - is a straight path for us to success that cannot fail to enable us to create and complete one MAJORITY task.
Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCRDWG See the entire “Restore Democracy” plan and supporting evidence at http://bit.ly/vK2pGI .
Representative Ted Deutch is putting forth a constitutional amendment called the Occupied Amendment seeking to limit corporate contributions in political campaigns. Here's a link to an article about it:
http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/18/372361/rep-deutch-introduces-occupied-constitutional-amendment-to-ban-corporate-money-in-politics/
That's pretty successful. And, have you been reading the paper or watching t.v. The dialogue in this country has completely changed to talk about the uneven distribution of wealth and how more fairness is needed in our economy. Give it time. For a two month old, leaderless movement, it is not bad.
http://occupythiswiki.org/wiki/THE_99%25_POLITICAL_PARTY
we need also an article 5 convention.
The Tea Party is staged. It doesn't matter. OWS is succesful because it antagonises the financial elites.
Great advise yroc1234-- leroylinux gave the perfect responce
We also need representitives willing to put themselves on the ballots and speak for #ows and what we represent. We can no longer be leaderless.
A lot of the rhetoric coming out of Occupy will have to change before politicians begin to really back it.
We don't need those kind politicians anymore! Its because of the current elected politicians sitting in office living off the peoples tax dollars that have BROKEN the system! Apparently our tax dollares were NOT enough pay for them,so they are now supported by corporations that use them as puppets to set the laws AGAINST the people.
We need a new crop of people that will not be brought out by wallstreet,the banks and greedy corporations. The current system no longer represents.
OCCUPY CONGRESS!
I agree wholeheartedly. The problems stem from Washington DC and can only be fixed there. Like it or not though, it is politicians who will have to change the laws. That is how it works. And unfortunately, someone running for office who says they support Occupy and their cause will not win because their opponent will just point to some of the rhetoric by Occupy and label his opponent as a Socialist. Therefore, no one running for office is going to throw a ton of support behind Occupy as it stands now.
If Occupy really wants to make change they need a clearly defined goal or cause that the MAJORITY of Americans will support. The majority of Americans support something like campaign finance reform, but the majority of Americans would not support something like a cap on income potential. And since Occupy just lets anyone say anything and nothing is official, it will never get mass support. Before people, voters and candidates alike, throw their support behind something, they want to know what that something is.
Occupy needs clear, defined goals. That will never happen through this consensus building nonsense. I can't even get a consensus in my house right now on what to have for dinner, how are the problems of the US going to be solved with one?
Article 5 of the US constitution is the solution. All of he demands can be met by constittuional amendment. We must get past the media chokehold on vital information however.
Occupy congress and put them on notice that the 99% see's their continual violation of the constitution and their oath and will tolerate it no longer. Demand they convene an article 5 convention as they should have 100 years ago.
Put them on notice with a petition of greivance relating to that failure of duty. That starts the clock ticking on the 45 day contractual period of notice for them to begin to call state delegates for a convention to propose amendments.
This is a letter that actually cites the violations of law that congress is conducting at this moment having neglected, non feased and mal feased for so long we are seriously needing to engage remedy. This could be legitimately be used to Occupy Congress in constructive notice.
Then go to the state
http://articlevconvention.org/showthread.php?3-Letter-to-your-Representatives
Now it comes to finding who understands that protests need to be organized upon states legislatures. They need to understand some legal aspects too. Here is a letter template, resolution form that can be sent to state legislatures asking them to work for an article V convention.
http://articlevconvention.org/showthread.php?10-Templates-Letter-to-State-Representatives-request-for-house-resolution
Article 5 is our first and last constitutional right. If we don't use it now, we will not have any rights.
Lessig power point on article V http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpbfY-atMk
Lots of facts here about Article V. http://algoxy.com/poly/article_v_convention.html
Article V conference, Lawrence Lessig at harvard 9/25/11-other attendee video comments http://vimeo.com/31464745 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-7ikbvu0Y8
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w
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Funny isn't it how all you lefties demonized the tea party with all the false accusations of racism and general negativity towards the movement and you have to now act like them to get anywhere? Many of you act like children and have the wrong attitude when dealing with politics. The correct way is with debate, discussion and getting your people elected. It isn't done by watching the daily show, wearing guy fawkes masks and insulting Sarah Palin's children.
The tea party elected politicians who changed absolutely nothing in the way DC politics were done and in fact act the same fucking way.
People in Tahrir are now fighting against a military junta that's using minorities as scapegoats because it was, in fact, not a success, and the military used this as an opportunistic excuse to take power.
Egypt also involved mass occupations and still does today.
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