Power to the PEOPLE...is a National Strike an option?

[DearAbby]

I am tired of not having my voice heard. It seems the din of Giant corporations are drowning out our voices. Our needs are not being met, the corporate needs takes precedence.

A National Strike could be what we need to get their attention, bringing power back to the people in a peaceful way. NO WORK, NO PURCHASES. Could this be an option?

We have the tool right here in our hands to organize. Could it be possible?

What are your thoughts, what say you DU?

[Phredicles]

1. I like this idea.

[DearAbby]

5. I do too

It brings back our voices. and in a peaceful way. No work no purchases. SHUT IT DOWN!!


I dont know how to organize this, what would be needed...That is why it is great to have DU..So many great minds here.

[Marrah_G]

2. not unless someone is going to pay my bills

If I lost even a week of work the kids and I would be out on the street. I'd be totally supportive of anyone else who wanted to do it though.

[Phredicles]

9. I was thinking, for starters, a one-day event;

at least that (I hope) would get some attention.

[Marrah_G]

43. A one day event would be do-able

[Deja Q]

15. Gee, where's the DUer who mistook my post encompassing America's middle class with

"that guy from Minnesota"?

He should respond to you too.

[bobbie]

20. CLASSIC! Can't be inconvienced, civil change may cause hardship.

The status quo, fascism, is therefore preferable to transient hardship.

Many Americans are getting exactly what they deserve with this regime.
Sadly, many Americans are also getting what the other people deserve.

[AndyA]

27. You make a good point.

Kind of like people buying imported cars instead of domestic ones. Oh, there's all the typical excuses about reliability, resale, blah blah blah, but the bottom line is: if our ancestors hadn't suffered a bit to form this new country, none of us would have what we're now giving up.

Americans are complacent when it comes to issues. That is, until it has a direct impact on them, then they raise hell! Their neighbor down the street can be out of a job because Ford laid him off, but that's OK as long as their job isn't affected. But when the layoffs hit home, look out Molly!

In a perfect world, all of us would hit the streets, protest signs in hand, and FORCE our government to do the right thing.

I'm sure our ancestors, who fought and often gave their lives for our liberties and rights are rolling in their graves right now. To say they are disappointed in their offspring is an understatement.

[ComerPerro]

31. wow, what an asshole response. Someone doesn't want to risk getting fired and putting their

family on the street, and you piss all over them.

[Marrah_G]

42. There is a difference between inconvenience and survival

Inconvenience I can do. Survival is different. As a single working mother of 3 I do what I must to make sure they have food and shelter.

[Balbus]

47. Your priorities are out of whack!

I can't believe you'd put your children before an online message board...

[DearAbby]

48. am I heartless indeed?

I understand her concern. I would never belittle her because she must think of the survival of her children. I have children of my own, they are grown now.

This is just a discussion, is it an option? Pros and Cons. All plans should be carefully considered. And the thread has been interesting in the responses.

No one would ever ask her to endanger her children, even I am not that heartless.

[BlackVelvet04]

34. And therein lies the problem.......

there will never be a national strike because so few can afford to do it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

3. Not Really, Since Unfortunately You Would Never Get Anywhere Near Significant Numbers Enough To

make anyone take real notice.

Furthermore, even forsaking that, boycotts generally hurt the wrong people since layoffs, raises etc generally will hurt the working class people that we supposedly are trying to support. Also, the whole no work thing wouldn't fly since chances are you'd just get yourself fired.

So though a novel concept, not one that has any real chance of success in my opinion.

[Lars39]

8. Why, OMC, I'd think that with your full network of progressive friends,

that you would be on the front lines of such a movement.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. A Few Probably Would, But Most Would Probably Find It Ineffective For The Same Reasons I Mentioned.

Novel concept, but not one that's really going to have any impact. And like I said; even if it could have an impact it would ultimately be hurting the wrong people anyway, so it's a bit misguided as well.

[conscious evolution]

24. It may not effect the bottom line

But symbolicly it can say a lot.
As for hurting the wrong people-We are already getting hurt right now.What is a little more pain gonna do?

[DearAbby]

28. Exactly

Do we have to wait until there is nothing left? What does it take? What sacrifices is too much to bare, to gain our country back where it belongs, in the hands of her people.

[Lars39]

4. Yes!

Especially if those that aren't wired into the internet were invited to join.
There's power in numbers. :D

[bobbie]

6. A general strike is ALWAYS an option

Possible and smart.
Hit 'em where they hurt.

[quinnox]

7. Maybe a handful

could afford to but I have to work so I have money for rent and stuff.

[DearAbby]

10. SHUT IT DOWN!

Even our own senators and congress critters would take notice. If enough people were in this, How can their be mass firings? The illegals and hispanics shut the country down for one day...are you saying we cant?

[Rosemary2205]

13. Huh

"The illegals and hispanics shut the country down for one day"


here and there maybe but the WHOLE COUNTRY? "My" part of Atlanta didn't even see a blip -- business as usual.

[elocs]

22. Right, shut down what country? Not a blip where I am either.

Yes it's a novel concept and would probably work well in a highly unionized country, but not this one. Out of all the people in this country, how many are not buying anything on any given day? (There are many days in a week that I do not buy anything.) How would you separate that number from those who are not buying for a purpose? Plus, just look at the sheer size and diversity of this country compared to European countries where I strike would likely have an impact. I'm afraid it would not work here.

[Deja Q]

16. They did? When? I recall a lot of talk about it...

But nothing came of that day either.

And they have less to lose.

They proved nobody's going to do it. The irony is almost amusing. Almost.

[DearAbby]

18. Seems to me their voices were heard

with the threat of shutting it down. Do we have to lose everything before we take action?

A national strike is peaceful means of action. I am disheartened by the lack of response. Are we whipped?

[bobbie]

21. And that's one big reason why the regime wants Americans in debt

So that people, like some on this thread, just can't miss a paycheck.

Or won't miss a paycheck.

[Balbus]

11. Yeah, let's do it this next Monday!

And if that's not going to work, then put me down for either the Saturday or Sunday after that.

[slackmaster]

40. Yeah, me too!

I'm NOT going to work on Monday and I refuse to do any software releases that weekend!

[DearAbby]

14. Kick

[bobbie]

17. I posted this thread largely with your thread in mind DearAbby

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x941061

I really respect the fact that you're trying to illicit action.

[Kelly Rupert]

19. Who is John Galt again?

I can't quite remember.

[DearAbby]

23. John who?

The phrase becomes an expression of helplessness and despair at the current state of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Galt_(Atlas_Shrugged)

[Kelly Rupert]

25. Yes. I know.

Atlas Shrugged was indeed the reference.

[AndyTiedye]

26. National Strike Just Lets Them Outsource More Jobs

[Cleita]

29. It's possible but you need to get the unions involved for it to

be effective and unfortunately the unions don't have the power and membership they once had. Read about the Seattle Strike of 1919.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Cleita/3

[DearAbby]

33. Interesting entry Cleita

Thank you for sharing

[DearAbby]

30. Kick ...

[DearAbby]

49. Once again

:kick: every day that passes, each day, disappointed by those who we trusted with our vote.

We have to do something, each day that passes, we become weaker. One day we will wake up and the America that once was, will be no more.

[ComerPerro]

32. problem is this would cost a lot of people their jobs and endanger their families

its why conservatives like uncertainty, they can always hold the axe over your head.

Don't like what you're being paid now? Don't like the mandatory unpaid overtime? Don't like being abused and mistreated? Want benifits? Lets see how you do without a job!

[DearAbby]

35. How far

are you willing to go, to keep that job? When they decrease your pay, take what remaining benefits you may have now...with that ax over your head...how long are you willing to stand underneath it? How much more can they squeeze out of you before they toss you aside.

We mean nothing to them...not even as voters, they fixed that. All they care about is profits. Look at Iraq. They dont even care about human life.

How far are you willing to go with that ax over your head?

[BurtWorm]

37. Chances are more likely no one would even notice it.

Americans do not know how to strike.

[BurtWorm]

36. I don't think a general strike of this kind would work, to be honest.

Marching on Washington would be much more effective. Or a national day of marching in the streets. A one-day boycott would have very little impact, I think. Democrats in power would feel completely unpressured to do anything but ignore it.

[DearAbby]

38. Not just a boycott

don't show up for work...and yes, spend that day in the streets in solidarity. As Citizens of this country.

We the People
sounds like an empty phrase.
Quaint

They have us where they want us, afraid of speaking out for fear of losing what little we have. How far must we go? How much more is there to lose?

The American Dream was stolen from us, or we have allowed them to take it without a whimper. We must stand up in solidarity for our rights.

[rinsd]

39. I remember the last national strike....oh wait!

[gravity]

41. It will hurt everyone in this country

not just big business.

And judging from the success of the gas boycotts, goodluck.

[Greyhound]

44. Things are not "worse enough yet", but K & R for the thought. n/t

:kick:

[Ilsa]

45. It won't work with a hospital or anyone else who has to have

health care services scheduled. Waaaayyyyy too much disruption, and time is of the essence for some things.

[DearAbby]

46. Kick

[DearAbby]

50. ...

I came back here after hearing the news, the Democrats have caved on the Iraqi Spending Bill. I am so disappointed, and disgusted.

How much more?

[seriousstan]

51. You seem to be quite the keyboard Commander so GIT ER DONE!!

Date and time.....General?

[AZBlue]

52. As a resident of a Right to Work state, count me out.

My company doesn't even need a reason to legally fire me. Why give them one?