Michael Moore just tweeted...

[ProfessionalLeftist]

http://twitter.com/MMFlint

This movement--we'll call it the "Madison Movement"(after both the town where it was born & the president who wrote our BillofRights)......Is exploding across the Midwest. It will be unlike anything you've seen in recent U.S. history. It is built on this 1 truth: Corporations have taken over our country & we know this is our LAST chance 2 wrestle America away from the grubby hands of the greedy rich.


No doubt about that.

[snagglepuss]

1. Bang on. k & r nt

[glinda]

2. kick

[jannyk]

3. Bring It On!!!

[OHdem10]

4. Do our Democratic Leaders understand this???

[ProfessionalLeftist]

Evidently not.

They don't understand what Rachel just so eloquently explained either....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7e4bj5rrd8

The ignorance, I'm convinced, is willful.

[bdamomma]

17. Rachel doing what's best investigating

and of course major contributors to the presidential campaigns were Union donations this is why repigs want to kill unions, no unions, no money for presidential campaigns, sleazy repigs.

[florida08]

37. omg..thank you for posting

Brilliant journalism about scumbag politicians and haters of democracy. That just blew the cover wide open.

[Enthusiast]

47. It is willful and it reminds me of nothing

so much as President Obama. Are they taking their clues from the President?

[ProfessionalLeftist]

53. apparently. Even if Obama says little to nothing. Where are the rest of

"our" representatives? The ones who got elected by unions and workers?

*crickets*...

[JDPriestly]

55. President Obama is pro-charter which equals anti-teacher-union.

Yes, I know he said some pretty words. But he should be there in Wisconsin with the workers.

[Enthusiast]

60. Imagine, what President Obama could have been.

Think back to the inauguration numbers. There has never been anything like it. President Obama could have accomplished anything. I guess that is why he is such a HUGE disappointment.

[chimpymustgo]

63. Heartbreaking...and infuriating. We could have done it.

[JDPriestly]

65. How right you are, Enthusiast.

[cui bono]

70. Exactly. n/t

[cui bono]

69. But then the republicans won't like him.

:crazy:

[Fearless]

95. +10000

[roguevalley]

71. I don't want to hear one damned word from Biden about Scranton

and all the old days. He's a coward just like Obama. Lead from the rear. They can both bite me.

[The Wizard]

66. It's about the

Swiss and Cayman Islands bank accounts that get filled by corporations having their way with our legislators. Government of, by, and for the people had a stake driven through its heart by the felonious five on the Supreme Court. Impeach, indict, convict and inject.

[Taverner]

98. Impeach, indict, convict and inject. - AWESOME!

I could go with that as a slogan!

[stillwaiting]

15. They aren't currently our leaders. They are "theirs" (wealthy elite).

They may have to switch back and actually advocate for us if the movement gets to be large enough.

So, we have that at least!

[socialist_n_TN]

31. "They may have to switch back and actually advocate......

for us if the movement gets to be large enough."

Spot on. So far this is a classic "bottom up" movement fueled by the people. That's why I, for one, am glad that none of the Dems have come out ostentatiously for it. If the national Dems get in on it, at least at this stage, it becomes a Dem/Rep political thing.

Now that said, it probably wouldn't hurt for some national Dem pols who are associated closely with the labor/progressive movement jump on the bandwagon at this point. I'd LOVE to see Scott Mubarek call Anthony Weiner an "outside agitator". That would associate him with the KKK and WCC, the villians of the civil rights movement.

[QC]

23. They're getting paid very well not to understand it. n/t

[russspeakeasy]

34. Indeed they are.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

45. Bingo - that's why I said the ignorance is

willful. It's too profitable for them to acknowledge this issue.

No one will do it but us. and I hope this movement spreads nationwide until they HAVE to acknowledge it.

[Enthusiast]

49. PLUS ONE nt

[closeupready]

57. Zing! Wow, did you hit that one head-on or what?

:hi: K&R

[Starry Messenger]

84. This.

[Gold Metal Flake]

36. Leaders? Who? Us?

Because if we are not leading our party then our party is lost.

[Enthusiast]

46. Apparently not, They won't utter a word.

Maybe they have been threatened with death or something.

Maybe they think if they're nice to the fascists they will be re-elected. If they think that they are downright stupid.

[gkhouston]

72. No. If they did, they'd be scrambling to get on this train. n/t

[Fearless]

94. They are the "greedy rich" too.

[Skittles]

101. our "Democratic leaders" are bought and paid for by corporations

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. He continues...

"U know us as Midwest. We r fightingback. We will risk everything we have if that's what it takes. We-will-shut-the-machine-down. Pls b w/us"

[madmax]

6. Do I dare hope that the working class will

bring the sons a bitches down! Or at least hold the line.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

7. That's what these parasites need - a good drubbing

by the working class. They need to be put in their damn place.

"The government" isn't going to do it. It's up to us. The government doesn't represent us, it only represents corporations.

[Auntie Bush]

27. No truer words were ever spoken!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[Gregorian]

8. I hope so. I'm quite tired of being enraged about this bs.

I've boycotted just about everything corporate. But I'm tired of American corporate zombies roaming the streets. Time for a wake-up. Please? No, no more "please". It's time to demand. Obedience is stupid.

[orleans]

9. and this

"Living here in the Midwest I can tell u this: People HAVE HAD IT. They've been pushed 2 the limit & they've got nothing 2 lose at this pt.

and this

"The pundits should understand this: the 10s of 1000s u've seen this week in JUST ONE STATE is bigger than anything the "tea party" has done.

on edit:
sorry
link:
http://twitter.com/MMFlint

[AdHocSolver]

10. This is the civil rights fight of the twenty-first century.

The right wing goal is to crush all political opposition.

The unions are the organizing backbone of the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party relies on "people power" to counteract the "money power" of the corporations.

Unions are the main organizers for Democratic Party candidates to get out the vote. The purpose of the right wing attack on unions is to destroy the Democratic Party as a contender in American politics.

If the right wing is successful, they will turn America into a one-party state run without opposition by a repressive, corrupt, right wing Republican Party.

The battle to prevent this must be won.

[lutefisk]

11. Agreed- this is a major historical event in the making.

I can't time travel into the future, but I just know it is...

[OffWithTheirHeads]

12. What? You don't like a feudal state?

Neither do I!

[Major Hogwash]

13. Feudal clashes with my spring ensemble!

Oh sure, during the winter it's sort of fun, just throw on any old bear hide or put on a leather vest and trudge out in to the snow and the wind and the what have you.
But, really, this whole "corporatists are taking over the world" thing is ruining my outlook for a bright and sunshiney spring!

[BonnieJW]

26. Too bad our dem president isn't in this battle with us.

What a disappointment.

[socialist_n_TN]

32. Nope, not yet. He doesn't need to get involved ...........

at this point. If Obama comes in harder than he's done so far, it becomes a left/right, Dem/Rep struggle and the PTB can dismiss it as the same old political shit. Right now, it's a have/have not people's protest. We need to keep it that way for now.

As long as we can keep it as it is, it keeps the focus on economic disparity instead of political bullshit. And that's what the masses need to be educated on, the economic disparity.

[Paka]

86. I agree with you completely.

This is we the people against those PTB. Economic disparity and personal worth against the obscenity of greed. :thumbsup:

[uponit7771]

35. Oh fuck off, his statement couldn't be strong enough and his ability to do something couldn't be...

...more benign.

Some people have gotten to the point of being irrational about Obama's ability and willingness.

[yodermon]

14. GOOD. However I have been trained to be skeptical.

I fully expect the corporate media & propaganda machine to take any momentum and transfer it to the teabagger movement

[bdamomma]

16. if Wisconsin people do not stop this it will spread to other states.

and those pucky repigs will bust the unions, this is clearly a class conflict.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

48. Ohio & Indiana are next from what I understand n/t

[Moostache]

67. Indiana is a lost cause....

The southern half of the state thinks they are in the confederacy and the northern half of the state has been so depressed by the economy and the loss of the steel industry and RV trade that they actually turned en masse to the Pukes in the last election. To say nothing of the fact that this is the state that put Mitch Daniels in charge.

If this is not defeated in Wisconsin, then it truly is a long bleak fight ahead and we will lose decades (if not our actual last chance). We are on the verge of becoming a modern aristocracy, living our lives by the leave of the overlords and under the thumb of the zealots of the theocratic bent right wing nuts. Its enough to require our very own 'day of rage' soon...

[chriscruzan]

73. Not to mention the traitor,

Evan Bayh. As we speak the Indiana state legislature is debating the merits of Medical Marijuana and amending the state constitution to Ban Same Sex Unions. Guess which issue is being pushed by the state Republicans? Guess which issue is being pushed by the state Democrats? NONE ! There is NO state Democratic party in Indiana.It was stolen by the traitor,Evan Bayh. I want all my money back,Evan.
The state Libertarians are pushing the Medical Marijuana agenda and Rupert Boneham ( Survivor) for Indiana Governor. They are also fighting the same sex union ban and will be the ones to help squash the big Gov't grab that is looming in our state. The state Dems will be happy if they can regain control of the Indy Mayorship and will spend what little monies they can raise on this prospect. I long for the days of a strong Democratic party in Indiana.

[indimuse]

18. KNR! n/t

[AmericanSolidarity]

19. Wrong Name

A better name is "American Solidarity"

As much as I am a Michael Moore fan, it should not be lead by him IMHO

-amsol

[Bluenorthwest]

20. The man made a tweet. Hardly a play for leadership.

He makes movies, relax.

[JDPriestly]

56. Michael Moore is a staunch supporter of union rights. The best.

This is a movement with many names. Your name is only one of them.

[sandyj999]

21. This Is The Sad Truth! n/t

[KansDem]

22. This all started with Reagan's "Trickle Down"

Okay, maybe before, but it got a huge boost with Reaganomics...

[54anickel]

25. Maybe just a bit before...have you seen this chart?

[KansDem]

28. Thanks.

That pretty much says it all.

I'm sure the wealthy won't stop until the colors are reversed and reading backwards...:(

[54anickel]

24. A couple lists of rallies around the nation

http://www.jwjblog.org/2011/02/worker-solidarity-rallie... /
Jobs With Justice

http://action.seiu.org/page/s/solidarityaction
SEIU

Wonder if we could get some place to pin up rally listings on DU......

[ProfessionalLeftist]

50. Nationwide rally listings is a great idea along with...

...a list of what idiot Republican bills are on tap in what states which seek to gut unions and pare back voting rights.

Rachel spelled it out. It's clear as daylight what they're doing. And the only people who can stop them is the people. If not us, who? If not now, when?

[steve2470]

29. k&r nt

[DirkGently]

30. Business interests exist at the sufferance of, for the benefit of, the People. Not vice versa.

[uponit7771]

33. AMEN!!! I just text my friend to see if she's going to the protest...

[femrap]

38. k and r nt

[ProSense]

39. Some of the best coverage

is at the AFL-CIO blog

[Stuart G]

40. K and R nt

[robdogbucky]

41. Indiana Dems just walked out of their state house

It appears the Madison Movement IS spreading


Go Hoosiers!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

52. YES! That's what I want to see more of. n/t

[Enthusiast]

42. K&R

Obviously the corporations want this fight. They are utterly confident because they control the TV and Radio media. Every discussion is framed in their favor.

[florida08]

43. Russ Feingold's new website to combat corporate assault on middleclass

http://www.progressivesunited.org/

[olegramps]

44. Will people be pushed to the point that they violently react to gross injustice?

Would it be justified? I realize that peaceful demonstrations have led to nonviolent overthrow of unjust tyrannies, but we also know that our nation was born in a bloody revolution when peaceful methods failed to address their grievances. I view Walker as no different than a tyrant who is determined to crush unions by any means even to the extent of threating the misuse of the National Guard to silence citizens. I can only conclude that Republican extremism has come to the point that it actually threatens the very existence of the Republic.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

51. "Republican extremism has come to the point that it actually threatens . . .

... the very existence of the Republic."

:applause:

[JDPriestly]

54. Thanks to Michael Moore for waking up so many Americans to the

reality of the greed of our business "leaders."

[crazyjoe]

58. what do corporations have to do with public emplyees?

[FailureToCommunicate]

59. "...grubby hands of the greedy rich": Such tweet poetry!

Go Michael!
And Wisconsin!
And unions/workers/ progressives nationwide!

[lonestarnot]

61. K & R!

[lonestarnot]

62. I think I had better preface rich with greedy from this day forward.

:7

[JJW]

64. Save American Working Familes

Tax the Oligarchs.

[katty]

68. perfectly put MM

[buck_lewis]

74. Michael is wrong

this is not about corporations. I wish he would stay focused.
being a true liberal, this is a tough issue. public employees (and especially their pensions) take important resources away from true progressive causes.

[ms.smiler]

77. Welcome to DU buck_lewis. I don't see how pension funds take

anything away from Progressive causes. I do though see how our Wall Street banksters stole pension funds via their fraudulent mortgage backed securities.

[RagAss]

79. Thanks for stopping in, Mr. Hannity !

[buck_lewis]

83. nice response

there is only so much money to go around. public unions with collective bargaining is just a horrible idea. politicians from both sides make deals with public employee pensions knowing full well they won't be around when the money is due. the money is now due.

I would rather the money go to those in need, and for education, public infrastructure etc..not pensions for gov't workers.

There is a gigantic difference between public and private unions.

[sudopod]

85. Go away. nt

[quaker bill]

97. Sadly misinformed

dollars are dollars. The dollars going into a pension fund are exactly the same size, shape, and color as the ones going into paychecks, the only difference is the serial number. You have been fed and swallowed the Koch brothers illusion. Free your mind. Pension funds are only short money in some places and where they are short, it is because the banksters and real estate speculators have stolen the cash.

[bergie321]

75. Just curious

Couldn't the Citizens United ruling be applied here? Afterall, that ruling said that the first amendment applied to corporations and unions and collective bargaining could be considered free speech / assembly.

[AtheistCrusader]

76. Absolutely.

Though it is questionable whether Citizens United could prevent them from firing all the striking public employees. Without strike, they don't have much to bargain with. Slowdowns could be fireable too.

But yes, your core point is protected under Citizens United. It protects unions and non-profits.

[silenttigersong]

78. WE need a

Labor party! labor party! primary Obama send the corporatist's packing Dems and Rebukes alike

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

80. I hope he's right about that. There are Republican strongholds now in Indiana and Ohio.

Will the People's Movement be strong enough to combat those corporate forces. Even within the Democratic Party, there seems to be this disdain for unions and working people. I'm still unconvinced, but I hope Mike is right. For all of our sakes. :(

[Corruption Winz]

81. Well..

I hope this isn't our last chance, as the end would be a bit too close to comfort, I love the effort we are seeing from the good people of Wisconsin.

Thankfully, not everyone is so willing to just bend over and take whatever the government decides to give them.

[Plucketeer]

82. I've never had a doubt.

And this event was set in motion the day that our activist Supreme court rolled out the red carpet for Mr. & Mrs. Corporation!

[nolabear]

87. Get up, stand up! Stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up! Don't give up the fight!

[TBF]

88. Kick!!

:dem: :dem: :dem:

[blackspade]

89. K&R!!!!!!!

[drm604]

90. K&R for Michael!

:kick:

[ck4829]

91. This should be the defining struggle for us at this time

They follow one set of laws that elevates them higher than the rest of us. They get access to bailouts, unlimited welfare, and speed dial to the government. They want greater access to pry into our personal lives so it can "help" them to decide whether to hire us for temporary minimum wage and benefit-less jobs. They are taking far more from the average American than they are giving.

K&R

[grahamhgreen]

92. Their silence screams of complicity.

[lordsummerisle]

93. K&R n/t

[Michigan-Arizona]

96. K&R n/t

[Imagevision]

99. I agree! - Corporations have taken over our country & we know this is our LAST chance

[midnight]

100. Our president has already alluded to this via

his statement saying we are being held hostage...


"I've said before that I felt that the middle class tax cuts were being held hostage to the high end tax cuts. I think it's tempting not to negotiate with the hostage takers, unless the hostage gets harmed. Then people will question the wisdom of that strategy." President Obama http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tax-cut-deal-pits-president-obama-democrats/story?id=12332116

[grahamhgreen]

102. We are being held hostage so we give our hostage holders money? Nonsensical.