So when should a "revolution" extend beyond the ballot box?

[digno dave]

If the media is being saturated with political operatives, Diebold is in charge counting paperless votes and the threat of martial law being imposed after the next terror attack what are we left with?
From where do the people weild their power? What are our options when a majority of the people plead ingnorant at the mention of the first two points above and therefore casually accept the third?

[Love Bug]

1. This is when...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

[peachy]

2. afraid it won't happen

The reality is that the situation is going to deteriorate to the point that the revolution will be reactionary. People won't go into the streets 'till their ability to get food on the table is severly impacted. By that time any hope of some kind of peaceful restructuring of society that will allow us to create a sustainable future is lost. Lost at least until the world is depopulated. Maybe, just maybe, at that point those who are left will be able to recover.

[progressiveBadger]

4. I agree. It takes a lot to get people to die for a cause

if they aren't forced to. The Declaration of Indep was written by a people very fed up with their government. Enough so that they were willing to personally die for the right to change it. I'm not sure people think that way anymore, at least not a majority. We have our military to fight our battles, and our press to keep us uninformed.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi nosferatu!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[progressiveBadger]

9. Thanks for the welcome!

[ramblin_dave]

3. Buzzflash: Will the 2004 Election Be Called Off?

Maureen Farrell:

On Dec. 31, 2003, New York Times columnist and former Nixon speech writer William Safire offered his standard New Year’s predictions. This time, however, one item stood out. In addition to speculating on everything from which country would next "feel the force of U.S. liberation" to who would win the best picture Oscar, Safire predicted that "the 'October surprise' affecting the U.S. election" would be "a major terror attack in the United States."

While such speculation is hardly worth a trip to the duct tape store, when combined with repeated assaults to our democratic process and troublesome assertions from noteworthy sources, it warrants further investigation.

more...

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/04/far04011.html

[T Wolf]

5. unfortunately

I think we are past that point.

Also unfortunately, I think that in efforts outside (or inside, for that matter) electoral politics, we will never be able to match the repukes for viciousness, amoral tactics, or sheer willingness to do whatever is necessary.

Tilting at windmills is the pasttime of the left, at least in this country. If you want to see how "revolution" is done, look to Europe. There, those willing to fight the facists are not so comfortable that they are unwilling to risk. We Americans, even the lefties, like our creature comforts too much to risk them by really confronting the powers that truly run America.

Even back during Vietnam, even when our own asses were on the line with the threat of death in SE Asia, all it took was a little rifle-fire at Kent State and Jackson State to put the "peace movement" out of business.

Where do people wield their power? It is an illusion that we have any power at all. All we can do is minor things, on a small scale, in our own lives. And hopefully survive with a little happiness.

[FlemingsGhost]

6. It already has...

You are staring at it.

[Daisey Mae]

8. be prepared because it will happen

if these power grabbers keep stealing our government....we gave them one pass in 2000 when they stole that election and if the supremes and repukes gang up against us again it will be" rumble time."... They get only one chance to blindside us. Any more crap from either of them is out and out WAR..... IF THEY want to COUNT VOTES and play fair then we will do the same...but I feel by the very presence of this post that we are in a more hostile mood then 4 years ago.....WE HAVE FELT YOU'RE PAIN...AND WE DON'T LIKE IT.......

[digno dave]

10. kick

kick