An American Revolution that might work

When I look at the efforts by the Tea Party, the Occupy Wall Street movement and other efforts over the years to change the political system, there is a pattern that repeats itself. It starts with a burst of energy, a high degree of disorganization, pushing for a small set of issues or agenda items, and then either the quick or gradual absorption of the leadership and involved members into one of the existing parties.

We have so many groups that are so well funded acted in our political space that it becomes almost impossible not to find yourself quickly annexed and overwhelmed by someone who has been fighting the good fight. Just as conservative groups and Republican committees have done to the Tea Partiers, for the most part, I believe the Occupy Movement will see the same thing happen by the Democratic or Green Parties.

But my premise is simple. A revolution in America that is prompted by a political movement cannot and will not succeed. The reason has nothing to do with the media, the police, or anything else. The system is just too flexible at accommodating and too rigid in how it breaks conflicts down to an us vs. them structure. This is why, despite the key similarities between the two big movements we've seen lately, they loathe each other.

So I propose an alternative rooted in reality. What is needed is a social movement. Just as the American Revolution drew heavily upon existing civic relationships that brought people together (such as the Masons) to name just one, a second American revolution could be successfully brought about if people bound themselves together with social relationships that transcended the political pressures.

Such an organization would be wise to conduct educational activities, charitable activities, and to take the position of institutional responsibility showing that it would handle situations currently handled by the government more effectively. In many third world countries, you'll see organizations who take these roles set themselves up to be recognized as the proper governance when the opportunity comes. The Muslim Brotherhood, for how often it is reviled, could be seen as one example. Where the political space was closed, they built their network of something more durable.

The society I propose could be religious or otherwise in nature, but the most essential thing is that it identifies its own membership well and fosters a sense of unity beyond partisanship. It would not be cheap, it would not be quick, it would not be easy, but if it were popular enough, the second American revolution could be bloodless and virtuous, won at the ballot box.

And for those who will say the media will never allow such a movement to exist, I would say the media wouldn't be necessary. Social networking can pull together the young, and face-to-face conversation can bring in the older folks.

For all the billions spent on political programming in this country, I'm surprised no one has really looked at this option.

OWS is trying to transcend the Us vs Them thing,
They have actually, its the other side that are not letting it go. And it's true. There is everyone in the audience. republican, democrat, green, socialist. It matters not what someone is labeled.

Did you hear that OWS burned Fox news? by chanting "fox news lies" ,
That is what will happen to any political person who tries to hijack the movement. I think, anyways.

The OWS movement will be monumental unfortunately it is not the kind of CHANGE the american people really want or need. Once people realize the true nature of the movement it will begin to fizzle out.

There is only one problem however, though the 99%ers claim they are non violent and peaceful they have labeled the rest of us and the 1% as those who are the problem.

Yet at every chance they bash law enforcement. They claim that it will be the police that become violent as an excuse for martial law. I will have to call them out and I guess wait and see. Cause they seem like more of the rowdy accusational type then those who have sworn to uphold constitutional values.

But the problem isn't what the people there are. The problem is how it has already been labeled.

I'll give you an example. I have a number of friends who were hardcore tea partiers. Every day, I hear another story about the stinking leftists who won't work, who get arrested (where the tea partiers didn't), the unions who are supporting this, and how since Obama thinks it is a good idea, they think it is bad. They're not going to listen or believe anything these people say as they see it as a scheme just to get him re-elected, and everything they hear and read only reinforces that opinion. Images and voices are selected to make the point even more strongly.

In no way am I taking away anything from what these protesters say or your defense. I agree with the thrust of their effort and have no doubt they're trying to transcend divisions with the brave people out there.. But they're already being typecast in a way that sets this up for failure.

And such is how it always goes.

Addition: Honeycomb's comments fit perfectly with what I said. The 99% will start to shrink the moment demands crystalize.

Originally posted by thehoneycomb
The OWS movement will be monumental unfortunately it is not the kind of CHANGE the american people really want or need. Once people realize the true nature of the movement it will begin to fizzle out.

There is only one problem however, though the 99%ers claim they are non violent and peaceful they have labeled the rest of us and the 1% as those who are the problem.

Yet at every chance they bash law enforcement. They claim that it will be the police that become violent as an excuse for martial law. I will have to call them out and I guess wait and see. Cause they seem like more of the rowdy accusational type then those who have sworn to uphold constitutional values.

This is utter rubbish.

The emergence of the Tea Party alone proves Americans are desperate for change.

Nature of the movement is to rescue Americans from bondage in the form of our corrupted Financial systems and financial institutions, Corporatism and certain political factions supporting those, to the detriment of the American people...for purely personal gain.

The 1% is not you.
You would not be on the internet here if you were.

You are on a yacht or in a jet over the crumbling roads and infrastructure.
Funny huh?...and yet there are no jobs?
For that reason alone this movement will gain legs and keep them.
All these people are out of work and until they get jobs I have a feeling you are going to see them peaceably assemble as is their American right to do.

reply to post by cassandranova

Such an organization would be wise to conduct educational activities, charitable activities, and to take the position of institutional responsibility showing that it would handle situations currently handled by the government more effectively. In many third world countries, you'll see organizations who take these roles set themselves up to be recognized as the proper governance when the opportunity comes.

It is kind of a good idea. I hate the religious part or you become just like those stupid fundamentalist groups. Why isn't civic duty enough to accomplish some coming together for the purposes of "good?" Where will be the group of NORMAL PEOPLE who don't hate anyone? I want to join them.

Anyway this sounds a little bit like how new political parties are born. This might be that third party candidate we are all looking for since our Independents don't appear to stand for anything themselves and seem more like people who just can't make up their minds.

most Americans want more borrowed money (credit) in their pocket like they were used to since the 90s, and they'll get loud and roudy cuz thats socially acceptable.

regardless, revolution or not, the homeless, the jobless, the slum streets, the tent cities, the welfare lines will all continue to grow regardless of how much people scream and shout, 'revolution' or not.

revolting against a ccorrupt government can only be effective if a new government is installed.

will the rothschilds, bilderbergs, and our police state militia that invades and massacres nations by the millions allow a new government?

never. its over for America. karma's a beach they say, this is what our country gets for the spilt blood of some 50 million natives of their respective lands - ours included.

luckily, American is no longer the center of the world. mayve just, notoriously, yea.

reply to post by ignant

will the rothschilds, bilderbergs, and our police state militia that invades and massacres nations by the millions allow a new government?

Will they have a say?
That is a good question.
Everything they have is falling apart.
I don't think they are going to have a say.
They are done...washed up.

It will take some time but since the internet....nothing is hidden any longer.
Everything is connected and the connections can easily be traced.

The ONLY way to stop TPTB is to make all their wealth worthless.

Worthless and more importantly, useless.

But how does the citizenry do this ?

And what do we go after first ?

The only way I believe you can destroy the current holders of wealth is to destroy the whole economic system. I don't mean just the finances either, but the asset holdings and corporate bases on a global scale.

You'd basically need a reset. Short of a cataclysm, I don't see that happening.

But I like the idea of a civic organization that takes up a role that is both charitable and politically aware.

reply to post by thehoneycomb


those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable