...for you to get upset enough to actually do something? (Congress, ethic)

[mbuszu]

In light of all the issues US citizens know are a problem today - what would it take for you to personally get upset enough to move into serious action/reaction?

In no particular order - here's just a few issues affecting most of us today, off the top of my head:
- uncontrolled immigration
- failing healthcare
- higher education expenses which are rising out of reach
- outsourcing of most jobs & production - lack of creation of new decent/high paying jobs in the US
- increasing taxes
- the environment getting worse
- more violence in schools
- schools which aren't teaching your children what's important, nor well
- people dying overseas in wars for other countries
- consumer prices rising out of reach (including gas, food, other products & services)
- tax dollars which appear to be squandered
- corporations doing away with pensions
- social security system which we are all paying into but which is going bankrupt
- real estate values in most parts of the country are stagnant or falling
- incomes not keeping pace with inflation
- laws being created which limit citizen rights
- more and more people going on anti-depressants to combat a general national feeling of sadness, or lack of life satisfaction
- imported goods which are poisoning both us, our children, and pets
- political elections which appear to be fraudulent - the popular vote doesn't seem to matter anymore
- a pervasive feeling of being on edge regarding constant terrorist threat

There are probably more that could be listed... but my question is what would it take to see the same kind of revolution seen via the US founding fathers.. but today with you? What would it take for you to act upon these things in significant fashion to enact change? Republican or Democrat, our votes seem to be having limited to no impact on the trends many can see already happening.

[TriMT7]

There will be no large scale revolution in the US a la the Founding Fathers. There are too many divergent opinions.

As far as taking back and/or securing their own and family's futures from the top 1% that own 25% of everything in the country, I think a revolution is even less likely there.

Too many people in this country buy into the great American lie. Too much protestant work ethic. They THINK they're going to be part of the elite someday, if they just work hard enough, they'll get there! And you see, when they get there, they hope to take advantage of all the privileges of elitism *when that day comes,* so they don't want to shoot themselves in their future feet!

But for 99.9% of people, they will NEVER reach that eschalon of power and wealth. EVER. The hope keeps em working hard though!! Gotta pay that mortgage for that house that will cost you 3x its purchase price in principal and interest, ya know!

[Torrey]

Originally Posted by mbuszu

In light of all the issues US citizens know are a problem today - what would it take for you to personally get upset enough to move into serious action/reaction?

but my question is what would it take to see the same kind of revolution seen via the US founding fathers.. but today with you? What would it take for you to act upon these things in significant fashion to enact change? Republican or Democrat, our votes seem to be having limited to no impact on the trends many can see already happening.

I am on the verge right now man. If I had people near me who would stand up, I'd move now. The time is right, people are hacked off enough we need to stand up and be heard. This is the time to stop WASTING precious time writing senators etc, and take it to the streets. Public demonstrations in the streets with the news reporters there telling the whole world how we feel on ALL these issues. I know I usually scream about illegal immigration, that's top on my list, but there are a bunch more issues on that list you made I'd surely address to the press. Bring it on!

[sindey]

Mbuszu & Torrey
I feel exactly the same way, unfortunatly people today are so self absorbed & so busy with just keeping it together I think they are not paying attention.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Im always involved in local politics, so I
have already been moved to do something.
My Ancestor was a signer (A. Middleton), so Im
also in favour of keeping the family tradition alive
and revolting. If it was a movement that was more than
the Symbianese Lib. Army and had a serious chance
of dismantling the status-quo....Im there !

[famenity]

Originally Posted by Torrey

I am on the verge right now man. If I had people near me who would stand up, I'd move now. The time is right, people are hacked off enough we need to stand up and be heard. This is the time to stop WASTING precious time writing senators etc, and take it to the streets. Public demonstrations in the streets with the news reporters there telling the whole world how we feel on ALL these issues. I know I usually scream about illegal immigration, that's top on my list, but there are a bunch more issues on that list you made I'd surely address to the press. Bring it on!

How do you know the press would help you, I've been on many marches hoping to influence government but what happened, it was sometimes reported in a low key way or minimised somehow, using police figures and they are just an arm of government so what chance getting this out? If the march organisers used their own media, remarks like, "well they would say that wouldn't they" are bandied about.

On the other hand when someone raises a crowd for government the press report this and chose a high statistic from somewhere.

The press Ha! Ha!

[Torrey]

Originally Posted by famenity

How do you know the press would help you, I've been on many marches hoping to influence government but what happened, it was sometimes reported in a low key way or minimised somehow, using police figures and they are just an arm of government so what chance getting this out? If the march organisers used their own media, remarks like, "well they would say that wouldn't they" are bandied about.

On the other hand when someone raises a crowd for government the press report this and chose a high statistic from somewhere.

The press Ha! Ha!

Not being from the United States, I take your comment with a grain of salt. How do you know our press wouldn't show up? I can guarantee stirring the pot in a public arena would get the press there, and the cops would be all over fearing a riot. We are not the same as you in the UK.

[Jason_Els]

With a severe economic downturn, revolution is always possible and most of the time they happen suddenly. Think of all the times in a revolution that the leaders of the countries themselves were captured. They stayed where they were because they believed themselves to be safe. One day they can sleep at night, the next day they're imprisoned or worse.

In most other countries, popular opinion at the numbers congress and the president have now would mean the society is on the brink of major political changes including revolution, but not here, not yet. This government is acting in every way it can to keep the economy afloat by resorting to inflation and deficits. If the economy goes into a severe recession or depression, then watch and see what happens. Radicals get the ear of the people when things go bad.

[famenity]

Originally Posted by Torrey

Not being from the United States, I take your comment with a grain of salt. How do you know our press wouldn't show up? I can guarantee stirring the pot in a public arena would get the press there, and the cops would be all over fearing a riot. We are not the same as you in the UK.

I hope your right Torrey, but the press in the western hemisphere is all of a piece, don't you think?

Did your press report the march in London in 2003 where two million people marched?

Our press very rarely show marches against government in the US, really thought you never had them we are only shown how patriotic you are, venerating your flag every morning (something we don't do).

It might interest you to know that one American group owns three hundred of our local newspapers yet their blurb talks of being Local. It's all carefully monitored.

[TheHarvester]

Originally Posted by mbuszu

In light of all the issues US citizens know are a problem today - what would it take for you to personally get upset enough to move into serious action/reaction?

Your list made me want to have another drink.

Seriously.

I think I'm representative of the problem, not the solution. As I get older and my awareness of suffering and global catastrophes increases, I find that I'm too overwhelmed to deal with it any more. I try to be responsible for my own actions. I live by the Hippocratic oath: "Do no harm." I clean up after my dog when she poops, I pick up litter, I recycle, I drive as little as I can, I give money to friends in need even though I'm in need myself, I do volunteer work for local causes...

...but when I look beyond my own sphere of influence I'm too overwhelmed to cope. I just want to tune it all out and watch another episode of 24 or Prison Break or Medium or Lost --- one of those shows that completely engrosses me to the point where I wouldn't even notice if someone were breaking into my apartment and setting it on fire.