Is this the time for a nationwide General Strike, check in if you agree

[loyalkydem]

I think the only way the conservative owned media is going to seriously take our demands at face value is if every worker strikes like they did back in the 60s. I think it was on The Last Word where they showed the origins of the UAW and how they gained power after a 44 day strike. I am of the growing opinion that maybe we need to have a nationwide strike. Followed by a nationwide boycott to get their attention. Of course I'm just throwing out ideas, but if you agree or have a better idea of how we can force their hand to see things our way chime in.

[socialist_n_TN]

1. The strike (withholding labor) is the best tool the working class has..........

for gaining their demands and a general strike is a revolutionary tactic. It doesn't have to lead to revolution as it can also be used as a "shot across the bow" type of tactic (see one or two day general strikes), but make no mistake it IS a revolutionary tactic.

Is it time for one? In one sense, sure it's time. Especially for one of those warning types of general strike. But in the larger sense, it's can't be time for one because the population doesn't seem to be ready for that type of commitment. Because it usually starts as a spontaneous move from the bottom up and only then becomes organized after it's gained some momentum, it's not time. When people start walking off their jobs on their own, then it'll be time to try and bring the organized working class into the action.

Timing is everything.

[PETRUS]

6. There were calls for a statewide general strike in Lansing yesterday.

Last edited Wed Dec 12, 2012, 02:01 PM - Edit history (1)

Beat Back Right To Work was there with a large banner.

Rev. Jesse Jackson mentioned the idea during his speech and the crowd cheered loudly - watch from 5:25 on this video. (for extra fun pay attention to what he says around 6:17) Aferwords he repeated this call to a reporter.

Interesting.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

53. +1000

Good to see you Socialist_n_TN.

You sure you're still a Trotskyist? I detected a hint of anarchist flare in your post.

It's definitely time to agitate!

[99Forever]

2. I agree.

But I don't see it happening any time soon. And that sucks, really sucks.

[CanonRay]

3. Way past time, but the "elite" keeps us at each other's throats

over abortion, gay marriage, wars on Christmas and God in the pledge of allegiance. We the people do not have our collective shit together.

[donquijoterocket]

27. that's what

the robber baron Jay Gould believed in especially when he claimed he could hire half the working class to kill the other half.

[bvar22]

37. When the Working CLass & The Poor....

...realize WE have MORE in common with each other
than we have in common with the Ruling Elite Class of BOTH Political Parties,
THEN we can have real "change".

Our neighbors in Latin America have given us a Blue Print for this change.

[font size=3]"The worst enemy of humanity is U.S. capitalism. That is what provokes uprisings like our own, a rebellion against a system, against a neoliberal model, which is the representation of a savage capitalism. If the entire world doesn't acknowledge this reality, that nation states are not providing even minimally for health, education and nourishment, then each day the most fundamental human rights are being violated."[/font]
----Bolivian Reform President Evo Morales

FDR said much the same thing in 1944 with his Economic Bill of Rights,
so there IS precedent for this change here in the USA,
though you won't hear about it on your TV.

Spread the WORD.
VIVA Democracy!
I pray we get some here soon!



[font color=firebrick size=3][center]"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone[/font][/center]
[center][/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]

[font size=5 color=firebrick]Solidarity![/font]

[Mc Mike]

4. Spring on the cusp of summer is a better time,

logistically speaking.

[ancianita]

11. Political logistics have proven that when good weather comes, so does personal distraction.

People best move when political strategizers don't think they will. It gets much more national attention than it would in good weather, when fewer people pay attention to broadcast media. Just offering for your consideration.

[Mc Mike]

36. There are points to be made that back both views, anc.

I'm looking at it from the temperate climate blue state union end. Cold wet winter weather might not damp the participants' spirit, but will make them a lot more miserable physically. You can't just do nothing when repugs are attacking, though, so I would support a general strike anytime.

Most working families I know save up resources for a 'nice-weather-timed' vacation. They already have days away from work planned for, there isn't the prospect of facing winter heating bills with no money coming in, (or a tiny bit of strike support money in some cases). You can be hot with no a.c. in the summer, but your domicile will suffer damage in winter from lack of heat.

We've had high-profile actions around here from Transit workers, Communication workers, Postal workers, Hotel and restaurant workers, Teachers, Service employees, several construction trades, since Wisconsin workers' big revolt. Media coverage was not laudatory, to say the least. A general strike results in citizens seeing it happening personally; the strikers don't need the media, for people to know about it. And the media needs to report on it more accurately, in order to keep any credibility with its consumers.

Whenever it occurs, I won't cross any picket line. As an AFL-CIO member, I have the RIGHT to not cross a picket line.

[Ninga]

26. There is no better time than now. n/t

[abelenkpe]

5. Long past time

I agree

[KharmaTrain]

7. How About Rejuvenating The Union Movement First...

Do you really think you can get 200 million or so people to just stop working? Or 100 million? Nice dreaming. Especially since we see Union membership at all time lows. And that's the problem. The union movement suffered from decades of apathy...it was something you "hadda" join rather than understanding what and why they exist. Many industries had their unions busted altogether and thus its power to affect elections ebbed opening the door for what we've seen happen in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and surely will in other states.

We live in times where union solidarity is thin...and its only after something bad has happened that there's a call to action. These "right-to-work" laws should have never been created in the first place as the unions lost the battle for hearts and minds that allowed rushpublicans to take control of these legislatures. It was the product of years of working from the grassroots up...getting their pawns in place and, as we just saw in Michigan, when the whip is cracked it can wipe out decades of social progress.

It's time for unions to be "cool" again. It needs to use these low moments to look and see how they can attract more members and regain their political clout. I was saddened to see that only 17% of Michigan households were union...a far cry from the nearly 50% it was a half century ago. If we're to fight the corporates and gain political and social justice, we need a far stronger union movement than we have right now...

[ancianita]

10. In ALL rtw states, have union sign-up tables everywhere during the strike.

In ALL the rtw states, engage people so that their next goal is to get the rtw law rescinded in the next state legislative session.

[reteachinwi]

23. Taft Hartley et.al.

Conservatives used racism and sexism and communism to split working people from the progressive coalition. Perhaps younger people with more libertarian views on social issues will be willing to bring labor back to a stronger position.

[hack89]

8. Perhaps something smaller on a city or state level first

I think you are seriously overestimating the support for a general strike of any kind.

[ancianita]

9. Nationwide!HELL YES.Statewide at the least. It's either intense hurt now or chronic hurt later.

There's no avoiding this fight.

[Howler]

12. Checking in.

Hell Yes!!!!

[plethoro]

13. Now is the time. If we wait until there's a mosquito drone circling every building,

strikes will no longer be viable. And as far as this waiting for rejuvenation of the union movement first, a strike in itself would rejuvenate the union movement. Also, with respect to there really being much interest in having a strike now, once one union guy goes against a hired Xe type and gets hurt, whatever atavism lies dormant in that union guy will suddenly come to life. And spurn others to life, realizing that this is the approximate end.

[Pakid]

14. Should have happen a long time ago when

the rich first stared coming after our rights. But will it happen? I doubt it to many American lack the intelligence today to understand what is being done to them. Lets face it when half the nation votes against there own best interest how would you ever get them to go along. Today the rich pit one of us against another to get what they want and it works way to well. I hear it ever day how we need to take away from others instead of what I should be hearing is how do we improve my job. Until these fools wakeup it will only get worse. The first step that has to happen is to take away control of the media from the rich and from what I have seen we are still going the wrong way on that issue. So yes I would love to see one. But as walmart and black Friday showed it not going to happen anytime soon.

[roguevalley]

15. i thought so in 1966. count me in.

[Faux pas]

16. Back in my union working days (don't remember if

was during the pete wilson or the george deukmejian reigns) we were getting screwed royally. Anyway, I had to convince a whole lot of nervous single moms that all we had to do was vote to strike and we'd win. They were worried that if we voted to strike we'd strike.
I asked them all if they had sick time on the books. They all did. I told them there could be no repercussions if they called in 'sick'. Whew! The vote to strike won and we won. Sometimes the threat is good enough.

[BrainDrain]

17. Absolutely

Money only pays attention when Money starts getting less of what it wants the most........which is more money.


STRIKE!!

[macwriter]

18. Hit them in their wallets

Big money is fueling the attack on labor, so finding where these big spenders are making the money to contribute to these efforts and boycotting those businesses could make them pay attention. It seems to be working for Papa John Pizza and Denny's. Go out of your way to support Blue businesses. Bank at a credit union or local bank, frequent small businesses in your neighborhood and avoid the Walmarts of the world. If we can dent their bottom line, maybe they'll start feeling a little vulnerable.

[Fire Walk With Me]

19. M1GS 2013

May 1 General Strike

[limpyhobbler]

55. +1

[reteachinwi]

20. 2011

In Wisconsin we didn't use that tactic, instead opting for recall elections etc. We lost. With a participation rate of 25 to 30 percent a general strike would grab attention. Perhaps a consumer strike where a one day retail boycott would also make some waves.

[Lifelong Protester]

39. I agree now, and agreed then

Should have gone General Strike

[RetroGamer1971]

21. Hell to the YES! Fighting for my library system, and burnt out!

Yes! a General strike to tell the corporate, and political overlords that we deserve a living wage. There is enough money to go around to keep the rich people rich, but still help those in need. Politicians with their own money agendas need to be told hands off as well. Our public funds are NOT a personal GIMME trough for pet projects. We hace been fighting this kind of corruption in Glendale for years. The city took our tax dollars and built a hockey and baseball stadium. It is bankrupting the city. Services are being slashed, people are being laid off, and libraries will likely close. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!! AK
"City's Credit Rating Drops Again:
http://www.glendalestar.com/news/article_2060dccc-43a9-11e2-82e4-0019bb2963f4.html

My letter:
http://www.glendalestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/article_910ddafc-331d-11e2-8dfd-001a4bcf887a.html

Particulars of how much tax money is going to this: 15 million the first year.
http://www.glendalestar.com/news/article_368a96fe-396e-11e2-ae44-001a4bcf887a.html

Patrons on the move to save libraries:
http://www.glendalestar.com/news/headlines/article_be4b6072-5cd9-11e1-9f7b-001871e3ce6c.html

Thank you for letting me let off some steam on these issues. :}

[patrice]

22. I don't know enough to say when would be best, but we should be ready to go. nt

[tiredtoo]

24. There is trouble brewing in this country

How it will come to a boil is beyond me. Maybe we will have our own Arabian Spring. It will most likely get ugly before it is over. But the plutocrats have put us in a corner and we will fight back no matter what.

[ReRe]

25. "A cog in the wheel stops the machine"

(who said that? Someone pipe up with the whole thing and the guys name...UC Berkeley I think, back in the '60s. I'm having a senior moment. ) There's probably a YouTube clip on his speech? Anyway, I'M IN!

[LittleGirl]

28. *raises hand* but I gave up looking for a job

I've just moved to a new city so I'm looking to volunteer instead. I doubt I have the patience for the corporate jack asses anymore. I'm very fortunate that my husband is able to support us without the need for a salary from me.

[TxVietVet]

29. Name a day. I'm retired and I totally support it. Let everyone sit home.

The owners of big business would wake up to the fact that they might not have all the power. NOW, to convince those who are greedy and show up for work.

[The CCC]

30. National Strike

All for it. Sign me up.

[juajen]

31. I agree!

[kath]

32. It's past time. Should've happened when the SC installed W.

Oh, gawd, I just realized that was 10 years ago today.

(on edit -- OOPS - math error. Can you tell I haven't had any caffeine yet today? Make that TWELVE horrible years ago today. )

[riqster]

34. Holy snap. That is a kick in the arse

One of the darkest days on our history.

[pnwest]

33. k&r. word to the herd.

[RoccoR5955]

35. We should have done this in 1981

When Raygun, and his minions started this crap.
I am game any time for a general strike.
May 1, Mayday, seems like a good day to me.

[randome]

38. What are the demands? Is there a spokesperson? Any leaders willing to step up?

[FreeJoe]

40. Statewide, yes. Nationwide, no.

I can say with confidence that if there was a general strike in Texas because of a law passed in Michigan, it would be detrimental to the stature of the labor movement here. I'm too far removed to judge whether a regional strike would be appropriate, but I think a nationwide general strike would be self-defeating.

[Odin2005]

41. Shut EVERYTHING down!

[slackmaster]

42. For me, going to work and doing my job is a whole lot more important than getting my face on TV.

[JackRiddler]

43. It's always the time.

Unfortunately, this is not yet the time.

[limpyhobbler]

44. I'm in.

Don't have to ask me twice.

[BanTheGOP]

45. We need unions to help with the progressive agenda

We were able to save jobs and increase pensions with the various stimulus programs throughout President Obama's presidency. In doing so, we made sure that their modest dues helped to fund millions of crucial advertising dollars to help reelect President Obama and advance our progressive agenda, to the point where we are now on the brink for forever making obsolete the cesspool known as the GOP. It is not about the actual jobs or benefits of union workers, but we have to make sure that when more jobs are unionized, the more we are able to ensure that the rich republicanist bastards are held in check with necessary high taxation.

"Right to work" is nothing more than "right to create slave labor sweatshops," based upon the stats in the red states (that we need to turn blue by spilling OUR red (blood) if necessary.

[muriel_volestrangler]

46. It's been asked but not answered: what are the demands?

If you think you can get a nationwide general strike going, then you seem to think you are part of a nationwide movement with specific demands. So what are they?

And since you don't say what you're going to boycott, I presume you mean you're going to boycott everything. No paying rent, taxes, buying anything from anyone.

Finally, who are 'they' whose hand you want to force? The government? That's who general strikes are usually aimed at.

[limpyhobbler]

56. This is actually kind of an important point.

We could use a more formal concrete structure. The labor unions can't directly endorse it because I think it would be illegal. Somebody should set up a coordinating committee.

I suggest our one demand should be repeal of the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, the law that makes it illegal for labor unions to engage in political strikes and coordinated strikes. If we can accomplish that (within about 10 years of action) then from that point forward we will be able to coordinate further actions and advances through the democratic structures of new and existing labor unions.

I think purpose of a general strike at this time would be to deny profits to industry, so they will pressure government to give us what we want.

[libodem]

47. I'd say stand with Occupy

Occupy is nonviolent. Peaceful Passivism. No resistance.


Show up when they call. Start a movement.

[yewberry]

48. I've got no right to strike. And public opinion will not support a wildcat strike.

I work for a public agency. The media has made sure that the public HATES us.

[Egalitarian Thug]

49. I'll definitely support it, but I think that the unions seriously need to reinvent themselves.

The traditional union model was developed in the early 20th century and has stuck with that model even as they have been, for all intents and purposes, legislated out of existence. From Taft-Hartley to right to work laws and after 40 years of inefficacy they have failed to change their models.

As weak as they are, they still have power, but that power is waning. We need to look at other methods to leverage that power to directly help members.

[Apache Crew Chief 65]

50. Witness the undoing of the Republican Tent of Greed

It's just in time for the holidays, the 1% has given America a window of greed. The pundits and the news organizations and the Polls have their marching orders from the 1% as union members across America celebrating the reelection of Pres. Obama are witnessing retaliation from the 1%.

America can witness the multitude of union members protesting in the streets and on the Internet. Workers rights are being threatened as the SOS call goes out across the world for workers to unite and to prepare for the upcoming challenges in the new year.

The 1% is demonstrating desperate measures and will soon realize its undoing of power will come about because of a shrinking Republican tent to attract new members to the house of greed.

[ananda]

51. It's been time since Reagan and Patco.

..

[Fantastic Anarchist]

52. Way past time.

It's a weapon that should have been used along time now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

57. You want to execute your head of state?

How about choosing a picture that doesn't involve treason or a violent revolution? You know, to keep within the DU Terms of Service:

Don't be a wingnut (right-wing or extreme-fringe).

Democratic Underground is an online community for politically liberal people who understand the importance of working within the system to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of political office. Teabaggers, Neo-cons, Dittoheads, Paulites, Freepers, Birthers, and right-wingers in general are not welcome here. Neither are certain extreme-fringe left-wingers, including advocates of violent political/social change, hard-line communists, terrorist-apologists, America-haters, kooks, crackpots, LaRouchies, and the like.

[TheKentuckian]

59. Sometimes a warning is the best preventative

and the warning called for is to "stakeholders" not the government.