the people are pushing back
i added the bold
Our so-called representative democracy is neither representative nor democratic. It is a hoax, a paradox, a cruel joke. It’s an open secret that money buys elections; that Congress panders to their contributors and that popular support for issues generally fails to translate into political support inside of the Capitol. But now, the joke may be on our elected representatives.
Remember the old bumper-sticker “If the people lead, the leaders will follow”? Now it doesn’t really matter if the leaders follow. If the people lead, the people will follow. And that’s what’s important
if such seemingly radical change as banning GMO’s, ending cannabis prohibition and ushering in an era of equality can be achieved at the ballot box, what else can be accomplished through citizen-led initiatives? The answer: just about anything. In fact, citizen initiatives have already produced publicly funded local elections and, in cities from Minneapolis to San Francisco, major democratic improvements in the way in which local officials are elected. The initiative process can be used for virtually anything that could be legislated—subject only to the limitations of your imagination and your state’s constitution.
The Power and Potential of DIY Democracy
many dems have spoken out on GMO, but change is being driven from the grass roots except in a few places like VT
'Tide is Turning' as Oregon Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Ban of GE Crops
Ronnie Cummins: "These victories make it clear to agribusiness giants like Monsanto and Dow that the day has come when they can no longer buy and lie their way to victory."
then there are the change efforts in Jackson Mississippi. Note the title does not say that the democrats should look there, but the LEFT. Has the LEFT also been left behind?
Why the Left Should Look to Jackson, Mississippi
I read commondreams.org every day. Today the theme of citizen uprising caught my attention. These articles are today's posts and there will probably be more during the day.
Note that many of these movements are being done outside the political factions which exist to sustain the status quo.
To hold onto the slogan "more and better democrats" is to be on the wrong side of change.
this McDonald's protest is on the front page of DK right now, but where are the democrats? Are they taking a stand against the use of riot cops used against protesters? Where was the democratic administration when riot cops were deployed against OWS?
LOW-WAGE WORKERS FACE RIOT COPS OUTSIDE MCDONALD'S HQ
Over a hundred arrested protesting on eve of shareholder meeting
what are the politicians doing about consumer debt? It is clear that the government has given banksters a get out of jail free card by letting them plea bargain out of criminal charges
the consumer protection bureau is doing good stuff
but every politician should have this posted on their web site of these lessons learned from OWS
Our Economy Wants You to Be In Debt—5 Things You Can Do to Take Charge
We poured through a debt-resistance manual created by former Occupiers to bring you these practical tips.
a final article from the postings this morning right now
this one is about Europe where the social safety net has cracked and there is a resurgence of Nazism. The political class in the US seems to feel that we can continue to plunder the poor with reductions of "Obama's Food stamps", reduction of social security which harm the middle class and destroy the poor, and the lack of funding of public education which accentuates the difficulty to move out of poverty
Robert C. Koehler:
The Social Immune System
Turning to posts yesterday we have Bill Mckibben's march in NYC in Sept for climate change. Is Obama going to be at the head of the march? This is the most important issue facing the world's civilization and it is a stand against the most profitable industries in history and the world's oligarchy.
A Call to Arms: An Invitation to Demand Action on Climate Change
When world leaders gather in New York this fall to confront climate change, tens of thousands of people (and maybe you) will be there to demand they take action before it's too late
and also from yesterday on commondreams.org
Robert Reich:
The Practical Choice: Not American Capitalism or “Welfare State Socialism” but an Economy That’s Working for a Few or Many