"What is to be done" was a famous political pamphlet over a century ago. While it proposed what has become to be know as "vanguardism," I will rip the title out of its context and use it here.
Afer 30 years of growing economic inequality and impovrishment of working people, the election in 2008 of a Democratic president, filibuster-proof senate, and large majority in the House brought a new day and hope. And some good things were done. Obamacare, while far from what is needed, will help millions. But since 2009 with the executive appointed catfood commission, accelerated by the Republicans flipping about 75 seats in the House in November 2010, instead of the needed stimulus, we have had austerity. The two parties largely have battled betwen austerity-lite and austerity-harsh. The latter is about gutting the New Deal and Great Society.
The New Deal and Great Society (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other progams) were not enough to stop the Great Class Stratification from 1978 through the present, and any political program limited to saving these programs only allows for increasing impovrishment and inequality. But we have to start somewhere, because unless we can stop cuts to core programs, we never will create the needed expansions.
A line must be drawn. Many know the old saying, "they came to get x, and I did nothing." Well, they have come to get social security, and if we are ever to do something, this is the time.
What is to be done?
In the last week, I have read comments that say "I'll never vote for a Democrat again," "I'll go third party," "I won't donate or vote anymore," or variations on the theme. Many people are upset and some feel betrayed. Many are alienated, and some feel like giving up. Many want to fight the proposed policy.
What can we do?
Commenting on Daily Kos can blow off steam, but I have yet to see it change policy. At a minimum, it takes numbers to impact policy.
What if people told senators and representatives that if they voted to cut social security by adopting chained cpi, those congress folks would lose your vote and donations? Each of us is only one person, so it probably would not matter a lot. But what if many people did it? The media might start noticing. And others might follow. Of course, a threat means little without the willingness to follow through.
What I am suggesting is a vote and donation strike with respect to anyone who votes to adopt chained cpi. The concept of cutting social security benefits needs to be made radioactive.
The purpose of the message of a strike is to prevent the adopting of the Grand Bargain with chained cpi. While chained cpi is a bad policy, and will harm many, it is even worse symbolically for it would represent a final break by modern Democrats with the New Deal.
It is highly possible that this proposed budget is DOA, but we have to fight anyway. Because if Dems in Congress are not afraid, they will roll over sooner or later. Many cannot be trusted.
The message should be clear. If you vote for chained cpi, you won't get my vote or money. That means striking in any way you choose for that race on election day. If there never is a vote on chained cpi, then no strike. Same if your senator and/or representative votes no on chained cpi. No need to strike with respect to that Congressperson.
Is this Naderism? I don't think so. 2014 is an uphill climb for Dems, and the presidency is not at risk. We won't get George W. Bush. It is worth the risk of losing seats, because otherwise it just is a matter of time before what little is left of the New Deal will be gutted.
If people want to do this, they also need to pressure front pagers and Kos to join the strike. Even a few thousand people don't matter. To make a difference, we need the front page. Because if they won't crash the gates on this, they never will.
STRIKE NOW!
[A special thanks to Lady Libertine who helped with this post.]
|
DailyKos Blogathon -- Week of April 8th
(All times are Eastern, diaries published by the Pushing back at the Grand Bargain group)
Monday, April 8
10:00 a.m. Roger Fox
12:00 noon eXtina
2:00 p.m. Guest crosspost by Yves Smith
3:00 p.m. poopdogcomedy
4:00 p.m. Horace Boothroyd III
6:00 p.m. slinkerwink
8:00 p.m. joedemocrat
Tuesday, April 9
10:00 a.m. Guest crosspost by Bill Black
12:00 noon Liveblog Event / Lady Libertine
2:00 p.m. joe shikspack
4:00 p.m. Roger Fox
6:00 p.m. Priceman
8:00 p.m. TomP
Wednesday, April 10
10:00 a.m. bobswern
12:00 noon Words in Action
2:00 p.m. One Pissed Off Liberal (OPOL)
4:00 p.m. Puddytat
6:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. SouthernLiberalinMD
Thursday, April 11
10:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. Liveblog event diary
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. cosmic debris
8:00 p.m. angelajean
Friday April 12
10:00 a.m. Reserved
12:00 noon Reserved
2:00 p.m. Reserved
4:00 p.m. Reserved
6:00 p.m. Reserved
8:00 p.m. Reserved
|
|
1. Call your senators and representatives and tell them "Hell No!" with a priority on contacting senators. U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. You can find email contact information here
2. Contact the White House and tell them "Hell No!". Switchboard: 202-456-1414. Email contact page is here.
3. Petitions. There are a number of petitions available. Choose from the following or preferably sign them all.
a. White House petition calling for no cuts to Social Security.
b. AFL-CIO petition calling for no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and calling for more jobs, repealing the sequester and ending tax loopholes for the wealthiest individuals and corporations.
c. Sen. Harkin's petition telling Pres. Obama not to cut Social Security.
4. Social Media. Share this diary and promote this blogathon on Facebook and Google+ using the buttons at the top of the diary. Send this out on Twitter and add the hashtags #HellNo and #NoGrandBargain.
|
|
