Home > General strike in U.S.

General strike in U.S.

by Open-Publishing - Saturday 25 December 2004
11 comments

Edito Strikes USA

by John Kalmus

I wonder what anyone else out there thinks about using general strikes
in the U.S. as one way of many to end the utter insanity of the current
administration in Washington D.C. Where do I begin listing the lives
and liberties damaged and lost, the care for children and adolescents
with disabilities’ lack of receiving medical and educational services,
the sacred legal system we have used for centuries overturned, or the
attacks perpetrated on U.S. people of color, minorities, elderly,
children, women, people with disabilties, different sexual orientation,
and economically disadvantaged?

Not to mention the atrocities committed in Iraq, Cuba, or Afghanistan.
Or the current attempts at gutting the Social Security System. The same
cadre of "people" who sold us on weapons of mass destruction are now
selling us on the precariousness of the Social Security system. I don’t
think so. My response to those selling privatization of this system:
"Enron".

Yes, our country was attacked, and the devastation and destruction was
horrifying and traumatic. Yes, we need to have a strong defense to
protect us from this kind of catastrophe from re-occurring. But please
tell me, when has the technique of fighting fire with fire ever worked?
Any time in history?

It’s as if BushLaden was at the fire house, he got a call that a
building was on fire, would he say, "Send out the brigade with the flame
throwers"?

A general strike can be effective because it hits the opposition in the
wallet. That appears to be one of two items they truly care about: $$$$$$$$$$$$.

The other is world domination. Hence, attack Iraq. Or as I like to
title it, "The Empire Strikes Black".

Enough of my wanderings. Please respond if you have any thoughts on the
matter.

I look for peace, and I wish that for all of you as well.

To my friends here in the midwest and all around the world:

Greetings and salutations. This is my first time visiting BELLACIAO,
and I hope it wont be the last. I am writing, among other things, as an
advocate for children and young adults who have severe physical
disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my note.

John

Forum posts

  • first the people mobolize themselves into the streets ... a rally ... at the rally they organize themselves and make the plan to stay in the streets as to go home would be folly and the great loss of momentum ... once the decision to stay in the streets is a consensus level the talks/discussions begin about using general strikes ... this is organic ... the great movement to peace is an organic one and can only grow from the people in their power spot of the streets

  • John let me send you my love. I am in California and I want peace in the world also. I want the people of this country to stand up, just as they have in Ukraine. Let them be an inspiration to us, but Idon’t know if the American people can be roused out of their houses to do anything, anymore. Where are the students, they have in the past led these types of things. Also we need a leader like Ghandi or King, please God send us such a leader.
    I think strikes of citizens or boycotts have worked very well. Jesse Jackson has used boycotts to drive movements in the past. Peaceful protests for peace, the end of war.
    I suggest to everyone who may read this entry, to reach out to pen pals, found on internet sites, in other countries, especially Iraq. I have a penpal there and she gives me a true picture of life there. The more we reach out to people in other countries the better we will be. Also try Skype phone for internet calling, its great and free all over the world. Just do a search for skype phone.
    God Bless to All the soldiers all over the world who are serving this country, just wars or not, they are coing as commanded. Please let us change things so they do not have to have commands like going to war.

    By the way my friend says more than 200,000 have been killed in Iraq so far, at least, all civilians.

    • Whoever you are who has responded to my correspondence, I am grateful to you. Thank you for your kind words. You say a lot of hearfelt, as well as practical, things. I am also grateful because now I don’t feel like quite a lone voice talking into the wind.

      I share you skepticism regarding the American mindset, if there is one. Maybe mindlessset is more fitting. I do not condemn anyone for this, as I know life is hard. We need anaesthetics and insulation from time to time to get through the dark days. What I want to focus on is connecting with others (as we are doing as we speak) who speak the same (political) language and who see through the flimsy arguments of neo-cons, and to expand the fantasy if I might, by hooking up with the myriad alternate website groups and together coming up with a powerful, unified (NOT uniform, mind you) voice which can move mountains.

      Methinks there is more than enough work to be done within AND outside the electoral sysytem, that we can mobilize together for the good of all.

      Your pen pal idea is also a good one, and I’m going to look into it. I think people from Ukraine should monitor the 2006 U.S. elections. What do you think?

      I look forward to hearing from you. If you would be so kind to let me have a name I can address you by (it doesn’t have to be your real name), I would appreciate that.

      Thanks again, and I feel a little more energy thanks to you.

      I wish you and those around you a peaceful holiday,

      John

  • Let Jan 20th be a day of national mourning. Let us stay home, or gather in quiet groups or go to houses of worship to mourn the passing of our constitution. Let us stay away from malls or department stores or movies. Nothing but essential services should go on.

    Let everyone in sympathy wear a black armband and drive with out lights on.

    The effect will be the same as a strike. Businesses will be essentially shut. Lets see the 51 million plus of us who voted against Bush show we are a force to be recokend with.

    Bob R

    • Bob R.:

      Great idea! Now, how to market and sell it so enough people know about it and can buy into it. I’d like to find a way to send this message to ALL the alternative web and media sites at one time, and for everyone responding to send to only 1 or 2 e-mail addresses so we can be efficient w. communication, esp. since Jan 20 is really about an hour from now from a planning perspective.

      We could call for this kind of action on a regular basis, and Jan. 20 could be a kickoff of things to come.....

      Let me know what you think.

      Peace,

      John K.

    • I’m from Singapore and I stand with you on this.

    • To you in Singapore,
      Thank you! I think we have the seeds of something greater than all of us, certainly greater than any one of us. Are you subject to similar kinds of censorship where you are as we are here? I hope not, but it won’t make a difference given what we all stand for.
      Peace.
      John

    • It’s happening.
      Please participate.
      info

       FluxRostrum

    • Thanks! I just knew there were so many like minded people out there...
      Is this posted on other alternative websites? If not, I think millions of unaware people would really want to know, and I’d be interested in forwarding this information as well if need be.
      Somehow, mainstream media also need to cover this as a top headline within the first 30 seconds of their world broadcasts (I know, dream on) weeks preceding the events.

  • I live in Tampa Florida.

    No one here really gives a shit about the war or the death or destruction.

    The main concern by the local Christians is that the store clerks having been greeting the shoppers with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"

    The average person here in Tampa is too ignorant, lazy and stupid to do anything but eat and change the channels on their TV.