Let me take a second to explain what I mean by "take it to the streets", the logic behind this and why this is necessary now, more than ever.
First off, by take it to the streets, I mean public demonstrations, protests, marches, etc. I am stating any LEGAL means of protest that is protected by the right of peaceful assembly.
Now that that's clear, here's WHY we need to do it and do it soon. If you watch the MSM (main stream media for those unfamiliar with the abbreviation), there's very little talk about how what happened in Congress yesterday is affecting the unemployed. Sure, the AP has finally picked up the story but with the BP disaster and the change of command in Afghanstan, the fact that so many people are now facing financial ruin has fallen off the radar. We need to KEEP this there.
If you watch the "Right" or the GOBP as I think they are most aptly named, they go out of their way to make sure they don't anger the tea-baggers. The tea-baggers are complete nuts and I think most of the general populace realizes this, but everyone knows about them. Why? Because they're organized. Because they're out there. Because they gather and are making people pay attention to them.
My fellow unemployed, I know we as a group are much saner, articulate and organized than a group of right wing nutjobs. I also know that for many of us, the idea of organizing has been the last thing in our minds as we job search endlessly and figure out how to make ends meet. For the 99ers (those unemployed 99+ weeks), I'm sure it's even worse and many don't have the money for really anything. I get this.
But our methods to date have not been yielding results as yesterday's Senate results show. Folks, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. We need to change tactics, we need to make people pay attention.
And we need to do it NOW, before not only we, the unemployed, but society as whole goes off the cliff. (Keep reading, that'll come in another post, promise.)
The Senate will be leaving soon for the July 4th holiday. The unemployed don't get a holiday - particularly those who now have no money coming in.
I propose this. July 4th weekend should be a time for public demonstration by the unemployed. I'm not sure what form this should take - although I would think financially a series of nationwide demonstrations at the same time would be the most feasible for many people. If anyone has a better idea or a way to organize this, I (and I'm sure my fellow unemployed) are all ears.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease and if we protest publicly loud enough, there's no way the media and resultantly our own government can ignore us.
So Congress and Obama - you're on notice. Work in our interests. Offer emergency unemployment compensation and work to CREATE jobs. If you continue to fail to do so, we're taking it to the streets.
