The State of Civil Disobedience on the Left and the Right

FDR once met with a group of activists who sought his support for legislation. He listened to their arguments for some time and then said, "You've convinced me. Now go out and make me do it."

He understood that the more effectively people created a sense of urgency and crisis, the easier it would be for him to push for progressive legislation.

So - according to Lindorff and Professor Dreier - if progressives want the Obama administration to stop acting George Bush - carrying water for the giant banks, defense contractors and other powers-that-be - liberals have to stop being so "polite" in their protests. I'm sorry to tell my friends on the left, but - according to Lindorff and Professor Dreier - Obama is not going to be progressive unless he is forced to do so by less-than-polite means.

On the other hand, conservatives have to guard against being co-opted by people who don't have the best interests of the American people in mind. For example, I hate to tell my friends on the right, but - according to Rachel Maddow - the town hall protests were organized by the same people who organized the "Brooks Brothers" riots who stopped the Bush-Gore recount in Florida.

And I'd like to remind my friends on both the left and the right that the powers-that-be are always trying to divide and conquer the American people by creating a fake democrat versus republican dichotomy. Don't fall for the old divide and conquer trick. The enemy is not the guy on the other side of the aisle. We all have to remember that the enemy is giant financial corporation, defense contractor or other powerful player trying to manipulate the system and subvert the rule of law.

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