14. We need to demand that the US government cut Israel's umbilical cord. Israelis have received more than enough money and weapons from the US to stand on their own. US support of Israel, which, like its benefactor, often engages in state terrorism and has committed acts of genocide against the Palestinians, continues to infuriate Arabs throughout the Middle East. The US has a moral obligation to let Israel fend for itself and to see to the establishment of a legitimate homeland for the Palestinians. There is also the pragmatic consideration that as long as the US supports Israel's abuse of the Palestinians, it will continue to feed the rage of many Arabs.
15. We the People need to find and elect a populist leader like Hugo Chavez, who will place the needs of the poor over the desires of the wealthy elite.
16. The US government needs to respect international law, treaties, human rights, and the autonomy of sovereign nations, and to participate fairly in the UN.
17. The public education system needs to be restructured in such a way that students across the nation attend schools with comparable facilities, teachers, and textbooks.
18. Americans with a social conscience need to insist the US pass and enforce restrictions on corporations to protect the environment. Ending the charade that global warming is a hoax and signing the Kyoto Treaty would be a tremendous start.
19. Besides the creation of a powerful political party, boycotts, labor strikes, marches, providing better education to all American children, dissident writing, staying informed, demanding accountability of public officials through the avenues which are still available, joining groups advocating civil rights and humanity, We the People have another non-violent weapon at our disposal. When it is warranted, civil disobedience is a powerful tool to evoke change. For example, while conscription is not yet a reality, if I am confronted with a call from the US government to participate in one of their imperialist conquests, I will follow the fine example of Kevin Benderman and refuse, even if it means prison. If enough people engage in civil disobedience, the plutocracy will not have the capacity to punish all of us, and will lack the manpower to grease the wheels of their money-making machines.
The rally and protest on 9/24 was simply a high water mark for a movement which has steadily been gaining momentum over the last few years. As one of the participants shouted to the group:
"Don't let this end today. This is only a beginning. When you leave here, continue what we started today!"
While my brief outline of a velvet revolution is not comprehensive and represents a simple sketch which would require a great deal more study and development, it presents a framework of viable alternatives with which to counter the agenda of the elitist and hegemonist regime which some Americans still believe is a democracy. With the will, commitment, and wide participation of We the People in a non-violent, velvet revolution, the US can become a nation with a soul rather than the hollow, inhumane, gluttonous, and bellicose entity it is now. The ugly face of America represents a minority of its populace. It is time for the majority to impose their will and show the world that the US is a nation capable of engaging in truly noble causes.
15. We the People need to find and elect a populist leader like Hugo Chavez, who will place the needs of the poor over the desires of the wealthy elite.
16. The US government needs to respect international law, treaties, human rights, and the autonomy of sovereign nations, and to participate fairly in the UN.
17. The public education system needs to be restructured in such a way that students across the nation attend schools with comparable facilities, teachers, and textbooks.
19. Besides the creation of a powerful political party, boycotts, labor strikes, marches, providing better education to all American children, dissident writing, staying informed, demanding accountability of public officials through the avenues which are still available, joining groups advocating civil rights and humanity, We the People have another non-violent weapon at our disposal. When it is warranted, civil disobedience is a powerful tool to evoke change. For example, while conscription is not yet a reality, if I am confronted with a call from the US government to participate in one of their imperialist conquests, I will follow the fine example of Kevin Benderman and refuse, even if it means prison. If enough people engage in civil disobedience, the plutocracy will not have the capacity to punish all of us, and will lack the manpower to grease the wheels of their money-making machines.
The rally and protest on 9/24 was simply a high water mark for a movement which has steadily been gaining momentum over the last few years. As one of the participants shouted to the group:
"Don't let this end today. This is only a beginning. When you leave here, continue what we started today!"
While my brief outline of a velvet revolution is not comprehensive and represents a simple sketch which would require a great deal more study and development, it presents a framework of viable alternatives with which to counter the agenda of the elitist and hegemonist regime which some Americans still believe is a democracy. With the will, commitment, and wide participation of We the People in a non-violent, velvet revolution, the US can become a nation with a soul rather than the hollow, inhumane, gluttonous, and bellicose entity it is now. The ugly face of America represents a minority of its populace. It is time for the majority to impose their will and show the world that the US is a nation capable of engaging in truly noble causes.
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