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The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

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Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#31

Post by AceJohnny2 »

smacktoward wrote: post #16
smacktoward wrote: post #3

OK, so what do you propose we do instead? crickets

To avoid becoming part of the problem myself, here's my suggestion: Find one Member of Congress who's been vocally supportive of these programs, and run them out of their job. Throw down a challenge -- "we're coming for Representative X" -- then form a PAC (or piggyback on the PAC of a supportive org, like EFF or the ACLU) dedicated specifically to turning that person out of office, raise money, and use it to nail th…

Someone like Dianne Feinstein, California Senator, who has emerged as vocal defender of the spying programs?

http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/18/nation/la-na-adv-fei...

http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#32

Post by epi8 »

fsckin wrote: post #27
mmaunder wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Donate actual cash to a lobbying group that puts experienced lobbying muscle and cash into changing current policy. Cash is a more effective than whining to a local representative over the phone. It's also what you're up against because you're essentially fighting the military contractors.

Do you know where can I donate for this specific issue?

The EFF is a good place (unless I'm wrong, if so, someone let me know).

https://www.eff.org/work

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#33

Post by sp332 »

mcantelon wrote: post #8

>Demand Progress, if after four years you are still talking about the same problems, don't you think your strategy might not be working out? It's pretty common for any movement seeking significant change to take considerably longer than 4 years.

That's only 2 terms of a House representative, one presidential term, or 2/3 of a senator's term.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#34

Post by socrates1998 »

Everyone is talking about calling Congress or signing a petition, this is pointless.

Congress is completely broke.

We don't need Congress. Why can't we vote on budgets ourselves?

We have the internet. We can devise a way to vote online a few times a year, once a quarter.

You login, you look at the proposals, you vote on what you think is good for the country.

Congress is the middleman that is poisoning our system.

The three branches of government should be: the people, the court, the executive.

And we could do away with the excesses of the President's power. No more NSA. No more pointless wars. No more TSA.

Gone. Well, if that's what people want.

True democracy with the protections of the court and a true executive, not a power hungry executive branch.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#35

Post by rch »

bguthrie wrote: post #17

In the world of grand political change, three or four years is nothing. Don't give up hope yet. The Demand Progress folks are committed and have a good sense of what it takes to bring about political change in a democracy. Please support them. And believe it or not, legislators do watch those calls and emails––especially calls. All of them of them will tell you that the perception of a groundswell of support or oppos…

And by all means, back up those phone calls by voting.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#37

Post by smacktoward »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #31
smacktoward wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To avoid becoming part of the problem myself, here's my suggestion: Find one Member of Congress who's been vocally supportive of these programs, and run them out of their job. Throw down a challenge -- "we're coming for Representative X" -- then form a PAC (or piggyback on the PAC of a supportive org, like EFF or the ACLU) dedicated specifically to turning that person out of office, raise money, and use it to nail th…

Someone like Dianne Feinstein, California Senator, who has emerged as vocal defender of the spying programs? http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/18/nation/la-na-adv-fei... http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Sure, why not? You could raise lots of CA tech money, I'm sure.

One of the hallmarks of an effective issue advocacy group is that it cares more about performance on its issue than it does about party affiliation. So you might want to take on one Democrat and one Republican (preferably from different states, to head off criticism that your movement is geographically limited) to make the point.

One note, though: there is a lot more money sloshing around in a Senate race then there is in a House race. You might want your first targets to by House members, therefore, to make the most of what will at first be limited resources.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#38

Post by chadwickthebold »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #31
smacktoward wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To avoid becoming part of the problem myself, here's my suggestion: Find one Member of Congress who's been vocally supportive of these programs, and run them out of their job. Throw down a challenge -- "we're coming for Representative X" -- then form a PAC (or piggyback on the PAC of a supportive org, like EFF or the ACLU) dedicated specifically to turning that person out of office, raise money, and use it to nail th…

Someone like Dianne Feinstein, California Senator, who has emerged as vocal defender of the spying programs? http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/18/nation/la-na-adv-fei... http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Perhaps someone a little more vulnerable in general might be a good idea. I think I remember reading somewhere that she basically has that seat for life.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#39

Post by gamerdonkey »

Oh good, the UPDATE brought some helpful advice to the original article.

> So if you're expecting me to tell you what to do, here you go: develop a strategy that is in line with your beliefs and goals, and share it with others.

If only The Day We Fight Back people were doing that. Like, if they had found a piece of legislation that worked toward their goals, come up with ways to improve it further, developed a strategy to support that legislation, and then embarked on a widescale sharing campaign, maybe they could get something done.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#40

Post by justzisguyuknow »

socrates1998 wrote: post #34

Everyone is talking about calling Congress or signing a petition, this is pointless. Congress is completely broke. We don't need Congress. Why can't we vote on budgets ourselves? We have the internet. We can devise a way to vote online a few times a year, once a quarter. You login, you look at the proposals, you vote on what you think is good for the country. Congress is the middleman that is poisoning our system. Th…

> Congress is completely broke.

I think you meant "broken" – they have plenty of money.

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