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Disclaimer: No, I'm not calling for violent revolution. rolleyes

I've been thinking about how much many of the people in America are sick of the way the country is working and want it to change, but feel powerless and like they can't do anything to change it, they have no right to, and they shouldn't.

But they are so wrong. I believe it's in our U.S. constitution, or at least I read it somewhere around there (Declaration if Independance maybe?) that if the people become unhappy with their government for any reason, they can tear it down and start anew. Don't ask me to source it, I'm horrible at sourcing and it's something I read a long time ago in U.S. History. >_<

We've become a country run by paperwork, religion, fear, and money. That's just about the worst combination you could ever get. Our country is either hated or feared in much of the world, and I can't blame them. We're becoming a police state (don't believe me? I can show you several videos of peaceful protestors being attacked in the U.S., it's terrifying), our government no longer works for the interests of the benefit of the people. Our rights are being tossed aside as if they mean nothing.

Recently, a group of men attempted an ENTIRELY LEGAL citizen's arrest of Karl Rove. They were arrested, even though every citizen has a right to conduct a citizen's arrest. Our government is allowed to watch us without any reason, and it tortures our fellow humans, young and old. Our government demands that our enemies not be allowed to have nuclear power or nuclear weapons, yet we dropped two bombs (just one would have been more than enough) on innocent civilians and we have waged a path of terror across the Middle East...

Er, sorry, I'm losing myself rolleyes Anyways. Our government has become corrupt and no longer works for us--it's undeniable, whether you're conservative or liberal. It is our right as citizens to tear down this government, and while in theory I might support that being done via a violent revolution (like the American or French revolution), I'm way too much of a nonviolence lover to advocate it or call for it at all.

How can we bring about peaceful, effective change? Should we? Your thoughts on the matter and a debate, please...

*cuts the rope*

Begin!

While I'd much rather have a Democratic congress than a Republican one, I don't really think it's going to change anything. Democrat politicians are no less run by money than Republicans.

I would be happy if that happened though, more chances of seeing gay marriage legalized across the board, etc.

I completely support secession, forcing people to stay a part of your country is reverse-imperialism (is that a word or did I make it up? biggrin )

Unfortunately it is not our Constitution I think is wrong. It's the policies that have defaced the Constitution that we... I am unhappy with. The constitution gives us some right of privacy and feeling of security. The Patriot Act has allowed us to be detained and question for any reason... including but not limited to, any groups, parties, social networking sites and friends you keep, any e-mails you sent, who you work for, any protest you've made, or the laptop you keep... And that is just one example of a serious abuse of people under stress in a chaotic environment.
I don't hate our government, I hate what it's been made to look like.

And remember:
"...the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation ALL the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it."
Mark Twain

The system is messed up, though, I doubt any of them, Dems or Repubs, are going to even think abuot changing a system that makes them filthy rich.

1. I believe the quote the OP was looking for is Thomas Jefferson saying, "God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty . . . And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

2. 50 seats in the senate is a simple majority. That assumes no one is sick. One of the dems has been fighting cancer all year and while he comes in for a few key votes is really too ill for frequent attendance. Also, it is not enough to overturn a Presidential veto. They need a super majoroty to be able to ignore Bush. They don't have that. I still think they are wimps not to push harder anyway, but i don't actually expect them to achieve much with Bush able to wipe away anything he doesn't like with a sweep of the pen.

3. I agree with Kisa_Hiroshi that the issue is the Republicans systematically undermining and ignoring the Constitution. The real problem is rising fascism under the NeoCon banner, not the foundation documents and the people willing to trade real freedom for a thin illusion of security.

4. I am not a fan of the two party system, but I don't think we can habve a viable third party on the left without the Republicans splitting also, likely along the lines of the religious extremists vs. the moderates. I'm not holding my breath as the people already in power have a vested interest in staying there. The existing two party system is well set up to keep them there.

I agree with you there, invisible. My father died lamenting the way he felt his party had betrayed him. He hated the fundamentalist/neoCon ytakeover. he was old school pro-constitution, small government conservative. My mother is now faced with the craziness her party is perpetrating in her name and looks on with horror.