We already know that there are other places for people to organize. OpEdNews is not set up for that, although we can use it for that if necessary. But the nature of OpEdNews is "NEWS," and we need to report on this news.
The fantastic thing about it is that we can not only report on the strike as it happens, but also report on the process of it happening in different parts of the country. We can publicize it before it happens. We can link to sites and report on decisions and plans. That's what OpEdNews is for. That's the purpose of this site.
Now it's time to mobilize. We need OpEdNews readers who are willing/able to participate in this strike on many levels, from many different views/political beliefs, and bring it all together and find a way to talk about it and bring it to the wider world.
Business cards with strike info is the easiest way to promote the strike. Hand out VoteStrike.com cards, simply saying, "General Strike 9/11-15th no work, no school, no shopping."
If VoteStrike supporters did this, in the next two days, at local malls, hospitals, doctors offices, etc. across the country, we could really get the word out to a lot of people. It's sooo easy. You just stand at the entrance to the facility, where everyone goes in, preferably wearing a General Strike tee shirt or button. Then, hand out the cards-- hundreds of them.
Or, don't even talk to people, just put the cards under the windshield wipers. Would you help get the word out about this General Strike? What I'm hoping is that you'll volunteer to give out cards at similar events near you, and that you'll pay for the cost of the cards--they have next day printing and a thousand cards only cost about $35.
The whole damn corporate system has corrupted democracy, over time from a class democracy into an oligarchy and fascist dictatorship, with its own imperial Empire. While it's obvious that the coverage of the day of the event will be newsworthy, I think also the organization of the strike merits some attention. Lacking a central command, this action needs a heavy participation of the people.
Let me point out some items:
Banners have to be prepared or printed, but before that the people carrying them have to decide about the content of the banners they will be carrying. If you strike, you have a right to decide why. Striking is not easy, one has to choose whether to ask for the day off, or contact with some unions asking for support/advice, or meet with fellow coworkers to talk together with the boss.
What will you do this day? Meet at somebody's home and discuss? Meet outside and talk to fellow citizens? Stop your city or town (by pacific means such as seating in the ground or linking arms), as it is supposed to occur during general strikes? Again, either previous discussion with colleagues or previous careful documentation of usual procedures is going to be needed.
Paperwork: if a lot of people are to gather and disrupt traffic, it's good to inform the authorities beforehand. NOT.
Our phone calls, letters, emails, marches, protests and our votes are NOT being listened to! If enough people stay home from work to bring this country to a standstill and do not purchase anything from that day on we'd be heard.
What have we got to lose? Nothing else is working. We can't wait till 2009 for some change.
We can't wait for prolonged investigations that are being stonewalled to get justice.
We can't wait for impeachment to be put "back on the table".
We can’t wait for our so-called representatives to grow a spine.
We can't wait period! Too much time has been wasted already!
Take the day off for PEACE! Everyone, cab-drivers, bakers, bankers, sales-persons, waiters, cooks, shoemakers, city workers, state workers, lawyers, everyone, stay home, buy nothing.
Ask yourself is it worth one day out of your life to save democracy?
Out of Iraq/Impeach NOW! SEPT. 11th GENERAL STRIKE! SPREAD THE WORD
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