In democracy at least 51% of the people would have a good life.

I would propose a Constitution constrained Democracy. Of course we see how well constitutional constrains are working now. It all comes down to what people are willing to fight for. So maybe more than democracy we need real militias. Say at the county level armed with rifles, anti-tank and anti-helicopter weapons and artillery. At the State level armed with F-22 Raptors, B2s, nuclear weapons and ICBMs. To defend our selves should the central government ever violate the Constitution.

“In the long run, it may turn out that rascality is necessary to human government, and even to civilization itself - that civilization, at bottom, is nothing but a colossal swindle. I do not know: I report only that when the suckers are running well the spectacle is infinitely exhilarating. But I am, it may be, a somewhat malicious man: my sympathies, when it comes to suckers, tend to be coy. What I can’t make out is how any man can believe in democracy who feels for and with them, and is pained when they are debauched and made a show of. How can any man be a democrat who is sincerely a democrat?
H.L. Mencken

America has never been a Democracy. It is a Republic. I agree going to a Democracy will help (it is not a return it would be a new experiment).

America has never been a Democracy. It is a Republic. I agree going to a Democracy will help (it is not a return it would be a new experiment).

http://www.natassembly.org/

The keynote speakers at this assembly are basically the same old same old. The “endorsers” and promoters are basically the same (ANSWER,UPJ, etc.). The list of endorsers include those with Socialist in the title - a word that many average Joes run from, and Progressive Democrats (the left cheek on the corporate ass) with such notables as Medea Benjamin, John Conyers, Tom Hayden, Reverand Yearwood and the hip-hoppers, etc.

I’m not particularly trusting of polls as they are generated by mainstream media, think tanks, or foundations - all which lean left or right and interpret data accordingly. Even so, as of March 2008 a pew poll showed 49% favor bringing troops home as soon as possible and 47% favor remaining until Iraq is stabilized. Where this vast “majority against the war” comes from is not “fact” but cherry picking, perhaps from a USA Today or Gallup or Newsweek or other pollsters, the same folks who told us Bush has had a high of 90% approval rating, and even 61% approval in 2004. Either the public is very fickle or in a state of constant bamboozlement.

It’s possible the ruling class is ready to “end the war” and will install a democrat to draw down troops, declare mission accomplished, all while congress continues to pump billions into Iraq for “security” and/or “reconstruction”. The peace movement will say they won, the conservatives will blame democrats for the resultant austerity programs, $9/gallon gas (we can begin that walking Edwin) and shortages in the basics and staple products, etc. Government corruption will continue merrily along, and your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren can attend their own anti-war movements.

For those who make it to Cleveland ($50 registration fee) - be sure to agree with the 5 points on the agenda and do not make any pointless commentary about focusing on government corruption, rah rah rah. And don’t forget to buy tee-shirts, bumperstickers, music CDs, books by speakers and endorsers, etc.

P.S. … get back to democracy and war will end? The US has been at war overtly or covertly since the inception of the Republic.

On that measure alone, this conference sounds like good news.

The American people are strongly against this war. They have been for some time according to public opinion polls. Long before the price of oil reached $100 a barrel. But, on some level that sounds like the stupid arguments about why we went to war. Its simple and naive to ever believe there’s one reason for anything. If the price of oil makes more people against the war, then great, use that to our advantage. Don’t use it as a reason to form a circular firing squad and shoot the people on our side.

We’ve had that most successful anti-war movement in history. When you see 70% or so of the American people against the war, that’s the proof. The problem in America is that we no longer have a democracy that represents the will of the people.

Its hard to get people out to an anti-war protest because most people have figured out that a protest isn’t going to do anything to stop the war. What we need now in America is a democracy movement. Get back to democracy, and the war will end. But its democracy that we must restore.

Good luck to those gathering in Cleveland.

As you said “many people opposed to the war have put their energies—however misplaced–into working for Barack Obama.” Others into Hillary.

There is no “vast majority” against the war. They are against high pump prices, high food prices, high utilities - and foolishly believe Obama and/or Hillary will “end the war” and make gas and big screen tvs more affordable.

Of course some folks are aware of the long-term and indirect “costs” of war but only 0.5% of the populace is directly effected by the war (troops, families, friends). And of those, many support the war.

Finding voices other than guys like Michael Moore, Zinn, Cindy, and Mumia, etc. might attract more folks (most Joes are just not fired up by a fat capitalist, an old Jew, a whiner, and a murder felon).

A military draft might get Joe into the streets - more direct effect on people.

I would say the “anti-war movement” doesn’t need CPR. It need’s a coffin and after the funeral perhaps another social movement can be born - one that addresses the root cause which gives rise to wars and which directly effects everyone - corruption in government.

I am thinking of the fall of East Germany. Walks in the street that just keeped getting bigger and bigger until they had won.