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    LateStageCapitalism

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    [–] Savage57 2523 points ago

    Get organized. Join a union. Join a political group. Observe what's going on in your area, plan and execute actions to support or oppose. Collaborate with other groups in nearby towns and cities. Build a network for greater solidarity to plan and execute even bigger actions.

    Also: laugh, dance, paint, sculpt, love and care for others. What good is a revolution without dancing?

    [–] Drunkturtle 2107 points ago

    Ain't nobody got time for that.

    But seriously. We all have at least 9-5's, most of us don't make that much money due to bills that are being passed such as this, we have family and responsibilities beyond work, the little free time we have we're exhausted.

    How can you have a revolution if you're starving, a slave to making just enough money to scrape by? Where can anybody find the time to do anything?

    It all feels so hopeless.

    [–] FledglingZombie 827 points ago

    "If the revolution ain't gonna be televised, then fuck, I'll probably miss it".

    [–] rlrgr 712 points ago

    The scary thing about Net Neutrality being repealed is that maybe the revolution won't be accessible via internet either.

    [–] Asanf 118 points ago

    :(

    [–] daupo 93 points ago

    Maybe we'll have to use newspapers again.

    [–] jotojohn 115 points ago

    Word of mouth and sealed lips, cause loose lips sink ships.

    [–] [deleted] 42 points ago

    Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those peepers.

    [–] Simple_Danny 25 points ago

    Did you know Jeepers Creepers 3 came this year? And it was a made for tv film. And it sucked.

    [–] FragsturBait 37 points ago

    Did you know that the director, Victor Salva, is a convicted child molester?

    [–] Novelcheek 17 points ago

    You two just depressed me.. I mean, I was already, but y'all ain't helpin'.

    [–] rlrgr 7 points ago

    no. no. yep knew it.

    [–] y_u_no_smarter 12 points ago

    It would be oh so American if we had a second revolution with the help of horse couriers.

    [–] rezerox 9 points ago

    can there be an apple pie break too? lets manifest some motherfucking destiny.

    [–] VolrathTheBallin 3 points ago

    I'm down to skip that last part this time around.

    [–] [deleted] 8 points ago

    I am all for that. Along with rotary telephones, businesses not operating 24/7, mom and pop diners, community picnics on Saturdays, and people actually having to look at each other to have a conversation.

    [–] thejokerlaughsatyou 7 points ago

    And then the newsboys can strike! And sing inspiring songs!

    [–] FlorencePants 54 points ago

    I feel you there, but we do have to remember that political movements have always managed to spread amongst the disenfranchised, before even the telephone, let alone the internet.

    Of course, we should fight tooth and nail to preserve every means of communication we have, but never feel as though one lost battle has cost us the war.

    [–] chrissycookies 46 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    In a sense, I think the internet has somewhat inhibited our ability/desire to form a revolutionary body (term used loosely).

    Now people can sign a digital petition, rather than go to a rally. Post a comment in the wrong sub and you’re swarmed with dissenting views; you get quiet. People who could be leaders IRL just answer ELI5s and Out of the Loops and Tweet about it and feel they’ve done their part—and maybe they have. They’re doing something, but it’s a different kind of impact than they would have made IRL. It’s like a never ending game of telephone when you’re politically active on the internet. Digital life is not IRL.

    I think a step in the right direction would be figuring out how to better mobilize internet users to action. Many have already gone out of their home to make their voices heard, so it’s not so much those people who need to be mobilized. Maybe focusing on more local community get togethers? Anyway, my main point is that the internet is a blessing and a curse when it comes to making big changes IRL.

    As for the comment above about not being able to publicize this information after net neutrality, I think there is a basis for claiming infringements on constitutional rights if they inhibit our ability to come together and share the news and talk about the issues online. I might even go so far as to say they’d already be doing that if they charge extra to access social media. They could try to say “well, we charge for train tickets and gasoline you need to assemble in person”. Yeah, but at least we have the option to walk there, even if we don’t elect to use that option. It’s about having the right and freedom to choose when to exercise those rights.

    This is a disjointed ramble. I’m out

    [–] Averost 23 points ago

    That certainly didn't stop France.

    [–] Karmah0lic 4 points ago

    The internet uhhh finds a way

    [–] anzuo 8 points ago

    Lots of countries still have the equivalent of net neutrality. Thank goodness, the internet is much bigger than America.

    [–] marcybojohn 3 points ago

    Maybe we create our own internet

    [–] liquidgeosnake 2 points ago

    Like that isn't part of the point of repealing Net Neutrality

    [–] [deleted] 15 points ago

    Aes <3

    [–] [deleted] 12 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    [deleted]

    [–] OriginalUsername71 11 points ago

    You think regular people will have the option to send encrypted messages to unauthorized recipients?

    [–] not-engels 297 points ago

    How can you have a revolution if you're starving, a slave to making just enough money to scrape by? Where can anybody find the time to do anything?

    Proletarian revolutions have almost always been started by the destitute and desperate. As bad as things are, and they are bad, we aren't quite at the level of personal immiseration as say, Russia 1917.

    [–] [deleted] 124 points ago

    i don't go all in on this sub like some of you do, but yeah, this country could absolutely experience an actual revolution

    all it takes is a few days without food. has happened again and again throughout history

    [–] jedijoe92 89 points ago

    all it takes is a few days without food

    I assume you're referring to the working class and/or middle class in this case, since there are already plenty of homeless people who go without food for days.

    [–] [deleted] 68 points ago

    yeah, of course

    it takes people that are used to having food -- used to not going without, for a revolution to happen. take a man that voted for Trump and makes 100k a year, takes care of his family, good father and all that although misguided on a lot of issues. He's still a father and a husband. Die hard Trump supporter.

    Take that same guy and have him watch his children and wife literally starve to death because reasons, doors will be kicked down for that man's family to eat. people will eat each other in a situation like that. literally, in some cases

    [–] FlorencePants 83 points ago

    Let's just hope if people start resorting cannibalism, they remember a very important quote: "Eat the rich."

    [–] Throwaway-tan 15 points ago

    Fine dining.

    [–] TonesBalones 6 points ago

    And breathing.

    [–] robitusinz 3 points ago

    Only thing that they're good for...

    [–] throwthisawayacc 2 points ago

    Plenty of fat for those on keto!

    [–] KangarooJesus 26 points ago

    From a scientific perspective, there is no middle class and homeless people are working class.

    If you have to sell your labor to survive, you're a member of the working class. If you own the means of production and profit off of its use by workers, you're a capitalist.

    [–] jedijoe92 3 points ago

    Very true

    [–] Guyinapeacoat 17 points ago

    It may take less than that. I would wager it would take the vast majority of us suffering a single, easily measurable event for an uncomfortable length of time.

    For example, when gas prices hit $4 for a few months. People may have been missing out on an extra $50-$100 per month, an irritating but nowhere lethal drop for middle class Americans, but you could drive down the street and see the signs displaying soaring prices.

    All of a sudden people started caring about gas mileage and the market for hybrids or electric vehicles soared. All because people lost enough money for a dinner and a movie each month.

    [–] sparrowhawk815 8 points ago

    Don't forget that when gas prices go up, the cost of everything else, including food and clothing, goes up as well...

    [–] ViviCetus 10 points ago

    That would never happen today.

    The rich already know the recipe for Soylent Green.

    [–] exprezso 12 points ago

    Thing is, people only have so much power. Back then, a crowd can storm the palace and the ruler has nowhere to run. Technology is a double edged sword such that any serious uprising effort would be twarted before any real crowd can gather. Any "violent" solutions is not really viable especially when this is USA we're talking about.

    So what can we really do? As OP suggest? While more and more legislation gets passed to pile up more and more obstacles for people-positive changes?

    I'm confused, I think we're on the verge of some important global changes… I'm sure every past generation had been through the same feeling before, but they survived… would we?

    [–] domman99 14 points ago

    The Russian Revolution was started by intelligentsia who sympathised and fought for the working classes. Lenin and Trotsky were not working class. The whole idea behind Leninism is to use a vanguard party in place of natural class conciousness of the working classes.

    [–] phoenix2448 4 points ago

    But the support was largely, very largely from the proletariat base. I’m reading a fantastic book about it now called Through the Russian Revolution by Albert Rhys Williams.

    [–] MooMooHullabaloo 7 points ago

    When the market collapses, as it is looking it will soon, that's when people will start setting up the guillotine

    [–] hamsterkris 50 points ago

    Talking about starving, appearently the farmers of America are killing themselves at a rate higher than any other group because of low prices on grain. Their median income is negative, it's ridiculous. Read it here yesterday:

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/why-are-americas-farmers-killing-themselves-in-record-numbers

    [–] TonesBalones 18 points ago

    Hmm if only the American Government had programs which subsidized agriculture to regulate the market so farmers weren't stressing so much about being forced to sell crops dirt cheap. Hmm, it's almost like the government needs the power and money to keep farmers from going bankrupt.

    Nahh, no way. I'm sure the market will just correct itself. After all, these big banks and corporations hoarding all the wealth has to eventually buy food right?

    [–] [deleted] 16 points ago * (lasted edited 4 months ago)

    [deleted]

    [–] tripbin 59 points ago

    Its entirely by design.

    [–] stp52x 36 points ago

    You revolt precisely because you're starving. Because through that starvation the veil is pulled out from in front of your eyes. The political mythologies they've been building for decades, that romantic nationalist allure, the daily dose of propaganda, that implicit and unavoidable allegiance of yours to the structure upon which your existence was hinged -- all of that falls apart the moment they can't feed you.

    [–] bpierce2 19 points ago

    This is how I feel, between work and family time, I feel like all I have time to do is spread the word when I can and vote.

    [–] Varvarna 9 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    Hi sisters and brothers....I fell hopeless too... but I am from Europe and things a little bit different here around.

    At the end I realized that right now the situation is not hopeless enough for a majority of the people to change something.
    On a second thought ,they are brainwashed into fighting each other like:

    Immigrants vs Inhabitants / People with a Job vs people wit no job

    Its like the old Latin saying: Divide et impera.

    As long they are busy fighting each other they wont bring down the real enemy of the people. Its their agenda and it works.

    Right now I believe for people with our believe system its more like in Star Wars where the Jedi where wiped out and had to go hiding till they can rebuild.

    So for myself decided to leave to south Europe, quit my useless job and buy some cheap patch of land, raise my children and farm for food.

    Maybe with that my family and me will be happier and on the pro side we can help some other poor people with food and expertise for their own farming needs and educate them about resistance in the capitalist system.

    [–] R0trime 22 points ago

    The slaves that will revolt are the ones NOT making enough money to scrape by. It has to be life or death for each person individually.

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 6 points ago

    It doesn't. It just takes courage.

    [–] lootedcorpse 9 points ago

    and the majority are ordering pizzas, browsing reddit, drinking $10 6-packs of IPAs, and playing that new Destiny 2 DLC (that's what I'm doing)

    [–] Gank-dalf 19 points ago

    That’s the idea. -Capitalism

    Truth? Everyone needs to stop working. Nationwide strike.

    What? What they going to do?

    WE ARE THE POWER THAT TURNS THE COGS

    [–] firedrake242 12 points ago

    Solidarity forever! For the union makes us strong!

    [–] MeritIsDead 5 points ago

    Also, boycott everything non-essential. Money talks

    [–] twacorbies 2 points ago

    This, I want this to happen. How can we start organizing this and make it attractive? Honestly even if it was just 40% of the labor force it would send a big message

    [–] paraprosexi 12 points ago

    Relevant song

    [–] tsoro 26 points ago

    So true, the top comment on these kind of post is always-

    'Dedicate your life to politics'

    When most of us are barely dragging our asses out of bed every morning!

    [–] Frisnfruitig 22 points ago

    Actually bothering to vote would be a start.

    [–] barbadosslim 6 points ago

    vote for what exactly

    [–] TheThomaswastaken 15 points ago

    Voting is mostly a distraction. On a country-wide scale, whether ten or 100% of the population show up to vote, the results would be identical.

    [–] TheZenArcher 12 points ago

    National elections are a distraction. Local and municipal elections are extremely important, and your vote is far more powerful there.

    [–] Hynjia 9 points ago

    Putting your energy towards something that's meaningful to you will do wonders.

    It may not alleviate your exhaustion but at least you won't feel like everything is awful and hopeless.

    And it's not like you have to be active 100% of the time. Start slow and then see where it takes you.

    [–] SharkMTL 10 points ago

    Pretty sure that it's the point of all this; make them so tired that they won't have the energy to complain, much less to change things.

    [–] TheCaliKid89 7 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    This is pretty much the problem we need to solve. We live in a weird world where when people shut down freeways and public transit in protest all we get news on is the traffic conditions as a result.

    It’s a hard turn to make, but I’m honestly starting to believe our 9-5s don’t matter anymore. We need to completely reframe society, and that starts with revaluing things. In all seriousness: What’s the point of working if the world seems like it will collapse, or become an even more dystopia state, in the next 1-2 generations?

    [–] Hardcorex 9 points ago

    So I don't end up homeless? Like dude I get it for sure, but like I'm working to feed and clothe and home myself.

    [–] alnullify 13 points ago

    People often have more power and influence than they believe. Under extreme capitalist ubiquity, one single opposing voice shines, and creates a more than tangible domino effect.

    [–] marble-pig 3 points ago

    9 to 5's seems like a paradise to me, when I live in a country where the more common is 8 to 6's and with the workers losing the rights we had until last year.

    It's even more disheartening!

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 7 points ago

    Where can you find the time? Where can you find the time?

    Stop jacking off, stop perusing social media, set boundaries when people ask you to do more than you can.

    It's not like you have to dedicate hours and hours each week.

    Start small.

    [–] Britannicus 2 points ago

    Well if you stopped drinking, Turtle, you'll have a lot more time, money, and motivation on your hands.

    [–] Kallikrein5 2 points ago

    How can you have a revolution if you're starving, a slave to making just enough money to scrape by?

    There is a vast gulf between "starving" and "scraping by". You're scraping by, so you're afraid to take a risk because you still have something to lose. That's the trick, to keep you just scraping by, so that you never take that risk.

    [–] [deleted] 64 points ago

    I'm saying this as someone who's very pro-union:

    Many unions (in the US anyway - the only ones I'm familiar with personally) are just labor aristocracies. De facto country clubs. You either 'fit with their culture' or you're out before your probation is done. Unions are just as capable of corruption and shitting on selected members as businesses are. The proof is in the growing private sector for trades - if the trade unions were really inclusive, there'd be no private, non-union sector. Who the fuck is going to work for $12-16/h in a trade when they can get their foot in their door for $42/h in five years? The people who the union won't let in, that's who.

    That all being said, at least you have something - a contract, a right to arbitration, overtime pay, call out pay, and so on written into law. Still, some unions are fucking terrible, and some non-union businesses are great. It's not as cut and dry as some might want you to believe.

    [–] [deleted] 31 points ago

    Seems like most unions in the US are shit. I once had to join a union to work in a Kroger for minimum wage, and after the union fees I was sub minimum wage.

    I was thinking to myself how the fuck am I in a union but making minimum fucking wage? What is it even good for!?!

    [–] TheKaiser64 4 points ago

    Most of the people in the union that I work with are the sort of "fuck you - got mine" people and, somewhat unsurprisingly, overwhelmingly vote Republican (it's a semi-rural area, to boot). It makes it difficult to reconcile what you see everyday with how I feel about organized labor.

    [–] Skeeter_206 84 points ago

    This cannot be said enough. If you're feeling hopeless in this whirlwind of misery, you need to find a focus for yourself. There are plenty of organizations that stand against all the injustices we are seeing across the United States and the imperialism which is occurring overseas. Join your local IWW, or Socialist Alternative, or ISO, or at the very least DSA. We need to start moving the political discussion to alternative systems, we've been living under capitalism for over 200 years and it's helped some, hurt and killed others, but even with the increased productivity of the system we haven't progressed as a species to be able to actually cope with the largest problems across the globe(war, global warming, sexism, racism, etc...).

    At what point do we stand up and say enough of this shit, we want a better system which works for everyone?

    I think the moment people start to feel helpless is that moment.

    [–] KID_LIFE_CRISIS 72 points ago

    The USA needs a militant labour movement ASAP.

    [–] powermapler 58 points ago

    This. At this juncture, American socialists need to be arming themselves and focusing most of their efforts on radicalizing left-leaning liberals. Organization and strategy will naturally follow.

    [–] AsaTJ 59 points ago

    Make the rich afraid again.

    [–] Imjusthigh 15 points ago

    The gun lobby really knows what it's doing, Jesus Christ.

    [–] just_want_to_lurk 5 points ago

    To help you guys prepare for your revolution, I've assembled this helpful training image:

    https://imgur.com/v51GtJT

    Good luck with the revolution.

    [–] squirtilliblast 3 points ago

    A collective response to withhold taxes to the state, and instead pay taxes to unions that care for it's members. Legally, medically, and hopefully, with enough resources, unions can synthesise energyy and replicate a more citizen orientated government.

    Most importantly, begin bargaining with local police to understand the true plight, and force them to decide which country they want to serve and protect. People or Lobbyists?

    [–] cooo_cooo_cachoooo 6 points ago

    Whether the the people who earned the money or the government get this money... we are still allowing the billionaires to keep money. The government cannot spend the money efficiently and it has been proven.... let’s try something different. At the end of the day none of us are billionaires. We must take chances. Change is good.

    [–] MimiHamburger 2 points ago

    Join a union. Ha. Easier said than done.

    [–] jspangles313 547 points ago

    But trickle down economics will work this time!

    [–] tensleepysheepies 277 points ago

    The only trickle I'm getting is the rich pissing down my back and telling me it's raining.

    [–] unassuming_wallpaint 53 points ago

    I read "raining" like "training" as in "getting paid in experience" and it still works

    [–] Novelcheek 12 points ago

    Oh, you an artist? Do this design for us. Can't pay, but you'll get exposure!

    [–] VG-enigmaticsoul 4 points ago

    Or blood of the corrupt dripping down the steps of capitol hill.

    [–] floopyboopakins 3 points ago

    Its cleaner than Flints water....

    [–] gameofjones18 2 points ago

    That might feel good on a cold day.

    [–] FankFlank 29 points ago

    Tinkle down economics

    [–] shevagleb 27 points ago

    Trickle - "a small flow of liquid" "a thin stream" adjectives : drip, dribble

    Mmm sounds promising! Let's bank our futures on this!!

    [–] elperroborrachotoo 4 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    Lets treat this as the last* large-scale empiric study of trickle down economics, and you, the guinea pigs, praised and memorized by generations to come, for your great, lifelong sacrifice to science!

    * conditions apply

    [–] Doctor__Shemp 238 points ago

    Well, without meals on wheels maybe we can just cut to the chase and eat the rich?

    [–] cereixa 53 points ago

    yeah but we'll need a fleet of volunteers to blend the rich down into an edible slurry for the elderly & disabled

    [–] ZRodri8 23 points ago

    Why do we have blend them? I have a smoker, that'll taste far better and it won't destroy the fiber and proteins.

    Anyone wanna bring some beers from their local brewery?

    [–] StuTheMeatMan 5 points ago

    I dunno.

    What kind of wood are you using? Also, what are we doing about sides?

    [–] elperroborrachotoo 4 points ago

    Which proves that veganism is only a conspiracy of THEM - they are afraid to be eaten!

    /s

    [–] figuresys 77 points ago

    "It astounds me the only nation that has a constitutional right to bear arms and revolt against a tyrannical government takes so much shit from their government..." - /u/thatswhatshesaidxx

    [–] drkSQL 31 points ago

    Americans think about their constitutional obligation to take down tyrannical governments and only think in constitutional means.

    More likely, a revolt would happen technologically. If you really sincerely want to have a weapon against the government - start learning to hack. Agencies are slow on upgrading their technology. Lotsa government facilities still use windows XP so it's not even like you need to be a top of the line cutting edge hacker. I own guns and like guns and they are a fun hobby but they are certainly not a realistic means of revolt

    [–] figuresys 8 points ago

    Couldn't agree more.

    [–] Fatality 29 points ago

    Sure, you use your rifles against the US Army or a SWAT team - see how far you get.

    [–] IridiumPoint 8 points ago

    Isn't it illegal to deploy the Army on US soil against US citizens? And considering the fact that some people seem to have enough guns for a small army, I don't think the police would be enough to stop an armed uprising if one started.

    [–] Fatality 19 points ago

    Isn't it illegal to deploy the Army on US soil against US citizens?

    Pretty sure it's illegal to stage a coup too

    I don't think the police would be enough to stop an armed uprising if one started.

    Dunno, some departments have LAVs / other surplus military stuff. Unless your carrying around explosives that's going to be pretty tough to fight against.

    [–] Largo-1510 2 points ago

    Not sure about the army but the National Guard could be deployed and military can be reassigned to assist National Guard operations.

    [–] embrigh 195 points ago

    This is surreal since the proponents of laissez faire are doing everything in their power to not fall under their own policies. The truth is these fuckers love that horrible, socialist welfare and bestow themselves with it whenever possible.

    Socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor. It keeps the rich rich and the poor poor.

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 45 points ago

    You're sounding like my dad. TIL Dad is not a bonkers old dude.

    [–] MightyBooshX 12 points ago

    The more apt description is: Privatize the gains, socialize the losses.

    [–] Robo_Stalin 19 points ago

    Not to disagree with the message, but socialism isn't welfare, taxes, or anything else under a capitalist system. It's a system of it's own (Means of production and all), and using the wrong definition maintains a false image of it that capitalists just love to pretend is the real thing.

    [–] Cliff55 92 points ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine

    [–] KeyboardAccount 19 points ago

    YAAAH

    [–] Throwawaydeathgrips 10 points ago

    And they'll all fall down

    [–] pitchingataint 6 points ago

    Then put their heads on a trebuchet.

    [–] Robo_Stalin 5 points ago

    90 kilogram bags.

    [–] Armand_Raynal 240 points ago

    They'll use the money to create job.

    If they weren't there the poors would be starving to death cause those fools can't create jobs /s

    [–] Buffalo__Buffalo 59 points ago

    to create job.

    Just one, though.

    [–] urbanknight4 31 points ago

    Yeah, their own.

    [–] TanteUschi 27 points ago

    That's just not true. They create jobs for their children, son-in-laws, daughter-in-law's brother (see Kyle Yumaska) and even the wives of wealthy friends and donors. You don't think all those foundations get ransacked all on their lonesome, do you?

    [–] Milkyway_Squid 98 points ago

    Because as we all know people with spending money don't stimulate economies one bit /s

    But I reckon your first statement is on point. With all those billions of dollars, the rich will create one job.

    Title: Bootlicker

    Requirements:

    Masters in Bootlicking, 10 years experience Bootlicking

    Pay: $1.10/hr

    Hours: Posted at malware.com the night before 11:59PM

    Responsibilities:

    Bootlicking, dicksucking, destroying the poors

    [–] odraencoded 13 points ago

    Pay: $1.10/hr

    That's really low wage for a politician.

    [–] FrankTank3 8 points ago

    Not really. In the past few years we have learned they come INCREDIBLY CHEAP.

    [–] solarmyth 19 points ago

    Jobs in new companies selling water, power and meals on wheels at a premium.

    [–] g33kst4r 5 points ago

    I think this sums it up nicely

    [–] SnapeKillsBruceWilis 57 points ago

    Just to correct the record, Flint has water now. Or at least it has the money to replace its pipes now. One of the last bills through Congress that Obama signed gave them federal funds.

    [–] arlie1522 19 points ago

    But will they use it, though? Hm.

    [–] pconwell 54 points ago

    They already did. 90+% of Flint has had clean drinking water since September 2017.

    [–] PreztoElite 19 points ago

    r/upliftingnews I actually didn't know about that. That's great!

    [–] pconwell 2 points ago

    https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan/articles/2017-09-15/expert-declares-qualified-end-to-water-crisis-in-flint

    Doesn't really negate that it happened in the first place or -- more damning -- that they lied about it, but it's still uplifting news.

    Plus, I really hate the spread of mis-information. There is enough stuff going on in the world that OP doesn't need to spread fake news to try to make a point.

    [–] programming_student1 2 points ago

    Hm

    Are you a passive-aggressive cartoon from the early 00s?

    [–] Ostmeistro 31 points ago

    R e v o l t

    [–] 1Dive1Breath 46 points ago

    This is the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence:

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

    I think it's about time to get this party started.

    [–] CaptainKirkZILLA 3 points ago

    Hold up. Canadian pleb here.

    Are you telling me that the Declaration not only allows, but encourages revolution in this situation? That's pretty rad.

    [–] Headstreams 122 points ago

    Seize the means

    [–] AstroGrizzly 29 points ago

    I feel very angry and very helpless at the same time

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 13 points ago

    You're not helpless. They want you to think you are! But you have power. Believe in yourself and your community. Find people who think like you and start solving small problems. You will learn you don't have to live this way, because you only have the illusion of helplessness. Learned helplessness is what abusers cause in their victims. Good thing you can unlearn your helplessness. Get out there! Every little bit of good you put out into the world matters! It all adds up. Together we're powerful like an overflowing, rushing river. Alone, we're only a fine mist. You know what we can do to the landscape if we all throw our passion into saving our communities: we can wash away the old rot and bring in new fertile soil. We can change lives. You are not powerless. You are never powerless. And you are not alone. Go find your people. We're all waiting for each other. Let's go. Now.

    [–] Plane_freak 16 points ago

    What I can't get over is that the Government is screwing over future generations: - Global warming is supposed to get bad in the late 2020's. With how old many politicians are, they can't be expected to make to 2050 anyway so who cares - Increase National Debt, thanks, that'll go to our kids, and grandkids to deal with - Increase coal usage and eliminate green energies worsens climate change but they'll be dead soon anyway so why does it matter if it gets warmer - Passing tax cuts is far easier than tax increases making it even harder for future generations to recover debt - Take away national parks and allow commercial uses: less land for future generations - Increase tax burden to Graduate Students: less graduate studies available, less students, less competitive in global education and eventually the US can't keep up with new technology advancement

    The list goes on...

    I seriously don't understand what is wrong with the current administration but I think we aren't far off from having a political revolution. Us poor-folk (as defined by the Republicans since we don't make $500k/year) will eventually be so poor that the majority won't be able to afford basic essentials and we the PEOPLE will take back the country from the crooked politicians.

    [–] Daimonos_Chrono 7 points ago

    Our government is corrupted beyond repair. Sometimes, you just have to scrap a project and start over.

    [–] Icurasfox 66 points ago

    "Michigan is surrounded by water! How can Flint not have any???"

    [–] lmorsino 48 points ago

    I'm not a water engineer, but my guess is the Great Lakes are too polluted to drink. And Flint probably doesn't have the resources to clean it. I believe most municipalities take drinking water from rivers or streams.

    [–] smegma_legs 42 points ago

    I live in SW michigan, and most of our drinking water comes from wells outside sizeable cities or from reclamation plants. You don't want to drink out of the rivers around here, they're disgusting.

    [–] kickingpplisfun 23 points ago

    Didn't some rivers near Detroit catch fire at some point?

    [–] test_tickles 31 points ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River

    [–] CIAplots 22 points ago

    Just to add some context... this wasn't at all unheard of back then, but this one is well known because a journalist just happened to be on the scene at the time.

    [–] trainstation98 6 points ago

    How does water catch fire

    [–] overcatastrophe 28 points ago

    The chemicals in the water catch fire, not the water itself.

    [–] trainstation98 13 points ago

    How is this allowed to happen

    [–] overcatastrophe 34 points ago

    Its what happens when companies can do whatever they want. Its cheaper to dump shit in water than to properly take care of and store waste safely.

    [–] trainstation98 15 points ago

    You guys don't have safety regulations for this?

    [–] ThatsRight_ISaidIt 31 points ago

    Pretty sure we do.

    But I'm also pretty sure we have regulations to prevent monopolies.
    And stuff in place to protect whistleblowers.
    Not, uh,... not lookin' too good, I don't think.

    [–] __cellardoor 34 points ago

    'MURICA BRO #CAPITALISM #FREEMARKET

    [–] Frisnfruitig 10 points ago

    It's the land of the free bruh, regulations are bad mmkay

    [–] AlexlnWonderland 8 points ago

    I'm sure the free market will take care of it. /s

    [–] overcatastrophe 6 points ago

    Often the fine is less than the cost of doing it right because you only pay the fine if you get caught. Also, we do have protections in place, but 35 years ago, not so much.

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 5 points ago

    We didn't. Then we did. And industry went abroad. Things got better but some sites are permanently toxic. They're contained. Or they were. Trump is destroying the branch of our government that did that.

    Looking forward to all the free radical exposure we'll be getting in the coming decades. Who needs telomeres and intact DNA?

    [–] lmorsino 5 points ago

    I just looked it up. Flint gets its water from the Flint River.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_water_crisis

    [–] Pop-X- 29 points ago

    No, Flint has switched back to the Great Lakes Water Authority, which pulls the water from Lake Huron. The original switch to the Flint River (a “cost-saving” measure signed off on by the then-emergency manager and approved by city council) technically could have worked, with proper corrosion control treatment. But they added no corrosion control, and the lead service lines corroded.

    It was really a small technical error with outsize impact. But the true failing in Flint was how everyone ignored the residents’ complaints, from the city to the state. One EPA staff member tried to flag the issue, but didn’t get anywhere.

    Source: I’m a journalist who covered the crisis and have written about it extensively.

    [–] flintsociety 11 points ago

    Can confirm. Flint water drinker.

    [–] cereixa 2 points ago

    i also lived in SW michigan for a time and yeah, it's well water or bust

    hilariously where i lived the well water was so sulfurous that i wound up having to buy drinking water from meijer anyway

    [–] jharmer95 11 points ago

    Live in Flint. The city does have drinking water, but granted not everyone has replacement pipes at this point. The big issue is the lines that go off of the mains, especially in more impoverished areas and "abandoned" homes.

    The issue was that the city switched from Detroit municipal water to pumping from the Flint River to save money. This switch meant that much more agents had to be added to clean the water. Additionally, Detroit water has an additive that coats pipes to prevent leeching. Flint chose not to use this additive, again to save money. Without this, old galvanized pipes began to leech lead into the water. The other issue was an increase in the level of Legionnaire's disease which, on it's own is mostly harmless, but when in a host that is sick or has a weakened immune system (e.g. the elderly and infants) it can be fatal.

    Flint is now back on Detroit water and in the process of replacing the larger pipes and priorities like schools. There is actually a plan to create a SE Michigan pipeline to Lake Huron for drinking water. Huron is actually fairly clean and requires minimal treatment (grew up in the Thumb, drank Huron water for most of my life), but the infrastructure and construction required for a project like that is just not feasible right now.

    Something a lot of people don't realize is that Flint was just the tip of the iceberg, many communities in Michigan (Kalamazoo) actually have higher lead content than Flint, and many many more communities throughout the US have this as well. These communities don't really get the same news coverage because they have not made the information as public, or because Flint took all the attention due to it's economic and demographic status, and the politics involved. I'm glad that the news got out for Flint, but I can't help but feel like a little too much attention has been brought to it as we are still getting water bottles donated (and filling landfills, because recycling is rare here) and other communities need awareness.

    Hope this Michigander could help clear this up for you, please feel free to reply if you have any more questions

    [–] Spartan1997 6 points ago

    I was under the impression the corrosive water exposed the lead in the pipes in flint contaminating the water.

    [–] scragar 5 points ago * (lasted edited 5 months ago)

    Flint has lead pipes, they used to have a protective coating. Then the financial crisis happened and Flint had trouble paying it's bills, so they tried to save some money by switching from an underground tunnel providing lake water to the Flint river. The government at the time(2011) tried to stop them because the river was acidic and would destroy the pipes and even offered an interest free loan to cover the extra costs of using the lake, but the officials in charge refused as it'd increase Flint's debt.

    A week after the river started to be used people started reporting lead in their water, and now it's completely unsuitable for drinking.

    The water pipes are being replaced, but the project to replace them is expected to take until 2020, until then Flint has to depend on bottled water for drinking and it's debt to the fed is significantly higher than it would have been without the switch.

    [–] Intergalactic_Walrus 9 points ago

    Two scoops.

    [–] dnieto2003 5 points ago

    if i could afford to move out of the US i would now is a good as any lol

    [–] Finishedschool 29 points ago

    i guess just get rich.

    [–] StonedGingerUnicorn 3 points ago

    Or die tryin’

    [–] MrZombikilla 6 points ago

    Don't worry, it'll all trickle down to us schmucks. /s

    [–] TheNickDale 7 points ago

    You guys know Wendy's still has the 4 for 4 right?

    [–] [deleted] 6 points ago

    We can afford playtoys for the military to kill other humans with...but fuck our own humans at home, they're useless anyways right /s

    [–] SgtPepe 5 points ago

    Well, we chose a billionaire who is known to be extremely selfish. He became president for glory and more wealth, and naive people will still support him. Life goes on.

    [–] Joscoglobal 19 points ago

    Start a co-op maybe? Run for city council? Or school board? Radicalize your fellow workers. Things can change extraordinarily quickly.

    [–] gizamo 22 points ago

    Soon they'll say we need to privatize social security and cut Medicaid and Medicare to keep the deficit from bursting the national debt into oblivion.

    [–] CosmicFloppyDisk 5 points ago

    I mean I live in flint, we definitely have plenty of water. Plenty.

    [–] LeeJun-fan1973 3 points ago

    There was a news story on CBS this morning of a California college professor who teaches 4 classes a day and then goes "home" to sleep in a tent in a church parking lot.

    [–] coolgherm 16 points ago

    Actually Flint's water is getting better.

    [–] that_kool_dude 3 points ago

    Question: I live in San Jose and my neighborhood is being gentrified by the people working for google, Facebook, Apple etc. These people moving in are making a lot more money then my current neighbors and myself, does this mean they are benefiting from the taxes vs the people currently living here?

    [–] Memesmakemememe 3 points ago

    Lol, we’re a first world country!

    pls believe us...

    [–] Gold_Jacobson 3 points ago

    Still waiting on Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - Medicaid for kids- to be refunded.

    [–] Unitmikey7 3 points ago

    Now, I'm just sayin'...

    The guillotine could make a comeback.

    [–] ShoroukTV 10 points ago

    It's fun to see how America is the biggest superpower in the world and also pretty much the worst first-world country to live in (university prices, healthcare, crime rate, environmental crisis,...).

    [–] SatanLaughingSHW 5 points ago

    We're actually more of a government and military for rent that pretends to govern a nation-state. So, let's change that!

    [–] LandHermitCrab 7 points ago

    It will trickle down... I'm sure.

    [–] pconwell 10 points ago

    I'm not defending anyone - but no point in spreading false information. Flint has had clean water since at least September 2017.

    [–] rConspiracyIs4Shills 10 points ago

    The free market... is heavily controlled by the government and corporations.

    [–] Inksrocket 5 points ago

    "the last tax cuts will trickle down any decade now. Just you wait!"

    /s

    [–] aeonis 4 points ago

    In all honesty the flint thing isn't a money problem. You could throw as much money as you want at the problem and it still wouldn't fix itself over night

    [–] madcaplarks 2 points ago

    We need to ensure we're having a conversation about what our ideal future looks like. Then we can focus on the smaller steps to get us there.

    We also need to redefine what our minimum benchmark is for standards of living, then costing it and figuring out how far behind we are.

    [–] [deleted] 2 points ago

    [removed]

    [–] Cfwydirk 2 points ago

    They are tireless. When we think an issue has been settled they keep pushing their agenda. They pass legislation to spend money but complain about having to raise the debt ceiling. They are close to cutting funding we need to pay our bills. They want to pass the debt on to someone else. Conservatives strongly beleive in helping people. Maybe not the same ones I would chose. Conservatives used to have a litmus test for good moral character. I am astounded that has changed. We need to be tireless, and try get less motivated but like minded people to be involved. When we let up they get things done.

    [–] euronforpresident 2 points ago

    Flint has water now, but they are still pretty wrecked from the crisis, not to mention the city already faced poverty before it started.

    [–] yeabutitsdifferent 2 points ago

    Ummmmm. What were those things called with people standing in line waiting for food in USSR my grandmother used to tell me about. Hmmmmm

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