Comments on: Occupy Boise Marches In Solidarity With Oakland

By: alex

alex — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:15:59 +0000

Paul, all the issues you raise are concerns I share. The fact that the initiative process in CA is so tainted by big money may explain CA problems as well as problems with initiatives themselves. The money drowns out an honest discussion of costs vs. benefits, and I think that’s part of the CA problem with initiatives there. When I speak of direct democracy, it is not necessarily limited to majority-rules direct democracy, but would include the consensus-based decision making that Occupy Boise uses. Our current republican form seems to me to have been wholly bought and sold by the 1%, and I personally tend to believe we the people’s voice should never be ignored when decisions are made that will impact our lives. Currently our voices seem relevant only insofar as we can donate money to campaigns or vote in November, and then we no longer count.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:32:09 +0000

Alex, take a look at California real closely with their “direct democracy” initiatives. Anyone with a couple million can finance any law they wish. Initiatives that pass with voter approval become the law of the land in California. Direct democracy can be much more insidious than representative republic form of government.

I don’t agree with the elimination of the peoples effort to enact term limits in Idaho but it sent a message to our one party rulers in Idaho. They used their muscle to shoot that issue down in the first 10 minutes of the session a few years back.

I would like to see 4 year terms for everyone and legislative sessions every two years. At $30k/day cost when the legislature is in session. Other states like Texas and Montana make this work.

By: alex

alex — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:28:20 +0000

One Who Knows–Maybe some of us would prefer direct democracy to representational democracy. For those of us, such an act might violate our values.

Others might view it as a tactical error, like that Leonard Cohen line “they sentenced me to 30 years of boredom for trying to change the system from within.” Maybe you should run.

Personally speaking, I have lost faith in the corporate-owned election system entirely.

In case you missed it, the system is broken. Maybe the politicians should come sit in on some of our meetings and learn how to listen to each other and work together to find common ground and help solve community problems. Their way sure doesn’t work.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:13:12 +0000

Hey Zippo,
I could not agree more. The kid with the AK was baiting the cops and they went for it. The video I saw showed a fairly well dressed person with the gun slung over his shoulder with the business end pointed toward the ground.

I can’t get past the freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution. Given the posture and actions of this kid I think he was exercising his rights. The escalation of violent acts has been due to overly zealous cops when ignoring trivial things would have been the best for everyone.

The only thing missing was Bull Conner and the fire hoses.

By: sam the sham

sam the sham — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:07:44 +0000

So, is anyone up for supporting Oakland’s citywide strike on November 2nd? No work, no school. It was voted on after the US vet suffered a skull fracture at the hands of the police of Oakland.

What is going on rather reminds me of an old tune from 1967 “for what it’s worth” by Buffalo Springfield.

By: One Who Knows

One Who Knows — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:57:48 +0000

Why don’t some of you people “occupy” a seat in the State Legislature? City Council? County Commission? Congress? Yes you make a a good point but if you really want to see change RUN FOR SOMETHING! Hell, run for everything!

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:46:39 +0000

Paul, I agree with you. The use of force was too much. It is the kind of thuggery which is becoming all too common with our militarized police forces.

On the other hand, I do not think the protesters are peaceful when it is their intent to cause disruption.

Anyone fool enough to openly carry an AK in a confrontational situation with police, legal as it may be, is just being stupid.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:41:36 +0000

I am deeply disturbed by Cops in Oakland using teargas and rubber bullets/shotgun bean bag projectiles etc. on peaceful protesters. The last time I checked we have a Constitutional Right of assembly. The person filling in for the Mayor In Oakland should be charged with a crime along with the Chief of Police who overreacted.

The guy carrying the AK-47 was the excuse for the cops to get carried away. This guy has a Constitutional Right to have that gun and was not engaged in any unlawful behavior.

All this reminds me of the Chicago Riots at the Democratic Convention in the late 1960’s. The Cops got nutty over what was a peaceful assembly.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:33:03 +0000

Globalization has lifted up third world countries at the expense of good paying jobs in this country. CEO’s got paid big money to move jobs offshore. It didn’t take a genius to figure out cheap labor would impact the bottom line. Americans bought into this with every purchase of cheap foreign made goodies.

Banks are getting to use our money for nearly zero interest and loaning it to other countries via bond debt to Brazil, Argentina and other countries and the CEO’s are paid millions for taking on high risk debt underwritten by US taxpayers.

Colleges and Universities keep selling the scam that any college degree will lead to a good job. Add to that the myth that the school you attend along with a worthless degree actually matters to any employer. Parents and students buy into this myth and at the end of 4-5 years the kid comes out of college with a worthless degree eligible to man a hotel reservation line, flip burgers, park cars etc. If you attend college make sure there is a job with a demand for your course of study otherwise you have wasted your time along with your parents money. Math,Science and Engineering are still in demand… Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Basket Weaving are not going to lead to a good job.

We now have a situation where we have too many people chasing too few jobs worldwide. Monday the world will hit 7 Billion people and counting.

By: chicago sam

chicago sam — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:28:39 +0000

So there it is –redistribution of wealth. The key is how do you redistribute. If you have an idea that others will buy or a unique product or are willing to work 16 hours a day you are well on your way. Standing in line for your unemployment check or getting your kids lunches free will get no sympathy from me. For instance we have a large cattle population in this state. Why don’t you learn to make shoes and leather belts out of the cow hides which are shipped overseas and come back a finished product. This would require hard work and more skill than using your thumbs on an I-pod–Campaign finance reform I am all for it. Binging jobs back from overseas–you have to be willing to outwork and out think a chinese or Indian worker as they are your true competition. If capitalism had been allowed to work the big banks would have been history and your local credit union run by local people would have looked a lot better