Is it time for another revolution?

[Narz]

Not even remotely comparable circumstances.

It wasn't as though that was very "peaceful" either, and Gandhi probably helped to make it significantly less peaceful than it otherwise might have been.

Are you just saying that to be contrary or what? Gandhi did all he could to try to make things peaceful like fasting anytime his people committed large acts of violence. He could have fanned the flames.

 

[Darth Caesar]

I support revolution as long as I get to be the new dictator.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Anyone who knows me knows I want a Cascadian revolution.

You have the support of the true government of Tri-Insula.

 

[RedRalph]

Not even remotely comparable circumstances.

It wasn't as though that was very "peaceful" either, and Gandhi probably helped to make it significantly less peaceful than it otherwise might have been.

I have to say Dachs, I stand in awed admiration of your historical knowledge, but sometimes it does seem like you'll go out of your way to contradict every piece of commonly-held historical knowledge. I know the man was a long way from the angel he is portrayed as, but...

 

[innonimatu]

This thread can't be serious, because no one in their right mind would want a revolution. Do you want violence and chaos, a drop in the living standards of everyone, and a collapse of society?

Yes, I do! You've got do destroy the existing structures to create different ones, that much is obvious and inevitable. Because they aren't changing of their own, when change comes it will be what we call a "revolution". With its usual share of chaos and violence, certainly. As for a drop in the living standards of the majority of people, that is not at all necessary. It will likely happen for some years, but blame it on the postponement of necessary changes, not on the consequence (revolution) of that postponement.

Back in 2008, when the economic crisis hit and the unsustainability of the current social order should have become obvious, I was betting on things getting interesting by the spring of 2012. I have to admit that I was probably too optimist, it may take longer. People fear change too much - they've been well trained as tame servants, and well fed for their service until recently.

It wasn't as though that was very "peaceful" either, and Gandhi probably helped to make it significantly less peaceful than it otherwise might have been.

Even if it wasn't him trying for "a single India", it would be somebody else. The circumstances would produce such a men. He was better than could be expected.

 

[timtofly]

Nah. I would be in favor of a trial run revolution, just to show we can do it even if nobody is overthrown.

I thought there were already "trial runs" taking place?

 

[Synobun]

Maybe the American people are vaguely aware of the history of the country for the past 200+ years and noticed how things change and get worse than get better and gets worse and gets better, etc.

This topic is no different than someone saying its the end of the world because there were natural disaster for the past 20 years.

Erm, no. Revolution is the best way to change a broken and corrupt system, be it violent or peaceful. I am not sure how a flawed government needing to be replaced can be compared to the crazy kooks in the mountains claiming that Yellowstone will swallow the Earth.

 

[Eukaryote]

I don't like mobs, so no.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Erm, no. Revolution is the best way to change a broken and corrupt system, be it violent or peaceful. I am not sure how a flawed government needing to be replaced can be compared to the crazy kooks in the mountains claiming that Yellowstone will swallow the Earth.

Except geological catastrophe could actually occur at Yellowstone, and revolution is impractical, and a horrible idea.

 

[Synobun]

Except geological catastrophe could actually occur at Yellowstone, and revolution is impractical, and a horrible idea.

I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to prove here. Are you telling me that the crazy people have more legitimate words than that of a person advocating a revolution?

How is it a horrible idea? I suppose it would be a better idea to continue being passive and simply going, "Well, at least it ain't Africa!" ? I'm sorry, but what are you suggesting otherwise?

 

[Lord of Elves]

I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to prove here. Are you telling me that the crazy people have more legitimate words than that of a person advocating a revolution?

How is it a horrible idea? I suppose it would be a better idea to continue being passive and simply going, "Well, at least it ain't Africa!" ? I'm sorry, but what are you suggesting otherwise?

I'm trying to tell you that Yellowstone is actually a legitimate geological hotspot, and just because things aren't going the way you'd like doesn't mean "the system" is broken. Nine out of ten guys on the street advocating revolution are a hell of a lot more crazy than a geologist who claims that Yellowstone is potentially dangerous.

 

[Synobun]

I'm trying to tell you that Yellowstone is actually a legitimate geological hotspot, and just because things aren't going the way you'd like doesn't mean "the system" is broken. Nine out of ten guys on the street advocating revolution are a hell of a lot more crazy than a geologist who claims that Yellowstone is potentially dangerous.

Yellowstone is indeed dangerous, but many of the people bringing it up also try to say that it will be the guaranteed end of the Earth. I am not trying to imply that everybody that says Yellowstone is dangerous is crazy. It was a very specific few that I brought up.

This has nothing to do with what I like. It has to do with what works and what is best. Anybody that tries to say that the American government is a pretty cool system is blind to what they do or is in complete support of oppression, bribery, and selling off pieces of the government to organizations with personal agendas.

 

[Lord of Elves]

This has nothing to do with what I like. It has to do with what works and what is best. Anybody that tries to say that the American government is a pretty cool system is blind to what they do or is in complete support of oppression, bribery, and selling off pieces of the government to organizations with personal agendas.

If the government was fundamentally flawed, or the integrity of the nation's administration was absolutely violated, the precious revolution would already be happening. A handful of governmental officials being less than kosher does not equal the complete betrayal of the American people, and your stock portfolio being in poor shape does not equal oppression.

 

[Synobun]

If the government was fundamentally flawed, or the integrity of the nation's administration was absolutely violated, the precious revolution would already be happening. A handful of governmental officials being less than kosher does not equal the complete betrayal of the American people, and your stock portfolio being in poor shape does not equal oppression.

I'm not sure if you've ever been in America, but the vast majority of people there do not care. As long as they get their Happy Meals and can be soothed by a TV, they will not revolt against a corrupt system. Training your people to be complacent and blind to your actions does not mean your system is fine.

 

[Commodore]

But could it really be pulled off in a system such as America's? Of course a peaceful transition is preferred, but is it realistic to consider it a possibility?

It should goal and the revolutionaries should do everything they canto keep it peaceful, but if the powers that be decide to use violence to put it down, the people must also be prepared to fight back.

Basically hope for peaceful transition, but keep the guillotine blade sharp just in case.

 

[Lord of Elves]

I'm not sure if you've ever been in America, but the vast majority of people there do not care. As long as they get their Happy Meals and can be soothed by a TV, they will not revolt against a corrupt system. Training your people to be complacent and blind to your actions does not mean your system is fine.

Ah, the uniformly ignorant, fat American public drinking the kool-aid and always taking their government-issued mind control pills in the morning. We've dismissed those claims.

 

[Commodore]

Ah, the uniformly ignorant, fat American public drinking the kool-aid and always taking their government-issued mind control pills in the morning. We've dismissed those claims.

What d.highland said is partially true. The American people will not revolt, but it's not because they are brainwashed into thinking everything is fine. People here know there is something fundamentally wrong with our system they are just too comfortable and afraid of the disruption to their lifestyle that revolution would cause. That is a legitimate fear, but that is something every revolutionary in the history of humanity has had to deal with. A revolution can only happen when the people who wish it to happen can overcome those fears.

I think another thing preventing revolution here is even though people may see something wrong with the system, no one really has any good, solid ideas on what to replace it with. This problem is compounded by the fact that no one in this nation could universally agree what the new system should be. This nation is so diverse that you would have factions ranging from Stalinists to Monarchists to Fascists. So, while I would like to see a revolution I don't see one happening until the American people can form a united front and decide what direction this country should take.

 

[Lord of Elves]

What d.highland said is partially true. The American people will not revolt, but it's not because they are brainwashed into thinking everything is fine. People here know there is something fundamentally wrong with our system they are just too comfortable and afraid of the disruption to their lifestyle that revolution would cause. That is a legitimate fear, but that is something every revolutionary in the history of humanity has had to deal with. A revolution can only happen when the people who wish it to happen can overcome those fears.

I think another thing preventing revolution here is even though people may see something wrong with the system, no one really has any good, solid ideas on what to replace it with. This problem is compounded by the fact that no one in this nation could universally agree what the new system should be. This nation is so diverse that you would have factions ranging from Stalinists to Monarchists to Fascists. So, while I would like to see a revolution I don't see one happening until the American people can form a united front and decide what direction this country should take.

Clearly unwillingness to start a bloody governmental coup in the style of [insert unstable African nation here] is representative of a fundamental apathy and laziness. If people were actually serious about the democratic process, they would rise up and overthrow the government in an armed revolt instead of... Voting?

 

[warpus]

What d.highland said is partially true. The American people will not revolt, but it's not because they are brainwashed into thinking everything is fine. People here know there is something fundamentally wrong with our system they are just too comfortable and afraid of the disruption to their lifestyle that revolution would cause. That is a legitimate fear, but that is something every revolutionary in the history of humanity has had to deal with. A revolution can only happen when the people who wish it to happen can overcome those fears.

Yeah, the American people are relatively well off.. sort of. I mean, American citizens, on average, even if you exclude the 1%, are a lot better off than the citizens of Libya or Egypt.. if living conditions in the U.S. were as bad as under any of the regimes that blew up in the middle east, there would be a revolution afoot in the U.S. as well. So.. Give it 20 years or so. By then there will be no middle class and the revolution can begin (half kidding, but who knows)

And no, I'm not saying that "Better than in Libya" is okay

 

[Commodore]

Clearly unwillingness to start a bloody governmental coup in the style of [insert unstable African nation here] is representative of a fundamental apathy and laziness. If people were actually serious about the democratic process, they would rise up and overthrow the government in an armed revolt instead of... Voting?

Voting is kind of useless when your choices are between an idiot and a moron.