Now that seniors’ 401k retirement plans, social security and medicaid are in danger, the problem is right in front of them. Hopefully that drives people and politicians alike to change. I’ll keep saying it now, start thinking about a general strike. I’m not an organizer but May 1st is coming up real soon.
start thinking about a general strike
How many months of food and rent money do you have saved up?
A general strike isn’t only a massive challenge of will and solidarity - it’s also picking a resource fight with capital itself. All the determination in the world crumbles in the face of hunger and deprivation. A general strike requires months or years of planning and hoarding.
Job losses are coming throughout the next year one way or another, and there’s never a perfect time where everyone’s prepared for a strike. Historical examples of general strikes have come after months of economic turmoil, furloughs, lockouts and sector strikes (example) (example) (example). If anything I would think Americans would be better off starting earlier rather than later when they are in a more desparate position.
Mutual aid will be important as ever when the moment comes. It will be the moment to put aside American individual exceptionalism and embrace the power of a collective people, if they can manage that.
May 1st is always a major protest date in Portland, this year should be spectactular.
Thousands of Oregonians on Saturday joined nationwide protests
There were easily 10k+ at the waterfront in downtown Portland, combined with the single digit thousands at other spots in the greater metro and the numbers from other spots around the state, it’s much more accurate to say ten of thousands.
Portland isn’t that surprising, people here protest at the drop of a hat, sometimes not even that much.
But Grants Pass? They were a sundown town in my own lifetime. That’s a shocker.
Pendleton? Home of the Pendleton Round-Up? Also surprising.
Good for Oregon here.
