One Million Today, One Hundred Million Tomorrow

Posted on May 19, 2012 by johnrachel

“This is what democracy looks like. Deal with it!”

I propose a million person march on each of the major political conventions.

These circuses every four years have become a brazen insult to every responsible, caring, patriotic American. They are nothing but distractions, travesties to create the illusion of participation in the vital processes of governing our nation. They further disenfranchise the voting public from having any real voice. They are puppet shows. Charades.

We deserve better.

This time around, they are also an opportunity to send a message to the jokers who are wreaking havoc with our great nation, denigrating its grand traditions, manipulating for personal gain our noble experiment in self-rule, and destroying the future of our children.

One million people!

Both conventions are bolstering their security forces in anticipation of some occupiers and what they view as fringe elements. But there is no way they can deal with one million of us. They can try like hell to minimize reportage, marginalize the message, but one million very pissed off, very determined, highly disciplined marchers will not be able to be ignored or brushed aside, regardless of how they spin it.

What’s the message? Here’s what I think the signs should say . . .

We’re tired of the games!

We’re fed up with the hypocrisy!

We’ve had it with the excuses and deceptions!

This is what American democracy looks like. Deal with it!

One million today, one hundred million tomorrow!

Give them a preview of what’s going to happen if they don’t get their act together. We don’t have to present them with any specific demands. They just need to know that either they change or we’ll change them.

While a presence might be desirable over the full duration of each convention, I think the power and significance of this milestone march is best achieved by a show of numbers. One million should be the minimum. If we get two or three million even better.

The focus should be on getting everyone there on one specific day.

Let’s set a target day for each convention:

Wednesday August 29th – One million marchers in Tampa, Florida.

Wednesday September 5th – One million marchers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Many of you may not agree with me when I say that I think the America most of us believe in is in the very final stages of collapse. I doubt, however, that any sane person would disagree that things are a mess and our political leaders are failing us miserably.

We’re not going to have many more chances like this.

One million!


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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002172642492 Dave Outrayged

    I couldn’t agree with you more John.

    What the RNC has done down here in conjunction with Tampa mayor Bob
    Buckhorn and the Tampa Police dept. is an inarguable violation of the
    Constitution.

    Some 3 months ago,the city has determined the areas within approx 3 miles to be a “Clean Zone” in which numerous rules are imposed to squash peaceful protests.

    Now, the local facist have devised what is being called “The Event Zone”
    where any speeches,  concerts, or other large gatherings will be
    hearded to parks and common areas blocks from the Tampa Convention
    Center where the Republican clown  show is taking place.

    As you may have heard, Sarah Palin has rented office space at the nearby
    Channelside Plaza so that she can exercise her free speech/narcissism. 
    Of course, Palin and her band of low-info sycophants  likely won’t be
    subjected to the same oppression that other groups that wish to express their views will be.

    Below are a few links related to the “Clean Zone” and  the newly created “Event Zone”.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nolm4dfCsZM

    http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/253741/250/Tampa-City-Council-talks-RNC-Event-Zone

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75036.html

    • John Rachel

      This sort of caging of speech foreshadows what will grow into outright suppression. Now they are diplomatically claiming it’s necessary to maintain law and order. It won’t be long before they dispense with this ruse and just crush anyone with a message that doesn’t fit the narrative of the imperial corporatists. “Bow and kiss the ring, you slimy unworthy slaves!”

  • Jaythiemeyer

    The Rich and Right assume the people will not respond with the same bravado as themselves; but the push to the endgame is indeed in its final stages from where I sit

  • Anonymous

    Great blog, John. It cannot be emphasized enough that the problem is not just with one of the Parties that comprise the Duopoly. It is the systemic corruption of the electoral  process by wealthy and powerful interests that has resulted in a one-party system of government of, by and for the corporations and the uber-rich.

    While mass protests at the conventions can be a great way to show our opposition to corporate control of the US government, in the end the way to Take Back America for the People is to make a campaign issue of whether candidates support a constitutional amendment that will make campaign contributions from special interest groups illegal and limit individual contributions: http://www.soldiersforpeaceinternational.org/p/pledge-to-amend-campaign.html

    • http://jdrachel.com John Rachel

      Absolutely in 100% agreement. In terms of the street, I waver between making specific demands and an imposing show of force. Because of media censorship, messages tend to get lost or mutilated. More recently I decided that a huge angry (not violent) mob might be the message our corrupt leaders need to hear right now __ a way to let them know that change with or without their cooperation is coming.

      • Anonymous

        Staging a successful nonviolent democratic  Revolution to Take Back America for the People is no small task. We need to use all nonviolent strategies to get the widest possible buy in. A electoral strategy is a necessary but not sufficient one to win  the day. Good on ya for your contributions!

  • Jon-Paul Schilling

    This is really some
    kind of statement that in part – is so true, unyielding, and factual; however,
    on the other hand there are some issues that could be certainly far more effective
    if, in fact, they were pursued with organization, a qualified voice, and
    statements of reality. If someone were to look critically at the photograph
    there exists several different issues that resemble far more of a mob-mentality
    than anything constructive with the hopes of relaying a coherent message.

     I agree that this is what a democracy can look
    like; subsequently, not a pretty picture but nonetheless real. The good behind
    this photograph is that it does lend itself to public opinion and unlike other
    barbaric nations there isn’t the need for violence – the type where governments
    initiate tragic actions against the citizenry.

    However, with the
    greatest of respect to you sir, although your piece illustrates the fruit of
    self-rule, it still does not identify anything of merit that should alert
    authorities to get it right. From your writing, “They can try like hell to
    minimize reportage, marginalize the message, but one million very pissed off,
    very determined, highly disciplined marchers will not be able to be ignored or
    brushed aside, regardless of how they spin it.” Unless of course this is indeed
    the message that is being proffered.

    • http://jdrachel.com John Rachel

      The idea of such a march is a warning shot. One million people cannot be dismissed as a lunatic fringe. I think there will be plenty of messages in an assembly of people from so many differing backgrounds and varying agendas. The important thing is to try to break the plague of indifference that has paralyzed our nation, the sense of despair and resignation that allows the imperial corporatists to continue their assault on the vast majority of us and on the America we believe in.