• barnaclebutt@lemmy.world
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      5 天前

      I’m not a Senator or in Congress. I’m sure I’m not the only one that is frustrated by the inaction of members of the government. Walz seems like a good guy, but it’s just words. A general strike might help, but what do I know. I’m just a moron behind a screen on the internet watching fascism creep.

      • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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        5 天前

        I’m not a Senator or in Congress.

        Neither is he, he’s the Governor of Minnesota. What does he have the power to do, officially?

        A general strike might help, but what do I know.

        Most people are one or two weeks of missed pay away from being homeless and hungry. Unions have dues so that strikers can pay their bills during the strike. Any strike that lasts long enough to actually do something is going to require a huge cache of resources and significant organization.

        • barnaclebutt@lemmy.world
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          5 天前

          Arguably, a governor has more power. What would you suggest? I’m not sure there’s going to be much of an economy left after 4 years of Trump. Beyond the tariffs, he’s latest bill is a massive transfer of wealth from what’s left of the middle class to the wealthy. So, when is it exactly an emergency?

          • medgremlin@midwest.social
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            4 天前

            He’s doing what he can in Minnesota. He’s done a hell of a lot more than just talk here and has made meaningful changes for the better for Minnesotans.

          • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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            5 天前

            Not saying it isn’t an emergency, just not sure what else Walz specifically had the power to do. What power does a governor have in this situation? Even sympathetic members of Congress can’t do much, Republicans have too much control.

            Honestly I think using his popularity and positive reputation from the campaign, calling out the weirdos on the right, to continue that frank criticism is one of the best things he actually can be doing. That plain sincerity resonated with people. Unless you have a specific response he can engage with in his capacity as governor, it seems like his best move is leveraging that popularity to speak truth to power on a national scale. I’m not sure what else the Governor of Minnesota has the power to do.

            • barnaclebutt@lemmy.world
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              5 天前

              It seems like a lot of excuses and inaction. He’s a popular former vice presidential candidate, and possibly one of the next presidential candidates. Hopefully, Walz has a better strategy.

        • RandomMouse@slrpnk.net
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          4 天前

          A general strike is much larger in scale than a regular strike. It ceases economic activity, not just going to work. Therefore, it is inaccurate to say they require mutual aid networks (them existing is obviously a good thing) because you’re referencing union strikes.

          If economic activity ceases, enforcement mechanisms are paralyzed. Refer to Oakland in 1946 or France 1968 general strikes to learn about the parameters which created success. Mutual aid networks were not among them.

          A general strike is, in my opinion, the only good option left, and I really want people to understand we can do it and we can do it quickly, if only we are all prepared to do what it takes, not misinformed, and not scared of propaganda.

          • agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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            4 天前

            If economic activity ceases, enforcement mechanisms are paralyzed.

            Do you believe that law enforcement will participate?

            I really want people to understand we can do it and we can do it quickly, if only we are all prepared to do what it takes, not misinformed, and not scared of propaganda.

            Very big "if"s.

            • RandomMouse@slrpnk.net
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              3 天前

              Perhaps on the ifs. But the alternative is much fucking worse so there’s no choice but to try the best option available with as many people as we can get on board.

              Law enforcement historically backs down when numbers on the other side are large enough. General strike doesn’t really trigger till we hit a certain amount of the population, seems it should be best if triggered and focused in large economic centers. (Cities with high economic impact) Maybe factories, big tech, etc?

              That would make it likely law enforcement didn’t have the space to react.