So there's a taxpayer revolt in Seattle tomorrow. Yes, Seattle. Don't be shocked. A community that often embraces open protest is the most likely place to see something like this start. I'm not going near some projection for an eventual march on DC. But I won't deny thinking the concept more possible than ever.
Yesterday a commenter of mine was calling for that very thing. Depending upon what the next few months, or possibly the next year brings, similar calls could grow more frequent and much louder.
If what I suspect is percolating within a large segment of America today continues, Washington, the media, and the world will be astounded at the result. Not because it would be violent, or even disruptive - but by its sheer size.
The heart and soul of America hasn't had reason to march on Washington in a modern nation. What we have witnessed up until now has been mostly the fringe with an injection of students and elites. If the people of America ever get to a point where they feel compelled to march on DC - Obama's inaugural will be left looking like a county fair.
People who march are people who have time to march. A Reverend in Brooklyn rounds up all his homeless whenever he needs to make a statement.
Since so many people will soon be out of work they will be available to join in the fun. Republicans and Conservatives were always too busy working to protest. This will be their time.
Posted by: Lala | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 02:51 PM
I'm sitting here wondering what the result of 10 million taxpayers simply refusing to file would have on the IRS.
Not refusing to pay taxes - just simply not bothering to file. If it was done and all correspondence was ignored, would it crash the IRS and force the government to respond?
Done right, individuals could limit their exposure by not saying they did or didn't.
Posted by: Jim Durbin | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 02:53 PM
I like that idea, sort of the modern version of the Boston Tea Party.
Posted by: Anon | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Do what the illegals do, claim 10 dependents so that very little tax is withheld from your paycheck.
That could result in penalties for underpaying, however.
For the Census, if you're in a Rep. district, double or triple the people living with you. If you're in a Dem district, throw the form away.
Stop spending money, put your cash in a safety deposit box or bury it in the back yard.
Sign your kids up for schipp. Get a Pell grant and go back to school.
Posted by: Lala | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 03:49 PM
"People who march are people who have time to march."
sometimes, the rare moment comes, when people march becuase they have to.
Our govt is treating the 50% who fund the other 50% as if they were serfs. We are simultaneously being told that our savings rate is the lowest in history, while our govt is spending money at the fastest rate in history.
When a govt is telling people to do as they say, not as they do, the govt no longer represents its people.
If 10 people show up to gather and march, I would go. This isn't even a protest about a now so much as the future. Sooner or later we have to take responsiblity to secure our Posterity. would the march means something now, or in 40 years?
I'm not going to be the frog in the water that refuses to jump and gets cooked to death, without even knowing the fate.
sorry there would be no 'instant gratification', but then, 'instant gratification' is what we are there to protest.
When the march takes place, as it it will, I think the civility will be the defining moment, beyond the sheer numbers. I will eschew a real pitchfork for a paper mache version. No word on the legality of carry an authentic pitchfork, but it would be funny to force the hands of the DC police to ban pitchforks, against the backdrop of banning handguns.
Posted by: mark l. | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 04:25 PM
I have a feeling that when a march becomes necessary, the turnout will be like nothing you can imagine.
Posted by: Karen | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Some modest proposals:
1. Call it the "Great DC Stimulus March." Why? Because if millions of people pour into Washington, they're all going to spend money for food, souvenirs, lodging, etc. Imagine, oh say, $200+ million getting pumped into the DC Metro Region over the course of a single weekend. Jeez Louise, every merchant in the area (even the Obama-Worshipping Democrats among them) will want to get a piece of that action.
2. Issue garbage bags to everybody who's marching and ask them to pick up a single bit of litter they see for neat (and legal) disposal. Whoa, one or two million people in the area armed with Glad Bags would leave DC the cleanest it's been since...forever.
3. Tying in with #2, ask individuals and groups to do things while they're in DC to make it a better place to live. Instead of engaging in moonbattery, like spray-paint vandalism, have them clean, paint, and scrub buildings and monuments. Plant flowers. Provide labor for shelters and churches. Cut grass and rake leaves. You get the point. Yeah, I know the bureaucrats and local union thugs won't like citizens horning in on their action, but tough s*** for them. One weekend like this and I can pretty much guarantee you that DC residents will be wondering, "If evil Republicans can clean up Washington in a single weekend, and FOR FREE, why have we been paying politicians and unions to basically do nothing all these years?"
4. This event would make for a great demonstration against the (Un)Fairness Doctrine. Get Rush, Hannity, Hewitt, Boortz, et. al. on board for speeches and appearances. I damn well know that Sarah Palin would ensure a huge draw. Hell, even invite LEFT-WING talkers to participate. Most of them might RSVP, but that would just make them look like hypocrites, wouldn't it?
Posted by: MarkJ | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Yes- It is time to march. Just give us the dates we are ready.
Posted by: Paula | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 07:34 PM
"...there would be no 'instant gratification', but then, 'instant gratification' is what we are there to protest." (mark l.)
Great line.
Posted by: Jake | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Should be a great demonstration. You are aware, of course, that Seattle voted 86% for Obama.
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 08:15 PM
We should do this immediately. It's not DC that's the problem as much as a media that spins whatever a Democrat does - I can understand Obama, but Barney Frank and Harry Reid and Pelosi get free passes? Huh? - as if they're turning straw into gold.
We absolutely need an event to demonstrate that 48% can mobilize, not just sit around and go "I haz job l8r" on the Internet. We're not going to get that event from the press. A march is an excellent idea, and worth the investment. Think of the networking.
Posted by: ashok | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Join FreeRepublic, they are starting to organize something.
Posted by: Lala | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 08:40 PM
What better Day than George Washingtons Birthday. I am headed to Mt. Venon tomorrow with family (6). I can't remember the last time I took off for George Washingtons Birthday. I spent half a day Sunday making my own shirts for the whole family. Anybody that lives with in a 60 mile radius of D.C. can start this ball rolling Tomorrow 2-16-2009. I hope to make it to The Washington Memorial in the afternoon. Those who live near D.C. can show up on the weekends and still work a full week. Positive protests with positive results!
Posted by: Hugh | Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 09:59 PM
soon...
we will be gathering in the national mall, mustering under flags of our respective states, with more modest pennants beneath it, to signal our particular niche.
I envy you hugh, you get to go to place, tomorrow, were something historic is about to happen, and you get to take in the sight and imagine. enjoy the recon.
Posted by: mark l. | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 01:31 AM
Join FreeRepublic, they are starting to organize something.
Did I ever tell you that you folks are really cute when you're desperate?
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 01:32 AM
All state capitols should be taken over as well.
Posted by: Mark Gibbons | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 06:56 AM
State capitols should be over thrown first.
Posted by: MG | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 06:58 AM
It makes more sense to me to first protest at the state level before there is a national protest. Some of us have already started lists of people who are willing to go to our state capitol and protest. I'll get back to you later, but I think a Democratic attempt at gun control will spur the effort. And that is coming soon.
Posted by: templar knight | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 09:44 AM
a great point of organization has already been established.
we exist in congressional districts, and if we organize by congressional districts, our respective representative could very well be enticed to appear or even join.
if the congress knew that their congressional districts were gathering on the mall, it would behoove many of them to go out among the masses, so that they could be with their specific district. What pol is going to pass up meeting with his constituency, if they have come to DC, and gathered in a group?
For most of the 435 districts there were platforms that supported smaller govt, whether they won or lost.
Each district represents, roughly 700k people. If each district could provide 1000 bodies, the approximate size of the protest would exceed 435k. 25 alone from each district would still provide for 100k, and the threshold for a congress critter to make an appearance to his 'delegation' would in many cases be sufficient.
as a rough plan to the organzation, each congressional district should establish a representative/organizer.
the first meet up could occur outside the district office, where the logistics of communication are established and leadership, for the protest alone, is established. If the indiviudal representatives from each state are agreeable, they could have a larger protest in their state capitol as a dry run for moving on DC.
Posted by: mark l. | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 12:12 PM
There IS a march being planned on DC for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Go to www.resistnet.com for details. State by state meetings are taking place [my group was yesterday], visit the site and see if this is what you are looking for.
God Save our Republic!
Posted by: KOZ | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Why should anyone trust a bunch of wingnuts who don't know the difference between capital and capitol?
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 12:47 PM
"Why should anyone trust a bunch of wingnuts who don't know the difference between capital and capitol?"
hmmm...
didn't obama tell israel he was on the banking committee?
57 states?
obama-'caterpillar will hire back its employees'; caterpillar ceo/the day after: no, we won't.
if spelling is your litmus test, and you clearly have excluded all other gauges of intelligence, enjoy your pathetic life.
Posted by: mark l. | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 01:39 PM
But mark I., aren't the wingnuts always the ones prattling on about traditional values? Get an education, I say. "Capital" refers to the city, while "capitol" is the building. Or to put it differently, the capitol is located in the capital, and not the other way around. I'm sure it is humiliating to be instructed by a liberal, but someone has to lift you out of the fifth grade. Please don't let your ignorance sour you on learning.
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 05:33 PM
eet sit and dye...
Posted by: mark l. | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 07:10 PM
What a huge demonstration here in Seattle. All 20 of you!
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11:46 PM
The day I became a U.S. citizen there was not a spelling test. OH DOPEY ME.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Wingnuts, have you noticed that the approval rating for Congress has doubled since they began working on the stimulus bill. "Holy wrong side of the issue, Batman! What do we do now?!"
Posted by: Seattle Laughing | Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 03:25 PM