Admittedly, the 'Going Galt' plan to 'call in conservative' on July 30 needs some major adjustments if it is to be effective. While I fully support the concept itself, there are logistical problems with the plan as it now stands.
Here is what one reader has to say:
First, there is no direct impact on the government. Taxes will be effected, you say. No they won't. If I need gas or food, I'm going to buy it on the 29th or the 31st. I can't not eat that day. The government may not get money for that day but the spending will be almost identical over the course of the week.
Second, there will be a huge impact on local businesses. Most of these small business owners are conservatives. Instead of going out to eat at your local pizza shop, you go to the grocery store on the 29th. Now your local dollars become national dollars and you are hurting your local community.
And another reader said this:
I wonder how many OUT OF WORK Conservatives are gonna not go in to, uh, wait..
Not go in to work?? The next day unemployment would be UP, a lot of businesses will be looking for new employees, this is a target rich environment. Folks are desperate for jobs.
I am not at all convinced that *calling in conservative* is a good thing, UNLESS, those that do actually take to the streets in a concerted effort and massive PUBLIC protest.
These and other critics of the plan make a valid point. In order for the federal government to be directly impacted by any citizen protest, that protest must have a plan that is focused, persistent, assertive, and designed to maximize impact and publicity. I'm not certain that only one day would accomplish any of this, and I'm quite convinced that visibility is key--such as a general workers' strike with citizens carrying protest placards.
As another reader writes:
Does anybody remember France in the 70's. They were where we are now. People working, taxes increasing, workers losing ground with every payday, freedoms being denied, especially economic freedoms. Protests were lodged, people begged to be heard, grievances were aired. The state response was "there is nothing we can do". The people were told to tighten their belts and take it.
Oops, instead they called a general workers strike for a week. Didn't take a week. Took less that 24 hours. When elevator operators, construction workers, data entry personnel, perfume counter sales people, tour guides, taxi drivers, etc. didn't show the French government crawled on their knees to get the people back to work.
In short, conservatives need to be prepared to strike for much longer than one day. And they must take to the streets with their protests. The lesson of the French in the 1970s is a word to the wise. Government WILL take notice of our rage provided we move en mass and let it be known that we will not back down.
But we need the participation of workers, business owners, and key management personnel in industry. Without the concerted effort of an avalanche of people from all walks of life, this thing will never work.
For more commentary on a variety of issues, visit my blog, updated daily, at The Liberty Sphere.
Comments
Constructive suggestions: If you want to make this event a laughingstock, then make it a call for "great sacrifice". Otherwise, make the event, not a "Conservative's Day", but broader attraction to the cause: a Producer's Day.
This is about defending and asserting *values*, not sacrifices. Like Galt, we are the producers of goods and services. We generate the engine of wealth of this great country; in contrast, the bureaucrats don't.
Sacrificed Enough Already! I offer my idea - a call for a real "S.E.A. change", to marry with the T.E.A. parties. I've begun posting this on a few blogs, and talking with people about setting up a "S.E.A. change" website. Also am e-mailing privately an active member on this site. Stay tuned.
Go to work July 30th, just announce that it is "Producer's Day. I've come up w/terrific marketing idea to help.
Last, contact Yaron Brook at ARI or ARC. He spoke at VAGOP state convention in May to a standing ovation.
How clever of y'all to steal ideas from the progressives, like striking. But I'm confused. Don't you hate it when real workers do it? When unions do it? When people who really can't afford to lose a day's pay do it? But it's okay when rich folks do it? A touch of hypocrisy if you ask me.
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