REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER: WHO NEEDS WHO?

There is no such thing as a "job creator".  A job creator is really a "profit creator".  Profit for a few from the labor of many. Many of the "jobs" that make people rich -- being a CEO or investor-- add no value to our world or our economy.

There is plenty of work, SO MUCH that needs to be done, but not enough jobs.  There is so much abundance, SO MUCH that is produced everyday, that goes to waste NOT because it isn't needed, but because it cannot be SOLD FOR PROFIT.

They tell us immigrants are stealing our jobs, that welfare is ruining the economy, but the moment a "job creator" figures out a way to move jobs somewhere with lower wages, they do.

They don't care about us.  They don't care about anyone but themselves.  They don't care about people starving or dying from diseases.  There is never enough for what we really need, and always plenty of excuses for things we don't need- like war.

The "job creators" need us a lot more then we need them. 

Please, on November the 5th, DON'T BUY ANYTHING. DON'T GO TO WORK. DON'T GO TO SCHOOL.

FOR ONE DAY, withhold your labor and your consumption.

Instead, stay home and call every government official that represents you, from local to national, and tell them what you want from your government: better schools, worker's rights, healthcare, etc.  When you are done, start calling the big corporations that are draining us of our livelihoods and demand they end their unfair and unsafe practices.

The Anonymous Million Mask March is happening that day, and I've heard it will be in Ferguson. But other than getting yourself to the march, don't participate in this giant scam called Capitalism.

They say that we need them.  SHOW THEM that they need us.

(EDIT: not saying quit your job or never buy anything again, I'm saying PUT THE RULING CLASS ON NOTICE.  They say they "create" their wealth "all by themselves"? Really? This is Missouri, so SHOW ME how you get rich without labour or control of natural resources.  Just for one day. Take a vacation day, call in sick, etc.)

VOTE FOR MICHAEL BROWN NOVEMBER 4TH, STRIKE NOVEMBER 5TH LEAFLET TO PRINT AND SHARE

This leaflet was produced in Open Office text with two columns, .49 page margins, and 1.0 (1 inch) between the columns.  It is two sided, with four of Side One on one page, and four of Side Two on the other.  The font is Arial, 11 points, the spaces are size 6.  (These changes are lost when I copy this to blogspot editor.)  PLEASE PRINT AND SHARE.

(Also, if you were at the September 10th highway demonstration, where I was handing these out for the first time, and you have video of me being arrested, please contact me.)

SIDE ONE 

 

VOTE FOR MICHAEL BROWN JR, NOVEMBER 4TH 2014

Vote because that is one of the only legal political muscles we have left in this country, and only between 12-20% have been flexing that muscle. Your vote counts more in local and state elections than on national issues. The city is 49.5% African American, and most of North County is more than 60% African American.

Vote because you want to send a message the “leaders” will understand. Right now they only talk to the constituents that vote for them, and only when they need campaign money or support. That needs to change. If we all vote, then they have to reach out to all of us.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, ST LOUIS COUNTY VOTERS NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE THIS FALL: BOB MCCULLOCH IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED AGAIN. GET A PAPER BALLOT AT THE POLLS AND WRITE IN “MICHAEL BROWN JR” FOR PROSECUTOR. It would say a lot if Brown got more votes than McCulloch.

On November 5^th, call the Board of Election Commissioners and verify that they counted and reported your vote. 

SIDE TWO 

 

REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER

The day AFTER the elections, join the “Armchair Revolution” and “phone it in”. Don't go to work. Don't go to school. Don't buy anything. More than anything, the people in power need us to continue business as usual. Without our labor or consumption, they have no profits. They need us more than we need them. And we have more power than we realize if we stand together for real change.

On the 5^th, spend the day calling every elected official on a local, state and national level, and tell them what you need: Justice for Mike Brown? Job programs? $15 an hour minimum wage? Access to better health care? Solvent, healthy public schools? Better public transportation? No more GMO's? An end to tax credits and incentives for large corporations? A recognition of our First Amendment rights and the dismissal of all illegal “failure to disperse” arrests in Ferguson? JAM THE PHONE LINES WITH DEMANDS!

WE THE PEOPLE pay for the government. Without us they have nothing. Vote on 11/4, and on 11/5, be part of the revolution.

Please print and share this leaflet www.optinstl.blogspot.com

Occupy Public Transportation in St. Louis

REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER, 2014

If you are fan of the movie or graphic novel "V For Vendetta" (or you are in the British Commonwealth) you are probably familiar with the nursery rhyme about Guy Fawkes:

"Remember, remember the Fifth of November..."

Of course, OPTINSTL, and the "Hacktivist" group Anonymous, and protestors worldwide have adopted the Guy Fawkes mask worn by V as their own.

The March Against Corruption, planned for this November 1-8, is specifically about getting money (big money) out of politics.  I daresay if we accomplished that we could regain control of our government (and agencies like Metro and Bi-State) without blowing up any buildings.

http://marchagainstcorruption.com/

On November 5th, there is "Million Mask March" planned, a call for one million people to flood the streets wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

WHO WE ARE The March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness about the corrupting influence of money and special interests in governance and public policy making; to provide a forum for people, to organize and speak out against corruption; and to educate the public about the consequences of corruption. “The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus...

Read more at: marchagainstcorruption.com/

http://theantimedia.org/support-building-for-2014-million-mask-march-on-november-5th/

OPTINSTL would like to suggest going one (or a few) steps further.  The 5th will be the day AFTER the elections, a day when basically no work gets done in the offices of elected officials (whether lame ducks or winners).

Updated "Jam Metro's Phone Lines Leaflet" for November 5th action:
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/jam-phone-lines-leaflet-for-use-and-to.html

Whether you take to the streets or not DON'T RIDE METRO.  DON'T GO TO WORK OR SCHOOL.  DON'T BUY ANYTHING.  Spend the day "blowing up the phone lines" (or jamming the email and comments servers) of every elected official, every "corruption corporation" and signing as many petitions as you can, on every issue important to you.

Feel free to target locals like Rex Sinquefield,  (hedge fund investors are some of the worst economic predators in our world), or work on preventing anymore "Koch being shoved down our throats."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/koch-brothers-liberal-counterpart_n_5113492.html
http://ourfuture.org/fact_sheet/koch-brothers-exposed-why-we-must-act-and-how
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/05/rachel-maddow-koch-brothers_n_4545202.html

Our country-- our world!-- has been completely hijacked by a few greedy individuals, but the worst part is WE LET THEM DO IT!

They need our labor.  They need us as consumers.  They need our votes.  They need us to not disrupt their "business as usual."

Without violence, without doing anything illegal, we can take back our power by withholding our time and our money, and by joining the "Armchair Revolution." 

Start with elected officials.  Yes, get out and vote, and then call them, write them, give them your feedback and suggestions, make demands and inquiries, monitor what they are doing.  Demand that people's petitions become their primary source of legislative action.

There are more of us than there are of them.  Without us, the wealthy have no workers, no products, and no consumers.  One day of a nationwide strike and boycott would display that much more than any protest in the streets.  Think of it-- the police would have no tickets to write, the courts would hear no cases (get a continuance as soon as you can if the 5th is a court day for you), the businesses would have no profits.
 
Yes, yes, a nationwide total strike is unrealistic, but even 3.5% of us withdrawing from "business as usual" would be very threatening.

And if we demand that politicians work for us instead of the wealthy, that public policy protect us instead of shareholder profits and corporate interests, then until they are able to make this country a corporate dictatorship (which is looming ever closer), they will have to make changes, beginning with answering the calls of their constituents.... And this might be a good time to remind them that their constituents are NOT just the people that voted for them!  They work for all of us, and we pay for them whether we vote or not.

Remember, this Fifth of November, that "Ideas are bulletproof."

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE (ARMCHAIR) REVOLUTION. 
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE ONE WITH THE REAL POWER: WORDS. THE ENUNCIATION OF TRUTH.

"THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY..."

November 5, 2014, the day everything changed.

EDIT: Start the revolution early by writing in Michael Brown, Jr. on the ballot.
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/09/november-4th-2014-vote-for-michael.html

NEW YORK TRANSIT WORKERS ARE ABOUT TO STRIKE

Metro likes to brag that it is the best transit agency of its size, and that it is just doing "what all the other agencies are doing."

http://news.yahoo.com/congress-asked-help-derail-threatened-york-transit-strike-163542997.html

Long Island Rail transit workers are set to strike.  Like Metro, their agency has refused to negotiate a new contract (but for only four years, instead of six years), and eroding pensions and benefits.

(Also Philly and San Francisco:
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/06/philadelphia-transit-workers-strike.html
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/06/san-franciscos-transit-workers-blue-flu.html)

Public transit needs to change nationwide.  And it's not going to be the people in charge that change it, it is going to have to be those of us that actually rely on transit-- both riders and workers.

TIME FOR CHANGE!

RED WHITE AND BLUE FLU

The news media really downplayed the Metrolink Blue Flu today.  That's usually a good sign.  It means the union is getting visible public support and the Ole Boy Network has made the proper phone calls to media station managers and senior editors.

http://fox2now.com/2014/07/04/possible-blue-flu-halts-metrolink-fair-st-louis-parking-rates-drop-to-20/

Of course, it appeared that not nearly as many people attended Fare St. Louis in Forest Park than had been anticipated, and also that fewer Fare-goers used Metrolink than expected.

This did force them to lower that $30 parking price tag to $20.  Maybe that kept a lot of people away.  The local government, in keeping with the state and federal government, has been doing a fine job of making plain that constituents are just cash cows to be milked at every opportunity.  Land of the free indeed.

You know, they could have made public transit free today.  Even if you don't ride it, you pay for it.  That would have been a true gesture of celebration and thanks.  And probably attracted a lot of new riders.

The city leaders are walking on eggshells right now.  The spike in violence and crime in the poorest areas of the city are always harbingers of larger problems, about to boil over.  The government is broke, but they won't raise taxes on corporations, or any of the other necessary changes.

One thing I found myself musing on, as I watched the parade on television, is how lackluster the parade seemed going through the park.  Not just the sparse attendance.  It just didn't strike the same response as seeing the same marching bands and floats glide down the streets of downtown.

Part of what makes a parade so exciting is the way it takes over and transforms the ordinary streets.  I wonder if Saint Louisans won't feel a emptiness, a need to fill the streets?

I think the city leaders, for their own sake, should have kept the parade downtown.  Parades, in times of strife, are "demonstrations by proxy".

The Metrolink operators deserve our support.  They are fighting for their union, their pensions, and their pay.  We should all join them in securing those things for ourselves.  We can start by calling Metro and telling them we support the drivers, and demanding they negotiate a new contract.

And we need to demand a few "Fare Free" days a year for the city.

BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT SENDS IN MILITARY POLICE TO STOP TRANSIT WORKERS STRIKE

This article is from June, but I just saw it yesterday:

http://revolution-news.com/cops-attack-subway-workers-in-brazil-free-fare-movement-announce-june-19th-actions/

Mass transit worldwide needs to be Occupied!

Support the Free Fare movement!

STRIKE CITYWIDE! DON'T RIDE! BOYCOTT METRO TODAY!

It's a funny strike, to not ride the bus.  Instead of a big group of people in one location, it is a lot of people staying home or getting a ride.

The revolution may not be televised, but it will be "telephoned".

Even after today, don't stop calling Metro.  If we don't demand change, they won't volunteer it.  Between the fat cat executives, protecting their own salaries and bonuses (paid for with public tax money and rider fares), and the pencil pushers that just want to keep their jobs, there is no one at Metro, or any government agency or council, that is looking out for the rider.

They are robbing us blind, but we are letting them rob us.  Until we demand change and make our voices impossible to ignore, business will continue as usual.

They will keep putting in "landscaping" at transfer centers, instead of building toilet facilities.  Fares will increase every two years automatically, even though the fare increases do little more than offset the $5 million they spend in "contributions to outside entities" (political campaign contributions), and won't even make a dent in the $26 million a year interest on their debts.

Rider fares only supply $72 million of their $350 million a operating budget, but they will milk us for every red cent they can get.  (Of course, they won't take our pennies anymore.  When they did have extra money they spent it on new fare boxes.  Did that help their riders?  No.  They were just sick of pennies.  So what if many of their riders have to scrape up change to get their fares?  Metro is not about making things better for their customers.)

July 4th is the last day of the World Wide Wave of Action.  Today, whether you strike or not, and through the end of the week, do something revolutionary.  Right now the economy and world situation is so bad that to change things for yourself requires as much, if not more, energy than to change things for everyone. 

If we all "phoned in" the revolution-- made one more call to Metro or city officials, or signed one more petition-- every week, we would not need to resort to the large demonstrations and marches in the streets.

Like the bus strike, the "phone in revolution" is about individual enlightenment and action.  It is about creating a culture of leaders, that dictate the government and public agencies, instead of the other way around.

Instead of a Paul Revere, riding through the streets, waking up the people, this Fourth of July, awaken yourself to your own power, AND THEN USE IT.

A whole new world is waiting to be born, it begins with you.

WHAT THE METRO JOB FAIR ON JUNE 28TH IS REALLY ABOUT

Someone commented to me the other day that Metro must be worried about OPTINSTL's call for a boycott of Metro on July 1st.

"You know that is why they are holding that job fair on the 28th," he said.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Metro-hosting-job-fair-on-June-28-264767711.html

I have no idea if my campaign has reached enough people to be producing that kind of results.  Are the Metro phone lines flooded?  I don't know.  I don't work there.  I can only do what I can do, and wait to see what happens.

It would be wonderful if Metro was, indeed, trying to make nice with the public to prevent a rider boycott on July 1st.  But if they were really worried, they would not have raised fares in the first place.

I think the Metro Job Fair is actually about CEO John Nations, who is publicly opposed to unions and supports the union-busting "right to work" legislation, and a direct threat he is sending his drivers:

"Don't you dare strike the week of the Fourth of July, or we will fire you."

Metro is NOT really hiring.  They are barely solvent and have plenty of part-time drivers.  They just don't want a repeat of Cardinals Opening Day "Blue Flu".

http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/04/rider-alert-metro-whines-about-one-day.html  

They don't want St. Louis to get any ideas from San Francisco or Philadelphia (unlike Pennsylvania, we don't have a Republican Governor, although Nixon often seems like a Republican).

http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/06/san-franciscos-transit-workers-blue-flu.html

http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/06/philadelphia-transit-workers-strike.html

What kind of city do you want to live in, St. Louis?  A city where people are paid a livable wage with decent benefits?  A city with good jobs and good employers?

A city with a great public transit system?

Or would you prefer a city where officials that receive $250,000 a year salaries (entirely paid for from public funds) rob their employees pensions, refuse to negotiate contracts in good faith, and exchange "business development" for promises of future political campaign contributions?  (Nations make no secret of the fact that he is only at Metro to create a platform for his campaign for governor or senator.)

http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/06/vote-no-on-amendment-7-proposed.html

St. Louis, you deserve more from Metro!  I hope you will demand it!  Don't break the Metro Operators Union.  If you get a job with Metro, don't cross the picket lines.  Metro wants minimum wage drivers that have no benefits.  All the executives care about is there own fat-cat salaries.  If they could import bus driver jobs to China and hire children and prisoners for a dollar an hour, they would.

They would say "Oh, we were protecting profits."  And pat themselves on the back for doing a great job and give themselves big fat bonuses.

Metro isn't hiring, they are firing.

Remember that.

PS- personally, although a driver strike on July 1st would be fantastic, a driver strike on July 4th would be even better.

PPS- Something else at play here, both with the timing of the fare increase and the hiring fair, is that Metro's fiscal year ends on June 30th.  Too long to go into here, but think about it.  Even though the financial reports won't be ready for at least a few weeks, they do want to make a nice face to the public.  "Hey look, we're hiring, regardless of how obviously failing we look on paper, we are hiring." *cough* "...Not."

BOYCOTT METRO JULY 1ST

On July 1st, the day the new fares go into effect, it is time for transit riders to send Metro a message:  WE NEED A BETTER TRANSIT SYSTEM! WE, THE PEOPLE, DEMAND IT!

On July 1st, get a ride if you have to go to work or must travel with in St. Louis.

Don't ride the bus or train.

Call Metro, Governor Nixon,your local representatives (in the City that would be Mayor Slay and your local alderman), and local media of your choice, and tell them that you are not riding in protest of the increased fares, that bring no improvements in service.

Tell them you are boycotting Metro because they are asking riders to pay $5 million more over the next two years, even though Metro spent that same amount in 2013 in political campaign contributions ("contributions to outside entities").

Tell them you want Metro separated from Bi-State Development Agency, and from "business development" altogether! Public transit should be developed where it is needed most, not subsidizing private business interests.

Demand that Metro negotiate a new contract with their drivers! 6 years without a contract is enough! Demand that Metro stopping robbing driver's pension plans and benefits!

Tell them what services you need as public transit rider: public toilets? improved safety, signage, trash cans, and shelters at bus stops? discount passes for low income and unemployed?

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

If you want to publicly demonstrate, make a sign and walk or get a ride to the nearest bus stop or bus and Metrolink transfer center and hold the sign up to passing cars.

JULY 1ST! STRIKE CITYWIDE! DON'T RIDE! BOYCOTT METRO! TRANSIT RIDERS ARE AGAINST THE FARE INCREASE! WE DEMAND BETTER SERVICE! 
WE DEMAND A PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCY THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC- NOT POLITICAL AND PRIVATE BUSINESS INTERESTS!

OPTINSTL will be at Riverview Transfer Center in the afternoon, striking publicly!  We hope you will join us.  And please email us the details of your protest to share on this blog: optinstl@gmail.com

PHILADELPHIA TRANSIT WORKERS STRIKE BECOMES PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY

This is what happens when you have a Republican governor.  The Philly transit workers had barely declared their strike when they were ordered back to work via declaration of a "Presidential Emergency".

The real emergency is the appalling lack of worker's right in the world's richest nation.  The real emergency is the collapse of unions and the rise of "Right To Work" legislation. 

The transit agency should have been forced to mediate to stop the strike- not the other way around!

I hope the Philly transit workers won't back down.  They deserve better!

We all do!

http://news.yahoo.com/philly-rail-resumes-obama-intervenes-100013464--finance.html