https://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=EmanonBlank&feedformat=atomwiki.occupyboston.org - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T11:15:54ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.41.0https://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Submitted_Homework&diff=18444Submitted Homework2013-06-18T00:42:55Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Homework_from_June_10th_call back to main homework page]]<br />
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'''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:''' <br />
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I see Occupy Strategy as an ongoing national dialogue mechanism which includes feedback both ways between the various occupies and Occupy Strategy.<br />
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'''Michael:''' <br />
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The role of the Occupy Strategy Group is to focus the effort upon the machinery of power so that the vision of a people centered sustainable society is best able to be built by humanity. This focus will aim upon the core pillars which uphold the power structure. <br />
This structure is upheld by: corporate personhood, money having the status of free speech, a media that sets an agenda dictated by multinational conglomerates, the control of the money supply by private banking and a debt-based monetary system. The dissolution of private intelligence agencies and the IRS is imminent with the removal of the core pillars of power as these agencies act in service to power. <br />
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We also provide educational resources to understand the struggle that is faced by those opposed to the centralized power systems. <br />
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We help coordinate the efforts of individuals & organizations so that they may synergize together to have the whole of their efforts be greater than the sum of their parts. <br />
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We develop general plans of action with time tables which serve as guides as the movement navigates forward achieving strategic objectives that are critical to dismantling the machine that is the Privatized Corporatic State of America. <br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
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If the Strategy group can do one thing and one thing only and that being "Provide a winning Strategy" to Occupy. <br />
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The definition of Strategy<br />
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Strategy is a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.<br />
Strategy is attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.<br />
Strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get to "desirable ends with available means".<br />
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.<br />
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The "Strategy group" must be able to explain a winning strategy, demonstrate that strategy and provide a systematic strategic framework (a pattern) that can be leveraged in the future.<br />
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'''Aria:'''<br />
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The role of this Working Group is to translate the ideals of the movement into demands that could be implemented by some form of legislation, court order, etc., via the current system of government. <br />
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'''Terra:''' <br />
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To provide a place for regular discussion and learning about the issues. To assist in prioritizing issues toward structural change toward a better world. To develop “tools” to assist activists in focusing their efforts.<br />
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'''Iwanka'''<br />
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The overarching purpose of the Strategy Group in relation(s) to the Occupy Group as a whole is make a path to eliminate poverty, person made or natural, by creating resilient communities in concert with individuals. The path can be on a variety of subject matters of particular interests: political, social, historical, institutional and technological. Directed examples include: corporate personhood, food insecurity, healthcare for all, education (mindcare) for all, etc. Occupy Strategy functions as the Seekers of the Occupy Movement. Seekers do the following tasks on a consistent basis:<br />
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1. Find things that work and get some reward<br />
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2. Take responsibility for actions<br />
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3. Find out what is in demand<br />
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4. Adapt to local conditions<br />
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5. Ask what is the reality at the bottom<br />
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6. Find out if we the people are satisfied<br />
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7. Admit the answers are unknown or that we just don’t know yet we could grow to know<br />
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8. Believe that poverty is complicated<br />
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9. Find answers by trial and error experimentation<br />
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10. Know that only the insiders have enough knowledge to find solutions with most solutions homegrown<br />
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11. Have no plan<br />
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12. Have the mentality of seekers<br />
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13. Are not motivated by money to meet desperate needs<br />
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Special Thanks on the opening comments on Searchers to the author of ‘The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good ‘ Searchers. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0143038826/ref=rdr_ext_tmb<br />
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'''<big>2 In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:'''<br />
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The so-called final product needs to be a living breathing document/kit that facilitates/catalyzes dialogue ( that is, reflection, thought and action/theory and practice, experience) between Occupy Strategy and greater Occupy and other activist groups on the left and progressive side of the political spectrum. It should include: I. Goals/Objectives; II. Groups, Organizations, Institutions; III. Revolutionary Theory and Practice Background Resources: Readings, Video. <br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
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The "Strategy group" end goal should be to provide strategic plans for the top / root causes for each of the major issues.<br />
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For each issue provide<br />
What is the problem?<br />
What caused the problem?<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
One or more solutions to the problem?<br />
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Strategic framework <br />
Education<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
Voice<br />
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'''Aria:'''<br />
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The Strategy Working Group will present to NATGAT a simple list of political objectives which represent the ideals of the movement in a form that could be implemented by some form of legislations, court order, etc., via the current system of government. These political objectives will be backed up by appropriate documentation, visuals, etc.<br />
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Strategy: 1. Do what worked before. 2. K.I.S.S.<br />
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Rationale<br />
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As many people have noted, Occupy “changed the dialogue” with a simple slogan. This group should continue to be a “voice” for simple truths that have not been well heard before. <br />
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Comparing the proposed simple list and Occupy to the Green Party (which I admire) and its platform will illustrate why, for Occupy, a simple, bullet-pointed list will be more effective than an action plan. The Green Party platform is designed to be uniformly implemented by Green Party chapters. The chapters need precise instructions to maintain the kind of focus that will amplify power. Green Party members approved the plan which is essentially a list of remedies long advocated by the left. And the specific list* for which I advocate is much like the Green Party Platform, but much simpler. However, unlike most Greens, Occupiers are largely unaware of specific legislative ways to change the balance of power in the US (beyond abolishing corporate personhood.) NATGAT may approve a “platform” of some kind, but such approval does not mean that local Occupies will enacted or accept it. There are many such Occupy platforms (and manifestos) gathering dust everywhere. A list of demands may be the only thing missing from that mountain of verbiage. And, that is, in part because of the erroneous assumption that creating such a list would give the opposition an edge, that is specific points to push against. Underlying that argument is the assumption that should we reveal what we really wanted, we would lose. If you assume instead that when we reveal what we really want, it will be recognized as truth and we will win because people know what it is that we want. In other words, “Think like a loser, plan like a loser, lose. Think like a winner, plan like a winner, win.”<br />
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Moreover, there is no need for Occupy to duplicate the work of Move To Amend. Rather, we should offer the more complete vision of HOW to create another world that is now missing from the Occupy atmosphere.<br />
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'''Terra:'''<br />
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full page flyer, cheat sheet, like what Dennis is talking about. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png see one that shows how personhood impacts many issues]]<br />
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various detailed flyers for each of the top issues, not more than 2 pages each<br />
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tomes on the top issues, via links from the wiki (not printed out, but online media)<br />
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a list of links for the table/main wiki page<br />
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[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/e/e6/Flyer%2C_Occupy_Strategy.doc quarter page flyer such as this]]introducing the group, simple, easy, people take this sized flyers in thousands<br />
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list of short videos for people to watch onsite at NatGat, CELDF video, some corporate personhood action videos, Polar’s video<br />
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list of reading/longer videos for people to watch on their own, or if we are really bored at NatGat, we can do screenings. I feel like this list already exists…see the wiki reading resources<br />
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'''Michael:''' <br />
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The final product of the Occupy Strategy Group before the national gathering will show the items that are pre-conditions to greater action as the “first wave” of actions. Our efforts will re-shape the context of the National Gathering. We will do this by showing that the topics that make up the agenda of the National Gathering all lead back to corporate personhood & money as free speech. As these topics are each covered, the context will be about how each is helped along with the elimination of corporate personhood & money as free speech. We will thus provide time frames and general actions to “End the Corporatocracy” [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]. Additionally, we will have begun a campaign to connect the efforts of individuals & organizations to unite in solidarity in the struggle of our age to stage a successful revolution against the Privatized Corporcatic State of America. <br />
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'''1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"'''<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
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The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
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'''2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
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a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits." <br />
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'''Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists)''', musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
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b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
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'''3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause.''' <br />
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Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches.In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
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'''4) Plan event days.''' <br />
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These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
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'''5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
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Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
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'''6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' <br />
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Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together thet information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
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'''Iwanka'''<br />
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The final product of Occupy Strategy will look like increased quality of life for all kind. This may be part of the current cycle of idealism but it is attainable in a variety of intricate webs woven with political, environmental, social, historical, institutional and technological fibers. The manifestations will be shared when the groups have come together to think, do and act in groups of 10 individuals or less in support of Benjamin Franklin’s vision for America. In brief the deliverables are undetermined at this time as the groups have not all formed with this writing. It is the designation of the Occupy Strategy to hold space for these groups to meet and co-create. <br />
Some examples will include the ‘political economy of love’ by thinking out of the box on the problems of our times:<br />
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1. Changing Labels<br />
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2. Adjusting loose fitting timelines with goal(s) or learning markers<br />
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3. Staying connected<br />
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4. Asking questions <br />
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5. Documentation<br />
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6. Sharing<br />
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7. Inviting<br />
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8. Critical Questions<br />
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9. Transparency<br />
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10. People + plants + creatures over profits<br />
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In closing all changed ways will exhibit humanity co-existing everywhere the eye can see, the nose can smell, the ears can hear, the mind can envision and the body can do.<br />
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'''<big>Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.</big>''' <br />
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'''Aria:'''<br />
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Here are five power dynamics that abolishing corporate personhood will not change:<br />
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a. the global labor transition--changing corporations right to speak via money is not going to change the fact that poor people will work for dirt.<br />
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b. the tax code<br />
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c. the winner take all electoral system<br />
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d. privately owned Fed<br />
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e. healthcare for profit, leeches, corporation or people, they still suck blood.<br />
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'''Michael:'''<br />
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List of 5 Issues that can be Helped by Abolishing Corporate Personhood:<br />
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The Ecological Collapse of the Planet<br />
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Economic Justice/Renewing Communities<br />
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Supporting a Free & Independent Media<br />
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Ending War/Building Peace<br />
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Establishing the People's Sovereignty <br />
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'''Darin'''<br />
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* Food sovereignty <br />
* Energy production<br />
* Local economies<br />
* Higher education<br />
* Technical discovery and manufacturing<br />
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'''Terra:'''<br />
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[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png See this for my list of examples]] I didn't do the research, but I think they are excellent examples.<br />
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'''<big>Thoughts shared by members of the group that were in a different form then the criteria of the assigned homework:</big>''' <br />
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'''Roustabout:''' <br />
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Assignment #1<br />
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Occupy Strategy should work as a repository receiving and organizing documentation from across the movement, summarizing localized successes and failures and providing a forum to build replications and combinations of robust strategies for use in large, small, short-term and long-term initiatives. Occupy Strategy should have organizing and analytical components, but should not expect to produce a single unified message for the movement.<br />
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Part a<br />
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Developing functional strategies means, first, articulating the field in which strategy is to work; this means not only identifying the objective targets, but also identifying the capabilities of the movement and the resources available outside the movement. Without truly understanding what resources one has on hand and what motives flow within those resources, strategic objectives rest on shaky foundations. Second, developing practical strategies means setting aside less viable alternatives, which means evaluating a broader range of objectives than will be eventually actionable. Occupy Strategy’s greatest contribution to the movement will be within these first two stages. The third stage – of articulating a small set of priorities – is not likely to find success through a single non-representative cell as Occupy Strategy. The third stage would be better left to the organics of the movement – localized and regional – unless the movement or a large part of the movement coalesces around a broad, robust decision-making structure. This has not yet happened and cannot be imposed from cyberspace or through thought experiments.<br />
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It is highly unlikely that Occupy Strategy with five active participants and no broad endorsement across the movement can produce a single meaningful proclamation that will inspire broad buy-in. If appropriate at all, it is much more appropriate to develop a list of movement priorities in convention where there is rich, live debate and proper witness to the process; not in cyberspace without checks and balances. Imposing a single list of priorities upon a dispersed movement has little upside and the immense downside of exacerbating factioning. It is more reasonable to expect commitment from activists on the priorities they hold personally valuable and consider topical. Big things change all the time – tying a vast, broad-agenda movement to a static strategic vision will compromise the movement’s will, agility, and power.<br />
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Occupy Strategy will be much more valuable as an ongoing facilitator of best practices in strategy for both localized and national initiatives. It should publish multiple products, perhaps as white papers, that will help local groups organize more effectively. These propositions should draw from experiences in the field and provide in-depth discussion of the elements that make various strategies work or fail. <br />
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These documents could have the following structure: <br />
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Overview of strategy – a brief on the real-world practices and circumstances in which the strategic structures worked or failed.<br />
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Strategic components – an organized description of the underlying elements that can be considered replicable if successful and as potential hazards if the strategy failed<br />
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Analysis – a parsing of the causes of success and failure<br />
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Action guide – a schema for replication (or avoidance) in other initiatives <br />
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'''Aria:''' <br />
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1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business. <br />
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I don’t think the movie even mentioned corporate personhood. Democratizing the Fed and creating state banks are good ideas. Harping on the media is poor strategy--why not say something about an issue instead?<br />
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2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
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The largest center of power in the US is the system that we use to elect legislators. The banking sector controls it because its structure--binary, winner take all--cuts out smaller groups that could dilute their power. As the movie pointed out middle America votes for the Dems & the Republicans, but they account for a just a fraction of the political spectrum. What I don’t think the movie mentioned is that most large corporations donate strategically to both parties.<br />
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3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation. <br />
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That is not a question...and if you’re going to pontificate, you could at least try to say what you mean about “sustainable money system.”<br />
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4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues. <br />
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Also not a question. The lack of questions that critique the movie highlight the fact that the assignment is not meant to educate, but rather to create an action plan type product.<br />
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6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
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This “question” assumes that we are involved in organizing, not strategizing.<br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
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Assign #3<br />
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'''Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform'''<br />
These assume a "traditional paper system" and in today society this is completely unnecessary. <br />
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'''Another world is possible'''<br />
* A group of true scholars presenting various peer reviewed viewpoints of each issue. These are presented in different media formats on each issue.<br />
* Each issue voted on by each and every citizen, one person one vote.<br />
* Minimum number of votes needed to pass aka 60% of total affected population.<br />
* Any conflicts / filibusters / blocks taken to council, this council is to be chosen similar to a "jury" but scaled to level of governance. This council is chosen each year and brought to a public forum, all living expenses covered and a small stipend to be delivered after completion of service.<br />
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'''Council qualifiers''' <br />
Legal consenting adult<br />
Pass a basic educational competency test (GED level not collage level)<br />
Complete a communication training session <br />
Never been convicted by peers of a violent offense against any living thing<br />
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This to be implemented starting locally and scaled globally.<br />
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Any issue that effects all human beings (Human rights, ecological laws, etc..) level items handled at the global scale in full public view. <br />
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Assn #4<br />
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'''Framework applied to Ethos'''<br />
The Ethos movie describes how "The system" is currently practiced the answer is supplanting that system with a people controlled framework.<br />
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'''Education'''<br />
What is the problem<br />
Corporate Personhood - corporations gaining power over their creator. <br />
In the current political system the public doesn’t really decide anything now—they just select from the options they’re given. Knowing this the corporations are using their money to provided choices only if those choices are in their best interest. <br />
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'''What is the root cause?'''<br />
All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good. <br />
The monetary system / economy is corporately owned and controlled<br />
Corporations have gone global. <br />
People and Governments have become powerless in relation to corporations.<br />
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'''Transparency / Accountability'''<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
:By eliminating the ability for corporations to vote in secret.<br />
:By making all transaction between politicians and corporations public knowledge we will be able track this flow and hold politicians accountable. <br />
:When politicians no longer support "public good" they will be recalled / voted out of office.<br />
:By auditing the federal reserve and either nationalizing it or replacing it.<br />
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'''Voice'''<br />
:Reformed the Public Vote<br /><br />
:Replace the outdated system with a technologically correct one.<br />
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Demonstrations<br /><br />
:Renew the "commons" to allow places for the people to meet and discuss<br />
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Citizens media<br /><br />
:Open more public communication channels, radio, tv, Internet, satellite.<br />
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Networks<br /><br />
:Create free flowing information in open formats that will induce open synergistic two way communication.<br />
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Local Currency<br /><br />
:Create simple local currency model that can be "copy / pasted" into any community that wants it. This will allow an efficient and permanent voice in the their local economy bypassing the corporate controlled monetary system. <br />
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Public Education<br /><br />
:Provide all information on all bills, laws, treaties etc.. in a easily digested form for public scrutiny. Providing a valid auditable method of collecting / collating public opinions.<br />
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1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
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:The current system is a democratic framework but it is applied in a way that benefits corporations not people it even goes so far as to debase people.<br />
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2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
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:Corporations influence the democratic process with money and media amplifying the corporate voice. Due to this amplification politicians are giving people choice but only the choice of "the lessor of two evils both" of which provide a gain to the corporations.<br />
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3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
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:By ending corporate personhood and creating citizens media sources we can remove the influence of corporations and reeducate people empowering them to make true informed decisions which will lift up people and not corporations.<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
:''As the "Powell Memo" stated when it asked "how can the weight and influence of stockholders — 20 million voters — be mobilized to support (i) an educational program and (ii) a political action program." <br />
'''We need to remove corporate influence of our democratic process and leverage the weight and influence of the internet — 2,405,518,376 voters —to mobilized and support (i) an educational program based on facts and (ii) a direct democracy program that empowers people and encompasses the world.''''' <br />
The second of these directives has the importance of the very survival of the human race.<br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br /><br />
:By creating a self propagating network of communication and rating system.<br />
:Web 2.0 is a dynamic form of one way communication we need to build on that to allow people to respond back into the system.<br />
:To give people back the gift of collaborative engagement in democracy. Not only simple feed back loops but FULL gamification. http://youtu.be/O2N-5maKZ9Q</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Submitted_Homework&diff=18439Submitted Homework2013-06-17T23:00:51Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Homework_from_June_10th_call back to main homework page]]<br />
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'''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:''' <br />
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I see Occupy Strategy as an ongoing national dialogue mechanism which includes feedback both ways between the various occupies and Occupy Strategy.<br />
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'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The role of the Occupy Strategy Group is to focus the effort upon the machinery of power so that the vision of a people centered sustainable society is best able to be built by humanity. This focus will aim upon the core pillars which uphold the power structure. <br />
This structure is upheld by: corporate personhood, money having the status of free speech, a media that sets an agenda dictated by multinational conglomerates, the control of the money supply by private banking and a debt-based monetary system. The dissolution of private intelligence agencies and the IRS is imminent with the removal of the core pillars of power as these agencies act in service to power. <br />
<br />
<br />
We also provide educational resources to understand the struggle that is faced by those opposed to the centralized power systems. <br />
<br />
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We help coordinate the efforts of individuals & organizations so that they may synergize together to have the whole of their efforts be greater than the sum of their parts. <br />
<br />
<br />
We develop general plans of action with time tables which serve as guides as the movement navigates forward achieving strategic objectives that are critical to dismantling the machine that is the Privatized Corporatic State of America. <br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
If the Strategy group can do one thing and one thing only and that being "Provide a winning Strategy" to Occupy. <br />
<br />
The definition of Strategy<br />
<br />
Strategy is a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.<br />
Strategy is attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.<br />
Strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get to "desirable ends with available means".<br />
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.<br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" must be able to explain a winning strategy, demonstrate that strategy and provide a systematic strategic framework (a pattern) that can be leveraged in the future.<br />
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'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The role of this Working Group is to translate the ideals of the movement into demands that could be implemented by some form of legislation, court order, etc., via the current system of government. <br />
<br />
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'''Terra:''' <br />
<br />
To provide a place for regular discussion and learning about the issues. To assist in prioritizing issues toward structural change toward a better world. To develop “tools” to assist activists in focusing their efforts.<br />
<br />
'''Iwanka'''<br />
<br />
The overarching purpose of the Strategy Group in relation(s) to the Occupy Group as a whole is make a path to eliminate poverty, person made or natural, by creating resilient communities in concert with individuals. The path can be on a variety of subject matters of particular interests: political, social, historical, institutional and technological. Directed examples include: corporate personhood, food insecurity, healthcare for all, education (mindcare) for all, etc. Occupy Strategy functions as the Seekers of the Occupy Movement. Seekers do the following tasks on a consistent basis:<br />
<br />
1. Find things that work and get some reward<br />
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2. Take responsibility for actions<br />
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3. Find out what is in demand<br />
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4. Adapt to local conditions<br />
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5. Ask what is the reality at the bottom<br />
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6. Find out if we the people are satisfied<br />
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7. Admit the answers are unknown or that we just don’t know yet we could grow to know<br />
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8. Believe that poverty is complicated<br />
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9. Find answers by trial and error experimentation<br />
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10. Know that only the insiders have enough knowledge to find solutions with most solutions homegrown<br />
<br />
11. Have no plan<br />
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12. Have the mentality of seekers<br />
<br />
13. Are not motivated by money to meet desperate needs<br />
<br />
Special Thanks on the opening comments on Searchers to the author of ‘The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good ‘ Searchers. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0143038826/ref=rdr_ext_tmb<br />
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'''<big>2 In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:'''<br />
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The so-called final product needs to be a living breathing document/kit that facilitates/catalyzes dialogue ( that is, reflection, thought and action/theory and practice, experience) between Occupy Strategy and greater Occupy and other activist groups on the left and progressive side of the political spectrum. It should include: I. Goals/Objectives; II. Groups, Organizations, Institutions; III. Revolutionary Theory and Practice Background Resources: Readings, Video. <br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" end goal should be to provide strategic plans for the top / root causes for each of the major issues.<br />
<br />
For each issue provide<br />
What is the problem?<br />
What caused the problem?<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
One or more solutions to the problem?<br />
<br />
Strategic framework <br />
Education<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
Voice<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The Strategy Working Group will present to NATGAT a simple list of political objectives which represent the ideals of the movement in a form that could be implemented by some form of legislations, court order, etc., via the current system of government. These political objectives will be backed up by appropriate documentation, visuals, etc.<br />
<br />
Strategy: 1. Do what worked before. 2. K.I.S.S.<br />
<br />
Rationale<br />
<br />
As many people have noted, Occupy “changed the dialogue” with a simple slogan. This group should continue to be a “voice” for simple truths that have not been well heard before. <br />
<br />
Comparing the proposed simple list and Occupy to the Green Party (which I admire) and its platform will illustrate why, for Occupy, a simple, bullet-pointed list will be more effective than an action plan. The Green Party platform is designed to be uniformly implemented by Green Party chapters. The chapters need precise instructions to maintain the kind of focus that will amplify power. Green Party members approved the plan which is essentially a list of remedies long advocated by the left. And the specific list* for which I advocate is much like the Green Party Platform, but much simpler. However, unlike most Greens, Occupiers are largely unaware of specific legislative ways to change the balance of power in the US (beyond abolishing corporate personhood.) NATGAT may approve a “platform” of some kind, but such approval does not mean that local Occupies will enacted or accept it. There are many such Occupy platforms (and manifestos) gathering dust everywhere. A list of demands may be the only thing missing from that mountain of verbiage. And, that is, in part because of the erroneous assumption that creating such a list would give the opposition an edge, that is specific points to push against. Underlying that argument is the assumption that should we reveal what we really wanted, we would lose. If you assume instead that when we reveal what we really want, it will be recognized as truth and we will win because people know what it is that we want. In other words, “Think like a loser, plan like a loser, lose. Think like a winner, plan like a winner, win.”<br />
<br />
Moreover, there is no need for Occupy to duplicate the work of Move To Amend. Rather, we should offer the more complete vision of HOW to create another world that is now missing from the Occupy atmosphere.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
full page flyer, cheat sheet, like what Dennis is talking about. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png see one that shows how personhood impacts many issues]]<br />
<br />
various detailed flyers for each of the top issues, not more than 2 pages each<br />
<br />
tomes on the top issues, via links from the wiki (not printed out, but online media)<br />
<br />
a list of links for the table/main wiki page<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/e/e6/Flyer%2C_Occupy_Strategy.doc quarter page flyer such as this]]introducing the group, simple, easy, people take this sized flyers in thousands<br />
<br />
list of short videos for people to watch onsite at NatGat, CELDF video, some corporate personhood action videos, Polar’s video<br />
<br />
list of reading/longer videos for people to watch on their own, or if we are really bored at NatGat, we can do screenings. I feel like this list already exists…see the wiki reading resources<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The final product of the Occupy Strategy Group before the national gathering will show the items that are pre-conditions to greater action as the “first wave” of actions. Our efforts will re-shape the context of the National Gathering. We will do this by showing that the topics that make up the agenda of the National Gathering all lead back to corporate personhood & money as free speech. As these topics are each covered, the context will be about how each is helped along with the elimnination of corporate personhood & money as free speech. We will thus provide time frames and general actions to “End the Corporatocracy” [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]. Additionally, we will have begun a campaign to connect the efforts of individuals & organizations to unite in solidarity in the struggle of our age to stage a successful revolution against the Privatized Corporcatic State of America. <br />
<br />
'''1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"'''<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
'''2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits." <br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists)''', musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
'''3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause.''' <br />
<br />
Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches.In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
'''4) Plan event days.''' <br />
<br />
These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
'''5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
'''6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' <br />
<br />
Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together thet information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Iwanka'''<br />
<br />
The final product of Occupy Strategy will look like increased quality of life for all kind. This may be part of the current cycle of idealism but it is attainable in a variety of intricate webs woven with political, environmental, social, historical, institutional and technological fibers. The manifestations will be shared when the groups have come together to think, do and act in groups of 10 individuals or less in support of Benjamin Franklin’s vision for America. In brief the deliverables are undetermined at this time as the groups have not all formed with this writing. It is the designation of the Occupy Strategy to hold space for these groups to meet and co-create. <br />
Some examples will include the ‘political economy of love’ by thinking out of the box on the problems of our times:<br />
<br />
1. Changing Labels<br />
<br />
2. Adjusting loose fitting timelines with goal(s) or learning markers<br />
<br />
3. Staying connected<br />
<br />
4. Asking questions <br />
<br />
5. Documentation<br />
<br />
6. Sharing<br />
<br />
7. Inviting<br />
<br />
8. Critical Questions<br />
<br />
9. Transparency<br />
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10. People + plants + creatures over profits<br />
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In closing all changed ways will exhibit humanity co-existing everywhere the eye can see, the nose can smell, the ears can hear, the mind can envision and the body can do.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.</big>''' <br />
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<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
Here are five power dynamics that abolishing corporate personhood will not change:<br />
<br />
a. the global labor transition--changing corporations right to speak via money is not going to change the fact that poor people will work for dirt.<br />
<br />
b. the tax code<br />
<br />
c. the winner take all electoral system<br />
<br />
d. privately owned Fed<br />
<br />
e. healthcare for profit, leeches, corporation or people, they still suck blood.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:'''<br />
<br />
List of 5 Issues that can be Helped by Abolishing Corporate Personhood:<br />
<br />
The Ecological Collapse of the Planet<br />
<br />
Economic Justice/Renewing Communities<br />
<br />
Supporting a Free & Independent Media<br />
<br />
Ending War/Building Peace<br />
<br />
Establishing the People's Sovereignty <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin'''<br />
<br />
Food sovereignty <br />
Energy production<br />
Local economies<br />
Higher education<br />
Technical discovery and manufacturing<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png See this for my list of examples]] I didn't do the research, but I think they are excellent examples.<br />
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'''<big>Thoughts shared by members of the group that were in a different form then the criteria of the assigned homework:</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Roustabout:''' <br />
<br />
Assignment #1<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy should work as a repository receiving and organizing documentation from across the movement, summarizing localized successes and failures and providing a forum to build replications and combinations of robust strategies for use in large, small, short-term and long-term initiatives. Occupy Strategy should have organizing and analytical components, but should not expect to produce a single unified message for the movement.<br />
<br />
Part a<br />
<br />
Developing functional strategies means, first, articulating the field in which strategy is to work; this means not only identifying the objective targets, but also identifying the capabilities of the movement and the resources available outside the movement. Without truly understanding what resources one has on hand and what motives flow within those resources, strategic objectives rest on shaky foundations. Second, developing practical strategies means setting aside less viable alternatives, which means evaluating a broader range of objectives than will be eventually actionable. Occupy Strategy’s greatest contribution to the movement will be within these first two stages. The third stage – of articulating a small set of priorities – is not likely to find success through a single non-representative cell as Occupy Strategy. The third stage would be better left to the organics of the movement – localized and regional – unless the movement or a large part of the movement coalesces around a broad, robust decision-making structure. This has not yet happened and cannot be imposed from cyberspace or through thought experiments.<br />
<br />
It is highly unlikely that Occupy Strategy with five active participants and no broad endorsement across the movement can produce a single meaningful proclamation that will inspire broad buy-in. If appropriate at all, it is much more appropriate to develop a list of movement priorities in convention where there is rich, live debate and proper witness to the process; not in cyberspace without checks and balances. Imposing a single list of priorities upon a dispersed movement has little upside and the immense downside of exacerbating factioning. It is more reasonable to expect commitment from activists on the priorities they hold personally valuable and consider topical. Big things change all the time – tying a vast, broad-agenda movement to a static strategic vision will compromise the movement’s will, agility, and power.<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy will be much more valuable as an ongoing facilitator of best practices in strategy for both localized and national initiatives. It should publish multiple products, perhaps as white papers, that will help local groups organize more effectively. These propositions should draw from experiences in the field and provide in-depth discussion of the elements that make various strategies work or fail. <br />
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These documents could have the following structure: <br />
<br />
Overview of strategy – a brief on the real-world practices and circumstances in which the strategic structures worked or failed.<br />
<br />
Strategic components – an organized description of the underlying elements that can be considered replicable if successful and as potential hazards if the strategy failed<br />
<br />
Analysis – a parsing of the causes of success and failure<br />
<br />
Action guide – a schema for replication (or avoidance) in other initiatives <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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'''Aria:''' <br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business. <br />
<br />
<br />
I don’t think the movie even mentioned corporate personhood. Democratizing the Fed and creating state banks are good ideas. Harping on the media is poor strategy--why not say something about an issue instead?<br />
<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
<br />
The largest center of power in the US is the system that we use to elect legislators. The banking sector controls it because its structure--binary, winner take all--cuts out smaller groups that could dilute their power. As the movie pointed out middle America votes for the Dems & the Republicans, but they account for a just a fraction of the political spectrum. What I don’t think the movie mentioned is that most large corporations donate strategically to both parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation. <br />
<br />
<br />
That is not a question...and if you’re going to pontificate, you could at least try to say what you mean about “sustainable money system.”<br />
<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues. <br />
<br />
<br />
Also not a question. The lack of questions that critique the movie highlight the fact that the assignment is not meant to educate, but rather to create an action plan type product.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
This “question” assumes that we are involved in organizing, not strategizing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
<br />
Assign #3<br />
<br />
Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform<br />
These assume a "traditional paper system" and in today society this is completely unnecessary. <br />
<br />
<br />
Another world is possible;<br />
A group of true scholars presenting various peer reviewed viewpoints of each issue. These are presented in different media formats on each issue.<br />
<br />
Each issue voted on by each and every citizen, one person one vote.<br />
Minimum number of votes needed to pass aka 60% of total affected population.<br />
Any conflicts / filibusters / blocks taken to council, this council is to be chosen similar to a "jury" but scaled to level of governance. This council is chosen each year and brought to a public forum, all living expenses covered and a small stipend to be delivered after completion of service.<br />
<br />
Council qualifiers <br />
Legal consenting adult<br />
Pass a basic educational competency test (GED level not collage level)<br />
Complete a communication training session <br />
Never been convicted by peers of a violent offense against any living thing<br />
<br />
This to be implemented starting locally and scaled globally.<br />
<br />
Any issue that effects all human beings (Human rights, ecological laws, etc..) level items handled at the global scale in full public view. <br />
<br />
Assn #4<br />
<br />
Framework applied to Ethos<br />
The Ethos movie describes how "The system" is currently practiced the answer is supplanting that system with a people controlled framework.<br />
<br />
Education<br />
What is the problem<br />
Corporate Personhood - corporations gaining power over their creator. <br />
In the current political system the public doesn’t really decide anything now—they just select from the options they’re given. Knowing this the corporations are using their money to provided choices only if those choices are in their best interest. <br />
<br />
What is the root cause?<br />
All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good. <br />
The monetary system / economy is corporately owned and controlled<br />
Corporations have gone global. <br />
People and Governments have become powerless in relation to corporations.<br />
<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
By eliminating the ability for corporations to vote in secret.<br />
By making all transaction between politicians and corporations public knowledge we will be able track this flow and hold politicians accountable. <br />
When politicians no longer support "public good" they will be recalled / voted out of office.<br />
By auditing the federal reserve and either nationalizing it or replacing it.<br />
<br />
Voice<br />
Reformed the Public Vote<br />
<br />
Replace the outdated system with a technologically correct one.<br />
<br />
Demonstrations<br />
<br />
Renew the "commons" to allow places for the people to meet and discuss<br />
<br />
Citizens media<br />
<br />
Open more public communication channels, radio, tv, Internet, satellite.<br />
<br />
Networks<br />
<br />
Create free flowing information in open formats that will induce open synergistic two way communication.<br />
<br />
Local Currency<br />
<br />
Create simple local currency model that can be "copy / pasted" into any community that wants it. This will allow an efficient and permanent voice in the their local economy bypassing the corporate controlled monetary system. <br />
<br />
Public Education<br />
<br />
Provide all information on all bills, laws, treaties etc.. in a easily digested form for public scrutiny. Providing a valid auditable method of collecting / collating public opinions.<br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
<br />
The current system is a democratic framework but it is applied in a way that benefits corporations not people it even goes so far as to debase people.<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
Corporations influence the democratic process with money and media amplifying the corporate voice. Due to this amplification politicians are giving people choice but only the choice of "the lessor of two evils both" of which provide a gain to the corporations.<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
<br />
By ending corporate personhood and creating citizens media sources we can remove the influence of corporations and reeducate people empowering them to make true informed decisions which will lift up people and not corporations.<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br />
As the "Powell Memo" stated when it asked "how can the weight and influence of stockholders — 20 million voters — be mobilized to support (i) an educational program and (ii) a political action program." <br />
We need to remove corporate influence of our democratic process and leverage the weight and influence of the internet — 2,405,518,376 voters —to mobilized and support (i) an educational program based on facts and (ii) a direct democracy program that empowers people and encompasses the world. <br />
The second of these directives has the importance of the very survival of the human race.<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
By creating a self propagating network of communication and rating system.<br />
Web 2.0 is a dynamic form of one way communication we need to build on that to allow people to respond back into the system.<br />
To give people back the gift of collaborative engagement in democracy. Not only simple feed back loops but FULL gamification. http://youtu.be/O2N-5maKZ9Q</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Submitted_Homework&diff=18438Submitted Homework2013-06-17T22:21:57Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div><br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Homework_from_June_10th_call back to main homework page]]<br />
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'''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:''' <br />
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I see Occupy Strategy as an ongoing national dialogue mechanism which includes feedback both ways between the various occupies and Occupy Strategy.<br />
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'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The role of the Occupy Strategy Group is to focus the lens upon the machinery of power so that the vision of a people centered sustainable society is best able to be built by humanity. This focus will aim upon the core pillars which uphold the power structure. <br />
This structure is upheld by: corporate personhood, money having the status of free speech, a media that sets an agenda dictated by multinational conglomerates, the control of the money supply by private banking and a debt-based monetary system. The dissolution of private intelligence agencies and the IRS is imminent with the removal of the core pillars of power as these agencies act in service to power. <br />
<br />
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We also provide educational resources to understand the struggle that is faced by those opposed to the centralized power systems. <br />
<br />
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We help coordinate the efforts of individuals & organizations so that they may synergize together to have the whole of their efforts be greater than the sum of their parts. <br />
<br />
<br />
We develop general plans of action with time tables which serve as guides as the movement navigates forward achieving strategic objectives that are critical to dismantling the machine that is the Privatized Corporatic State of America. <br />
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<br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
If the Strategy group can do one thing and one thing only and that being "Provide a winning Strategy" to Occupy. <br />
<br />
The definition of Strategy<br />
<br />
Strategy is a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.<br />
Strategy is attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.<br />
Strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get to "desirable ends with available means".<br />
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.<br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" must be able to explain a winning strategy, demonstrate that strategy and provide a systematic strategic framework (a pattern) that can be leveraged in the future.<br />
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'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The role of this Working Group is to translate the ideals of the movement into demands that could be implemented by some form of legislation, court order, etc., via the current system of government. <br />
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'''Terra:''' <br />
<br />
To provide a place for regular discussion and learning about the issues. To assist in prioritizing issues toward structural change toward a better world. To develop “tools” to assist activists in focusing their efforts.<br />
<br />
'''Iwanka'''<br />
<br />
The overarching purpose of the Strategy Group in relation(s) to the Occupy Group as a whole is make a path to eliminate poverty, person made or natural, by creating resilient communities in concert with individuals. The path can be on a variety of subject matters of particular interests: political, social, historical, institutional and technological. Directed examples include: corporate personhood, food insecurity, healthcare for all, education (mindcare) for all, etc. Occupy Strategy functions as the Seekers of the Occupy Movement. Seekers do the following tasks on a consistent basis:<br />
<br />
1. Find things that work and get some reward<br />
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2. Take responsibility for actions<br />
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3. Find out what is in demand<br />
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4. Adapt to local conditions<br />
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5. Ask what is the reality at the bottom<br />
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6. Find out if we the people are satisfied<br />
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7. Admit the answers are unknown or that we just don’t know yet we could grow to know<br />
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8. Believe that poverty is complicated<br />
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9. Find answers by trial and error experimentation<br />
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10. Know that only the insiders have enough knowledge to find solutions with most solutions homegrown<br />
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11. Have no plan<br />
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12. Have the mentality of seekers<br />
<br />
13. Are not motivated by money to meet desperate needs<br />
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Special Thanks on the opening comments on Searchers to the author of ‘The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good ‘ Searchers. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0143038826/ref=rdr_ext_tmb<br />
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'''<big>2 In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product</big>'''<br />
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'''Dennis:'''<br />
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The so-called final product needs to be a living breathing document/kit that facilitates/catalyzes dialogue ( that is, reflection, thought and action/theory and practice, experience) between Occupy Strategy and greater Occupy and other activist groups on the left and progressive side of the political spectrum. It should include: I. Goals/Objectives; II. Groups, Organizations, Institutions; III. Revolutionary Theory and Practice Background Resources: Readings, Video. <br />
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'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" end goal should be to provide strategic plans for the top / root causes for each of the major issues.<br />
<br />
For each issue provide<br />
What is the problem?<br />
What caused the problem?<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
One or more solutions to the problem?<br />
<br />
Strategic framework <br />
Education<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
Voice<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The Strategy Working Group will present to NATGAT a simple list of political objectives which represent the ideals of the movement in a form that could be implemented by some form of legislations, court order, etc., via the current system of government. These political objectives will be backed up by appropriate documentation, visuals, etc.<br />
<br />
Strategy: 1. Do what worked before. 2. K.I.S.S.<br />
<br />
Rationale<br />
<br />
As many people have noted, Occupy “changed the dialogue” with a simple slogan. This group should continue to be a “voice” for simple truths that have not been well heard before. <br />
<br />
Comparing the proposed simple list and Occupy to the Green Party (which I admire) and its platform will illustrate why, for Occupy, a simple, bullet-pointed list will be more effective than an action plan. The Green Party platform is designed to be uniformly implemented by Green Party chapters. The chapters need precise instructions to maintain the kind of focus that will amplify power. Green Party members approved the plan which is essentially a list of remedies long advocated by the left. And the specific list* for which I advocate is much like the Green Party Platform, but much simpler. However, unlike most Greens, Occupiers are largely unaware of specific legislative ways to change the balance of power in the US (beyond abolishing corporate personhood.) NATGAT may approve a “platform” of some kind, but such approval does not mean that local Occupies will enacted or accept it. There are many such Occupy platforms (and manifestos) gathering dust everywhere. A list of demands may be the only thing missing from that mountain of verbiage. And, that is, in part because of the erroneous assumption that creating such a list would give the opposition an edge, that is specific points to push against. Underlying that argument is the assumption that should we reveal what we really wanted, we would lose. If you assume instead that when we reveal what we really want, it will be recognized as truth and we will win because people know what it is that we want. In other words, “Think like a loser, plan like a loser, lose. Think like a winner, plan like a winner, win.”<br />
<br />
Moreover, there is no need for Occupy to duplicate the work of Move To Amend. Rather, we should offer the more complete vision of HOW to create another world that is now missing from the Occupy atmosphere.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
full page flyer, cheat sheet, like what Dennis is talking about. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png see one that shows how personhood impacts many issues]]<br />
<br />
various detailed flyers for each of the top issues, not more than 2 pages each<br />
<br />
tomes on the top issues, via links from the wiki (not printed out, but online media)<br />
<br />
a list of links for the table/main wiki page<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/e/e6/Flyer%2C_Occupy_Strategy.doc quarter page flyer such as this]]introducing the group, simple, easy, people take this sized flyers in thousands<br />
<br />
list of short videos for people to watch onsite at NatGat, CELDF video, some corporate personhood action videos, Polar’s video<br />
<br />
list of reading/longer videos for people to watch on their own, or if we are really bored at NatGat, we can do screenings. I feel like this list already exists…see the wiki reading resources<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The final product of the Occupy Strategy Group before the national gathering will show the items that are pre-conditions to greater action as the “first wave” of actions. Our efforts will re-shape the context of the National Gathering. We will do this by showing that the topics that make up the agenda of the National Gathering all lead back to corporate personhood & money as free speech. As these topics are each covered, the context will be about how each is helped along with the elimnination of corporate personhood & money as free speech. We will thus provide time frames and general actions to “End the Corporatocracy” [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]. Additionally, we will have begun a campaign to connect the efforts of individuals & organizations to unite in solidarity in the struggle of our age to stage a successful revolution against the Privatized Corporcatic State of America. <br />
<br />
'''1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"'''<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
'''2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits." <br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists)''', musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
'''3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause.''' <br />
<br />
Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches.In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
'''4) Plan event days.''' <br />
<br />
These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
'''5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
'''6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' <br />
<br />
Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together thet information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Iwanka'''<br />
<br />
The final product of Occupy Strategy will look like increased quality of life for all kind. This may be part of the current cycle of idealism but it is attainable in a variety of intricate webs woven with political, environmental, social, historical, institutional and technological fibers. The manifestations will be shared when the groups have come together to think, do and act in groups of 10 individuals or less in support of Benjamin Franklin’s vision for America. In brief the deliverables are undetermined at this time as the groups have not all formed with this writing. It is the designation of the Occupy Strategy to hold space for these groups to meet and co-create. <br />
Some examples will include the ‘political economy of love’ by thinking out of the box on the problems of our times:<br />
<br />
1. Changing Labels<br />
<br />
2. Adjusting loose fitting timelines with goal(s) or learning markers<br />
<br />
3. Staying connected<br />
<br />
4. Asking questions <br />
<br />
5. Documentation<br />
<br />
6. Sharing<br />
<br />
7. Inviting<br />
<br />
8. Critical Questions<br />
<br />
9. Transparency<br />
<br />
10. People + plants + creatures over profits<br />
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In closing all changed ways will exhibit humanity co-existing everywhere the eye can see, the nose can smell, the ears can hear, the mind can envision and the body can do.<br />
<br />
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'''<big>Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.</big>''' <br />
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<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
Here are five power dynamics that abolishing corporate personhood will not change:<br />
<br />
a. the global labor transition--changing corporations right to speak via money is not going to change the fact that poor people will work for dirt.<br />
<br />
b. the tax code<br />
<br />
c. the winner take all electoral system<br />
<br />
d. privately owned Fed<br />
<br />
e. healthcare for profit, leeches, corporation or people, they still suck blood.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:'''<br />
<br />
List of 5 Issues that can be Helped by Abolishing Corporate Personhood:<br />
<br />
The Ecological Collapse of the Planet<br />
<br />
Economic Justice/Renewing Communities<br />
<br />
Supporting a Free & Independent Media<br />
<br />
Ending War/Building Peace<br />
<br />
Establishing the People's Sovereignty <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin'''<br />
<br />
Food sovereignty <br />
Energy production<br />
Local economies<br />
Higher education<br />
Technical discovery and manufacturing<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png See this for my list of examples]] I didn't do the research, but I think they are excellent examples.<br />
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'''<big>Thoughts shared by members of the group that were in a different form then the criteria of the assigned homework:</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Roustabout:''' <br />
<br />
Assignment #1<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy should work as a repository receiving and organizing documentation from across the movement, summarizing localized successes and failures and providing a forum to build replications and combinations of robust strategies for use in large, small, short-term and long-term initiatives. Occupy Strategy should have organizing and analytical components, but should not expect to produce a single unified message for the movement.<br />
<br />
Part a<br />
<br />
Developing functional strategies means, first, articulating the field in which strategy is to work; this means not only identifying the objective targets, but also identifying the capabilities of the movement and the resources available outside the movement. Without truly understanding what resources one has on hand and what motives flow within those resources, strategic objectives rest on shaky foundations. Second, developing practical strategies means setting aside less viable alternatives, which means evaluating a broader range of objectives than will be eventually actionable. Occupy Strategy’s greatest contribution to the movement will be within these first two stages. The third stage – of articulating a small set of priorities – is not likely to find success through a single non-representative cell as Occupy Strategy. The third stage would be better left to the organics of the movement – localized and regional – unless the movement or a large part of the movement coalesces around a broad, robust decision-making structure. This has not yet happened and cannot be imposed from cyberspace or through thought experiments.<br />
<br />
It is highly unlikely that Occupy Strategy with five active participants and no broad endorsement across the movement can produce a single meaningful proclamation that will inspire broad buy-in. If appropriate at all, it is much more appropriate to develop a list of movement priorities in convention where there is rich, live debate and proper witness to the process; not in cyberspace without checks and balances. Imposing a single list of priorities upon a dispersed movement has little upside and the immense downside of exacerbating factioning. It is more reasonable to expect commitment from activists on the priorities they hold personally valuable and consider topical. Big things change all the time – tying a vast, broad-agenda movement to a static strategic vision will compromise the movement’s will, agility, and power.<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy will be much more valuable as an ongoing facilitator of best practices in strategy for both localized and national initiatives. It should publish multiple products, perhaps as white papers, that will help local groups organize more effectively. These propositions should draw from experiences in the field and provide in-depth discussion of the elements that make various strategies work or fail. <br />
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These documents could have the following structure: <br />
<br />
Overview of strategy – a brief on the real-world practices and circumstances in which the strategic structures worked or failed.<br />
<br />
Strategic components – an organized description of the underlying elements that can be considered replicable if successful and as potential hazards if the strategy failed<br />
<br />
Analysis – a parsing of the causes of success and failure<br />
<br />
Action guide – a schema for replication (or avoidance) in other initiatives <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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'''Aria:''' <br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business. <br />
<br />
<br />
I don’t think the movie even mentioned corporate personhood. Democratizing the Fed and creating state banks are good ideas. Harping on the media is poor strategy--why not say something about an issue instead?<br />
<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
<br />
The largest center of power in the US is the system that we use to elect legislators. The banking sector controls it because its structure--binary, winner take all--cuts out smaller groups that could dilute their power. As the movie pointed out middle America votes for the Dems & the Republicans, but they account for a just a fraction of the political spectrum. What I don’t think the movie mentioned is that most large corporations donate strategically to both parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation. <br />
<br />
<br />
That is not a question...and if you’re going to pontificate, you could at least try to say what you mean about “sustainable money system.”<br />
<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues. <br />
<br />
<br />
Also not a question. The lack of questions that critique the movie highlight the fact that the assignment is not meant to educate, but rather to create an action plan type product.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
This “question” assumes that we are involved in organizing, not strategizing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
<br />
Assign #3<br />
<br />
Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform<br />
These assume a "traditional paper system" and in today society this is completely unnecessary. <br />
<br />
<br />
Another world is possible;<br />
A group of true scholars presenting various peer reviewed viewpoints of each issue. These are presented in different media formats on each issue.<br />
<br />
Each issue voted on by each and every citizen, one person one vote.<br />
Minimum number of votes needed to pass aka 60% of total affected population.<br />
Any conflicts / filibusters / blocks taken to council, this council is to be chosen similar to a "jury" but scaled to level of governance. This council is chosen each year and brought to a public forum, all living expenses covered and a small stipend to be delivered after completion of service.<br />
<br />
Council qualifiers <br />
Legal consenting adult<br />
Pass a basic educational competency test (GED level not collage level)<br />
Complete a communication training session <br />
Never been convicted by peers of a violent offense against any living thing<br />
<br />
This to be implemented starting locally and scaled globally.<br />
<br />
Any issue that effects all human beings (Human rights, ecological laws, etc..) level items handled at the global scale in full public view. <br />
<br />
Assn #4<br />
<br />
Framework applied to Ethos<br />
The Ethos movie describes how "The system" is currently practiced the answer is supplanting that system with a people controlled framework.<br />
<br />
Education<br />
What is the problem<br />
Corporate Personhood - corporations gaining power over their creator. <br />
In the current political system the public doesn’t really decide anything now—they just select from the options they’re given. Knowing this the corporations are using their money to provided choices only if those choices are in their best interest. <br />
<br />
What is the root cause?<br />
All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good. <br />
The monetary system / economy is corporately owned and controlled<br />
Corporations have gone global. <br />
People and Governments have become powerless in relation to corporations.<br />
<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
By eliminating the ability for corporations to vote in secret.<br />
By making all transaction between politicians and corporations public knowledge we will be able track this flow and hold politicians accountable. <br />
When politicians no longer support "public good" they will be recalled / voted out of office.<br />
By auditing the federal reserve and either nationalizing it or replacing it.<br />
<br />
Voice<br />
Reformed the Public Vote<br />
<br />
Replace the outdated system with a technologically correct one.<br />
<br />
Demonstrations<br />
<br />
Renew the "commons" to allow places for the people to meet and discuss<br />
<br />
Citizens media<br />
<br />
Open more public communication channels, radio, tv, Internet, satellite.<br />
<br />
Networks<br />
<br />
Create free flowing information in open formats that will induce open synergistic two way communication.<br />
<br />
Local Currency<br />
<br />
Create simple local currency model that can be "copy / pasted" into any community that wants it. This will allow an efficient and permanent voice in the their local economy bypassing the corporate controlled monetary system. <br />
<br />
Public Education<br />
<br />
Provide all information on all bills, laws, treaties etc.. in a easily digested form for public scrutiny. Providing a valid auditable method of collecting / collating public opinions.<br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
<br />
The current system is a democratic framework but it is applied in a way that benefits corporations not people it even goes so far as to debase people.<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
Corporations influence the democratic process with money and media amplifying the corporate voice. Due to this amplification politicians are giving people choice but only the choice of "the lessor of two evils both" of which provide a gain to the corporations.<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
<br />
By ending corporate personhood and creating citizens media sources we can remove the influence of corporations and reeducate people empowering them to make true informed decisions which will lift up people and not corporations.<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br />
As the "Powell Memo" stated when it asked "how can the weight and influence of stockholders — 20 million voters — be mobilized to support (i) an educational program and (ii) a political action program." <br />
We need to remove corporate influence of our democratic process and leverage the weight and influence of the internet — 2,405,518,376 voters —to mobilized and support (i) an educational program based on facts and (ii) a direct democracy program that empowers people and encompasses the world. <br />
The second of these directives has the importance of the very survival of the human race.<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
By creating a self propagating network of communication and rating system.<br />
Web 2.0 is a dynamic form of one way communication we need to build on that to allow people to respond back into the system.<br />
To give people back the gift of collaborative engagement in democracy. Not only simple feed back loops but FULL gamification. http://youtu.be/O2N-5maKZ9Q</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Submitted_Homework&diff=18435Submitted Homework2013-06-17T21:52:40Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<br />
'''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Dennis:''' <br />
<br />
I see Occupy Strategy as an ongoing national dialogue mechanism which includes feedback both ways between the various occupies and Occupy Strategy.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The role of the Occupy Strategy Group is to focus the lens upon the machinery of power so that the vision of a people centered sustainable society is best able to be built by humanity. This focus will aim upon the core pillars which uphold the power structure. <br />
This structure is upheld by: corporate personhood, money having the status of free speech, a media that sets an agenda dictated by multinational conglomerates, the control of the money supply by private banking and a debt-based monetary system. The dissolution of private intelligence agencies and the IRS is imminent with the removal of the core pillars of power as these agencies act in service to power. <br />
<br />
<br />
We also provide educational resources to understand the struggle that is faced by those opposed to the centralized power systems. <br />
<br />
<br />
We help coordinate the efforts of individuals & organizations so that they may synergize together to have the whole of their efforts be greater than the sum of their parts. <br />
<br />
<br />
We develop general plans of action with time tables which serve as guides as the movement navigates forward achieving strategic objectives that are critical to dismantling the machine that is the Privatized Corporatic State of America. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
If the Strategy group can do one thing and one thing only and that being "Provide a winning Strategy" to Occupy. <br />
<br />
The definition of Strategy<br />
<br />
Strategy is a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.<br />
Strategy is attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.<br />
Strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get to "desirable ends with available means".<br />
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.<br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" must be able to explain a winning strategy, demonstrate that strategy and provide a systematic strategic framework (a pattern) that can be leveraged in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The role of this Working Group is to translate the ideals of the movement into demands that could be implemented by some form of legislation, court order, etc., via the current system of government. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:''' <br />
<br />
To provide a place for regular discussion and learning about the issues. To assist in prioritizing issues toward structural change toward a better world. To develop “tools” to assist activists in focusing their efforts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>2 In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product</big>'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Dennis:'''<br />
<br />
The so-called final product needs to be a living breathing document/kit that facilitates/catalyzes dialogue ( that is, reflection, thought and action/theory and practice, experience) between Occupy Strategy and greater Occupy and other activist groups on the left and progressive side of the political spectrum. It should include: I. Goals/Objectives; II. Groups, Organizations, Institutions; III. Revolutionary Theory and Practice Background Resources: Readings, Video. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" end goal should be to provide strategic plans for the top / root causes for each of the major issues.<br />
<br />
For each issue provide<br />
What is the problem?<br />
What caused the problem?<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
One or more solutions to the problem?<br />
<br />
Strategic framework <br />
Education<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
Voice<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The Strategy Working Group will present to NATGAT a simple list of political objectives which represent the ideals of the movement in a form that could be implemented by some form of legislations, court order, etc., via the current system of government. These political objectives will be backed up by appropriate documentation, visuals, etc.<br />
<br />
Strategy: 1. Do what worked before. 2. K.I.S.S.<br />
<br />
Rationale<br />
<br />
As many people have noted, Occupy “changed the dialogue” with a simple slogan. This group should continue to be a “voice” for simple truths that have not been well heard before. <br />
<br />
Comparing the proposed simple list and Occupy to the Green Party (which I admire) and its platform will illustrate why, for Occupy, a simple, bullet-pointed list will be more effective than an action plan. The Green Party platform is designed to be uniformly implemented by Green Party chapters. The chapters need precise instructions to maintain the kind of focus that will amplify power. Green Party members approved the plan which is essentially a list of remedies long advocated by the left. And the specific list* for which I advocate is much like the Green Party Platform, but much simpler. However, unlike most Greens, Occupiers are largely unaware of specific legislative ways to change the balance of power in the US (beyond abolishing corporate personhood.) NATGAT may approve a “platform” of some kind, but such approval does not mean that local Occupies will enacted or accept it. There are many such Occupy platforms (and manifestos) gathering dust everywhere. A list of demands may be the only thing missing from that mountain of verbiage. And, that is, in part because of the erroneous assumption that creating such a list would give the opposition an edge, that is specific points to push against. Underlying that argument is the assumption that should we reveal what we really wanted, we would lose. If you assume instead that when we reveal what we really want, it will be recognized as truth and we will win because people know what it is that we want. In other words, “Think like a loser, plan like a loser, lose. Think like a winner, plan like a winner, win.”<br />
<br />
Moreover, there is no need for Occupy to duplicate the work of Move To Amend. Rather, we should offer the more complete vision of HOW to create another world that is now missing from the Occupy atmosphere.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
full page flyer, cheat sheet, like what Dennis is talking about. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png see one that shows how personhood impacts many issues]]<br />
<br />
various detailed flyers for each of the top issues, not more than 2 pages each<br />
<br />
tomes on the top issues, via links from the wiki (not printed out, but online media)<br />
<br />
a list of links for the table/main wiki page<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/e/e6/Flyer%2C_Occupy_Strategy.doc quarter page flyer such as this]]introducing the group, simple, easy, people take this sized flyers in thousands<br />
<br />
list of short videos for people to watch onsite at NatGat, CELDF video, some corporate personhood action videos, Polar’s video<br />
<br />
list of reading/longer videos for people to watch on their own, or if we are really bored at NatGat, we can do screenings. I feel like this list already exists…see the wiki reading resources<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The final product of the Occupy Strategy Group before the national gathering will show the items that are pre-conditions to greater action as the “first wave” of actions. Our efforts will re-shape the context of the National Gathering. We will do this by showing that the topics that make up the agenda of the National Gathering all lead back to corporate personhood & money as free speech. As these topics are each covered, the context will be about how each is helped along with the elimnination of corporate personhood & money as free speech. We will thus provide time frames and general actions to “End the Corporatocracy” [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]. Additionally, we will have begun a campaign to connect the efforts of individuals & organizations to unite in solidarity in the struggle of our age to stage a successful revolution against the Privatized Corporcatic State of America. <br />
<br />
'''1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"'''<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
'''2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits." <br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists)''', musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
'''3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause.''' <br />
<br />
Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches.In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
'''4) Plan event days.''' <br />
<br />
These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
'''5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
'''6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' <br />
<br />
Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together thet information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
Here are five power dynamics that abolishing corporate personhood will not change:<br />
<br />
a. the global labor transition--changing corporations right to speak via money is not going to change the fact that poor people will work for dirt.<br />
<br />
b. the tax code<br />
<br />
c. the winner take all electoral system<br />
<br />
d. privately owned Fed<br />
<br />
e. healthcare for profit, leeches, corporation or people, they still suck blood.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:'''<br />
<br />
List of 5 Issues that can be Helped by Abolishing Corporate Personhood:<br />
<br />
The Ecological Collapse of the Planet<br />
<br />
Economic Justice/Renewing Communities<br />
<br />
Supporting a Free & Independent Media<br />
<br />
Ending War/Building Peace<br />
<br />
Establishing the People's Sovereignty <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin'''<br />
<br />
Food sovereignty <br />
Energy production<br />
Local economies<br />
Higher education<br />
Technical discovery and manufacturing<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:Flyer,_Corporate_Personhood_Impacts_All_Causes_2012.png See this for my list of examples]] I didn't do the research, but I think they are excellent examples.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>Thoughts shared by members of the group that were in a different form then the criteria of the assigned homework:</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Roustabout:''' <br />
<br />
Assignment #1<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy should work as a repository receiving and organizing documentation from across the movement, summarizing localized successes and failures and providing a forum to build replications and combinations of robust strategies for use in large, small, short-term and long-term initiatives. Occupy Strategy should have organizing and analytical components, but should not expect to produce a single unified message for the movement.<br />
<br />
Part a<br />
<br />
Developing functional strategies means, first, articulating the field in which strategy is to work; this means not only identifying the objective targets, but also identifying the capabilities of the movement and the resources available outside the movement. Without truly understanding what resources one has on hand and what motives flow within those resources, strategic objectives rest on shaky foundations. Second, developing practical strategies means setting aside less viable alternatives, which means evaluating a broader range of objectives than will be eventually actionable. Occupy Strategy’s greatest contribution to the movement will be within these first two stages. The third stage – of articulating a small set of priorities – is not likely to find success through a single non-representative cell as Occupy Strategy. The third stage would be better left to the organics of the movement – localized and regional – unless the movement or a large part of the movement coalesces around a broad, robust decision-making structure. This has not yet happened and cannot be imposed from cyberspace or through thought experiments.<br />
<br />
It is highly unlikely that Occupy Strategy with five active participants and no broad endorsement across the movement can produce a single meaningful proclamation that will inspire broad buy-in. If appropriate at all, it is much more appropriate to develop a list of movement priorities in convention where there is rich, live debate and proper witness to the process; not in cyberspace without checks and balances. Imposing a single list of priorities upon a dispersed movement has little upside and the immense downside of exacerbating factioning. It is more reasonable to expect commitment from activists on the priorities they hold personally valuable and consider topical. Big things change all the time – tying a vast, broad-agenda movement to a static strategic vision will compromise the movement’s will, agility, and power.<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy will be much more valuable as an ongoing facilitator of best practices in strategy for both localized and national initiatives. It should publish multiple products, perhaps as white papers, that will help local groups organize more effectively. These propositions should draw from experiences in the field and provide in-depth discussion of the elements that make various strategies work or fail. <br />
<br />
These documents could have the following structure: <br />
<br />
Overview of strategy – a brief on the real-world practices and circumstances in which the strategic structures worked or failed.<br />
<br />
Strategic components – an organized description of the underlying elements that can be considered replicable if successful and as potential hazards if the strategy failed<br />
<br />
Analysis – a parsing of the causes of success and failure<br />
<br />
Action guide – a schema for replication (or avoidance) in other initiatives <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:''' <br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business. <br />
<br />
<br />
I don’t think the movie even mentioned corporate personhood. Democratizing the Fed and creating state banks are good ideas. Harping on the media is poor strategy--why not say something about an issue instead?<br />
<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
<br />
The largest center of power in the US is the system that we use to elect legislators. The banking sector controls it because its structure--binary, winner take all--cuts out smaller groups that could dilute their power. As the movie pointed out middle America votes for the Dems & the Republicans, but they account for a just a fraction of the political spectrum. What I don’t think the movie mentioned is that most large corporations donate strategically to both parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation. <br />
<br />
<br />
That is not a question...and if you’re going to pontificate, you could at least try to say what you mean about “sustainable money system.”<br />
<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues. <br />
<br />
<br />
Also not a question. The lack of questions that critique the movie highlight the fact that the assignment is not meant to educate, but rather to create an action plan type product.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
This “question” assumes that we are involved in organizing, not strategizing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
<br />
Assign #3<br />
<br />
Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform<br />
These assume a "traditional paper system" and in today society this is completely unnecessary. <br />
<br />
<br />
Another world is possible;<br />
A group of true scholars presenting various peer reviewed viewpoints of each issue. These are presented in different media formats on each issue.<br />
<br />
Each issue voted on by each and every citizen, one person one vote.<br />
Minimum number of votes needed to pass aka 60% of total affected population.<br />
Any conflicts / filibusters / blocks taken to council, this council is to be chosen similar to a "jury" but scaled to level of governance. This council is chosen each year and brought to a public forum, all living expenses covered and a small stipend to be delivered after completion of service.<br />
<br />
Council qualifiers <br />
Legal consenting adult<br />
Pass a basic educational competency test (GED level not collage level)<br />
Complete a communication training session <br />
Never been convicted by peers of a violent offense against any living thing<br />
<br />
This to be implemented starting locally and scaled globally.<br />
<br />
Any issue that effects all human beings (Human rights, ecological laws, etc..) level items handled at the global scale in full public view. <br />
<br />
Assn #4<br />
<br />
Framework applied to Ethos<br />
The Ethos movie describes how "The system" is currently practiced the answer is supplanting that system with a people controlled framework.<br />
<br />
Education<br />
What is the problem<br />
Corporate Personhood - corporations gaining power over their creator. <br />
In the current political system the public doesn’t really decide anything now—they just select from the options they’re given. Knowing this the corporations are using their money to provided choices only if those choices are in their best interest. <br />
<br />
What is the root cause?<br />
All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good. <br />
The monetary system / economy is corporately owned and controlled<br />
Corporations have gone global. <br />
People and Governments have become powerless in relation to corporations.<br />
<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
By eliminating the ability for corporations to vote in secret.<br />
By making all transaction between politicians and corporations public knowledge we will be able track this flow and hold politicians accountable. <br />
When politicians no longer support "public good" they will be recalled / voted out of office.<br />
By auditing the federal reserve and either nationalizing it or replacing it.<br />
<br />
Voice<br />
Reformed the Public Vote<br />
<br />
Replace the outdated system with a technologically correct one.<br />
<br />
Demonstrations<br />
<br />
Renew the "commons" to allow places for the people to meet and discuss<br />
<br />
Citizens media<br />
<br />
Open more public communication channels, radio, tv, Internet, satellite.<br />
<br />
Networks<br />
<br />
Create free flowing information in open formats that will induce open synergistic two way communication.<br />
<br />
Local Currency<br />
<br />
Create simple local currency model that can be "copy / pasted" into any community that wants it. This will allow an efficient and permanent voice in the their local economy bypassing the corporate controlled monetary system. <br />
<br />
Public Education<br />
<br />
Provide all information on all bills, laws, treaties etc.. in a easily digested form for public scrutiny. Providing a valid auditable method of collecting / collating public opinions.<br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
<br />
The current system is a democratic framework but it is applied in a way that benefits corporations not people it even goes so far as to debase people.<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
Corporations influence the democratic process with money and media amplifying the corporate voice. Due to this amplification politicians are giving people choice but only the choice of "the lessor of two evils both" of which provide a gain to the corporations.<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
<br />
By ending corporate personhood and creating citizens media sources we can remove the influence of corporations and reeducate people empowering them to make true informed decisions which will lift up people and not corporations.<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br />
As the "Powell Memo" stated when it asked "how can the weight and influence of stockholders — 20 million voters — be mobilized to support (i) an educational program and (ii) a political action program." <br />
We need to remove corporate influence of our democratic process and leverage the weight and influence of the internet — 2,405,518,376 voters —to mobilized and support (i) an educational program based on facts and (ii) a direct democracy program that empowers people and encompasses the world. <br />
The second of these directives has the importance of the very survival of the human race.<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
By creating a self propagating network of communication and rating system.<br />
Web 2.0 is a dynamic form of one way communication we need to build on that to allow people to respond back into the system.<br />
To give people back the gift of collaborative engagement in democracy. Not only simple feed back loops but FULL gamification. http://youtu.be/O2N-5maKZ9Q</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18373Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-16T15:06:03Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Summary of Occupy Strategic Planning Calls through 6.10.13 & looking ahead to the 6.17.13 call]]<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]] <br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]] <br />
<br />
[[Submitted Homework]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18372Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-16T15:05:34Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Summary of Occupy Strategic Planning Calls through 6.10.13 & looking ahead to the 6.17.13 call]]<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]] <br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]] [[Submitted Homework]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Submitted_Homework&diff=18371Submitted Homework2013-06-16T15:03:28Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " '''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>''' '''Dennis:''' I see Occupy St..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<br />
'''<big>1) Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy</big>'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Dennis:''' <br />
<br />
I see Occupy Strategy as an ongoing national dialogue mechanism which includes feedback both ways between the various occupies and Occupy Strategy.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The role of the Occupy Strategy Group is to focus the lens upon the machinery of power so that the vision of a people centered sustainable society is best able to be built by humanity. This focus will aim upon the core pillars which uphold the power structure. <br />
This structure is upheld by: corporate personhood, money having the status of free speech, a media that sets an agenda dictated by multinational conglomerates, the control of the money supply by private banking and a debt-based monetary system. The dissolution of private intelligence agencies and the IRS is imminent with the removal of the core pillars of power as these agencies act in service to power. <br />
<br />
<br />
We also provide educational resources to understand the struggle that is faced by those opposed to the centralized power systems. <br />
<br />
<br />
We help coordinate the efforts of individuals & organizations so that they may synergize together to have the whole of their efforts be greater than the sum of their parts. <br />
<br />
<br />
We develop general plans of action with time tables which serve as guides as the movement navigates forward achieving strategic objectives that are critical to dismantling the machine that is the Privatized Corporatic State of America. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
If the Strategy group can do one thing and one thing only and that being "Provide a winning Strategy" to Occupy. <br />
<br />
The definition of Strategy<br />
<br />
Strategy is a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.<br />
Strategy is attaining and maintaining a position of advantage over adversaries through the successive exploitation of known or emergent possibilities rather than committing to any specific fixed plan designed at the outset.<br />
Strategy is about shaping the future and is the human attempt to get to "desirable ends with available means".<br />
Strategy is a pattern in a stream of decisions.<br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" must be able to explain a winning strategy, demonstrate that strategy and provide a systematic strategic framework (a pattern) that can be leveraged in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The role of this Working Group is to translate the ideals of the movement into demands that could be implemented by some form of legislation, court order, etc., via the current system of government. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:''' <br />
<br />
To provide a place for regular discussion and learning about the issues. To assist in prioritizing issues toward structural change toward a better world. To develop “tools” to assist activists in focusing their efforts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>2 In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product</big>'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Dennis:'''<br />
<br />
The so-called final product needs to be a living breathing document/kit that facilitates/catalyzes dialogue ( that is, reflection, thought and action/theory and practice, experience) between Occupy Strategy and greater Occupy and other activist groups on the left and progressive side of the political spectrum. It should include: I. Goals/Objectives; II. Groups, Organizations, Institutions; III. Revolutionary Theory and Practice Background Resources: Readings, Video. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
The "Strategy group" end goal should be to provide strategic plans for the top / root causes for each of the major issues.<br />
<br />
For each issue provide<br />
What is the problem?<br />
What caused the problem?<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
One or more solutions to the problem?<br />
<br />
Strategic framework <br />
Education<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
Voice<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
The Strategy Working Group will present to NATGAT a simple list of political objectives which represent the ideals of the movement in a form that could be implemented by some form of legislations, court order, etc., via the current system of government. These political objectives will be backed up by appropriate documentation, visuals, etc.<br />
<br />
Strategy: 1. Do what worked before. 2. K.I.S.S.<br />
<br />
Rationale<br />
<br />
As many people have noted, Occupy “changed the dialogue” with a simple slogan. This group should continue to be a “voice” for simple truths that have not been well heard before. <br />
<br />
Comparing the proposed simple list and Occupy to the Green Party (which I admire) and its platform will illustrate why, for Occupy, a simple, bullet-pointed list will be more effective than an action plan. The Green Party platform is designed to be uniformly implemented by Green Party chapters. The chapters need precise instructions to maintain the kind of focus that will amplify power. Green Party members approved the plan which is essentially a list of remedies long advocated by the left. And the specific list* for which I advocate is much like the Green Party Platform, but much simpler. However, unlike most Greens, Occupiers are largely unaware of specific legislative ways to change the balance of power in the US (beyond abolishing corporate personhood.) NATGAT may approve a “platform” of some kind, but such approval does not mean that local Occupies will enacted or accept it. There are many such Occupy platforms (and manifestos) gathering dust everywhere. A list of demands may be the only thing missing from that mountain of verbiage. And, that is, in part because of the erroneous assumption that creating such a list would give the opposition an edge, that is specific points to push against. Underlying that argument is the assumption that should we reveal what we really wanted, we would lose. If you assume instead that when we reveal what we really want, it will be recognized as truth and we will win because people know what it is that we want. In other words, “Think like a loser, plan like a loser, lose. Think like a winner, plan like a winner, win.”<br />
<br />
Moreover, there is no need for Occupy to duplicate the work of Move To Amend. Rather, we should offer the more complete vision of HOW to create another world that is now missing from the Occupy atmosphere.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Terra:'''<br />
<br />
full page flyer, cheat sheet, like what Dennis is talking about<br />
<br />
various detailed flyers for each of the top issues, not more than 2 pages each<br />
<br />
tomes on the top issues, via links from the wiki (not printed out, but online media)<br />
<br />
a list of links for the table/main wiki page<br />
<br />
quarter page flyer (see attached) introducing the group<br />
<br />
list of short videos for people to watch onsite at NatGat, CELDF video, some corporate personhood action videos, Polar’s video<br />
<br />
list of reading/longer videos for people to watch on their own, or if we are really bored at NatGat, we can do screenings. I feel like this list already exists…see the wiki reading resources<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:''' <br />
<br />
The final product of the Occupy Strategy Group before the national gathering will show the items that are pre-conditions to greater action as the “first wave” of actions. Our efforts will re-shape the context of the National Gathering. We will do this by showing that the topics that make up the agenda of the National Gathering all lead back to corporate personhood & money as free speech. As these topics are each covered, the context will be about how each is helped along with the elimnination of corporate personhood & money as free speech. We will thus provide time frames and general actions to “End the Corporatocracy” [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]. Additionally, we will have begun a campaign to connect the efforts of individuals & organizations to unite in solidarity in the struggle of our age to stage a successful revolution against the Privatized Corporcatic State of America. <br />
<br />
'''1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"'''<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
'''2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits." <br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists)''', musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
'''3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause.''' <br />
<br />
Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches.In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
'''4) Plan event days.''' <br />
<br />
These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
'''5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
'''6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' <br />
<br />
Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together thet information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:'''<br />
<br />
Here are five power dynamics that abolishing corporate personhood will not change:<br />
<br />
a. the global labor transition--changing corporations right to speak via money is not going to change the fact that poor people will work for dirt.<br />
<br />
b. the tax code<br />
<br />
c. the winner take all electoral system<br />
<br />
d. privately owned Fed<br />
<br />
e. healthcare for profit, leeches, corporation or people, they still suck blood.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Michael:'''<br />
<br />
List of 5 Issues that can be Helped by Abolishing Corporate Personhood:<br />
<br />
The Ecological Collapse of the Planet<br />
<br />
Economic Justice/Renewing Communities<br />
<br />
Supporting a Free & Independent Media<br />
<br />
Ending War/Building Peace<br />
<br />
Establishing the People's Sovereignty <br />
<br />
<br />
'''<big>Thoughts shared by members of the group that were in a different form then the criteria of the assigned homework:</big>''' <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Roustabout:''' <br />
<br />
Assignment #1<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy should work as a repository receiving and organizing documentation from across the movement, summarizing localized successes and failures and providing a forum to build replications and combinations of robust strategies for use in large, small, short-term and long-term initiatives. Occupy Strategy should have organizing and analytical components, but should not expect to produce a single unified message for the movement.<br />
<br />
Part a<br />
<br />
Developing functional strategies means, first, articulating the field in which strategy is to work; this means not only identifying the objective targets, but also identifying the capabilities of the movement and the resources available outside the movement. Without truly understanding what resources one has on hand and what motives flow within those resources, strategic objectives rest on shaky foundations. Second, developing practical strategies means setting aside less viable alternatives, which means evaluating a broader range of objectives than will be eventually actionable. Occupy Strategy’s greatest contribution to the movement will be within these first two stages. The third stage – of articulating a small set of priorities – is not likely to find success through a single non-representative cell as Occupy Strategy. The third stage would be better left to the organics of the movement – localized and regional – unless the movement or a large part of the movement coalesces around a broad, robust decision-making structure. This has not yet happened and cannot be imposed from cyberspace or through thought experiments.<br />
<br />
It is highly unlikely that Occupy Strategy with five active participants and no broad endorsement across the movement can produce a single meaningful proclamation that will inspire broad buy-in. If appropriate at all, it is much more appropriate to develop a list of movement priorities in convention where there is rich, live debate and proper witness to the process; not in cyberspace without checks and balances. Imposing a single list of priorities upon a dispersed movement has little upside and the immense downside of exacerbating factioning. It is more reasonable to expect commitment from activists on the priorities they hold personally valuable and consider topical. Big things change all the time – tying a vast, broad-agenda movement to a static strategic vision will compromise the movement’s will, agility, and power.<br />
<br />
Occupy Strategy will be much more valuable as an ongoing facilitator of best practices in strategy for both localized and national initiatives. It should publish multiple products, perhaps as white papers, that will help local groups organize more effectively. These propositions should draw from experiences in the field and provide in-depth discussion of the elements that make various strategies work or fail. <br />
<br />
These documents could have the following structure: <br />
<br />
Overview of strategy – a brief on the real-world practices and circumstances in which the strategic structures worked or failed.<br />
<br />
Strategic components – an organized description of the underlying elements that can be considered replicable if successful and as potential hazards if the strategy failed<br />
<br />
Analysis – a parsing of the causes of success and failure<br />
<br />
Action guide – a schema for replication (or avoidance) in other initiatives <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Aria:''' <br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business. <br />
<br />
<br />
I don’t think the movie even mentioned corporate personhood. Democratizing the Fed and creating state banks are good ideas. Harping on the media is poor strategy--why not say something about an issue instead?<br />
<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
<br />
The largest center of power in the US is the system that we use to elect legislators. The banking sector controls it because its structure--binary, winner take all--cuts out smaller groups that could dilute their power. As the movie pointed out middle America votes for the Dems & the Republicans, but they account for a just a fraction of the political spectrum. What I don’t think the movie mentioned is that most large corporations donate strategically to both parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation. <br />
<br />
<br />
That is not a question...and if you’re going to pontificate, you could at least try to say what you mean about “sustainable money system.”<br />
<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues. <br />
<br />
<br />
Also not a question. The lack of questions that critique the movie highlight the fact that the assignment is not meant to educate, but rather to create an action plan type product.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
This “question” assumes that we are involved in organizing, not strategizing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Darin:''' <br />
<br />
<br />
Assign #3<br />
Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform<br />
These assume a "traditional paper system" and in today society this is completely unnecessary. <br />
<br />
<br />
Another world is possible;<br />
A group of true scholars presenting various peer reviewed viewpoints of each issue. These are presented in different media formats on each issue.<br />
<br />
Each issue voted on by each and every citizen, one person one vote.<br />
Minimum number of votes needed to pass aka 60% of total affected population.<br />
Any conflicts / filibusters / blocks taken to council, this council is to be chosen similar to a "jury" but scaled to level of governance. This council is chosen each year and brought to a public forum, all living expenses covered and a small stipend to be delivered after completion of service.<br />
<br />
Council qualifiers <br />
Legal consenting adult<br />
Pass a basic educational competency test (GED level not collage level)<br />
Complete a communication training session <br />
Never been convicted by peers of a violent offense against any living thing<br />
<br />
This to be implemented starting locally and scaled globally.<br />
<br />
Any issue that effects all human beings (Human rights, ecological laws, etc..) level items handled at the global scale in full public view. <br />
<br />
Assn #4<br />
Framework applied to Ethos<br />
The Ethos movie describes how "The system" is currently practiced the answer is supplanting that system with a people controlled framework.<br />
<br />
Education<br />
What is the problem<br />
Corporate Personhood - corporations gaining power over their creator. <br />
In the current political system the public doesn’t really decide anything now—they just select from the options they’re given. Knowing this the corporations are using their money to provided choices only if those choices are in their best interest. <br />
<br />
What is the root cause?<br />
All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good. <br />
The monetary system / economy is corporately owned and controlled<br />
Corporations have gone global. <br />
People and Governments have become powerless in relation to corporations.<br />
<br />
Transparency / Accountability<br />
How can we measure the problem?<br />
By eliminating the ability for corporations to vote in secret.<br />
By making all transaction between politicians and corporations public knowledge we will be able track this flow and hold politicians accountable. <br />
When politicians no longer support "public good" they will be recalled / voted out of office.<br />
By auditing the federal reserve and either nationalizing it or replacing it.<br />
<br />
Voice<br />
Reformed the Public Vote<br />
<br />
Replace the outdated system with a technologically correct one.<br />
<br />
Demonstrations<br />
<br />
Renew the "commons" to allow places for the people to meet and discuss<br />
<br />
Citizens media<br />
<br />
Open more public communication channels, radio, tv, Internet, satellite.<br />
<br />
Networks<br />
<br />
Create free flowing information in open formats that will induce open synergistic two way communication.<br />
<br />
Local Currency<br />
<br />
Create simple local currency model that can be "copy / pasted" into any community that wants it. This will allow an efficient and permanent voice in the their local economy bypassing the corporate controlled monetary system. <br />
<br />
Public Education<br />
<br />
Provide all information on all bills, laws, treaties etc.. in a easily digested form for public scrutiny. Providing a valid auditable method of collecting / collating public opinions.</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Homework_from_June_10th_call&diff=18370Homework from June 10th call2013-06-16T14:44:36Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big>Occupy Strategy Group Homework from June 10th call:</big><br />
<br />
<br />
These are four assignments to be completed before the next call at 6pm on 6.17.13 [[Submitted Homework]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*A study guide about the documentary Ethos will be provided as resource [[Ethos Study Guide]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #1 Due Saturday evening:<br />
<br />
<br />
Part a: Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy. <br />
<br />
Part b: Email Assignment #1 by Saturday evening to me (michael@TeamGood.org) as an attachment. <br />
<br />
(If you have difficulty attaching documents just send it as an email) <br />
<br />
I will resend the replies to the people on the call no later than Sunday morning for everyone to review over the weekend before the next call on Monday 6.17.13.<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #2 Due Saturday evening: <br />
<br />
Part a: In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product.<br />
<br />
Part b: Email Assignment #2 by Saturday evening to me (michael@TeamGood.org) as an attachment. <br />
<br />
(Again, If you have difficulty attaching documents just send it as an email) <br />
<br />
I will resend the replies to the people on the call no later than Sunday morning for everyone to review over the weekend before the next call on Monday 6.17.13.<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #3 Due Before the Call on Monday 6.17.13<br />
<br />
Between now an Monday's Call review Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform. Prepare yourself to engage in a group discussion on these two topics. <br />
<br />
These are links to the Wikipedia site on both these topics as a common source to review before the call.<br />
<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_reform<br />
<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #4 To be Completed before the Call on 6.17.13<br />
<br />
Watch the Documentary Ethos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qW9qeItdtc (68 minutes)<br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br />
5) Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.<br />
<br />
6)What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause.<br />
<br />
<br />
List of people on the 6.10.13 call: Dennis, Terra, Cal, Aria, Iwanka, Michael, Darin</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Summary_of_Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Calls_through_6.10.13&diff=18369Summary of Occupy Strategic Planning Calls through 6.10.132013-06-15T15:37:16Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " Homework from June 10th call Dear fellow engaged citizen, The Occupy Strategy Group has held a series of calls since mid-May. They are held once a week on Mondays ..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]] <br />
<br />
<br />
Dear fellow engaged citizen,<br />
<br />
<br />
The Occupy Strategy Group has held a series of calls since mid-May. They are held once a week on Mondays from 6-8pm. <br />
<br />
<br />
At first, the calls were an opportunity for us to connect using a different medium than email and to connect a voice to the written messages we read daily. <br />
<br />
<br />
During the second call a suggestion was made to use this group to target a demand like ending corporate personhood that would have an impact on many other issues. This suggestion received positive responses from the other people on the group call. This demand would impact many issues like the ones written on the groups "List of Goals" Wiki page or impact the statements on the Vision Document from the 2012 National Gathering. On this call, there were questions about if we should have one demand or a few demands and how will we determine what the demand is or what the demands are? We then agreed to engage in a process, which would take multiple calls, to narrow the list of goals in order to determine what demand(s) we wanted to declare as the first thing(s) that are the highest priority to get done. The context of process was the idea that certain demands are preconditions to effectively getting something else done. For example, if the demand is to stop using as a form of currency Federal Reserve Notes and return to the practice of using U.S Notes, a precondition to this getting done is the ending the Federal Reserve Bank as a privately held central bank.<br />
<br />
<br />
Over the next two calls we narrowed the process down to thirty one demands. We all voted on each item using a weighted vote from 1-5 with 1 being lowest priority and five being the highest priority. (Note that the priority is regarding the need to get that demand done. This does not mean that the demand is any less important than any other demands.) This process narrowed the demands down to a top 12 with only one demand, ending corporate persons, receiving all fives. <br />
<br />
<br />
An issue was discovered in our process which was not all the demands were voted upon during the call as several were missing due to an oversight. That week on the list an impasse developed over how to handle this situation. During the third call in the process of targeting demands, we did not make any further progress in the process. In response to the impasse, autonomous action was taken to create and circulate a survey of the top thirty one demands. <br />
<br />
<br />
The next call we shifted our focus to building a culture based in the values of effective group dynamics. We began this process by having people share what values they felt are important in positive group dynamics. As part of this process, we decided to have homework over the course of the week which would serve multiple purposes: it would have us do the work assigned [[Homework from June 10th call]], but it would also provide common topics for us to be able to share back with the group to practice building culture through the implementation of the values shared in the last call. <br />
<br />
<br />
The focus of this week's call is to go through the homework while remaining mindful of the values shared. Part of the homework is to reply to what we individually believe the role of this strategy group is with respect to greater Occupy, what do you think the final product will look like for this group before the National Gathering in August, read up on electoral reform & proportional representation, and watch the documentary Ethos preparing a list of 5 items that can be shown to be helped by addressing the preconditions mentioned in the film. <br />
<br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Summary_of_Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Calls_through_6.10.13_%26_looking_ahead_to_the_6.17.13_call&diff=18368Summary of Occupy Strategic Planning Calls through 6.10.13 & looking ahead to the 6.17.13 call2013-06-15T15:35:49Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " Homework from June 10th call Dear fellow engaged citizen, The Occupy Strategy Group has held a series of calls since mid-May. They are held once a week on Mondays ..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]] <br />
<br />
<br />
Dear fellow engaged citizen,<br />
<br />
<br />
The Occupy Strategy Group has held a series of calls since mid-May. They are held once a week on Mondays from 6-8pm. <br />
<br />
<br />
At first, the calls were an opportunity for us to connect using a different medium than email and to connect a voice to the written messages we read daily. <br />
<br />
<br />
During the second call a suggestion was made to use this group to target a demand like ending corporate personhood that would have an impact on many other issues. This suggestion received positive responses from the other people on the group call. This demand would impact many issues like the ones written on the groups "List of Goals" Wiki page or impact the statements on the Vision Document from the 2012 National Gathering. On this call, there were questions about if we should have one demand or a few demands and how will we determine what the demand is or what the demands are? We then agreed to engage in a process, which would take multiple calls, to narrow the list of goals in order to determine what demand(s) we wanted to declare as the first thing(s) that are the highest priority to get done. The context of process was the idea that certain demands are preconditions to effectively getting something else done. For example, if the demand is to stop using as a form of currency Federal Reserve Notes and return to the practice of using U.S Notes, a precondition to this getting done is the ending the Federal Reserve Bank as a privately held central bank.<br />
<br />
<br />
Over the next two calls we narrowed the process down to thirty one demands. We all voted on each item using a weighted vote from 1-5 with 1 being lowest priority and five being the highest priority. (Note that the priority is regarding the need to get that demand done. This does not mean that the demand is any less important than any other demands.) This process narrowed the demands down to a top 12 with only one demand, ending corporate persons, receiving all fives. <br />
<br />
<br />
An issue was discovered in our process which was not all the demands were voted upon during the call as several were missing due to an oversight. That week on the list an impasse developed over how to handle this situation. During the third call in the process of targeting demands, we did not make any further progress in the process. In response to the impasse, autonomous action was taken to create and circulate a survey of the top thirty one demands. <br />
<br />
<br />
The next call we shifted our focus to building a culture based in the values of effective group dynamics. We began this process by having people share what values they felt are important in positive group dynamics. As part of this process, we decided to have homework over the course of the week which would serve multiple purposes: it would have us do the work assigned [[Homework from June 10th call]], but it would also provide common topics for us to be able to share back with the group to practice building culture through the implementation of the values shared in the last call. <br />
<br />
<br />
The focus of this week's call is to go through the homework while remaining mindful of the values shared. Part of the homework is to reply to what we individually believe the role of this strategy group is with respect to greater Occupy, what do you think the final product will look like for this group before the National Gathering in August, read up on electoral reform & proportional representation, and watch the documentary Ethos preparing a list of 5 items that can be shown to be helped by addressing the preconditions mentioned in the film. <br />
<br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18367Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-15T15:32:24Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Summary of Occupy Strategic Planning Calls through 6.10.13 & looking ahead to the 6.17.13 call]]<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]] <br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18366Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-15T15:28:18Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]] <br />
<br />
[[Homework from June 10th call]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ethos_Study_Guide&diff=18365Ethos Study Guide2013-06-15T15:26:00Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " <big>Ethos Study Guide:</big> Introduction: “Our ethos is all that we currently hold to be true. It is what we act upon. It governs our manners, our business and our..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big>Ethos Study Guide:</big> <br />
<br />
<br />
Introduction: “Our ethos is all that we currently hold to be true. It is what we act upon. It governs our manners, our business and our politics.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“Object of the documentary” stated at 1:03 “To look at the flaws in our system that allow these things to happen and the mechanisms that actually work against us.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''I. Politics'''<br />
<br />
A. The belief that politicians reflect public opinion is a myth<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Media creates that there is a real choice<br />
<br />
<br />
a. Upon closer examination both candidates are similar <br />
<br />
<br />
i. Example: Bush & Gore both supported private healthcare, pro-NAFTA, high defense spending, pro-Big Business <br />
<br />
ii. Where they differ: Gay rights & Abortion which “Masks the degree of elite consensus.”<br />
<br />
<br />
2. We define a candidate as being serious based upon how much money she/he can raise not by what ideas they have or their record in public service. <br />
<br />
<br />
3. Big donors rewarded with ambassadorships or appointment on a Federal Advisory Panel<br />
<br />
<br />
4. “The money flows in for a reason and the reason is not good government.” 6:11<br />
<br />
<br />
5. “It is completely unrealistic to expect democracy to deliver representatives who will serve the people's interest when so much money is involved. Having so much money in politics gives all the power to those with money. Yes we are all still allowed to vote but how free is our choice. The media in the hands of big business will only present us with politicians that will serve their interests. It would be completely illogical for them to do otherwise. It would also be illogical to expect politicians to change the system that puts them in power. But it certainly begs the question, just what kind of democracy do we have?”<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Prof. Chomsky - U.S. is a polyarchy and was founded in that way <br />
Polyarchy: a state ruled by more than one person as opposed to a monarchy <br />
<br />
<br />
7. Most real power is exercised by those we do not elect. <br />
<br />
<br />
8. Basis of democracy: We are all born equal and that equality must be accepted by those who have power. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''II. Corporations'''<br />
<br />
<br />
A. Corporate Personhood (An artificial creation)<br />
<br />
<br />
1. 14th Amendment meant to give rights to black people not corporations<br />
<br />
<br />
2. All corporations are required by law to uphold profits above other competing interests including the public good<br />
<br />
a. This is not a law of nature. It is a very specific decision, a judicial decision so they are only concerned with the short term interests of their stock holders. (Short term concerns make it impossible to address issues like the environment) Make money now externalize the costs to the public.<br />
<br />
b. Case study: Monsanto Chemicals in Milk<br />
<br />
c. “Every living system of Earth is in decline; Every life support system of Earth is in decline” 12:40<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
B. Corporations have gone global. Governments have become powerless compared to what they were before<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''III. Banks'''<br />
<br />
<br />
A. Federal Reserve bank is not owed by the government it is owned by a private banking cartel. <br />
<br />
<br />
1. The world is governed by different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.” - Benjamin Disraeli 15:42<br />
<br />
<br />
2. “The one aim of these financiers is world control by the creation of inextinguishable debt.” - Henry Ford 15:51<br />
<br />
<br />
3. “Since I have entered politics I have chiefly had mens views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States are afraid of something. They know there is a power somewhere.” 15:54 President Woodrow Wilson<br />
“A Power so subtle, so organized, so complete and pervasive that they better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.” 16:09 President Woodrow Wilson<br />
<br />
<br />
B. The power to control the money supply is in the hands of the Federal Reserve (a private bank)<br />
<br />
<br />
1. When the government needs money it requests it from the Federal Reserve which lends it to the government as debt that is owed back to the Federal Reserve with interest.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Bankers wrote the Federal Reserve Act on Jekyll Island. <br />
<br />
<br />
3. (Note: At 20:37 there is a quote that is not completely accurate. It is cut from two quotes in President Wilson's book “The New Freedom.” The quote was also not written “in regret” of the Federal Reserve but instead about trusts and monopolies.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''IV. Media'''<br />
<br />
<br />
1. “Prof. Chomsky explains how the Manufacturing Consent title came from Walter Lippman who explained that the common interests elude the public so these interests must be managed by a specialized class <br />
<br />
<br />
2. “When you can't control people by force you have a problem you therefore have to control what people think.” Prof. Noam Chomsky 23:58<br />
<br />
<br />
3. Edward Bernays – play to irrational emotion verse only providing factual information<br />
<br />
<br />
4. The masses are the “bewildered heard” that must be controlled by the elites<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''V. Nightmare'''<br />
<br />
1. "In the counsels of Government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the Military Industrial Complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together." President Eisenhower's farewell address to the nation, January 1961 32:30 (This is a more complete quote from that speech then what is presented in the documentary)<br />
<br />
<br />
2. The iron triangle (the military, politics & big business)<br />
<br />
a. “If you have an organization that can operate behind the scenes without real accountability and that same organization has the ability to ruin political careers for people who are a little too inquisitive or a little bit too honest or to shape public thinking then we have the means for a kind of control globally that is probably unprecedented.” <br />
34:56 Cynthia McKinney US Congresswoman<br />
<br />
<br />
3. “When we are speaking of the United States of America and the concept of democratic representation one of the more important aspects is informed consent to the people “If you going to go to war you lay out the reasons for the war the justifications for the war and then you subject it to debate, dialogue and discussion amongst the elected representatives of the people and indeed the people themselves.” 36:15 Scott Ritter Former Chief UN Weapons Inspector<br />
<br />
<br />
4.“What you are saying is democracy doesn't matter in America. That this nation the principles and values upon which we were built simply is irrelevant. That the president is a dictator who can do anything that he or she wants to do regardless of the will of the power. No, informed consent of the people is a mandatory not optional but mandatory requirement on how we are governed and how those whom we elect to higher office operate in our name.” Scott Ritter Former Chief UN Weapons Inspector 44:50<br />
<br />
<br />
5. “They not only want to repeal, revoke virtually all the progressive reforms of the New Deal and ever since and really bring us back into a unregulated, non-unionized country that existed before the New Deal – I think they want openly to see the president given the power he was delegated as virtually an undated blank check by congress that simply yields to the president. They clearly are trying to repeal that aspect of our Constitution which gives congress that authority which the founders wrote in order (as a result of debate) in order to limit our going to war to make it harder to go to war – to put that in the hands of hundreds of people instead of one man. They saw the alternative as the attribute of monarchy they most wanted to avoid. I don't think they take seriously any merits or advantages of a Bill of Rights unless it's the right to bare arms. Free speech – free assembly I don't think they respect that at all.” - Daniel Ellsberg Pentagon Papers Whistleblower 45:14<br />
<br />
<br />
6. “Spectatorship is an invitation to fear – citizenship is how we fight the politics of fear. The politics of citizenship, the politics of engagement, taking responsibility is a much better way to deal with terrorism than hunkering down being spectators and allowing the government to rob us of our liberties to rob us of our multiculturalism in the name of protecting us.” Benjamin Barber Author, Fear's Empire 52:08<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''VI. Future'''<br />
<br />
<br />
1. What we have going on in this country is infiltration and spying from campus police practically to the pentagon to the Nation Security Agency. We're becoming a police state here. <br />
<br />
<br />
2. Right now as we talk the 4th and 6th amendments to the Constitution to the Bill of Rights are dead (Both of these bills were written into the Constitution by the founding fathers to protect the people of America from the government of America)<br />
Note: 4th Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrents shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.<br />
6th Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.<br />
<br />
<br />
3. Right the now the right freedom of speech, the right to free assembly and the right to a fair trial are no longer required by law. <br />
<br />
<br />
4. “The great heroes of our times people like Gandhi & Martin Luther King, incredible though they were, could not create change on their own. Only the will of the people can do that. Together we can accomplish anything.” 1:01:38<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Vote with your dollars and spread message as the first action for people to take.</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Homework_from_June_10th_call&diff=18364Homework from June 10th call2013-06-15T15:14:18Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " <big>Occupy Strategy Group Homework from June 10th call:</big> These are four assignments to be completed before the next call at 6pm on 6.17.13 *A study guide about the..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big>Occupy Strategy Group Homework from June 10th call:</big><br />
<br />
<br />
These are four assignments to be completed before the next call at 6pm on 6.17.13<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*A study guide about the documentary Ethos will be provided as resource [[Ethos Study Guide]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #1 Due Saturday evening:<br />
<br />
<br />
Part a: Write in 200 words or less what you believe the role of the Occupy Strategy Group is with respect to the greater Occupy. <br />
<br />
Part b: Email Assignment #1 by Saturday evening to me (michael@TeamGood.org) as an attachment. <br />
<br />
(If you have difficulty attaching documents just send it as an email) <br />
<br />
I will resend the replies to the people on the call no later than Sunday morning for everyone to review over the weekend before the next call on Monday 6.17.13.<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #2 Due Saturday evening: <br />
<br />
Part a: In two pages or less write what you think our final product will look like. You can give examples, write general thoughts regarding it and/or create bullet points about items which would be included in a final product.<br />
<br />
Part b: Email Assignment #2 by Saturday evening to me (michael@TeamGood.org) as an attachment. <br />
<br />
(Again, If you have difficulty attaching documents just send it as an email) <br />
<br />
I will resend the replies to the people on the call no later than Sunday morning for everyone to review over the weekend before the next call on Monday 6.17.13.<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #3 Due Before the Call on Monday 6.17.13<br />
<br />
Between now an Monday's Call review Proportional Representation & Electoral Reform. Prepare yourself to engage in a group discussion on these two topics. <br />
<br />
These are links to the Wikipedia site on both these topics as a common source to review before the call.<br />
<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_reform<br />
<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation<br />
<br />
<br />
Assignment #4 To be Completed before the Call on 6.17.13<br />
<br />
Watch the Documentary Ethos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qW9qeItdtc (68 minutes)<br />
<br />
1) Reflect on the connections between private ownership of central banking & the debt based money system, corporate personhood and the way in which the media operates being owned by big business.<br />
<br />
2) Consider how these factors make up the center of power in our society.<br />
<br />
3) Consider how many issues will be helped by the ending of corporate persons, how society will benefit from the beginning of a new age in journalism where big business no longer controls the news and how a sustainable money system will help to create a sustainable society having eliminated the need for more debt and dramatically reducing inflation.<br />
<br />
4) With these prior items considered, reflect upon how the removal of these factors that make up the center of power is a pre-condition that must be addressed in order to confront issues like the ecological collapse of life systems with the coordinated effort and resources needed to have a reasonable chance to make a difference or to confront other key social issues.<br />
<br />
5) Make a list of 5 or more issues that can be shown to be helped by addressing these pre-conditions and be prepared to share these in breakout groups of three people.<br />
<br />
6)What ways could we spread this information & link the efforts of other groups or organizations by encouraging them to focus on these central pillars of the power structure along with their main issue as a means of aiding their own cause.<br />
<br />
<br />
List of people on the 6.10.13 call: Dennis, Terra, Cal, Aria, Iwanka, Michael, Darin</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning,_Meeting_Notes,_June_10,_2013&diff=18363Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 20132013-06-15T15:08:23Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " During this call we did an exercise regarding values we individually believe are important when interacting in a group. Homework to be complete before next weeks call [[H..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
During this call we did an exercise regarding values we individually believe are important when interacting in a group. <br />
<br />
<br />
Homework to be complete before next weeks call [[Homework from June 10th call]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Question raised about values: Haven't figured out what to do when there are conflicting values. <br />
<br />
<br />
Aria:<br />
These rules come from the center on non-violent communication: <br />
No putdowns – If you don't have anything positive to say don't say anything<br />
I statements - Speak for yourself<br />
Making a framework and sticking with it<br />
<br />
Michael:<br />
Integrity (tricky because only the individual knows whether they are <br />
integrity)<br />
<br />
Cal:<br />
Ability to give and receive feedback - missing from Occupy<br />
Flexibility & Fluidity<br />
<br />
Tara & Darin's Group<br />
Consistency <br />
Openness <br />
Agree on the deliverable a product<br />
Responsibility to the group <br />
Alignment on end products (agree on the product) <br />
<br />
Dennis & Iwanka's Group<br />
Task oriented looking for goals <br />
If people want to be recognized before getting into the task it puts him off (emotional needs, responded <br />
to in certain ways) this creates a conflict with me</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18362Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-15T15:04:59Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18361Occupy Strategic Planning2013-06-15T15:04:29Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* Meeting Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/images/f/f3/The_Movement_JPEG.JPG<br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Proposed_roadmap_process roadmaps/timelines]], diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
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== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/File:The_Movement_JPEG.JPG visual explanation]] of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, June 10, 2013]]<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]<br />
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[[Category:Working groups]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Goals&diff=18246List of Goals2013-05-27T07:29:54Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div><br />
<big><big>'''This is a list of CONCRETE GOALS to include in the survey for NatGat 2013.'''</big></big><br />
<br />
Please add/edit.<br />
<br />
It's intended that the categories will roll up and become "the goals", and the details will be targetted milestones under a specific goal. It's envisioned that each will be prioritized as short, medium, and long term objectives.<br />
<br />
We've moved some items to:<br />
<br />
− [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Commons_Items Common Items]] For items to be consolidated into "The Commons".<br />
<br />
− [[Brainstorm Bank]] for raw ideas that need flushing out<br />
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<br />
=== I. Enviro ===<br />
<br />
==== A. Land ====<br />
* Mandate a certain percentage of public commons (land) to be farm, park, or nature conservation areas. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Commons_Items See Commons Items List of Land Use Policies]] TF<br />
* Use rooftops for renewable energy (gardens, wind turbines, solar)<br />
* Offer tax credits to farms that give away food <br />
* Lease commons (locally owned/controlled land) to local organic growers<br />
* Institute development policies that favor REAL affordable housing tied to lowest wage earners (not "average" income) *<br />
<br />
==== B. Food ====<br />
<br />
What: Our food supply is made up of natural organic food. It is a food supply which follows humane practices. All people have regular access to nourishing food from all the food groups. This food is free from GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), from pesticides, from herbicides and any other non-organic chemicals.<br />
<br />
How: <br />
<br />
* Tax credits to food providers that offer food for free (pay-what-you-can cafes, etc)<br />
* Replace the food stamp/agribusiness grand bargain with a [[http://www.usbig.net/index.php basic income guarantee]] TF<br />
* Before being allowed on the market it is required that all products including food additives, packaging, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies be tested to show they are safe by multiple independent non-governmental agencies and governmental agencies and academic institutions whose data will be examined and re-tested till there can be an agreed upon scientific consensus of whether or not to allow these products to the market.<br />
* Free school lunches - no unhealthy food in schools<br />
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==== C. ESTABLISH A "STRONG COMMONS" ====<br />
* Amend the constitution to end the corporatocracy and restore inalienable natural rights to individuals [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources#7._Corporate_Personhood_Information Corporate Rights Reading Materials]] TF AC<br />
* Establish a strong "commons", to include the following [[Commons Items]] <br />
* Declaring Inalienable Rights for the environment AC<br />
* Establish local rights-based ordinances, so communities can say no to polluters, and give right to enforce commons to small municipalities [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]] TF<br />
* President Franklin Delano Roosvelt's 1944 second U.S. Bill of Rights, a U.S. Economic Bill of Rights. TF<br />
* Extend Public Education to College AC<br />
<br />
=== II. Economy ===<br />
What: An economic system where corporation are not granted personhood rights and where corporations are held legally accountable for their actions. This economic system promotes fair trade and fair working conditions. This economic system is one where the many benefit and not just a small few. Banks and corporations are required by law to act responsibly. We support the workers right to organize and form labor unions [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==== A. SHIFT TAX BURDEN ====<br />
What: A tax system that creates the basis for an homeostatic economy; one that discourages waste and fraud, rewards frugality and environmentalism. This tax system will tax activities that are harmful to life systems at a higher rate.<br />
<br />
How:<br />
* Minimal income: everyone gets a check, Basic Income Guarantee: http://www.usbig.net/index.php TF, AC<br />
* Tax "resource use" NOT just on income (including Carbon Tax, including high taxes on companies that are not "zero-waste" and those who do not adhere to "Extended Producer Responsibility" standards TF<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Title 26 as recommended by the US Tax Payer Advocate (Tina E. Olson); start with no exemptions or credits and democratically decide (on line or w/town meetings) which credits to include or exclude. Use "just the brackets" during a five year planning process and then implement during an additional two year implementation period. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/User_talk:AriaLittlhous See Discussion]] AC<br />
* Popular vote on each provision of the Title 26. TF<br />
* Give economic/tax incentives to locale producers TF<br />
* Flat Tax on Revenue (no deductions) too easy to cheat TF<br />
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==== B. MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ====<br />
* Serious Derivatives Regulation (Reinstitution of Dodd-Frank (get it done!) been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!) TF<br />
* End the Fed (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people) TF<br />
* Reinstitution of the Glass-Stegall Act TF<br />
* Reinstitution of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_system Bretton woods system]]TF<br />
* Abolish corporate rights [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]] VOTE FOR THIS ITEM UNDER "C"<br />
* Create state-owned banks for each of the states where public funds are invested, like the Bank of North Dakota.<br />
* Create Alternative Currencies and Banking structures (crowdfunding, etc) TF <br />
* Replace the current federal low income housing program with one that sells small net zero rental properties to inner city low income owners who agree to occupy them. No middlers, direct sales from government to citizens, with the fed having right of first refusal. <br />
* Thirty hour work week for all employees w/10 hours/week on community service. <br />
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=== III. Freedom of Information ===<br />
==== A. free and open communications ====<br />
<br />
* All airwaves publicly owned, leased not sold to private enterprise, but with strict requirements to provide prime time airtime to candidates on the ballot. <br />
* End to intellectual property, such that there is free and open sharing of information so people aren't threatened into hoarding IP <br />
OBJECTION: this ignores the needs of content providers (authors, composers, etc) to make a living<br />
* Copyright law amended to cover only the lifetime of human author/s. For corporate copyrights, return to the original term of 27 years<br />
* Extend public education through college<br />
* Certain amount of the airwaves is public every day, primetime<br />
* Certain amount of airwaves is devoted to publicly funded elections<br />
* Extend Open Meeting Law to include private personal conversations between government personnel AND other government personnel and the public, so that they are documented, and there is a trail of influence that is accountable to the public. TF<br />
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==== B. Universal access to data ====<br />
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* Keep requirement for universal access on telephone companies, to make sure low income and remote people can get access.<br />
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==== C. Journalism ====<br />
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What: Truth in journalism/ We support independent media<br />
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How: Public funds are awarded to independent news agencies for accuracy and fairness in broadcasting <br />
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=== III. NO WAR: PEACE AND SECURITY ===<br />
==== A. What: Peace, nonviolence====<br />
<br />
* We support our troops<br />
* We support bringing our troops home <br />
* We support, as the first step toward a greater reduction in defense spending, an expeditious return to the defense spending from 1998. <br />
(The 1998 level of defense spending is a 45% reduction in defense)<br />
* Require people who are found guilty of domestic violence to volunteer in community service<br />
* We support ending private prisons<br />
<br />
==== B. Free Universal Healthcare ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Nationalize the US healthcare system TF, AC, PL<br />
* Deploy national healthcare system<br />
* End fee for service & require that clinicians be salaried.<br />
* Health as a major topic in public education system and in state sponsored adult education programs <br />
* Make gyms/health clubs part of the healthcare system<br />
* Drug treatment<br />
<br />
=== V. Summer of Change/Electoral Sea Change ===<br />
==== A. Goal: Get Money Our of Politics ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Amend the constitution to abolish corporate personhood & declare that money is not speech [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]] VOTE FOR THIS ITEM UNDER "1.C"<br />
* Full public financing of all elections, incl $50 in-district/per person limit plus free primetime airtime for ballot candidates TF, AC<br />
* Proportional representation, instant run off voting (popular vote decides President, abolish the electoral college TF, AC<br />
* Complete ban on all private contributions to campaigns AC<br />
* Absolute ban on gifts to elected officials and their families<br />
* End two-party system by opening debates up to all candidates on the ballot<br />
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==== B. Goal:local community control ====<br />
How: <br />
* Declare local rights-based ordinances (you can organize this today, in your town)<br />
<br />
==== C. Goal: consensus based democracy ==== <br />
What: A democratic process that works for all, minorities have power and voice (rule by diversity). <br />
<br />
How:<br />
<br />
* Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot <br />
* Crowd source public policy decisions<br />
* Give the public a percentage of the votes on any decision, via the internet. <br />
* Voting days are holidays<br />
* All public financials downloadable in Excel format<br />
* We support the practice of using paper ballots throughout all elections with receipts<br />
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==== E. Legal System, just and fair ==== <br />
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* Make rehabilitation, not punishment, the goal of the penal system<br />
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== IDEALS and IDEAS and PRINCPLES ==<br />
That may not be concrete goals for the "roadmap", but may be treated as principles, or very long term ideals that we can strive for.<br />
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* Global Peace<br />
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<br />
We can do ACTIONS NEXT. Let's keep this list to GOALS?<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement To Draft Mission Statement]]<br />
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[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning To Strategic Planning Main Page]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18205End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-25T16:46:38Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div> <br />
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The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
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Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
== Timeframes of this Effort ==<br />
<br />
* '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
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* '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
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* '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
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* '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
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- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
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'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
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Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
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<br />
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- '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
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- Actions for the group to take <br />
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(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
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2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
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a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
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<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
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<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
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5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
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<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
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<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
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4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
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5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
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6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
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- '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
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- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
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Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
<br />
[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
<br />
The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Goals&diff=18191List of Goals2013-05-25T00:06:08Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big><big>'''This is a list of CONCRETE GOALS to include in the survey for NatGat 2013.'''</big></big><br />
<br />
Please add/edit.<br />
<br />
It's intended that the categories will roll up and become "the goals", and the details will be targetted milestones under a specific goal. It's envisioned that each will be prioritized as short, medium, and long term objectives.<br />
<br />
We've moved some items to:<br />
<br />
− [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Commons_Items Common Items]] Items to be consolidated into "The Commons".<br />
<br />
− [[Brainstorm Bank]] Raw ideas that need flushing out<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== I. Enviro ===<br />
<br />
==== A. Land ====<br />
* Establish a strong "commons"/local rights-based ordinances, so communities can say no to polluters<br />
* Use rooftops for renewable energy (gardens, wind turbines, solar)<br />
'''* Recognize and remediate environmental racism--predominance of incinerators in black-brown neighborhoods''' *<br />
* Mandate a certain percentage of public commons (land) to be farm, park, or nature conservation areas. <br />
* Establish public magnet schools that are horticultural academies that also care for public land & grow food<br />
* Local food production, community gardens, permaculture agriculture - worker self directed organic agriculture coops on the model of Mondragon in Spain *<br />
* Offer tax credits to farms that give away food <br />
* Lease commons (locally owned/controlled land) to local organic growers<br />
* Institute development policies that favor REAL affordable housing tied to lowest wage earners (not "average" income) *<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. Food ====<br />
<br />
What: Our food supply is made up of natural organic food. It is a food supply which follows humane practices. All people have regular access to nourishing food from all the food groups. This food is free from GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), from pesticides, from herbicides and any other non-organic chemicals.<br />
<br />
How: <br />
<br />
* Tax credits to food providers that offer food for free (pay-what-you-can cafes, etc)<br />
* Replace the food stamp/agribusiness grand bargain with a basic income guarantee http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
* Require foodstamp agencies to provide foodstamp payment mechanisms to farmers markets <br />
* Before being allowed on the market it is required that all products including food additives, packaging, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies be tested to show they are safe by multiple independent non-governmental agencies and governmental agencies and academic institutions whose data will be examined and re-tested till there can be an agreed upon scientific consensus of whether or not to allow these products to the market.<br />
* Free school lunches - no junk food in schools <br />
* No for-profit packaged food in schools<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. ESTABLISH A "STRONG COMMONS" ====<br />
by Restoring Inalienable Rights to Individuals/Environment<br />
* Amend the constitution to declare the right to basic healthcare, basic income, basic shelter healthy food, clean air/water'''<br />
* Amend the constitution to end the corporatocracy and restore inalienable natural rights to individuals and the environment'''<br />
* Give control of commons to small municipalities [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== II. Economy ===<br />
what: An economic system where corporation are not granted personhood rights and where corporations are held legally accountable for their actions. This economic system promotes fair trade and fair working conditions. This economic system is one where the many benefit and not just a small few. Banks and corporations are required by law to act responsibly. We support the workers right to organize and form labor unions [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==== A. SHIFT TAX BURDEN ====<br />
what: A tax system that creates the basis for an homeostatic economy; one that discourages waste and fraud, rewards frugality and environmentalism. This tax system will tax activities that are harmful to life systems at a higher rate.<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Tax Code''' [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/User_talk:AriaLittlhous See Discussion]]<br />
* Flat Tax''' (no deductions) <br><br />
* Tax companies that are not "zero-waste" and those who do not adhere to "Extended Producer Responsibility" standards''' <br><br />
* Tax "resource use" NOT income<br />
* Tax on revenues/expenses, not on profit. too easy to cheat - minimal income: everyone gets a check<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Title 26 as recommended by the US Tax Payer Advocate (Tina E. Olson); start with no exemptions or credits and democratically decide (on line or w/town meetings) which credits to include or exclude. Use "just the brackets" during a five year planning process and then implement during an additional two year implementation period.<br />
* Tie the tax brackets to the rental cost of a square foot of land by county, the lower the rents, the lower the taxes.<br />
* Carbon Tax.<br />
* Popular vote on each provision of the Title 26.<br />
* Give economic/tax incentives to locale producers <br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ====<br />
* Reinstitution of Dodd-Frank (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* End the Fed (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
* Create state-owned banks for each of the states where public funds are invested, like the Bank of North Dakota. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Glass-Stegall Act <br />
* Abolish corporate personhood [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Replace the current federal low income housing program with one that sells small net zero rental properties to inner city low income owners who agree to occupy them. No middlers, direct sales from government to citizens, with the fed having right of first refusal. <br />
* Thirty hour work week for all government employees. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Bretton woods system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_system) <br />
* Basic Income Guarantee: http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. Freedom of Information ===<br />
==== A. free and open communications ====<br />
<br />
* All airwaves publicly owned <br />
* End to intellectual property, such that there is free and open sharing of information so people aren't threatened into hoarding IP <br />
* Extend public education through college<br />
* Certain amount of the airwaves is public every day, primetime<br />
* Certain amount of airwaves is devoted to publicly funded elections<br />
* Extend Open Meeting Law to include private personal conversations between government personnel AND other government personnel and the public, so that they are documented, and there is a trail of influence that is accountable to the public.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. Universal access to data ====<br />
<br />
* Keep requirement for universal access on telephone companies, to make sure low income and remote people can get access.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. Journalism ====<br />
<br />
What: Truth in journalism/ We support independent media<br />
<br />
How: Public funds are awarded to independent news agencies for accuracy and fairness in broadcasting <br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. NO WAR: PEACE AND SECURITY ===<br />
==== A. What: Peace, nonviolence====<br />
<br />
* We support our troops<br />
* We support bringing our troops home <br />
* We support ending imperialism <br />
* We support, as the first step toward a greater reduction in defense spending, an expeditious return to the defense spending from 1998. (The 1998 level of defense spending is a 45% reduction in defense)<br />
* Require people who are found guilty of domestic violence to volunteer in community service<br />
* We support ending private prisons<br />
<br />
==== B. Free Universal Healthcare ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Nationalize the US healthcare system <br />
* Amend the constitution to declare basic (not nose jobs, for example) healthcare a right <br />
* Deploy national healthcare system<br />
* End fee for service & require that clinicians be salaried.<br />
* Health as a major topic in public education system and in state sponsored adult education programs <br />
* Make gyms/health clubs part of the healthcare system<br />
* Drug treatment <br />
<br />
<br />
=== V. Summer of Change/Electoral Sea Change ===<br />
==== A. Goal: Get Money Our of Politics ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Amend the constitution to abolish corporate personhood & declare that money is not speech [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Limit campaign donations to $50 per person and only in-district donations<br />
* Full public financing of all elections<br />
* Absolute ban on gifts to elected officials and their families<br />
* End two-party system by opening debates up to all candidates on the ballot<br />
* Proportional representation, instant run off voting (popular vote decides President)<br />
* Abolish the electoral college<br />
<br />
==== B. Goal:local community control ====<br />
How: <br />
* Declare local rights-based ordinances (you can organize this today, in your town)<br />
<br />
==== C. Goal: consensus based democracy ==== <br />
What: A democratic process that works for all, minorities have power and voice (rule by diversity). <br />
<br />
How:<br />
<br />
* Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot <br />
* Crowd source public policy decisions<br />
* Give the public a percentage of the votes on any decision, via the internet. <br />
* Voting days are holidays<br />
* All public financials downloadable in Excel format<br />
* We support the practice of using paper ballots throughout all elections with receipts<br />
<br />
==== E. Legal System, just and fair ==== <br />
<br />
* Make rehabilitation, not punishment, the goal of the penal system<br />
<br />
<br />
== OLD STUFF LEFT OVER FROM OUR ORIGINAL CUT AT THE LIST ==<br />
<br />
=== ELECTORAL & CAMPAIGN REFORM ===<br />
* '''Publically funded elections'''<br />
* '''Free Press / Media for Candidates''' Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot<br />
* '''Proportional Representation & Instant Run Off Voting'''<br />
* '''Abolish the electoral college''' (popular vote for President wins)<br />
<br />
=== MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ===<br />
* '''Dodd-Frank''' (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* '''End the Fed''' (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
<br />
<br />
I've bolded items that address racial inequality--maybe in the final version there could be a sort function that allows folks to see this category, and others, separately? (TF: yes, support)<br />
<br />
Not sure where this goes:<br><br />
<br />
'''- Give racial minorities first use rights to wide ranging commons that encompass air, open land, housing and water''' <br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== IDEALS and IDEAS and PRINCPLES ==<br />
That may not be concrete goals for the "roadmap", but may be treated as principles, or very long term ideals that we can strive for.<br />
<br />
* Global Peace<br />
<br />
<br />
We can do ACTIONS NEXT. Let's keep this list to GOALS?<br />
Refer to President Franklin Delano Roosvelt's 1944 State of the Union Address wherein he advocated a second U.S. Bill of Rights, a U.S. Economic Bill of Rights. Search FDR 1944 State of the Union.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement To Draft Mission Statement]]<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning To Strategic Planning Main Page]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Goals&diff=18188List of Goals2013-05-24T23:58:14Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big><big>'''This is a list of CONCRETE GOALS to include in the survey for NatGat 2013.'''</big></big><br />
<br />
Please add/edit.<br />
<br />
It's intended that the categories will roll up and become "the goals", and the details will be targetted milestones under a specific goal. It's envisioned that each will be prioritized as short, medium, and long term objectives.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== I. Enviro ===<br />
<br />
==== A. Land ====<br />
* Establish a strong "commons"/local rights-based ordinances, so communities can say no to polluters<br />
* Use rooftops for renewable energy (gardens, wind turbines, solar)<br />
'''* Recognize and remediate environmental racism--predominance of incinerators in black-brown neighborhoods''' *<br />
* Mandate a certain percentage of public commons (land) to be farm, park, or nature conservation areas. <br />
* Establish public magnet schools that are horticultural academies that also care for public land & grow food<br />
* Local food production, community gardens, permaculture agriculture - worker self directed organic agriculture coops on the model of Mondragon in Spain *<br />
* Offer tax credits to farms that give away food <br />
* Lease commons (locally owned/controlled land) to local organic growers<br />
* Institute development policies that favor REAL affordable housing tied to lowest wage earners (not "average" income) *<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. Food ====<br />
<br />
What: Our food supply is made up of natural organic food. It is a food supply which follows humane practices. All people have regular access to nourishing food from all the food groups. This food is free from GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), from pesticides, from herbicides and any other non-organic chemicals.<br />
<br />
How: <br />
<br />
* Tax credits to food providers that offer food for free (pay-what-you-can cafes, etc)<br />
* Replace the food stamp/agribusiness grand bargain with a basic income guarantee http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
* Require foodstamp agencies to provide foodstamp payment mechanisms to farmers markets <br />
* Before being allowed on the market it is required that all products including food additives, packaging, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies be tested to show they are safe by multiple independent non-governmental agencies and governmental agencies and academic institutions whose data will be examined and re-tested till there can be an agreed upon scientific consensus of whether or not to allow these products to the market.<br />
* Free school lunches - no junk food in schools <br />
* No for-profit packaged food in schools<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. ESTABLISH A "STRONG COMMONS" ====<br />
by Restoring Inalienable Rights to Individuals/Environment<br />
* Amend the constitution to declare the right to basic healthcare, basic income, basic shelter healthy food, clean air/water'''<br />
* Amend the constitution to end the corporatocracy and restore inalienable natural rights to individuals and the environment'''<br />
* Give control of commons to small municipalities [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== II. Economy ===<br />
what: An economic system where corporation are not granted personhood rights and where corporations are held legally accountable for their actions. This economic system promotes fair trade and fair working conditions. This economic system is one where the many benefit and not just a small few. Banks and corporations are required by law to act responsibly. We support the workers right to organize and form labor unions [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==== A. SHIFT TAX BURDEN ====<br />
what: A tax system that creates the basis for an homeostatic economy; one that discourages waste and fraud, rewards frugality and environmentalism. This tax system will tax activities that are harmful to life systems at a higher rate.<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Tax Code''' [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/User_talk:AriaLittlhous See Discussion]]<br />
* Flat Tax''' (no deductions) <br><br />
* Tax companies that are not "zero-waste" and those who do not adhere to "Extended Producer Responsibility" standards''' <br><br />
* Tax "resource use" NOT income<br />
* Tax on revenues/expenses, not on profit. too easy to cheat - minimal income: everyone gets a check<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Title 26 as recommended by the US Tax Payer Advocate (Tina E. Olson); start with no exemptions or credits and democratically decide (on line or w/town meetings) which credits to include or exclude. Use "just the brackets" during a five year planning process and then implement during an additional two year implementation period.<br />
* Tie the tax brackets to the rental cost of a square foot of land by county, the lower the rents, the lower the taxes.<br />
* Carbon Tax.<br />
* Popular vote on each provision of the Title 26.<br />
* Give economic/tax incentives to locale producers <br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ====<br />
* Reinstitution of Dodd-Frank (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* End the Fed (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
* Create state-owned banks for each of the states where public funds are invested, like the Bank of North Dakota. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Glass-Stegall Act <br />
* Abolish corporate personhood [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Replace the current federal low income housing program with one that sells small net zero rental properties to inner city low income owners who agree to occupy them. No middlers, direct sales from government to citizens, with the fed having right of first refusal. <br />
* Thirty hour work week for all government employees. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Bretton woods system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_system) <br />
* Basic Income Guarantee: http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. Freedom of Information ===<br />
==== A. free and open communications ====<br />
<br />
* All airwaves publicly owned <br />
* End to intellectual property, such that there is free and open sharing of information so people aren't threatened into hoarding IP <br />
* Extend public education through college<br />
* Certain amount of the airwaves is public every day, primetime<br />
* Certain amount of airwaves is devoted to publicly funded elections<br />
* Extend Open Meeting Law to include private personal conversations between government personnel AND other government personnel and the public, so that they are documented, and there is a trail of influence that is accountable to the public.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. universal access to data ====<br />
<br />
* Keep requirement for universal access on telephone companies, to make sure low income and remote people can get access.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. Journalism====<br />
<br />
What: Truth in journalism/ We support independent media<br />
<br />
How: Public funds are awarded to independent news agencies for accuracy and fairness in broadcasting <br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. NO WAR: PEACE AND SECURITY ===<br />
==== A. What: Peace, nonviolence====<br />
<br />
* We support our troops<br />
* We support bringing our troops home <br />
* We support ending imperialism <br />
* We support, as the first step toward a greater reduction in defense spending, an expeditious return to the defense spending from 1998. (The 1998 level of defense spending is a 45% reduction in defense)<br />
* Require people who are found guilty of domestic violence to volunteer in community service<br />
* We support ending private prisons<br />
<br />
==== B. Free Universal Healthcare ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Nationalize the US healthcare system <br />
* Amend the constitution to declare basic (not nose jobs, for example) healthcare a right <br />
* Deploy national healthcare system<br />
* End fee for service & require that clinicians be salaried.<br />
* Health as a major topic in public education system and in state sponsored adult education programs <br />
* Make gyms/health clubs part of the healthcare system<br />
* Drug treatment <br />
<br />
<br />
=== V. Summer of Change/Electoral Sea Change ===<br />
==== A. Goal: Get Money Our of Politics ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Amend the constitution to abolish corporate personhood & declare that money is not speech [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Limit campaign donations to $50 per person and only in-district donations<br />
* Full public financing of all elections<br />
* Absolute ban on gifts to elected officials and their families<br />
* End two-party system by opening debates up to all candidates on the ballot<br />
* Proportional representation, instant run off voting (popular vote decides President)<br />
* Abolish the electoral college<br />
<br />
==== B. Goal:local community control ====<br />
How: <br />
* Declare local rights-based ordinances (you can organize this today, in your town)<br />
<br />
==== C. Goal: consensus based democracy ==== <br />
What: A democratic process that works for all, minorities have power and voice (rule by diversity). <br />
<br />
How:<br />
<br />
* Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot <br />
* Crowd source public policy decisions<br />
* Give the public a percentage of the votes on any decision, via the internet. <br />
* Voting days are holidays<br />
* All public financials downloadable in Excel format<br />
* We support the practice of using paper ballots throughout all elections with receipts<br />
<br />
==== E. Legal System, just and fair ==== <br />
<br />
* Make rehabilitation, not punishment, the goal of the penal system<br />
<br />
<br />
== OLD STUFF LEFT OVER FROM OUR ORIGINAL CUT AT THE LIST ==<br />
<br />
=== ELECTORAL & CAMPAIGN REFORM ===<br />
* '''Publically funded elections'''<br />
* '''Free Press / Media for Candidates''' Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot<br />
* '''Proportional Representation & Instant Run Off Voting'''<br />
* '''Abolish the electoral college''' (popular vote for President wins)<br />
<br />
=== MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ===<br />
* '''Dodd-Frank''' (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* '''End the Fed''' (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
<br />
<br />
I've bolded items that address racial inequality--maybe in the final version there could be a sort function that allows folks to see this category, and others, separately? (TF: yes, support)<br />
<br />
Not sure where this goes:<br><br />
<br />
'''- Give racial minorities first use rights to wide ranging commons that encompass air, open land, housing and water''' <br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== IDEALS and IDEAS and PRINCPLES ==<br />
That may not be concrete goals for the "roadmap", but may be treated as principles, or very long term ideals that we can strive for.<br />
<br />
* Global Peace<br />
<br />
<br />
We can do ACTIONS NEXT. Let's keep this list to GOALS?<br />
Refer to President Franklin Delano Roosvelt's 1944 State of the Union Address wherein he advocated a second U.S. Bill of Rights, a U.S. Economic Bill of Rights. Search FDR 1944 State of the Union.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement To Draft Mission Statement]]<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning To Strategic Planning Main Page]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=List_of_Goals&diff=18187List of Goals2013-05-24T23:57:13Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<big><big>'''This is a list of CONCRETE GOALS to include in the survey for NatGat 2013.'''</big></big><br />
<br />
Please add/edit.<br />
<br />
It's intended that the categories will roll up and become "the goals", and the details will be targetted milestones under a specific goal. It's envisioned that each will be prioritized as short, medium, and long term objectives.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== I. Enviro ===<br />
<br />
==== A. Land ====<br />
* Establish a strong "commons"/local rights-based ordinances, so communities can say no to polluters<br />
* Use rooftops for renewable energy (gardens, wind turbines, solar)<br />
'''* Recognize and remediate environmental racism--predominance of incinerators in black-brown neighborhoods''' *<br />
* Mandate a certain percentage of public commons (land) to be farm, park, or nature conservation areas. <br />
* Establish public magnet schools that are horticultural academies that also care for public land & grow food<br />
* Local food production, community gardens, permaculture agriculture - worker self directed organic agriculture coops on the model of Mondragon in Spain *<br />
* Offer tax credits to farms that give away food <br />
* Lease commons (locally owned/controlled land) to local organic growers<br />
* Institute development policies that favor REAL affordable housing tied to lowest wage earners (not "average" income) *<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. Food ====<br />
<br />
What: Our food supply is made up of natural organic food. It is a food supply which follows humane practices. All people have regular access to nourishing food from all the food groups. This food is free from GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), from pesticides, from herbicides and any other non-organic chemicals.<br />
<br />
How: <br />
<br />
* Tax credits to food providers that offer food for free (pay-what-you-can cafes, etc)<br />
* Replace the food stamp/agribusiness grand bargain with a basic income guarantee http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
* Require foodstamp agencies to provide foodstamp payment mechanisms to farmers markets <br />
* Before being allowed on the market it is required that all products including food additives, packaging, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies be tested to show they are safe by multiple independent non-governmental agencies and governmental agencies and academic institutions whose data will be examined and re-tested till there can be an agreed upon scientific consensus of whether or not to allow these products to the market.<br />
* Free school lunches - no junk food in schools <br />
* No for-profit packaged food in schools<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. ESTABLISH A "STRONG COMMONS" ====<br />
by Restoring Inalienable Rights to Individuals/Environment<br />
* Amend the constitution to declare the right to basic healthcare, basic income, basic shelter healthy food, clean air/water'''<br />
* Amend the constitution to end the corporatocracy and restore inalienable natural rights to individuals and the environment'''<br />
* Give control of commons to small municipalities [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
=== II. Economy ===<br />
what: An economic system where corporation are not granted personhood rights and where corporations are held legally accountable for their actions. This economic system promotes fair trade and fair working conditions. This economic system is one where the many benefit and not just a small few. Banks and corporations are required by law to act responsibly. We support the workers right to organize and form labor unions [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
<br />
==== A. SHIFT TAX BURDEN ====<br />
what: A tax system that creates the basis for an homeostatic economy; one that discourages waste and fraud, rewards frugality and environmentalism. This tax system will tax activities that are harmful to life systems at a higher rate.<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Tax Code''' [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/User_talk:AriaLittlhous See Discussion]]<br />
* Flat Tax''' (no deductions) <br><br />
* Tax companies that are not "zero-waste" and those who do not adhere to "Extended Producer Responsibility" standards''' <br><br />
* Tax "resource use" NOT income<br />
* Tax on revenues/expenses, not on profit. too easy to cheat - minimal income: everyone gets a check<br />
* Zero-Sum Budget the Title 26 as recommended by the US Tax Payer Advocate (Tina E. Olson); start with no exemptions or credits and democratically decide (on line or w/town meetings) which credits to include or exclude. Use "just the brackets" during a five year planning process and then implement during an additional two year implementation period.<br />
* Tie the tax brackets to the rental cost of a square foot of land by county, the lower the rents, the lower the taxes.<br />
* Carbon Tax.<br />
* Popular vote on each provision of the Title 26.<br />
* give economic/tax incentives to locale producers <br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ====<br />
* Reinstitution of Dodd-Frank (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* End the Fed (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
* Create state-owned banks for each of the states where public funds are invested, like the Bank of North Dakota. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Glass-Stegall Act <br />
* Abolish corporate personhood [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Replace the current federal low income housing program with one that sells small net zero rental properties to inner city low income owners who agree to occupy them. No middlers, direct sales from government to citizens, with the fed having right of first refusal. <br />
* Thirty hour work week for all government employees. <br />
* Reinstitution of the Bretton woods system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretton_Woods_system) <br />
* Basic Income Guarantee: http://www.usbig.net/index.php<br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. Freedom of Information ===<br />
==== A. free and open communications ====<br />
<br />
* All airwaves publicly owned <br />
* End to intellectual property, such that there is free and open sharing of information so people aren't threatened into hoarding IP <br />
* Extend public education through college<br />
* Certain amount of the airwaves is public every day, primetime<br />
* Certain amount of airwaves is devoted to publicly funded elections<br />
* Extend Open Meeting Law to include private personal conversations between government personnel AND other government personnel and the public, so that they are documented, and there is a trail of influence that is accountable to the public.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== B. universal access to data ====<br />
<br />
* Keep requirement for universal access on telephone companies, to make sure low income and remote people can get access.<br />
<br />
<br />
==== C. Journalism====<br />
<br />
What: Truth in journalism/ We support independent media<br />
<br />
How: Public funds are awarded to independent news agencies for accuracy and fairness in broadcasting <br />
<br />
<br />
=== III. NO WAR: PEACE AND SECURITY ===<br />
==== A. What: Peace, nonviolence====<br />
<br />
* We support our troops<br />
* We support bringing our troops home <br />
* We support ending imperialism <br />
* We support, as the first step toward a greater reduction in defense spending, an expeditious return to the defense spending from 1998. (The 1998 level of defense spending is a 45% reduction in defense)<br />
* Require people who are found guilty of domestic violence to volunteer in community service<br />
* We support ending private prisons<br />
<br />
==== B. Free Universal Healthcare ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Nationalize the US healthcare system <br />
* Amend the constitution to declare basic (not nose jobs, for example) healthcare a right <br />
* Deploy national healthcare system<br />
* End fee for service & require that clinicians be salaried.<br />
* Health as a major topic in public education system and in state sponsored adult education programs <br />
* Make gyms/health clubs part of the healthcare system<br />
* Drug treatment <br />
<br />
<br />
=== V. Summer of Change/Electoral Sea Change ===<br />
==== A. Goal: Get Money Our of Politics ====<br />
<br />
How: <br />
* Amend the constitution to abolish corporate personhood & declare that money is not speech [[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
* Limit campaign donations to $50 per person and only in-district donations<br />
* Full public financing of all elections<br />
* Absolute ban on gifts to elected officials and their families<br />
* End two-party system by opening debates up to all candidates on the ballot<br />
* Proportional representation, instant run off voting (popular vote decides President)<br />
* Abolish the electoral college<br />
<br />
==== B. Goal:local community control ====<br />
How: <br />
* Declare local rights-based ordinances (you can organize this today, in your town)<br />
<br />
==== C. Goal: consensus based democracy ==== <br />
What: A democratic process that works for all, minorities have power and voice (rule by diversity). <br />
<br />
How:<br />
<br />
* Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot <br />
* Crowd source public policy decisions<br />
* Give the public a percentage of the votes on any decision, via the internet. <br />
* Voting days are holidays<br />
* All public financials downloadable in Excel format<br />
* We support the practice of using paper ballots throughout all elections with receipts<br />
<br />
==== E. Legal System, just and fair ==== <br />
<br />
* Make rehabilitation, not punishment, the goal of the penal system<br />
<br />
<br />
== OLD STUFF LEFT OVER FROM OUR ORIGINAL CUT AT THE LIST ==<br />
<br />
=== ELECTORAL & CAMPAIGN REFORM ===<br />
* '''Publically funded elections'''<br />
* '''Free Press / Media for Candidates''' Free/equal prime time airtime w/major broadcast stations, as a permit condition , for all candidates on the ballot<br />
* '''Proportional Representation & Instant Run Off Voting'''<br />
* '''Abolish the electoral college''' (popular vote for President wins)<br />
<br />
=== MONETARY/BANKING REFORM ===<br />
* '''Dodd-Frank''' (get it done! been in committee controlled by derivatives industry forever!)<br />
* '''End the Fed''' (put the soverienty control back in the hands of the people)<br />
<br />
<br />
I've bolded items that address racial inequality--maybe in the final version there could be a sort function that allows folks to see this category, and others, separately? (TF: yes, support)<br />
<br />
Not sure where this goes:<br><br />
<br />
'''- Give racial minorities first use rights to wide ranging commons that encompass air, open land, housing and water''' <br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== IDEALS and IDEAS and PRINCPLES ==<br />
That may not be concrete goals for the "roadmap", but may be treated as principles, or very long term ideals that we can strive for.<br />
<br />
* Global Peace<br />
<br />
<br />
We can do ACTIONS NEXT. Let's keep this list to GOALS?<br />
Refer to President Franklin Delano Roosvelt's 1944 State of the Union Address wherein he advocated a second U.S. Bill of Rights, a U.S. Economic Bill of Rights. Search FDR 1944 State of the Union.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement To Draft Mission Statement]]<br />
<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning To Strategic Planning Main Page]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18144End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-24T02:53:23Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
== Timeframes of this Effort ==<br />
<br />
* '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
* '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
* '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
* '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
<br />
[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
<br />
The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18143End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-24T02:14:13Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* TIMEFRAMES TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL */</p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
== TIMEFRAMES of this Effort ==<br />
<br />
* '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
* '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
* '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
* '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
<br />
[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
<br />
The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18138End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-24T01:51:54Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Time Frame to accomplish goal:''' '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Initial Time Frame for Action''' for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Secondary Time Frame''' (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''Tertiary Time Frame''' (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
<br />
[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
<br />
The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources&diff=18137Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources2013-05-23T21:47:29Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
This is a page with suggested reading.<br />
<br />
== GOAL OF THE READINGS ==<br />
<br />
The goal of these readings is to have a "solid basis" for the group's understanding of existing theory...a shared understanding.<br />
<br />
== SUGGESTED LEARNING METHOD ==<br />
<br />
You can start out by reading the first couple of paragraphs and the last couple of paragraphs in each of the recommended articles in Monthly Review. These essentially summarize the ideas and concepts professed in the articles.<br />
<br />
== READINGS/LECTURES/VIDEOS ==<br />
<br />
=== 1. Monthly Review Magazine ===<br />
<br />
[[http://www.monthlyreview.org Monthly Review Magazine]]<br />
<br />
For full access to Monthly Review Magazine's resource list go to the link above, and choose the search bar on upper right hand side. Please pay particular attention to these suggested readings:<br />
<br />
1. a. "[[The Trajectory of Historical Capitalism and Marxism's Tricontinental Vocation]]," by Samir Amin, February 2011. This is a seminal historical analysis of capitalism which is a key to grasping the comptemporary global anti imperialist struggle that has emerged since the late 1990s in Latin America and in recent years in the Arab Spring. <br />
<br />
1. b. "Structural Crisis Needs Structural Change," by Istvan Meszaros, March 2012. Istvan Meszaros is the leading contemporary Marxian theoretician, according to John Bellamy Foster, Editor, Monthly Review. This is a definitive analysis of the structural crisis of the capital system. <br />
<br />
1. c. "Endless Crisis," by John Bellamy Foster & Robert W. McChesney, May 2012. Foster, as indicated above, is the Editor of Monthly Review and McChesney is its former co-editor. Foster and McChesney analyze the Great Financial Crisis and the Great Recession with great accumen based on the economic stagnation theory pioneered by Paul Baran and Paul Sweezey, a founding editor of Monthly Review. Baran and Sweezy are the authors of the seminal essay, Monopoly Capital (NY: Monthly Review Press, 1966).<br />
<br />
=== 2. Noam Chomsky Lecture ===<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky's 1970 Lecture entitled, "Governments in the Future" Full Audio (56 minutes) http://archive.org/details/NoamChomskyOnGovernmentsInTheFuture. Chomsky the leading US dissident and most prominent scholar in this role since the 1960s is always worth reading/listening to for fundamental analysis.<br />
<br />
=== 3. World Forum for Alternatives Weekly Bulletin for May 7, 2013 ===<br />
<br />
World Forum for Alternatives "The Economic and Social Crisis: Contemporary Capitalism & Class Struggle," Weekly Bulletin for May 7, 2013. Search: World Forum for Alternatives. According to Karl Marx class struggle is "the motor force of history." This is an overview of the levels of class struggle the world around in the present historical era. Raising our collective level of class consciousness is essential to being able to fight as effectively as possible against the corporatocracy or global corporate capitalist ruling class.<br />
<br />
=== 4. Legal History of "Corporate Rights" (10 min video) ===<br />
<br />
Text form: [[http://celdf.org/-1-86 Legal Defense Fund]] Since the early 1800s, corporations have gained "rights" and protections under the United States Constitution. While we never find the word “corporation” in the Constitution, corporations are able to invoke constitutional “rights” and protections under the Commerce Clause and Contracts Clause, as well as under the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments. These pages/videos share the history, as well as what people are doing to challenge these court-bestowed "rights". <br />
<br />
[[http://celdf.org/democracy-school-video Short Form Video]] (10 minutes)<br />
<br />
[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HowKoNmODNY Full One Session Lecture]] (45 minutes)<br />
<br />
[[http://celdf.org/democracy-school-on-line Series of Four Hour Democracy School Lectures]]<br />
<br />
The above videos are focused on the enacting laws at the local level and how corporate law impacts municipal control. Below find a national/international treatise, which doesn't promote a specific solution, but rather aims to educate, so that we actually understand WHY corporations have the rights that they have, and why the rights should be deemed illegal.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== 5. Legal History of "Corporate Rights", called "The Corporation" (60 min video) ===<br />
<br />
A more comprehensive look at the history of corporations and corporate law than the CELDF video above. The above videos are focused on the enacting laws at the local level and how corporate law impacts municipal control. "The Corporation", is more of a national/international treatise, which doesn't promote a specific solution, but rather aims to educate, so that we actually understand WHY corporations have the rights that they have, and why the rights should be deemed illegal.<br />
<br />
=== 6. FDR's Second Bill of Rights ===<br />
<br />
Please read the commentary on this groups Mission Statement page, which refers to <br />
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement#Commentary_on_FDR.27s_The_Second_Bill_of_Rights FDR's Second Bill of Rights]]<br />
<br />
=== 7. Corporate Personhood Information ===<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
<br />
[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
<br />
The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw<br />
<br />
<br />
== CONTACT ==<br />
<br />
To add/edit/participate, please contact us first: info@occupyboston.org<br />
<br />
'''<big>[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning Back to Strategic Planning, main page]]</big>'''</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18136End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T21:35:50Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
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'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
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Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
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Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
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- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
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- Actions for the group to take <br />
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(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
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Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
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The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
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2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
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a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
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'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
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b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
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3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
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(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
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In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
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(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
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4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
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5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
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Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
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(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
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6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
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- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
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- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
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2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
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3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
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4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
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5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
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6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
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- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
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- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
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2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
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3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
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(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
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Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
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[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
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[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
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[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]<br />
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The Corporation Documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y888wVY5hzw</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Revoking_the_Corporation_by_Richard_Grossman&diff=18135Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman2013-05-23T21:26:03Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
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Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman<br />
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Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy, January 29, 1996.<br />
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So many of the important issues that affect our communities, our health, our children's future, the ability of people to work-issues that define the work people do-seem to be off the political agenda. We, as the sovereign people, don't seem to have any authority over making decisions. To take a specific example, the shifting from glass to plastic bottles, which was a major decision made by goodness knows who, changed a vast manufacturing process from a relatively responsibly recyclable, sustainable one into an incredibly poisonous, disastrous, sickness-and-death-creating industry.<br />
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You can cite any equivalent area of our society-from transportation to energy to housing to banking, genetic engineering, what's happening to our seeds, our whole food supply-the real decisions about the nature of the product, how it's made, how work is organized, which communities do well (because money is invested), which communities do badly (because money is taken out by absentee ownership by foreign, distant corporations)-we don't seem to have legal standing in those decisions. And public debate is off to the side. We end up choosing between "paper or plastic" and not about what goes in-there's nothing about the products.<br />
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How did this come about? We are supposed to be the sovereign people, right? Even the California Constitution: Article 1, Section 2 states: "All power is inherent in the people." It doesn't say, "All power is inherent in the corporations." So it is important to ask: "What is the Giant Corporation that seems to be exercising so much power today? Where did it come from?" For that we need to go back to the time of the American Revolution.<br />
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One of the major accomplishments of the revolution was to kick private corporations out of this country-to kick some out (like the Hudson Bay Company), which were very powerful private corporations of the day, and to transform what had been private stock corporations chartered by the king.<br />
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Massachusetts Bay Corporation (which was a colony that founded the commonwealth where I live today), the Virginia Corporation, the Carolina Corporation, the Maryland Corporation, the Pennsylvania Corporation- these were business corporations that settled and created the 13 colonies. They were dictatorships-there was no pretense. The people who ran those companies decided what you could grow, where you had to ship your products, what kind of work you did. They could conscript you into the militia. They were dictatorships.<br />
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The revolution fundamentally transformed those companies into constitutional states. Not perfect by any means. But it shifted the source of political power. It shifted the nature of sovereignty so that there became institutional processes for making decisions: legislatures, the courts, separation of powers, terms of office for those holding office. A process and people-and "the people" were defined. Of course that's a political definition of who "we the people" were, because a lot of people-African-Americans, women, men without property, Native Americans, trees, rocks, rivers-had no legal standing, were not included in "we the people." But the people who were "we the people," who had legal standing, then became "the sovereign people."<br />
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So in effect, by force of arms, the colonists transferred the sovereignty that had set with the King of England to the people. The king was the sovereign; he got his sovereignty allegedly from God. All his rulers ruled in his name. That sovereignty-with the revolution-passed to "the people."<br />
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When you look at all the constitutions of all the 13 colonies and the other states, and the United States Constitution, they say, "we the people"-we the sovereign people. We existed as a people; we came together and wrote our constitutions in order to form a government, in order to figure out how to get together in order to protect the general welfare. Government was a voluntary association of people in order to figure out how we use our resources, how we get along, and all that.<br />
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Because of the experience that people had had with crown corporations, understanding the reach of their power-not just ones here, but also companies like the East India Company, the Africa Company, which in the 18th century were truly global corporations of the day, rapacious, dictatorial-if you read the histories of these companies, if they had anything near the kind of technology that we have today, the world would have already been destroyed. They did enormous harm to India, to Africa, to South and Central America-killed huge numbers of people and basically vacuumed out the wealth and the resources and enslaved the rest. So there was a lot of consciousness about that at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. And when it came to institutions of enterprise, people were very cautious and gave the authority to create corporations to the state legislatures. The state legislatures, until after the Civil War, essentially gave out charters one at a time. People applied for a charter, for articles of incorporation. They had to come before the legislature. The legislature decided whether this was something that was in the interest of the people. I'm sure there was a lot of bribery and a lot of corruption, but that was the principle.<br />
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The legislatures defined the corporations in the charter. If you go back and look at the corporations up through the Civil War, for the most part they had limited duration, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. They were not given forever, like corporate charters are given today. The amount of land a corporation could own was limited; the amount of capitalization a corporation could have was limited. The corporation had to be chartered for a specific purpose, not for everything or anything.<br />
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The internal governance was very different. Shareholders had a lot more rights than they have today for major decisions, such as mergers. Sometimes they had to have unanimous shareholder consent. In addition, there were no limitations protections on liability. Managers, directors, shareholders were liable for all debts and harms and in some states, doubly liable or triply liable. And the states reserved the right to amend the charters or to revoke them, even for no reason at all.<br />
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Because of the principle that we're the sovereign people and these are subordinate entities, a lot of people wrote pamphlets and discussed all these issues, people without fancy educations, who understood that there was a danger, that once wealth became concentrated in private entities, these private entities could then begin to affect the political process, could start affecting elections, could start shaping the laws, could start shaping public education in general on issues of public policy, could start shaping the values and the culture to become a commercial culture, to turn people into consumers rather than citizens. The literature on this is pretty exhaustive.<br />
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So folks were very conscious of all these things and they tried their best to keep the corporations defined through the charters and then through general state incorporation laws, in a very clear and limited way.<br />
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I want to make the distinction here between the state and the people, through the legislators, defining the corporation, defining its limits, expressly giving only certain powers, privileges, rights, in exchange for the privilege of incorporation. I want to distinguish that defining process from a regulatory process, which is basically about preventing excess, preventing the worst kinds of harms, but giving the entity an enormous authority to make all kinds of decisions. They are two very different concepts, one defining the nature of this entity, this fiction, this subordinate entity, versus giving this entity enormous political powers and then trying to curb it around the edges and saying that the role of the state is to perfect the market, to have "fair competition" (whatever that might be) in some vague way.<br />
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The Civil War, given the tremendous amount of government expenditures, poured billions and billions of dollars into the creation of new corporations in munitions, clothing, food, whatever-and the railroads. And it was at this point that we started getting giant (for the day) conglomerations of capital, particularly the railroads, banking and insurance companies, and industrial corporations. After the Civil War-in the 1870s-they began not only to grow in size and wealth, but to use that wealth in order to fundamentally recreate the circumstances of their own existence.<br />
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From 1870 to about 1905, we had what scholars call the Transformation of American Law, basically around the nature of corporations. The situation in law and culture prior to the Civil War was totally turned on its head so that by 1905, corporations were generally chartered forever; the shareholder rights were trampled on, limitations on capital thrown out, limitation on land-holding thrown out, charters given for any legal purpose. No longer was there a single purpose for the corporation.<br />
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So the nature of the entity was transformed, the entity itself transformed its own nature. In addition, by decisions of the Supreme Court, the corporation was given political rights and powers. One of the most relative, given where we are sitting here today, is that the Supreme Court in 1886 declared that the corporation is a person, a legal person for the purposes of 14th Amendment, which is about guaranteed equal protection of the laws and due process. The 14th Amendment was passed in 1868 in order to protect the rights of freed slaves. It was not passed to protect the rights of corporations-a fundamental misuse of this constitutional amendment.<br />
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Corporations became persons, which means over the years that is one of the sources of their political rights. If they're persons, then eventually they got First Amendment protections: free speech. And because corporations have free speech, the full power of the United States government is behind them as they can participate in elections, contribute and engage in the public policy debate. They can lobby lawmakers because they are persons, and what the court has held is that to deny them the ability to contribute money or lobby is to deny them free speech, and to deny the civil society of the benefit of a broader public debate. That's the logic .<br />
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We must examine what are the decisions for the civil society that need to be conducted in an open way through the constitutionalized process, and what are the decisions that are the private domain of the corporation.<br />
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Another whole set of decisions that the Supreme Court made was to make the intangible rights of decisions about investment, production, and the organization of work be the property rights of corporations. The constitution is a very property-protective document. Once these intangible rights were declared "property rights" of corporations, combined with "personhood," that was an incredible one-two punch.<br />
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So now the subordinate entity called the corporation-the legal fiction-has more rights and privileges than flesh-and-blood people. So much of the important decision-making that affects our very lives and our future is off the public agenda. We have very little legal standing, and that means more actually in the hands of anonymous corporate leaders behind closed doors. In most states a lot of the language from the early days that reflected the subordinate nature of corporations is still on the books (including California). We still have the authority, in California and other states, to define the corporations through their charters; we still have the authority to amend the charters; we still have the authority to revoke the charters. The language is still there. We still have the authority to rewrite the state corporation codes in order to order corporate executives to do what the sovereign people want to do.<br />
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A sovereign people do not negotiate with subordinate legal fictions. We instruct them. We define them. We don't regulate them about the edges so they can poison here and poison there-but not more than the acceptable amount. We say, "You can't operate if you poison!" That is what a sovereign people should do.<br />
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If we are going to have pretense to a democracy, we cannot give political rights and powers to a private entity. We cannot let that private entity get so strong that it rewrites the laws, that it shapes the culture, that it shapes the education. It may be difficult to imagine a country that's not dominated by giant corporations, but other people before us have imagined that, and they've taken big steps toward that, and there is no reason why we can't continue that struggle because they also left us many important mechanisms that we can use.</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Short_Summary_about_Corporate_Personhood&diff=18134Short Summary about Corporate Personhood2013-05-23T21:25:19Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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Is capitalism the same when a person is both a human and a corporation? Humans die while corporations are immortal beings that can never go to jail for their crimes and have the ability to spawn endlessly into other corporations. These beings are legally mandated to uphold profits above all other competing interests. Due to the legal benefits that these strange people have been granted for the last 130 years, they are allowed to have a disproportionally large amount of influence on the democratic process. Last year, the Supreme Court further expanded the power of corporate persons in a 5-4 ruling on January 21st, 2010 that "overturns doctrine dating back a century and laws upheld in 1990.” Michael Waldman of the New York Times stated about the decision that it, "strikes at the heart of democracy" by having "paved the way for corporations to use their vast treasuries to overwhelm elections and intimidate elected officials into doing their bidding." Not that this didn't happen before in indirect ways, it is now legal for corporations to do this. What this means is that the voice of the people gets drowned out by the corporate megaphones. <br />
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It was the 14th Amendment that corporate attorneys used to gain their corporate clients the status of persons under the law. The 14th Amendment was written to protect the rights of freed slaves in all states stating that, no state shall deprive a person of life liberty property and due process of the law. These corporate attorneys stated that, “We are a person, a corporation is a person” and judges went along with it. From 1890-1910, there were 307 cases brought forth to the Supreme Court about corporate persons, 288 were corporations gaining personhood rights while 19 of those cases were freed slaves defending their rights. These freed slaves were supposed to be protected by this amendment yet they benefited not by it. <br />
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Once corporate persons began in 1886 in the case of Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad, the first major industry that these new people began to consolidate was the media. With the birth of capitalism’s version of Frankenstein, these corporate people began controlling the media message in a systematic way. With this newfound power, along with manufacturing goods these corporations were creating messages in order to ”manufacture the consent” of the people as stated by the influential media mind of the early 20th century, Walter Lippmann. Ending corporate persons brings about media reform and does away with large corporate conglomerates. <br />
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Before these entities became people, corporate charters included mandates like caps on earnings. So, if a corporation exceeded the cap on their earnings, the excess money would be given to the community where that corporation benefited from being located. <br />
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Corporations are now mandated by law to uphold profits above all other competing interests. This is why a company like Monsanto will dispose of toxic chemicals called PCBs in the vacant lots of Anniston, Alabama causing many people to die and thousands to sue Monsanto. Human life in this case was a “competing interest.” In this example, there was a leak of an internal document of Monsanto’s which stated that the company did not want to spend $1 on the disposal of these deadly chemicals. After this was discovered, the people who made these decisions at Monsanto did not go to jail for manslaughter. Actions like these of corporations are praised by the profiting shareholders while those who make these decisions get bonuses and benefit from the limited liability protections that corporate personhood grants them. Another example of this was the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. The spill cost $5 billion dollars to clean up and those costs were socialized to taxpayers. Exxon had to pay a $500 million dollar EPA violation for not cleaning up the oil spilled. Instead of paying the violation, they appealed it. After 18 years in court in 2007, the appeal was ruled upon. Exxon ended up paying $50 million dollars for the EPA violation which was 1% of the cleanup costs. This was at a time when Exxon was recording record profits in the tens of billions of dollars. Their profits were privatized while the costs of their industry were socialized. This is not some obscure example, this is business as usual in the world of corporate capitalism. Getting rid of these corporations will allow for a whole new world of possibilities directed by we the people creating local sustainable communities no longer oppressed by these unjust corporate persons. In doing this, we will be able to address environmental issues while no longer having our elected officials subsidizing the oil companies thus tackling issues like campaign finance reform. The never ending wars are fueled by the financial backing of the corporate weapons manufacturers, what President Eisenhower called, “The Military Industrial Complex.” Stripping these corporations of their rights as people helps for us to end the wars and bring the troops home. The people’s voice is what will influence the decisions of our elected officials once the dark chapter in the history of corporate persons has ended. <br />
<br />
The bottom 50% of our country has much to gain from corporations no longer being people. These companies will be forced to pay their fair share in taxes and will not be allowed to attack labor unions. Our government will have more revenue from the corporate pockets of the 1% who are the majority shareholders of these corporations to spend on creating jobs, education and health care. We will also have succeeded in getting the corporations out of the hospitals and medicine as the pharmaceutical industry is a trillion dollar a year business. Goods like food, water and medicine for people to survive are basic human rights and not for corporations to maximize their profits selling to us while we are drained of our money. <br />
<br />
Once we succeed, agencies like the FDA will no longer be controlled by the corporate influence and food will be healthier with harmful chemicals removed from standard farming practices. No longer will these huge agribusinesses use genetically modified foods, bovine growth hormone, pesticides and chemical fertilizers that have been linked to cancer because with corporations no longer considered persons, actions like these will cause CEOs to end up behind bars in jail and immense amounts of money to be paid out in lawsuits to the people hurt by these corporate actions. The lawsuits will be paid out quickly replacing the legal process that goes on now where people who have been harmed by the actions of these immortal psychopaths have to wait ten or even twenty years only to end up settling outside of court for a fraction of the damages they incurred if they are still alive to collect it. <br />
<br />
After we succeed in abolishing corporate persons, we the people will have gained a legal footing which we will be able to use as we continue to carry out reforms and further actions. Organizers, activists, people working on the grassroots level and labor will all be able to make huge strides on a newfound platform allowing people’s rights to be rightfully held in a much higher place in our society than the profits of these corporations. The idea of perpetual growth is what rules these monsters. They want more and more never taking into account the real costs that we all have to pay for their blind pursuit of profit. The goal of these strange persons only stretches out three months looking at their quarterly gains statements. As the economy collapses and the environment crumbles these corporations and their minions on Wall Street continue to take and hoard as much of the financial capital as they can. <br />
<br />
Together, we can end this. Together, we can make history. A Constitutional amendment that states that, “A person is a human and only a human,” will change the rules of the game which is now tilted in the favor of the 1%. The 1% are the majority share holders of these corporations. Once the dark clouds of this long era of corporate tyranny has ended the shackles on our democratic process will be removed. Actions like the United States of America becoming the world’s leading producer of renewable energy and building a network of high speed rail and public transportation across the nation can become a reality. These actions will create tens of millions of jobs. These jobs will be paid with a living wage and more. Now is the time. This is our moment. We must stand together in solidarity. We, the human people, must for once and for all abolish the perverse notion of corporate persons. <br />
<br />
In Solidarity with lending my energy to a people centered sustainable society,<br />
<br />
Michael <br />
<br />
Michael@TeamGood.org<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Short_Summary_about_Corporate_Personhood&diff=18133Short Summary about Corporate Personhood2013-05-23T21:24:29Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
Is capitalism the same when a person is both a human and a corporation? Humans die while corporations are immortal beings that can never go to jail for their crimes and have the ability to spawn endlessly into other corporations. These beings are legally mandated to uphold profits above all other competing interests. Due to the legal benefits that these strange people have been granted for the last 130 years, they are allowed to have a disproportionally large amount of influence on the democratic process. Last year, the Supreme Court further expanded the power of corporate persons in a 5-4 ruling on January 21st, 2010 that "overturns doctrine dating back a century and laws upheld in 1990.” Michael Waldman of the New York Times stated about the decision that it, "strikes at the heart of democracy" by having "paved the way for corporations to use their vast treasuries to overwhelm elections and intimidate elected officials into doing their bidding." Not that this didn't happen before in indirect ways, it is now legal for corporations to do this. What this means is that the voice of the people gets drowned out by the corporate megaphones. <br />
<br />
It was the 14th Amendment that corporate attorneys used to gain their corporate clients the status of persons under the law. The 14th Amendment was written to protect the rights of freed slaves in all states stating that, no state shall deprive a person of life liberty property and due process of the law. These corporate attorneys stated that, “We are a person, a corporation is a person” and judges went along with it. From 1890-1910, there were 307 cases brought forth to the Supreme Court about corporate persons, 288 were corporations gaining personhood rights while 19 of those cases were freed slaves defending their rights. These freed slaves were supposed to be protected by this amendment yet they benefited not by it. <br />
<br />
Once corporate persons began in 1886 in the case of Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad, the first major industry that these new people began to consolidate was the media. With the birth of capitalism’s version of Frankenstein, these corporate people began controlling the media message in a systematic way. With this newfound power, along with manufacturing goods these corporations were creating messages in order to ”manufacture the consent” of the people as stated by the influential media mind of the early 20th century, Walter Lippmann. Ending corporate persons brings about media reform and does away with large corporate conglomerates. <br />
<br />
Before these entities became people, corporate charters included mandates like caps on earnings. So, if a corporation exceeded the cap on their earnings, the excess money would be given to the community where that corporation benefited from being located. <br />
<br />
Corporations are now mandated by law to uphold profits above all other competing interests. This is why a company like Monsanto will dispose of toxic chemicals called PCBs in the vacant lots of Anniston, Alabama causing many people to die and thousands to sue Monsanto. Human life in this case was a “competing interest.” In this example, there was a leak of an internal document of Monsanto’s which stated that the company did not want to spend $1 on the disposal of these deadly chemicals. After this was discovered, the people who made these decisions at Monsanto did not go to jail for manslaughter. Actions like these of corporations are praised by the profiting shareholders while those who make these decisions get bonuses and benefit from the limited liability protections that corporate personhood grants them. Another example of this was the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. The spill cost $5 billion dollars to clean up and those costs were socialized to taxpayers. Exxon had to pay a $500 million dollar EPA violation for not cleaning up the oil spilled. Instead of paying the violation, they appealed it. After 18 years in court in 2007, the appeal was ruled upon. Exxon ended up paying $50 million dollars for the EPA violation which was 1% of the cleanup costs. This was at a time when Exxon was recording record profits in the tens of billions of dollars. Their profits were privatized while the costs of their industry were socialized. This is not some obscure example, this is business as usual in the world of corporate capitalism. Getting rid of these corporations will allow for a whole new world of possibilities directed by we the people creating local sustainable communities no longer oppressed by these unjust corporate persons. In doing this, we will be able to address environmental issues while no longer having our elected officials subsidizing the oil companies thus tackling issues like campaign finance reform. The never ending wars are fueled by the financial backing of the corporate weapons manufacturers, what President Eisenhower called, “The Military Industrial Complex.” Stripping these corporations of their rights as people helps for us to end the wars and bring the troops home. The people’s voice is what will influence the decisions of our elected officials once the dark chapter in the history of corporate persons has ended. <br />
<br />
The bottom 50% of our country has much to gain from corporations no longer being people. These companies will be forced to pay their fair share in taxes and will not be allowed to attack labor unions. Our government will have more revenue from the corporate pockets of the 1% who are the majority shareholders of these corporations to spend on creating jobs, education and health care. We will also have succeeded in getting the corporations out of the hospitals and medicine as the pharmaceutical industry is a trillion dollar a year business. Goods like food, water and medicine for people to survive are basic human rights and not for corporations to maximize their profits selling to us while we are drained of our money. <br />
<br />
Once we succeed, agencies like the FDA will no longer be controlled by the corporate influence and food will be healthier with harmful chemicals removed from standard farming practices. No longer will these huge agribusinesses use genetically modified foods, bovine growth hormone, pesticides and chemical fertilizers that have been linked to cancer because with corporations no longer considered persons, actions like these will cause CEOs to end up behind bars in jail and immense amounts of money to be paid out in lawsuits to the people hurt by these corporate actions. The lawsuits will be paid out quickly replacing the legal process that goes on now where people who have been harmed by the actions of these immortal psychopaths have to wait ten or even twenty years only to end up settling outside of court for a fraction of the damages they incurred if they are still alive to collect it. <br />
<br />
After we succeed in abolishing corporate persons, we the people will have gained a legal footing which we will be able to use as we continue to carry out reforms and further actions. Organizers, activists, people working on the grassroots level and labor will all be able to make huge strides on a newfound platform allowing people’s rights to be rightfully held in a much higher place in our society than the profits of these corporations. The idea of perpetual growth is what rules these monsters. They want more and more never taking into account the real costs that we all have to pay for their blind pursuit of profit. The goal of these strange persons only stretches out three months looking at their quarterly gains statements. As the economy collapses and the environment crumbles these corporations and their minions on Wall Street continue to take and hoard as much of the financial capital as they can. <br />
<br />
Together, we can end this. Together, we can make history. A Constitutional amendment that states that, “A person is a human and only a human,” will change the rules of the game which is now tilted in the favor of the 1%. The 1% are the majority share holders of these corporations. Once the dark clouds of this long era of corporate tyranny has ended the shackles on our democratic process will be removed. Actions like the United States of America becoming the world’s leading producer of renewable energy and building a network of high speed rail and public transportation across the nation can become a reality. These actions will create tens of millions of jobs. These jobs will be paid with a living wage and more. Now is the time. This is our moment. We must stand together in solidarity. We, the human people, must for once and for all abolish the perverse notion of corporate persons. <br />
<br />
In Solidarity with lending my energy to a people centered sustainable society,<br />
<br />
Michael <br />
<br />
Michael@TeamGood.org</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Appeal_to_organizers_and_activists&diff=18132Appeal to organizers and activists2013-05-23T21:23:54Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]] <br />
<br />
<br />
'''Come Together. Spread the Word. Raise Your Voice. The Time is Now. We are All a Part of This.'''<br />
<br />
<br />
In solidarity, '''<big>“WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND AN END TO CORPORATE PERSONS”</big>We call to Amend the United States Constitution'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''We support Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution'''<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are many people actively engaged in grass roots movements that support many important causes, though the people-force is divided. These people are making important gains in very specific areas while the institutional structure aided by corporate personhood continues to exist and perpetuate more problems. We all have to join our collective energies and come together around eliminating corporate persons. The success of all the people coming together about this issue will surely lead to further actions that will continue to help turn the tide from its present course as well as aid the grass roots activists and organizers in their specific causes once the abolition of corporate persons is achieved. <br />
<br />
<br />
We are on a train run by corporations who are accelerating us toward a cliff. If we do not act to take away the power from the corporations they will continue to make as much money as possible with no regard to the environment which will further accelerate the train toward the cliff. If we all come together and rise up against corporations we can slow the train. We will also have the highest probability of stopping the train if we do this. (Rising up against corporations means, coming together in solidarity to declare that the Constitution be amended to say a person is a human and only a human and that money is not free speech) <br />
Included are links meant to inform people about the issue of corporate personhood, show people good places to get informed daily, show we are not alone in this movement and inform people about neoliberalism. The links are a collection of short articles, videos and the introduction to the book Profit over People which all connect to focus on the main points mentioned. <br />
<br />
<br />
The efforts of people working to help the environment and to bring about social change will continuously be undermined if corporations have the legal status that they currently benefit from. In succeeding with these actions, we the people will gain a legal footing that will be critical in moving the movement forward to address the ecological issues and to build a sustainable society. It is clear, if corporations are allowed to retain their rights they will continue to embrace destructive events caused by climate change as money making opportunities. With time being against us because of environmental issues the sooner the better with regard to getting the amendment passed. Between now and the 2012 elections, the goal is to build a movement to make this the paramount issue leading up to the elections so, Spread the Word. Join the Movement. We are not Alone. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Wisconsin voters pass referenda in support of amending the U.S. Constitution 4/6/11<br />
<br />
http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=232539 <br />
<br />
<br />
Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont. On the anniversary of the Citizens United decision, Vermont politicians are moving to deny corporations the rights that humans enjoy.<br />
<br />
http://www.alternet.org/news/149620/vermont_is_gearing_up_to_strike_a_major_blow_to_corporate_personhood,_ban_it_statewide?page=1<br />
<br />
<br />
Movement to Abolish Corporate Personhood Gaining Traction 7/1/11<br />
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/07/01-14<br />
<br />
<br />
Limit corporate power by amending Constitution 7/14/11<br />
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/07/14/limit_corporate_power_by_amending_constitution/<br />
<br />
<br />
“We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to: Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights." <br />
<br />
http://movetoamend.org/<br />
<br />
<br />
Birth of a Corporation (5 minute video)<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuUzmqBewg<br />
<br />
<br />
Amending the 14th by Thom Hartmann <br />
<br />
http://www.truth-out.org/introduction-the-battle-save-democracy68271<br />
<br />
(5 minute video) (scroll down the page a bit to get to the video)<br />
<br />
<br />
Profit over People: Introduction by Robert McChesney (11 pages)<br />
<br />
Thoroughly explains Neoliberalism: is the Defining Economic Paradigm of Our Time<br />
<br />
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr&id=NrLv4surz7UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA7&dq=profit+over+people+chomsky&ots=JuTzEObIoL&sig=_Tm1ICm9Okm6SyWJH3RCghF5rFE#v=onepage&q&f=false<br />
<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky on Libertarian Socialism, Laissez Faire Capitalism, Adam Smith & Words Taking on Their Opposite Meaning in America (5 minute video)<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxbeyn2xMQE<br />
<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky on Global Warming 2.10.11 (22 minutes video)<br />
<br />
http://www.zcommunications.org/changing-climate-by-noam-chomsky<br />
<br />
<br />
STAY INFORMED DAILY:<br />
<br />
Three Independent News Sites: Sign-up and get the news sent to your inbox. It is very easy to follow stories, headlines or clips because it is just a click away. <br />
<br />
Sign-up here DemocracyNow: http://www.democracynow.org/subscribe<br />
<br />
Sign-up here Truthdig: http://support.truthdig.com/signup_page/subscribe<br />
<br />
Sign-up here Truthout: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6694/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=2160<br />
<br />
In Solidarity with Lending my Energy to a People Centered Sustainable Society and the Culture of Collaboration,<br />
<br />
- Michael<br />
<br />
Contact Email: Michael@TeamGood.org</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18131Occupy Strategic Planning2013-05-23T21:22:55Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like roadmaps/timelines, diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a visual explanation of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18130Occupy Strategic Planning2013-05-23T21:22:09Z<p>EmanonBlank: /* TRACK 1: GOALS */</p>
<hr />
<div>[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like roadmaps/timelines, diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible.<br />
<br />
[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a visual explanation of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Revoking_the_Corporation_by_Richard_Grossman&diff=18129Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman2013-05-23T21:08:47Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy, January 29, 1996. So many of the important issues that affect our communities, ou..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<br />
Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman<br />
<br />
Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy, January 29, 1996.<br />
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So many of the important issues that affect our communities, our health, our children's future, the ability of people to work-issues that define the work people do-seem to be off the political agenda. We, as the sovereign people, don't seem to have any authority over making decisions. To take a specific example, the shifting from glass to plastic bottles, which was a major decision made by goodness knows who, changed a vast manufacturing process from a relatively responsibly recyclable, sustainable one into an incredibly poisonous, disastrous, sickness-and-death-creating industry.<br />
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You can cite any equivalent area of our society-from transportation to energy to housing to banking, genetic engineering, what's happening to our seeds, our whole food supply-the real decisions about the nature of the product, how it's made, how work is organized, which communities do well (because money is invested), which communities do badly (because money is taken out by absentee ownership by foreign, distant corporations)-we don't seem to have legal standing in those decisions. And public debate is off to the side. We end up choosing between "paper or plastic" and not about what goes in-there's nothing about the products.<br />
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How did this come about? We are supposed to be the sovereign people, right? Even the California Constitution: Article 1, Section 2 states: "All power is inherent in the people." It doesn't say, "All power is inherent in the corporations." So it is important to ask: "What is the Giant Corporation that seems to be exercising so much power today? Where did it come from?" For that we need to go back to the time of the American Revolution.<br />
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One of the major accomplishments of the revolution was to kick private corporations out of this country-to kick some out (like the Hudson Bay Company), which were very powerful private corporations of the day, and to transform what had been private stock corporations chartered by the king.<br />
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Massachusetts Bay Corporation (which was a colony that founded the commonwealth where I live today), the Virginia Corporation, the Carolina Corporation, the Maryland Corporation, the Pennsylvania Corporation- these were business corporations that settled and created the 13 colonies. They were dictatorships-there was no pretense. The people who ran those companies decided what you could grow, where you had to ship your products, what kind of work you did. They could conscript you into the militia. They were dictatorships.<br />
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The revolution fundamentally transformed those companies into constitutional states. Not perfect by any means. But it shifted the source of political power. It shifted the nature of sovereignty so that there became institutional processes for making decisions: legislatures, the courts, separation of powers, terms of office for those holding office. A process and people-and "the people" were defined. Of course that's a political definition of who "we the people" were, because a lot of people-African-Americans, women, men without property, Native Americans, trees, rocks, rivers-had no legal standing, were not included in "we the people." But the people who were "we the people," who had legal standing, then became "the sovereign people."<br />
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So in effect, by force of arms, the colonists transferred the sovereignty that had set with the King of England to the people. The king was the sovereign; he got his sovereignty allegedly from God. All his rulers ruled in his name. That sovereignty-with the revolution-passed to "the people."<br />
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When you look at all the constitutions of all the 13 colonies and the other states, and the United States Constitution, they say, "we the people"-we the sovereign people. We existed as a people; we came together and wrote our constitutions in order to form a government, in order to figure out how to get together in order to protect the general welfare. Government was a voluntary association of people in order to figure out how we use our resources, how we get along, and all that.<br />
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Because of the experience that people had had with crown corporations, understanding the reach of their power-not just ones here, but also companies like the East India Company, the Africa Company, which in the 18th century were truly global corporations of the day, rapacious, dictatorial-if you read the histories of these companies, if they had anything near the kind of technology that we have today, the world would have already been destroyed. They did enormous harm to India, to Africa, to South and Central America-killed huge numbers of people and basically vacuumed out the wealth and the resources and enslaved the rest. So there was a lot of consciousness about that at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. And when it came to institutions of enterprise, people were very cautious and gave the authority to create corporations to the state legislatures. The state legislatures, until after the Civil War, essentially gave out charters one at a time. People applied for a charter, for articles of incorporation. They had to come before the legislature. The legislature decided whether this was something that was in the interest of the people. I'm sure there was a lot of bribery and a lot of corruption, but that was the principle.<br />
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The legislatures defined the corporations in the charter. If you go back and look at the corporations up through the Civil War, for the most part they had limited duration, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. They were not given forever, like corporate charters are given today. The amount of land a corporation could own was limited; the amount of capitalization a corporation could have was limited. The corporation had to be chartered for a specific purpose, not for everything or anything.<br />
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The internal governance was very different. Shareholders had a lot more rights than they have today for major decisions, such as mergers. Sometimes they had to have unanimous shareholder consent. In addition, there were no limitations protections on liability. Managers, directors, shareholders were liable for all debts and harms and in some states, doubly liable or triply liable. And the states reserved the right to amend the charters or to revoke them, even for no reason at all.<br />
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Because of the principle that we're the sovereign people and these are subordinate entities, a lot of people wrote pamphlets and discussed all these issues, people without fancy educations, who understood that there was a danger, that once wealth became concentrated in private entities, these private entities could then begin to affect the political process, could start affecting elections, could start shaping the laws, could start shaping public education in general on issues of public policy, could start shaping the values and the culture to become a commercial culture, to turn people into consumers rather than citizens. The literature on this is pretty exhaustive.<br />
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So folks were very conscious of all these things and they tried their best to keep the corporations defined through the charters and then through general state incorporation laws, in a very clear and limited way.<br />
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I want to make the distinction here between the state and the people, through the legislators, defining the corporation, defining its limits, expressly giving only certain powers, privileges, rights, in exchange for the privilege of incorporation. I want to distinguish that defining process from a regulatory process, which is basically about preventing excess, preventing the worst kinds of harms, but giving the entity an enormous authority to make all kinds of decisions. They are two very different concepts, one defining the nature of this entity, this fiction, this subordinate entity, versus giving this entity enormous political powers and then trying to curb it around the edges and saying that the role of the state is to perfect the market, to have "fair competition" (whatever that might be) in some vague way.<br />
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The Civil War, given the tremendous amount of government expenditures, poured billions and billions of dollars into the creation of new corporations in munitions, clothing, food, whatever-and the railroads. And it was at this point that we started getting giant (for the day) conglomerations of capital, particularly the railroads, banking and insurance companies, and industrial corporations. After the Civil War-in the 1870s-they began not only to grow in size and wealth, but to use that wealth in order to fundamentally recreate the circumstances of their own existence.<br />
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From 1870 to about 1905, we had what scholars call the Transformation of American Law, basically around the nature of corporations. The situation in law and culture prior to the Civil War was totally turned on its head so that by 1905, corporations were generally chartered forever; the shareholder rights were trampled on, limitations on capital thrown out, limitation on land-holding thrown out, charters given for any legal purpose. No longer was there a single purpose for the corporation.<br />
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So the nature of the entity was transformed, the entity itself transformed its own nature. In addition, by decisions of the Supreme Court, the corporation was given political rights and powers. One of the most relative, given where we are sitting here today, is that the Supreme Court in 1886 declared that the corporation is a person, a legal person for the purposes of 14th Amendment, which is about guaranteed equal protection of the laws and due process. The 14th Amendment was passed in 1868 in order to protect the rights of freed slaves. It was not passed to protect the rights of corporations-a fundamental misuse of this constitutional amendment.<br />
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Corporations became persons, which means over the years that is one of the sources of their political rights. If they're persons, then eventually they got First Amendment protections: free speech. And because corporations have free speech, the full power of the United States government is behind them as they can participate in elections, contribute and engage in the public policy debate. They can lobby lawmakers because they are persons, and what the court has held is that to deny them the ability to contribute money or lobby is to deny them free speech, and to deny the civil society of the benefit of a broader public debate. That's the logic .<br />
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We must examine what are the decisions for the civil society that need to be conducted in an open way through the constitutionalized process, and what are the decisions that are the private domain of the corporation.<br />
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Another whole set of decisions that the Supreme Court made was to make the intangible rights of decisions about investment, production, and the organization of work be the property rights of corporations. The constitution is a very property-protective document. Once these intangible rights were declared "property rights" of corporations, combined with "personhood," that was an incredible one-two punch.<br />
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So now the subordinate entity called the corporation-the legal fiction-has more rights and privileges than flesh-and-blood people. So much of the important decision-making that affects our very lives and our future is off the public agenda. We have very little legal standing, and that means more actually in the hands of anonymous corporate leaders behind closed doors. In most states a lot of the language from the early days that reflected the subordinate nature of corporations is still on the books (including California). We still have the authority, in California and other states, to define the corporations through their charters; we still have the authority to amend the charters; we still have the authority to revoke the charters. The language is still there. We still have the authority to rewrite the state corporation codes in order to order corporate executives to do what the sovereign people want to do.<br />
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A sovereign people do not negotiate with subordinate legal fictions. We instruct them. We define them. We don't regulate them about the edges so they can poison here and poison there-but not more than the acceptable amount. We say, "You can't operate if you poison!" That is what a sovereign people should do.<br />
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If we are going to have pretense to a democracy, we cannot give political rights and powers to a private entity. We cannot let that private entity get so strong that it rewrites the laws, that it shapes the culture, that it shapes the education. It may be difficult to imagine a country that's not dominated by giant corporations, but other people before us have imagined that, and they've taken big steps toward that, and there is no reason why we can't continue that struggle because they also left us many important mechanisms that we can use.</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18128End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T21:05:47Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
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Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
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- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
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- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
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- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
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- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
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- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
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'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
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Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
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Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
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- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
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- Actions for the group to take <br />
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(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
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Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
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The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
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2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
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a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
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'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
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b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
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3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
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(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
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In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
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(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
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4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
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5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
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Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
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(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
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6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
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- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
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- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
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2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
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3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
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4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
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5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
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6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
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- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
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- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
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1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
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2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
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3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
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(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
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Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
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[[Appeal to organizers and activists]] Additional information links are included on this page <br />
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[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]<br />
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[[Revoking the Corporation by Richard Grossman]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Short_Summary_about_Corporate_Personhood&diff=18127Short Summary about Corporate Personhood2013-05-23T21:02:25Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " Is capitalism the same when a person is both a human and a corporation? Humans die while corporations are immortal beings that can never go to jail for their crimes and have..."</p>
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Is capitalism the same when a person is both a human and a corporation? Humans die while corporations are immortal beings that can never go to jail for their crimes and have the ability to spawn endlessly into other corporations. These beings are legally mandated to uphold profits above all other competing interests. Due to the legal benefits that these strange people have been granted for the last 130 years, they are allowed to have a disproportionally large amount of influence on the democratic process. Last year, the Supreme Court further expanded the power of corporate persons in a 5-4 ruling on January 21st, 2010 that "overturns doctrine dating back a century and laws upheld in 1990.” Michael Waldman of the New York Times stated about the decision that it, "strikes at the heart of democracy" by having "paved the way for corporations to use their vast treasuries to overwhelm elections and intimidate elected officials into doing their bidding." Not that this didn't happen before in indirect ways, it is now legal for corporations to do this. What this means is that the voice of the people gets drowned out by the corporate megaphones. <br />
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It was the 14th Amendment that corporate attorneys used to gain their corporate clients the status of persons under the law. The 14th Amendment was written to protect the rights of freed slaves in all states stating that, no state shall deprive a person of life liberty property and due process of the law. These corporate attorneys stated that, “We are a person, a corporation is a person” and judges went along with it. From 1890-1910, there were 307 cases brought forth to the Supreme Court about corporate persons, 288 were corporations gaining personhood rights while 19 of those cases were freed slaves defending their rights. These freed slaves were supposed to be protected by this amendment yet they benefited not by it. <br />
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Once corporate persons began in 1886 in the case of Santa Clara County vs. Southern Pacific Railroad, the first major industry that these new people began to consolidate was the media. With the birth of capitalism’s version of Frankenstein, these corporate people began controlling the media message in a systematic way. With this newfound power, along with manufacturing goods these corporations were creating messages in order to ”manufacture the consent” of the people as stated by the influential media mind of the early 20th century, Walter Lippmann. Ending corporate persons brings about media reform and does away with large corporate conglomerates. <br />
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Before these entities became people, corporate charters included mandates like caps on earnings. So, if a corporation exceeded the cap on their earnings, the excess money would be given to the community where that corporation benefited from being located. <br />
<br />
Corporations are now mandated by law to uphold profits above all other competing interests. This is why a company like Monsanto will dispose of toxic chemicals called PCBs in the vacant lots of Anniston, Alabama causing many people to die and thousands to sue Monsanto. Human life in this case was a “competing interest.” In this example, there was a leak of an internal document of Monsanto’s which stated that the company did not want to spend $1 on the disposal of these deadly chemicals. After this was discovered, the people who made these decisions at Monsanto did not go to jail for manslaughter. Actions like these of corporations are praised by the profiting shareholders while those who make these decisions get bonuses and benefit from the limited liability protections that corporate personhood grants them. Another example of this was the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. The spill cost $5 billion dollars to clean up and those costs were socialized to taxpayers. Exxon had to pay a $500 million dollar EPA violation for not cleaning up the oil spilled. Instead of paying the violation, they appealed it. After 18 years in court in 2007, the appeal was ruled upon. Exxon ended up paying $50 million dollars for the EPA violation which was 1% of the cleanup costs. This was at a time when Exxon was recording record profits in the tens of billions of dollars. Their profits were privatized while the costs of their industry were socialized. This is not some obscure example, this is business as usual in the world of corporate capitalism. Getting rid of these corporations will allow for a whole new world of possibilities directed by we the people creating local sustainable communities no longer oppressed by these unjust corporate persons. In doing this, we will be able to address environmental issues while no longer having our elected officials subsidizing the oil companies thus tackling issues like campaign finance reform. The never ending wars are fueled by the financial backing of the corporate weapons manufacturers, what President Eisenhower called, “The Military Industrial Complex.” Stripping these corporations of their rights as people helps for us to end the wars and bring the troops home. The people’s voice is what will influence the decisions of our elected officials once the dark chapter in the history of corporate persons has ended. <br />
<br />
The bottom 50% of our country has much to gain from corporations no longer being people. These companies will be forced to pay their fair share in taxes and will not be allowed to attack labor unions. Our government will have more revenue from the corporate pockets of the 1% who are the majority shareholders of these corporations to spend on creating jobs, education and health care. We will also have succeeded in getting the corporations out of the hospitals and medicine as the pharmaceutical industry is a trillion dollar a year business. Goods like food, water and medicine for people to survive are basic human rights and not for corporations to maximize their profits selling to us while we are drained of our money. <br />
<br />
Once we succeed, agencies like the FDA will no longer be controlled by the corporate influence and food will be healthier with harmful chemicals removed from standard farming practices. No longer will these huge agribusinesses use genetically modified foods, bovine growth hormone, pesticides and chemical fertilizers that have been linked to cancer because with corporations no longer considered persons, actions like these will cause CEOs to end up behind bars in jail and immense amounts of money to be paid out in lawsuits to the people hurt by these corporate actions. The lawsuits will be paid out quickly replacing the legal process that goes on now where people who have been harmed by the actions of these immortal psychopaths have to wait ten or even twenty years only to end up settling outside of court for a fraction of the damages they incurred if they are still alive to collect it. <br />
<br />
After we succeed in abolishing corporate persons, we the people will have gained a legal footing which we will be able to use as we continue to carry out reforms and further actions. Organizers, activists, people working on the grassroots level and labor will all be able to make huge strides on a newfound platform allowing people’s rights to be rightfully held in a much higher place in our society than the profits of these corporations. The idea of perpetual growth is what rules these monsters. They want more and more never taking into account the real costs that we all have to pay for their blind pursuit of profit. The goal of these strange persons only stretches out three months looking at their quarterly gains statements. As the economy collapses and the environment crumbles these corporations and their minions on Wall Street continue to take and hoard as much of the financial capital as they can. <br />
<br />
Together, we can end this. Together, we can make history. A Constitutional amendment that states that, “A person is a human and only a human,” will change the rules of the game which is now tilted in the favor of the 1%. The 1% are the majority share holders of these corporations. Once the dark clouds of this long era of corporate tyranny has ended the shackles on our democratic process will be removed. Actions like the United States of America becoming the world’s leading producer of renewable energy and building a network of high speed rail and public transportation across the nation can become a reality. These actions will create tens of millions of jobs. These jobs will be paid with a living wage and more. Now is the time. This is our moment. We must stand together in solidarity. We, the human people, must for once and for all abolish the perverse notion of corporate persons. <br />
<br />
In Solidarity with lending my energy to a people centered sustainable society,<br />
<br />
Michael <br />
<br />
Michael@TeamGood.org</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18126End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T20:57:37Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]]<br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18125End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T20:56:50Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to Organizers and Activists]]<br />
<br />
[[Short Summary about Corporate Personhood]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Appeal_to_organizers_and_activists&diff=18124Appeal to organizers and activists2013-05-23T20:54:50Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " '''Come Together. Spread the Word. Raise Your Voice. The Time is Now. We are All a Part of This.''' In solidarity, '''<big>“WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND AN END TO CORPORATE PERSO..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Come Together. Spread the Word. Raise Your Voice. The Time is Now. We are All a Part of This.'''<br />
<br />
<br />
In solidarity, '''<big>“WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND AN END TO CORPORATE PERSONS”</big>We call to Amend the United States Constitution'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''We support Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution'''<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are many people actively engaged in grass roots movements that support many important causes, though the people-force is divided. These people are making important gains in very specific areas while the institutional structure aided by corporate personhood continues to exist and perpetuate more problems. We all have to join our collective energies and come together around eliminating corporate persons. The success of all the people coming together about this issue will surely lead to further actions that will continue to help turn the tide from its present course as well as aid the grass roots activists and organizers in their specific causes once the abolition of corporate persons is achieved. <br />
<br />
<br />
We are on a train run by corporations who are accelerating us toward a cliff. If we do not act to take away the power from the corporations they will continue to make as much money as possible with no regard to the environment which will further accelerate the train toward the cliff. If we all come together and rise up against corporations we can slow the train. We will also have the highest probability of stopping the train if we do this. (Rising up against corporations means, coming together in solidarity to declare that the Constitution be amended to say a person is a human and only a human and that money is not free speech) <br />
Included are links meant to inform people about the issue of corporate personhood, show people good places to get informed daily, show we are not alone in this movement and inform people about neoliberalism. The links are a collection of short articles, videos and the introduction to the book Profit over People which all connect to focus on the main points mentioned. <br />
<br />
<br />
The efforts of people working to help the environment and to bring about social change will continuously be undermined if corporations have the legal status that they currently benefit from. In succeeding with these actions, we the people will gain a legal footing that will be critical in moving the movement forward to address the ecological issues and to build a sustainable society. It is clear, if corporations are allowed to retain their rights they will continue to embrace destructive events caused by climate change as money making opportunities. With time being against us because of environmental issues the sooner the better with regard to getting the amendment passed. Between now and the 2012 elections, the goal is to build a movement to make this the paramount issue leading up to the elections so, Spread the Word. Join the Movement. We are not Alone. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Wisconsin voters pass referenda in support of amending the U.S. Constitution 4/6/11<br />
<br />
http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=232539 <br />
<br />
<br />
Resolution Calling to Amend the Constitution Banning Corporate Personhood Introduced in Vermont. On the anniversary of the Citizens United decision, Vermont politicians are moving to deny corporations the rights that humans enjoy.<br />
<br />
http://www.alternet.org/news/149620/vermont_is_gearing_up_to_strike_a_major_blow_to_corporate_personhood,_ban_it_statewide?page=1<br />
<br />
<br />
Movement to Abolish Corporate Personhood Gaining Traction 7/1/11<br />
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/07/01-14<br />
<br />
<br />
Limit corporate power by amending Constitution 7/14/11<br />
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/07/14/limit_corporate_power_by_amending_constitution/<br />
<br />
<br />
“We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to: Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights." <br />
<br />
http://movetoamend.org/<br />
<br />
<br />
Birth of a Corporation (5 minute video)<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuUzmqBewg<br />
<br />
<br />
Amending the 14th by Thom Hartmann <br />
<br />
http://www.truth-out.org/introduction-the-battle-save-democracy68271<br />
<br />
(5 minute video) (scroll down the page a bit to get to the video)<br />
<br />
<br />
Profit over People: Introduction by Robert McChesney (11 pages)<br />
<br />
Thoroughly explains Neoliberalism: is the Defining Economic Paradigm of Our Time<br />
<br />
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr&id=NrLv4surz7UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA7&dq=profit+over+people+chomsky&ots=JuTzEObIoL&sig=_Tm1ICm9Okm6SyWJH3RCghF5rFE#v=onepage&q&f=false<br />
<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky on Libertarian Socialism, Laissez Faire Capitalism, Adam Smith & Words Taking on Their Opposite Meaning in America (5 minute video)<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxbeyn2xMQE<br />
<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky on Global Warming 2.10.11 (22 minutes video)<br />
<br />
http://www.zcommunications.org/changing-climate-by-noam-chomsky<br />
<br />
<br />
STAY INFORMED DAILY:<br />
<br />
Three Independent News Sites: Sign-up and get the news sent to your inbox. It is very easy to follow stories, headlines or clips because it is just a click away. <br />
<br />
Sign-up here DemocracyNow: http://www.democracynow.org/subscribe<br />
<br />
Sign-up here Truthdig: http://support.truthdig.com/signup_page/subscribe<br />
<br />
Sign-up here Truthout: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6694/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=2160<br />
<br />
In Solidarity with Lending my Energy to a People Centered Sustainable Society and the Culture of Collaboration,<br />
<br />
- Michael<br />
<br />
Contact Email: Michael@TeamGood.org</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18123End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T20:50:03Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
Additional links to resources about Ending the Corporatocracy are provided at the bottom of the page.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Resources about Ending the Corporatocracy:<br />
<br />
[[Appeal to organizers and activists]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames&diff=18122End Corporatocracy: Time Frames2013-05-23T20:34:30Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"''' - Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished''' - Initial..."</p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
<br />
The main focus of our effort: '''"<big>End the Corporatocracy</big>"'''<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: '''Present through the time it is accomplished'''<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- '''The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below''' <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:'''<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kjIvIFWhtvs<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take <br />
<br />
(Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy"''' <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms.''' Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
'''Additionally, reach out to artists''' (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals''' from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. <br />
<br />
(Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. <br />
<br />
(Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Plan event days.''' These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort.''' <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. <br />
<br />
(Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons.''' Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame''' <br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Be actively engaged in the political process''' without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
<br />
3) '''Debrief with the our group and follow-up''' with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
<br />
4) '''Members of our group work on targeting notable figures''' from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
<br />
5) '''Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events''' in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
<br />
6) '''Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
<br />
1) '''Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame'''<br />
<br />
<br />
2) '''Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels''' using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. <br />
(Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. <br />
<br />
(Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=End_Corporatocracy:_Time_Frames_%26_Actions&diff=18121End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions2013-05-23T20:10:50Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " The main focus of our effort: "End the Corporatocracy" - Time Frame to accomplish goal: Present through the time it is accomplished - Initial Time Frame for Action for ..."</p>
<hr />
<div> <br />
The main focus of our effort: "End the Corporatocracy"<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: Present through the time it is accomplished<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below<br />
<br />
Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:<br />
<br />
Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy" <br />
<br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
<br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms. Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
<br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
<br />
Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
<br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. (Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
<br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. (Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
4) Plan event days. These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort. <br />
<br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. (Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons. Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Continue actions from the initial time frame<br />
<br />
2) Be actively engaged in the political process without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
3) Debrief with the our group and follow-up with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
4) Members of our group work on targeting notable figures from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
5) Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
6) Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame<br />
<br />
2) Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. (Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. (Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18120Occupy Strategic Planning2013-05-23T20:05:35Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[End Corporatocracy: Time Frames & Actions]]<br />
<br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like roadmaps/timelines, diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible. <br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a visual explanation of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18119Occupy Strategic Planning2013-05-23T20:04:39Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div>[[End Corporatocracy]]<br />
<br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like roadmaps/timelines, diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible. <br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a visual explanation of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=New_page_name&diff=18118New page name2013-05-23T20:03:21Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div>[[new page name]]<br />
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[[new page name]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=New_page_name&diff=18117New page name2013-05-23T20:01:38Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
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<div>[[new page name]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=New_page_name&diff=18116New page name2013-05-23T20:01:13Z<p>EmanonBlank: Blanked the page</p>
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<div></div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=New_page_name&diff=18115New page name2013-05-23T19:57:19Z<p>EmanonBlank: Created page with " The main focus of our effort: "End the Corporatocracy" - Time Frame to accomplish goal: Present through the time it is accomplished - Initial Time Frame for Action for ..."</p>
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<div> <br />
The main focus of our effort: "End the Corporatocracy"<br />
<br />
- Time Frame to accomplish goal: Present through the time it is accomplished<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering <br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
<br />
- The major legislative action toward advancing our cause: A Constitutional Amendment as read below<br />
<br />
Move to Amend's Proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution:<br />
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Section 1. [Artificial Entities Such as Corporations Do Not Have Constitutional Rights]<br />
The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.<br />
Artificial entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state shall have no rights under this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal, State, or local law.<br />
The privileges of artificial entities shall be determined by the People, through Federal, State, or local law, and shall not be construed to be inherent or inalienable.<br />
Section 2. [Money is Not Free Speech]<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure.<br />
Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.<br />
The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the First Amendment.<br />
<br />
Note: This Amendment was proposed on 2.14.13 by Rep. Richard Nolan of Minnesota<br />
<br />
- Initial Time Frame for Action for our strategy group: Present through National Gathering<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Begin an effort to contact organizations that mutually support the focus of our efforts which is to "End the Corporatocracy" <br />
Example: The following link is to a chapter of people who are a part of Move to Amend from Hyannis, Massachusetts. This made the press five days ago on 5.16.13 as they had a rally to bring awareness to the issue that we also support. http://www.wickedlocal.com/barnstable/topstories/x1409969351/VIDEO-Cape-Cod-group-pushes-for-constitutional-amendment#axzz2Tybsg7nl <br />
The purpose of contacting these organizations is to first open the lines of communication with them so that we can mutually support each other for events like this rally on Cape Cod. Our objective here is to unite efforts and work in union. That is one of our actions and an action that we encourage others to take on as well. We begin with organizations and groups that already understand the issue and support the effort. A visual of the idea being put forth here: (Droplets of water separate are merely individual droplets but united they can form a waterfall of change) <br />
<br />
2) Put together information packets that come in a variety of forms. Also, included with the information packets are lists of issues and values along with explanations about how that issue or value is be helped by "Ending the Corporatocracy" and by amending the Constitution. <br />
a) Examples of information packets: Emails that can be forwarded that include links, short videos, power points, a website, social media page, twitter account, songs, essays, documentaries and information "kits."<br />
Additionally, reach out to artists (all kinds of artists), musicians, rappers, singers, song writers, writers, poets, actors/actresses, directors, producers, videographers, photographers who support the cause and will help to lend their time, creative energy, expertise to the effort in one or a variety of ways. <br />
b) Example: Someone from our group is having an event at a church. A team of people working with our cause who are in the same general area as the person or persons organizing the event voluntarily coordinates with each other to be part of the informal "Media Team" who capture photos and videos to edit and share with social media sites to further lend awareness of the effort. Events not only have the impact from the day of the event but from the media that is associated with the day of the event as it gets posted, shared and re-shared online thus having a multiplier effect. <br />
<br />
3) Begin an effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals from those organizations to inform them about: who we are, what our goal is, why is our goal important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals, their group and their cause. Reaching out to organizations and individuals looks like a letter writing campaign, making phone calls, emailing them, dropping in to introduce yourself, scheduling a presentation with them, connecting on social media sites and any or all of the fore mentioned approaches. (Note: The effort to reach out to other organizations and individuals is a global effort since the Corporatocracy is global. Though priority will be placed on linking up with organizations and individuals nationally where our major legislative action (Amending the Constitution) is something that needs the support of American citizens in order to get passed. Though this is true, we stand united and in union with the common people around the world who are struggling in the same effort against the Corporatocracy.) <br />
In some communities we coordinate efforts to go door to door spreading awareness about the effort, who is involved with it and explain why we are going door to door. (For example, the traditional media will not cover this effort.) We have a criteria regarding how people present when they are going door to door. It is important to look like a professional otherwise the likelihood of getting dismissed before you can present the information will increase. The goal here is to deliver the pitch along with a link/handout that the person can take and go to online in order to access our site and media kit. Additionally, we have three fold handouts or other handouts when able. (Note: Though we would like to imagine in an ideal world people suspending their judgement to listen to the content of a stranger at their door regardless of their appearance, the reality of our world is such that a professional looking person will have a higher success rate in a door to door campaign. I hope this is understood and there is not a need to go into this further - there is data to backup this point - advertising companies utilize this data when they do direct marketing campaigns and so do political campaigns when they go door to door. Additionally, coordinating these campaigns and practicing the pitch along with practicing overcoming objectives is something we can plan and coordinate in local areas. The goal for these door to door actions is to drop off the link/handout and simply share information. Where applicable we will ask they sign a petition for a ballot initiative and can ask for an email to be included in updates, actions and future events. We will not be asking for money, only a moment of the persons' time, possibly a signature on a petition and an email. Sure, lots of doors will get closed on people but it is just another way of spreading the information in the community and getting the community talking about the effort. Instances where no one is home we can drop off a handout or link.)<br />
<br />
4) Plan event days. These days are planned in our local communities to inform and engage people of the effort, who we are, what our effort is, why our effort is important and how this effort directly affects them as an individuals. Other event days can have local organizations and other groups come together in solidarity for the effort with the intention of informing and engaging people. When possible these efforts will be accompanied by press coverage by informing and inviting the press to attend the event with at least two weeks notice of the event when possible. Direct follow-up with a local reporter one week prior to the event will increase the likelihood of their presence at the event and is a recommended step to take when planning events. Additionally, we will encourage event days to include video and photo footage as to add to the media campaign and spread awareness about the effort. For example, an event day will have their video footage edited and incorporated into a short video recapping the day and the effort - the effort which is the purpose of the day - spreading information and adding momentum to "End the Corporatocracy." These short videos will then be shared on social media sites that support our effort which we have already connected with (see section 1 under Initial time frame for action). Also, the people who would help in this effort would be people on the local informal "Media Teams" as stated in section 2 example b. Additionally, there will be movie nights to educate and inform people using information from our Media Kits. <br />
<br />
5) Put together a list of direct actions that can add to public awareness of our effort. <br />
Examples of direct actions: covering billboards at rush hour with messages "End the Corporatocracy," "Human Persons Unite!," "We the Human People," "Persons = Humans," "Person are NOT Corporations," "Honk if you are Human" and many other possibilities of what the signs will say. Then, have these efforts coordinated with rallies, marches and event days to magnify the impact of the collective efforts. Also, hanging banners across highway over passes. Additionally, spontaneous performances of a musical song about ending corporate persons like the Target performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8 or this Move to Amend street performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ustR4JSs7k Another example of a direct action is for a group of people to get together outside an area where many people will be exiting or entering like a baseball stadium with signs. Each sign being a letter and spelling out End Corporate Persons. This would take 19 people to hold signs and then have a few extra people for people to take shifts as well as a group of 10-15 more people handing out information links/handouts and talking up the effort. Another example of direct action is to canvas NFL pre-game tailgating where teams of 10-20 people with hundreds of handouts each walk throughout the tailgate and pass out handouts/links and talk about our effort. (Note: There is an enormous opportunity here for people to be creative in our group and come up with lots of thoughts around direct actions that have a powerful impact.) <br />
<br />
6) Familiarize ourselves with the facts and history of corporate persons. Become able to clearly present what the problem is and be able to answer questions about it. Once we put together the information in the media kit we all command that information as a means of being able to spread the message. We also encourage others to take on learning/studying that information and mastering the content as well. We use each other to help in this effort by getting on calls with people in the group and discussing the information with each other. Talk about an essay or documentary, practice our pitches, ask each other questions as if we were unfamiliar with the content and give constructive feedback to one another. <br />
<br />
- Secondary Time Frame (Broader Context Time Frame): Present through the 2014 Elections <br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Continue actions from the initial time frame<br />
<br />
2) Be actively engaged in the political process without Occupy or this strategy group having any party affiliation. Support the inclusion of all candidates in debates. Identify political candidates that will publicly promise to support the Constitutional Amendment from earlier in this document and press them on the issue. Also, make sure that these candidates have a history that is consistent with their pledge to the voters to support the Constitutional Amendment. Make it clear to the candidates that if they do not carry out their campaign promise to end corporate persons they will be voted out of office the next election. Make clear that if they lie about their campaign promises massive direct actions will take place in the districts or states that they represent to support our effort and let it be known that the people were lied to by that politician. Create so much media during the primaries, the campaigns and the debates, that the issue to end corporations becomes the paramount issue of the elections. We use alternative media sources and the people-force that we helped to unite between now and then to overwhelm social media with our message as we in union in this struggle act in concert to have this message be virtually everywhere. We also use the interim elections as practice to develop our ability to direct the message of the campaign.<br />
<br />
3) Debrief with the our group and follow-up with the connections we make and organizations that we coordinate with from the Democracy Convention in August of 2013 https://democracyconvention.org/ and the National Gathering from later in August of 2013 http://interoccupy.net/blog/occupy-national-gathering-2013-kalamazoo-michigan-proposal-of-endorsement/. Revisit our efforts and continue to organize and expand our connections to groups that are like minded as well as continue to network to a broader audience introducing new people and groups to the information and to our events. Work synergistically with the connections we have made to have more common/shared events always looking to magnify the impact of our efforts. <br />
<br />
4) Members of our group work on targeting notable figures from academics, to celebrity activists, to famous socially conscious singers and other notables to join our effort and help spread the information about the cause. <br />
<br />
5) Build on the success of earlier event days and gatherings and plan larger events in concert with other friendly groups as the web of interconnected organizations and individuals grows. <br />
<br />
6) Work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general <br />
<br />
- Tertiary Time Frame (3rd Time Frame Context): Present through the 2016 Presidential Elections<br />
- Actions for the group to take (Note: Actions can be done by individuals, smaller groups within the group or the group as a whole)<br />
<br />
1) Continue actions from the initial time frame and secondary time frame<br />
<br />
2) Continue to work to enact ballot initiatives on the state and local levels using the language of the federal amendment which has already been proposed. This involves gathering teams of people to gather signatures in a window of time after the language of the initiative has been cleared by the attorney general. (Will add a clearer step by step way to see this through for people in their states and local communities) <br />
<br />
3) By this point if we have not already achieved success in the cause to amend the Constitution and our effort to "End the Corporatocracy," the people-force united from our efforts of the last three years will sever to direct the national dialogue of the debate making the paramount issue of the presidential election the abolition of corporate persons with the enactment of the Constitutional amendment. This along with making sure all candidates are included in the debates. We must take from our experience in the 2014 interim elections and build upon it. The unity of the people in union around this effort will ensure our voice be heard. (Note: This is why it is very important between the present and the 2nd and 3rd time frames to unite the collective efforts in this struggle, educate and inform people at mass about this effort and have as many people as possible join us in this movement to "End the Corporatocracy!"</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning&diff=18114Occupy Strategic Planning2013-05-23T19:53:36Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[new page name]]<br />
<br />
''Pages for collaborating on a strategic plan to reach the Occupy Vision.''<br />
<br />
== <big>'''GOAL OF OUR WORK'''</big> == <br />
<br />
We're developing tools to help us communicate ideas. These tools may include things like roadmaps/timelines, diagrams showing who is doing what, etc etc. Join in the fun. Whatever you think will help us develop and communicate "a plan" to get us to our vision. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Working_Group_Mission_Statement See draft mission statement]]<br />
<br />
Unifying vision. What broad vision can we unite movements on, e.g. Ending the rule of concentrated wealth, Tranform with the Great Turning, End corporate rule, Human needs nt corporate greed etc. See the [[Original Occupy Vision Doc]] and the reading list below, for the materials that the group is "working from."<br />
<br />
Strategic framework. A strategy that can be applied to all the issues raised in the Occupy Vision document. Once we have a shared framework people can develop tactics that work within that framework. Strategy defined as a method or plan to bring about a desired future as the achievement of a goal; also defined as the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for the most effective use.<br />
<br />
Revolutionary theory and practice. Encouraging broad ranging dialogue (reflection and action) in relation to the theoretical and practical basis for transforming the present system of production, i.e., unbridled capitalism into its opposite--a form of governance and enterprise that is more socially responsible. From a system of production based on profits or capital accumulation to a system of production based on socially useful production. From a system which promotes greed and need to a system which facilitates abundance. [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources See these reading resources]].<br />
<br />
One of our key tasks is to bring people, organizations and issue movements together because with unity we will increase our power and impact; as well as create a mass movement that cannot be ignored.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== <big>'''THREE MAIN TRACKS RIGHT NOW'''</big><big></big> ==<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 1: GOALS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Goals OCCUPY '''STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS''']] On this track, we are taking the 2012 OCCUPY VISION DOC and other VISION DOCS we've found- and categorizing the goals into "CONCRETE OBJECTIVES" and "IDEALS and PRINCIPLES", so that we can take the CONCRETE OBJECTIVES and form a "roadmap" to acheive these goals. You can go straight to the [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Goals List of Objectives that is evolving here]]. These tools are fluid in that if the group decides to improve them then the group decides to improve them, but for now, we're primarily working to satisfy as much of the 2012 NatGat Vision Doc as possible. <br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 2: THE LIST OF PLAYERS''' ==<br />
[[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/List_of_Organizations "'''THE LIST'''"]] - A list of players influencing how society is changing, and how these orgs can be viewed, and/or categorized. This can help us later to help us influence them and/or do things in response. There are TWO TASKS in Track 2 that we're focusing on: definiting the categories of groups, and then assigning each group a category.<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''TRACK 3: THE PATHS''' == <br />
- a visual explanation of different paths that people and orgs can take toward "the end". We'll have more on this soon. Talk to Polar...he's storyboarding it. Something about following a small business and the choices that can be made as it grows. Over time, the choices, the criteria for how the choices are made will be something like a video game, maybe even with user determined paths.<br />
<br />
== [[Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources]] ==<br />
<br />
For reading lists, please click the above link.<br />
<br />
For other background on what we did at Occupy Boston and some general education about the "classic" strategic planning process, here is a link to the old [[http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Strategic_Planning Occupy Boston Strategic Planning page]], which has some educational resources. We didn't get very far, but this is offered, because we at least made an attempt at a SWOT (strenghts/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis) and pulled together some resource links about what Streategic Planning is. Please ignore that part about using it to seek profit. We're using the techniques to seek our goals... The techniques can be used to seak anything that an org wants to do. The goals are being set above in Track 1. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY OTHER OCCUPY GROUPS doing STRATEGIC PLANNING or anything like this, please put the links here...<br />
<br />
contact: info@occupyboston.org to reach the person maintaining these wiki pages. Or go to the InterOcc hub and look for the Occupy-Strategy email list, which is quite active, to join in the conversation. Or just start editing these pages.<br />
<br />
== Meeting Notes ==<br />
<br />
[[Occupy Strategic planning, Meeting Notes, May 20, 2013]] <br><br />
[[Occupy Strategic Planning, Meeting Notes, May 12, 2013]]</div>EmanonBlankhttps://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/index.php?title=Occupy_Strategic_Planning_Reading_Resources&diff=17827Occupy Strategic Planning Reading Resources2013-05-07T18:01:23Z<p>EmanonBlank: </p>
<hr />
<div>This is a page with suggested reading.<br />
<br />
www.monthlyreview.org. Search bar on upper right hand side of MR home page.<br />
<br />
[[http://www.monthlyreview.org Monthly Review]]<br />
<br />
Samir Amin, "The Trajectory of Historical Capitalism and Marxism's Tricontinental Vocation," Monthly Review, February 2011.<br />
<br />
Istvan Meszaros, "Structural Crisis Needs Structural Change," March 2012.<br />
<br />
John Bellamy Foster & Robert W. McChesney, "Endless Crisis," May 2012.<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky's 1970 Lecture entitled, "Governments in the Future" Full Audio (56 minutes) http://archive.org/details/NoamChomskyOnGovernmentsInTheFuture</div>EmanonBlank