What if, in congressional district X, a core of organizers start recruiting for a general strike to occur when a certain number of people have signed a pledge to participate? Say, 100,000. When 100,000 people sign, the date is set for a week later, giving people time to prepare and to recruit even more strikers and to plan events (flashmobs, informal rallies, vigils, concerts, whatever other meetups).
The early waves of recruiting could be focused online using social networking websites, blogs and email. The idea would be to make enough online buzz that offline word of mouth would take over at some point. Providing an email address should be part of the pledge so information can be distributed quickly and directly. For example, a weekly email update on how many people have committed would useful.
A successful event would earn heavy local media attention and put massive pressure on representatives because it shows local people so angry about the lack of progress that it causes pressure on everyone. Would steal the top story on 5:00 news and headline in the local paper the next day. Would scare business. Republicans would be placed on the spot; having to dismiss 100,000 constituents who just made a sacrifice is hard. I'd like to see them try.
No work, no school, no purchases. Soap operas for some, rallies for others (would be especially effective to have actions at local district offices because that would attract cameras and force the targeted representative to address the situation).
Bottom line is the pledge's one week delay offers strength and safety in numbers; whatever else happens is a bonus. It would also be smart to plan for more strikes, possibly larger scale and in unison with neighboring districts. The impact of that initial embarrassment to a representative who costs his district a day's work would pale in comparison to the threat of future actions along the same lines.
If a major group ($$) like MoveOn got behind this, I see no reason it couldn't be attempted in a target district within 2 months. It could also be organized by unattached citizens on a grassroots, DIY level, although it would be a lot tougher to pull off the initial momentum, take longer and run a higher risk of failure. Would need tech help for a good website and bulk email system.
Thoughts? Maybe 100,000 is too high a target, but what about the general concept of strike numbers threshold + congressional district focus? Is this something we can work with, or even just hand off to other people who can work with it?