Curious what everyone thinks about the whole Occupy Wall Street protests over the past couple of weeks. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out what they want, because thus far they haven't really expressed what their end game is and how they plan to change the political system to get whatever that is. One thing I find interesting is the way the press is characterizing the movement. If you contrast the reporting versus the emergence of the Tea Party, the press is not using any of the extreme labels on this group that they do with the Tea Party, even though their behavior is far worse in terms of protesting.
Occupy Wall Street
- Thread starter HALL85
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I think unfortunately that unemployment is much worse than reported especially for our educated youth. They have nothing to do and feel that looking for a job is not working, so they are being attracted to the cause. I feel for this generation I really do. Getting a job is not easy for many right now and it is happening here and around the world. We all need to be more charitable and find ways to employ more of these kids.
It's more about the political system, becoming reelected, play to pay that is killing our country and they are really not seeing that unfortunately IMO. Their cause is directed against the corporates who frankly will always be capitalists. It is misdirected because Congress and Senate and the lobbies and the current laws allowing this bad behavior for our politicians are not helping America move forward. If certain kinds of contributions were not allowed to be accepted for politicians, term limits were in place etc. we would have more politicians with a sense of urgency that are willing to carry out the mandate from the people instead of the constant push for the white house and for getting reelected etc.
Soap box over...
It's more about the political system, becoming reelected, play to pay that is killing our country and they are really not seeing that unfortunately IMO. Their cause is directed against the corporates who frankly will always be capitalists. It is misdirected because Congress and Senate and the lobbies and the current laws allowing this bad behavior for our politicians are not helping America move forward. If certain kinds of contributions were not allowed to be accepted for politicians, term limits were in place etc. we would have more politicians with a sense of urgency that are willing to carry out the mandate from the people instead of the constant push for the white house and for getting reelected etc.
Soap box over...
this is def. a huge part of what many protesters are out there for. The protests are getting more & more organized all the time, perhaps you only saw reports dealing with the other stuff you outlined. there are people crying foul over the banks, etc....absolutely. but there are plenty of things ive seen and heard both in person down there & on TV/online that deal with removing the $ from the election process and term limits.
I remember bringing up not too long ago that I thought the youth were more engaged in politics than any other time in my lifetime. I think the game is changing. I think the emergence of facebook/twitter immediate communication is changing how young people think about politics and the political process. It is actually pretty interesting to watch.
As far as OWS, I too would like to see a more organized message but that is not what they are about. They are preaching for a democracy where everyone has a voice again. Their main message does seem to be what 112 was talking about and that they want to get corporations out of politics and people to get back involved.
I think any type of campaign finance reform would be a huge win for them.
Another encouraging thing is that they are actually going to make the theory of capitalism work. They are fed up with giant banks taking advantage of them and are starting a movement to close their accounts at these banks and putting their money in local banks and credit unions.
Nov. 5th is money transfer day. We'll see if that message spreads.
I think we are at a breaking point. We watched greed destroy our economy but the people who are responsible (politicians and wall st) are fine. The rich have continued to build wealth while unemployment soared.
One of the more popular statistics being talked about lately is executive compensation compared to the average worker.
In the 70's and 80's CEO's were paid around 40 times what their average workers were paid. Now we are upwards of 300-400 times depending where you look. At some point, that has to start to eventually stop working and I think we found that it stops working when our country is in an economic crisis.
Merge, I would disagree that youth is more engaged in politics. I would agree though that there is a general disgust amongst the youth and general population at how the political process is working (i.e. Congress's approval rating, etc.)....I actually see them less involved at the grass roots level with any particular candidates. I think the interesting thing with OWS is how they will evolve this event into a message and subsequent actions. Do they take the political route and attempt to push certain candidates? Or do they take certain actions that can be viral to demonstrate their strength, like the money transfer effort. I do think a number of the Tea Party candidates were able to capitalize on that general disgust. At some point if greed and a broken political system is the problem a leader or leaders will need to emerge with the message that resonates with the masses.
I admire the spirit of what they're doing, but they are pretty misguided. Have you seen their manifesto? Demanding free college education, demanding that doctors and lawyers make $28K a year? Who wrote this manifesto, Karl Marx' great-grandson?
I agree about the engagement; most of these kids are so disengaged from reality, they admit they don't know why they're there. I'm sure it's a good time, though.
I'm concerned that when they are finally removed it is going to get ugly/violent. NYC is plotting it's course carefully, so we don't have a repeat of what happened abroad.
I agree about the engagement; most of these kids are so disengaged from reality, they admit they don't know why they're there. I'm sure it's a good time, though.
I'm concerned that when they are finally removed it is going to get ugly/violent. NYC is plotting it's course carefully, so we don't have a repeat of what happened abroad.
I don't see them getting behind any presidential candidate. I would be pretty disappointed if they id honestly. Both parties are incredibly flawed and if this group keeps growing, there is some potential to fix some of the problems. The first of which is how polarized we are with democrat and republican labeling. This country screams at each other passionately about why they like one guy more than someone who is really only slightly different. My hope has always been for a 3rd party, but I would settle for getting people on board with voting incumbents out every single election until they realize that they are supposed to represent us.
I don't know what will happen with OWS... Especially since it is going to start getting cold very soon but I hope it continues.
Someone posted the 99% declaration recently. Interesting
Link
On that declaration:
1) Some of that would go away if we held our leaders to upholding the Constitution. Then they wouldn't have anything to sell to corporations, unions, and other special interests.
2) Most of what they want is silly liberal dogma like forgiveness of student loans, tax the rich even more than they are now, and single-payer medical care.
3) Some of what they want makes a lot of sense like term limits, recalling all military personnel at all non-essential bases, end currency manipulation, and withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
They'd be much more successful if they weren't so disrespectful and intolerant. They have a right to peacefully assemble but the do not have a right to disrupt others.
1) Some of that would go away if we held our leaders to upholding the Constitution. Then they wouldn't have anything to sell to corporations, unions, and other special interests.
2) Most of what they want is silly liberal dogma like forgiveness of student loans, tax the rich even more than they are now, and single-payer medical care.
3) Some of what they want makes a lot of sense like term limits, recalling all military personnel at all non-essential bases, end currency manipulation, and withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
They'd be much more successful if they weren't so disrespectful and intolerant. They have a right to peacefully assemble but the do not have a right to disrupt others.
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