It ain't exactly a typical question - but what the heck! Was arguing about this last night with a couple of friends, so time to drag out my soapbox.
I have a very dear friend who is very heavily involved in organising the Occupy movement, though you will forgive me for not mentioning which city - he likes his privacy as much as I do.
The first three words of the most important document in the nations history are "We, the people ...."
Not "We, the duly elected representatives," not "We the political elite," - just the people who live here, work here, and make a collection of people of disparate races, religions, sexual orientations and creeds into something approaching a nation.
Government should forget that at it's peril.
Scroll back to 1964, when an entire race were given the same rights as those of, shall we say, lighter skin tone. Or further back to 1918, when half the species were conceded to be humans with all the rights, duties and obligations involved in living in a free society. Both expressions of the will of the people. Both brought about by protests. Both of which would have failed without the political will - or fear - to handle them.
Without pressure on individual politicians, the Million Man March would have been an exercise in crowd control. Susan B Anthony a minor anoyance, to be dumped in an asylum with her friends and treated for hysterical paroxysms, which they may well have enjoyed (look it up - you'll be both amused and horrified), but would hardly have furthered the cause of woman's suffrage.
While I think many of the things the Occupy movement stands for are puerile and downright un-achievable, the movement itself encourages me. So does the Tea party, on the other side of the spectrum. Bet you thought you'd never see the two equated - but both sides want similar things.
But what usually happens? People protest, or sign a petition, or like an FB page, then go on their merry way as if they have made a difference. They haven't.
All they have done is make themselves feel good and, if the protest is widespread enough, maybe got a soundbite to reassure them from some low level spokesman.
That is total BS.
Why waste time on Wall Street, probably the worst target you could pick? The only people you hurt doing that are people just like you. The 99%, according to the current meme. The ones who go to work to pay their debts and get on in life.
The 1% don't go to work. Work goes to them, where ever they may be. Thats what being the 1% means. And you and I are about as significant to them as an ant is.
Quick exercise - name your congresscritter. Bet a good 99% of you reading can't without hitting google.
Yet that person, whether you voted for them or not, is your voice in congress, just as your senator is your voice in the senate. And, you know what? They actually read your letters. They listen to your phone calls. They have to, as they need to be re-elected, and many seats are swing seats. Most of them, or most of the ones I know, are decent and honorable people who try their best for their constituency. They don't know what you think until you tell them. So tell them. Loudly, clearly and personally.
There is precisely zero problem with a company making money. That is, after all, their sole reason for existing. If I have shares in a company, you are darned right I want a decent return on my investment! So would you.
What should not happen is corporations setting government policy through party donations or lobbying.
Just my thoughts - and my thoughts only.
Great answer, MM.
"They actually read your letters. They listen to your phone calls. They have to, as they need to be re-elected, and many seats are swing seats. Most of them, or most of the ones I know, are decent and honorable people who try their best for their constituency."
Well MM, you're obviously not from Chicago. lol
Tammany Hall still rules?
They call it "ill noise" for a reason :P
They call it The Windy City for a reason, and it has nothing to do with the wind.
Right on, MM!!
Especially: "Yet that person, whether you voted for them or not, is your voice in congress, just as your senator is your voice in the senate. And, you know what? They actually read your letters. They listen to your phone calls. They have to, as they need to be re-elected, and many seats are swing seats. Most of them, or most of the ones I know, are decent and honorable people who try their best for their constituency. They don't know what you think until you tell them. So tell them. Loudly, clearly and personally."
And ya know what people? It takes ALL of us! So many people tune out to politics, but that is because it is presented to us as just a bunch of angry stubborn people yelling at each other. Not so! Politics is you and me! We need to get involved and tell our representatives what they want and vote them out if they don't follow through. All the solutions are out there, but they require action from you and me - all of us.
If only I didn't have the wonderful part time job I work 5-7 days a week... I wanna go to my local occupy so very much...
They read your letters all right and then send you two stock letters, one that says "Thank you for your concern, please vote for me." and then a second that amounts to "Sorry, had to side with the big corporation to the detriment of you lively hood and freedoms, but don't let this affect your vote." Every time.
I was idealistic once too, now I'm just disillusioned.
The reason Libya and Egypt were able to take down their rulers and change their gov't was because they were energized. They had nothing else to lose. I'm sorry to say, but today's youth is not as motivated as it used to be. Everyone is plugged in and online. And they do the least amount possible while looking like they are making an effort. What is Occupying Wallstreet going to do if you still use your Chase Debit card to buy your Starbucks coffee? I saw a good post on Facebook, it said "If you really want to occupy Wall Street, do your holiday shopping at a small independent merchant." Thats what people need to be doing and be vocal about it.
Also, I own my own business. I have been looking for part time help and put a post on Craigslist a week ago. I only got a handful of replies and not one person has returned an application to me. There is work out there, people just have to put forth the effort.
Some people are protesting. While others are finding jobs, making jobs, taking jobs at reduced pay, taking internships even though they've worked for years, or if nothing else going back to school. Of course there needs to be reform, but who's doing more for their families and the economy?
If you really live in Chicago, and really need help at your small business, I need the extra hours. No joke. I'm reliable and a hard worker. I rarely buy Starbucks and hate Chase with a passion. Leave a comment and let me know.