Am I the only one who doesn't get the "Occupy Wallstreet" movements

[rhino78]

As well as documented cases in Pittsburgh of a G20 protest. cases in NYC and in Denver in the past.

And from the comments:

Oakland police posing as protesters:
Anyone thinking the police aren't doing it all over is quite naive.


But, no matter whether we are for or against or indifferent, this movement has started something and already had an effect (look at Bank of America retracting its $5 debit card fee. Look at the 650,000 new accounts opened at credit unions.) It's not going to end any time soon.

Everyone have a fun and safe weekend!

It may not end anytime soon, but I doubt it will have any real effect on anything. People keep saying to give it time to develop, but it's too diverse and fragmented. There is no goal. The idea of "corporate greed" is too vague.

The few times I have read "demands", they have been mostly ridiculous. While there are some good ideas in there, there is also a lot of nonsense about debt forgiveness. At some point, people have to wake up and realize they made bad decisions and now they have to pay for that. No one forced people to borrow too much money. No one made them go out and over extend themselves. These banks didn't run into your home, put a gun to your head, and make you sign loan papers. Even that is the government's fault. They pushed banks to loan to unqualified borrowers so they could own homes. Stop scapegoating and blame those who are truly responsible.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But, no matter whether we are for or against or indifferent, this movement has started something and already had an effect (look at Bank of America retracting its $5 debit card fee. Look at the 650,000 new accounts opened at credit unions.) It's not going to end any time soon.

Everyone have a fun and safe weekend!

It was nothing more than timing that OWS existed when that occurred. But they are not the ones to be credited with the outrage. Just like netflix...

And the people who boycotted those products DIRECTLY are the ones who affected the change. Not a bunch of people in tents in a park.

 

[fakereadhed]

I think your characterization of Lasn as "some graphic designer" is inaccurate, despite Lasn's attempts to diminish his own capitalist footprint. Lasn is the editor-in-chief of AdBusters Media Foundation, which is a magazine, website and more. It receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in "charitable contributions". Plus, he creates documentaries for PBS and others.

http://activistcash.com/organization_financials.cfm/o/36-adbusters

And is a self-proclaimed anarchist.

 

[jm-mom]

So, if the big corporations pay more in taxes, you do realize that money will come from somewhere else on the books...as in maybe charitable donations. The bottom line is profit in corporations. If profits are reduced due to paying higher taxes, then donations will reflect this as well...less funds donated because there are less profits. My concern will be that if and when corporations pay more taxes, then it will get passed down to us, the consumer. I like that a new Iphone is $199, and not $399,$499, etc. which it could be to recoup increased taxes. Or, how much more will a car cost, a new computer, your trip to Disney, the clothes on your back, etc. It's all part of the bigger picture. One way or another "big corporations" will recoup the cost of higher taxes placed upon them, whether it be passed on to the consumer, or reduced donations to charitable organizations...either way, the 99% will still be paying the tab.

I have to agree. The corporations want to make money just like any business does. If they have to give more of it out, they are going to do what they can to take more in. The banks are the same way. We can hate on them and their tax breaks all we want, but the truth of the matter is without those, they would have to raise their prices and/or fees and we'd end up paying more of our money. It's America, the idea of profit is what free enterprise is built on. No corporation is going to willingly say "oh, we'd be happy to pay more taxes so Joe the consumer can have a little more in his pocket". As an individual, regardless of income, would you choose to give up some of your income because you knew someone was less fortunate than you all in the name of "fairness"?

It's also these people and companies in the so-called 1 percent that stimulate our economy and donate to various charities and educational institutions. Without their contributions, once again whatever they are investing in will find a way to pass the cost on to the "little" people.

America is built on those that have and those that don't have as much and those that don't have anything. It is now and always has been the American way. To protest that a company or CEO worked hard and made a lot of money and earned tax breaks because of it is simply wrong. They earned it, they deserve it. To mandate "fairness" among the American people in earnings and worth is turning us into a socialistic society. That's not a life we truly want to live and it's not the capitalistic society and free America we've fought for for hundreds of years.

My bottom line, let those corporations make whatever they want, keep them wealthy, because it does more good than harm for the country as a whole.

(In case you hadn't noticed, I am completely against the OWS movement and all that it stands for. I think it's a huge waste of time and every single one of those protestors should be spending their time trying to help themselves rather than point the finger where it doesn't belong.)

 

[Acklander]

It may not end anytime soon, but I doubt it will have any real effect on anything. People keep saying to give it time to develop, but it's too diverse and fragmented. There is no goal. The idea of "corporate greed" is too vague.

responsible.

Not have any real effect on anything??? They started about 7 weeks ago, with a few hundred people and a main stream media that refused to give them any airtime. In that short amount of time it's grown to over a hundred communities, made the headlines, encouraged numerous people to debate the issues, and encouraged even more people to open their eyes to the problems in our country at this time. They've received the rath of many talk radio personalities and the praise of others. Every politician who is currently running for president has acknowledged their existence and come out on one side or the other of different issues they have shown the spot light on. 3 days ago, 2 politicians submitted a bill to amend the constitution to officially declare that corporations are not people.
There's a lot you can say about OWS, good and bad, but one thing you can't say is they don't have any real effect on anything. Already they've accomplished much more than they expected they would.

 

[CowboyCO]

Occupy Ft Collins, Colorado protestor arrested for $10 Million arson in Old Town, Fort Collins, Colorado.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19264417

Nice. That'l teach those banks -- and the people burned out of their homes...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I think over the next few weeks as we draw closer to Black Friday, the new initials OWS will be meaning.. Occupied Wal-Mart Shoppers

 

[Geoff_M]

In that short amount of time it's grown to over a hundred communities, made the headlines, encouraged numerous people to debate the issues, and encouraged even more people to open their eyes to the problems in our country at this time.

Come now, these problems where well known back in 1979!!!

 

[fakereadhed]

Not have any real effect on anything??? They started about 7 weeks ago, with a few hundred people and a main stream media that refused to give them any airtime. In that short amount of time it's grown to over a hundred communities, made the headlines, encouraged numerous people to debate the issues, and encouraged even more people to open their eyes to the problems in our country at this time. They've received the rath of many talk radio personalities and the praise of others. Every politician who is currently running for president has acknowledged their existence and come out on one side or the other of different issues they have shown the spot light on. 3 days ago, 2 politicians submitted a bill to amend the constitution to officially declare that corporations are not people.
There's a lot you can say about OWS, good and bad, but one thing you can't say is they don't have any real effect on anything. Already they've accomplished much more than they expected they would.

They made headlines alright. Not to mention making the "dangerous fringe" tea party look like a bunch of Girl Scouts. Thanks, OWS!

 

[mistysue]

Come now, these problems where well known back in 1979!!!

Maybe, but they weren't well known two months ago!

 

[Acklander]

Maybe, but they weren't well known two months ago!

Exactly. And people felt powerless to do anything about it. Now, people are stepping up to the plate and saying, enough is enough. I think we're going to see some big changes in the next year.

 

[Geoff_M]

Exactly. And people felt powerless to do anything about it. Now, people are stepping up to the plate and saying, enough is enough. I think we're going to see some big changes in the next year.

Yep, the last time something like this swept the nation it did bring about some big changes when it caught the attention of voters... we got Richard Nixon as President!

 

[Planogirl]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";43150196]Ben and Jerrys makes me laugh.....they are supporting the 99% yet are multi millionaires....they are not part of the 99% they are just ideologues...they charge the 99% an arm and a leg for their ice cream....the 99% cant even afford to buy their ice cream...its to stupid expensive.....
[/QUOTE]
I don't see Ben & Jerry's as a problem at all. The ice cream is a luxury much like Disney and so not necessary. Jobs are necessary as is basic food, housing and so on. Not ice cream.

 

["Got Disney"]

I don't see Ben & Jerry's as a problem at all. The ice cream is a luxury much like Disney and so not necessary. Jobs are necessary as is basic food, housing and so on. Not ice cream.

You missed my point....they are the top 1% and are a greedy ice cream company.....yet they are there supporting the 99% ...it's like Michael Moore....he is worth 50 million bucks yet hangs with the protesters as if he is one of them....hes far from one of them...

As for jobs the protesters are not protesting they want jobs....many had jobs they left To protest...many were offered jobs they refused them...many dont want to work they want the GOVT to pay their rent with the 1% money....

Yes we need jobs but their protesting is not going to give them jobs and sleeping in tents being fed by the unions and others are not going to get them jobs.....

 

[Acklander]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";43155581]You missed my point....they are the top 1% and are a greedy ice cream company.....yet they are there supporting the 99% ...it's like Michael Moore....he is worth 50 million bucks yet hangs with the protesters as if he is one of them....hes far from one of them...

As for jobs the protesters are not protesting they want jobs....many had jobs they left To protest...many were offered jobs they refused them...many dont want to work they want the GOVT to pay their rent with the 1% money....

Yes we need jobs but their protesting is not going to give them jobs and sleeping in tents being fed by the unions and others are not going to get them jobs.....[/QUOTE]

Where did you get the stats that many left jobs or were offered jobs but refused them so they could protest???

I think you're seriously off the mark on that one.

 

[Acklander]

Occupy Ft Collins, Colorado protestor arrested for $10 Million arson in Old Town, Fort Collins, Colorado.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19264417

Nice. That'l teach those banks -- and the people burned out of their homes...

And last night in DC, when the protesters were protesting the Koch brothers at their gala for prosperity, a person leaving the gala mowed down several protestors in their Lexus. Should we blame the Koch brothers for that?

OWS is continually stressing non-violence and to let the safety officers know if there are any agitators who are encouraging violence.

As far As the situation in Colorado, I'm curious why they didn't arrest the 4 homeless people who had been seen sleeping there for weeks, and been burning trash in a can to stay warm, but instead arrested one of the protestors. But I guess we'll let the courts do there job and sort that one out.

 

[moburg]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";43155581]You missed my point....they are the top 1% and are a greedy ice cream company.....yet they are there supporting the 99% ...it's like Michael Moore....he is worth 50 million bucks yet hangs with the protesters as if he is one of them....hes far from one of them...

As for jobs the protesters are not protesting they want jobs....many had jobs they left To protest...many were offered jobs they refused them...many dont want to work they want the GOVT to pay their rent with the 1% money....

Yes we need jobs but their protesting is not going to give them jobs and sleeping in tents being fed by the unions and others are not going to get them jobs.....[/QUOTE]

One of the OWS demands early on was a livable wage regardless of job status. So, if you are guaranteed a living wage even without a job, why would you work?

 

[moburg]

Where did you get the stats that many left jobs or were offered jobs but refused them so they could protest???

I think you're seriously off the mark on that one.

There is this video where someone set up a table with job applications for various jobs. The people who did come by found one excuse after another why each job was not good enough for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhrvOeDxBrw

 

[moburg]

OWS is continually stressing non-violence and to let the safety officers know if there are any agitators who are encouraging violence.

They are failing miserably in that regard.

 

[Acklander]

One of the OWS demands early on was a livable wage regardless of job status. So, if you are guaranteed a living wage even without a job, why would you work?

No, that wasn't one of the OWS early demands. They had no early demands.