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Occupy Wall Street: Is It Really The 99%?
By EconMatters
It looks like the initial public support and sympathy for Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is starting to wear thin. From CNBC:
"Occupy Wall Street may claim small-business owners as members of the 99 percent, but from Oakland, Calif., to New York, many local enterprises are asking the protesters to pack up.
....the problem with the movement is that it is not hurting the big banks, but rather, it is hurting the small-business owners that are fighting to survive in a recession, says small-business owner Carol Bloom Stevens."
About a month ago, we already opined in an article that
"While we do not believe the Occupy Wall Street movement is entirely constructive timing-wise with the already troubled U.S. economy, we do understand the elements behind the initiative."
We have pointed out some of the shady market practice going on on Wall Street. However, part of the reason for our "against-the-herd" view regarding the OWS is the observation of a lack of leadership and clear vision and goal(s) of the entire Occupy movement.
When an organized initiative is unable to articulate realistic goals, and solutions related to its cause, it is nothing more than a disorganized idealistic crowd leading to typically nothing constructive. Or worse yet, if the crowd is big enough as in the case of OWS, "mob mentality" would almost guarantee something destructive would take place.
OWS has now escalated into scary violent outbursts in several metro areas with some protesters reportedly carrying weapons such as AK-47, while others resorting to destroying public and private properties and vandalism. Regardless how frustrated the bankster situation (at least that was the original OWS cause) might be, there's hardly any excuse for that kind of bad behavior that could harm innocent bystanders, while not only disrupting day-to-day lives of business and private citizens, but also bringing about a "riot contagion." For example, if not for the OWS, it is doubtful the Penn State students would have resorted to rioting over a football coach who probably deserved to be fired in the first place based on reported accounts.
Another observation: As part of the 99% "worker bees", it is also very difficult for us to fathom how much free time these protesters seem to have to just camp out for days, weeks or even months without any concern in the world about family, work, and most importantly, the next paycheck. So either these people are
- Part of the 14 million unemployed, whose time probably would have been better utilized going back to school or sprucing up job skill and resume for the next gig, or
- Part of the 1% with riches able to subsidize idealism, or
- The term "Professional Protester" may not be that far off.
Some people equivalized OWS to the Arab Spring. America is far from perfect, but it is not Egypt or Libya where an outdated autocratic leader/government had ruled for decades either. The political and fiscal system in the United States most definitely needs an overhaul, and the entire congress probably needs to be replaced, but that's where voting and election comes in and what a democratic system is all about. Overall, USA is still one of the best countries in the free world despite its many problems. That is, name one country in the world that does not have similar or more serious problems....just take a look at Europe.
While the cause behind OWS resonates with many in the nation, OWS is not the path to a better America either. The longer it spread and goes on in a disruptive manner without a clear and definitive mission, and solution, the more likely other parts of the society will start turning against it. Time to regroup before falling flat on its face once the red carpet gets abruptly pulled out.
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The propaganda biz is booming. That would explain the 70 hour weeks.
Some of us are able to take care of ourselves and our employees while fighting an uphill battle against all the corruption. You should join us. It's a hell of a lot of work, so I suspect you'll find your sofa more appealing.
Are you paid in SHILLings or are you just stupid? Remind me how you are keeping OWS employed? Most of them are unemployed college age kids inelligible for Unemployment benefits. Do you mean Food Stamps? Yes, perhaps which should go Victorian Era on that ass and starve them out.
- Biography
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HistoryCapitalist. Engineer. My B.S. and M.S. are for the frame on the wall. My education came later. Create wealth instead of whining about someone else's. Sell your fiat paper and save your gold.
Like it or not, his production (presuming he is productive) is paying for it... you know, the whole "free" part of the free lunch... you can say that all are entitled to it, and that may be so, but he's still paying for it.
Ultimately, it's people like him that will effectuate the change. And, further, I'll posit that most all of the people who presently don't have jobs or are unemployable will continue to be so in the next version of america... and no amount of tent raising or protesting is going to change that.
It's going to be the plight of the small business owner that changes things... "I just want a fair chance to earn a decent living and keep the spoils of my labor" has a totally different ring to it than "I just think those guys shouldn't have all that stuff." Maybe it's a subtle difference, but that's where the rubber meets the road. America lives or dies by its middle class.
I'll take the bait. If you believe in what you write and it's true, then you may be your own worst enemy.
anyone with that tone should give up and owrk for someone else.. they are not made for the job..
dont let the bitchy lil girl get you down.. (sorry ladies for putting him in the girls camp, that is dis-repectful of you Gals who do deserve better than that!)
I saw something similar to this in the OWS forums..It's complete bullshit...
"The political and fiscal system in the United States most definitely needs an overhaul, and the entire congress probably needs to be replaced, but that's where voting and election comes in and what a democratic system is all about."
"Voting" and "Elections" mean jack shit in a country where your only choice is horrible or insanely horrible.
Why should participating OWS folks worry about a paycheck ? The Banksters sure don't have to fucking worry. F it tear up the place . Someone else will fix it. Right? Lol. Nothing but mind games and bullshit.
Because the people who actually produce things are busy trying to earn a paycheck... also known as the mechanism for any meaningful change... ignore them if you wish and take credit for their effort, but be forewarned they're not in the OWS boat yet...
What are you talking about? They're being forcibly conscripted and 'signing on' in greater numbers every week... where the hell are you to, b'y?
Yet another article maligning the protesters based on them not conforming to what...Hoyle's Rules of Protests? Good golly, they should all be slapped with a white glove! Since when is a protest effective if it follows the rules of those who are the target of the protest?
OWS is a dress rehersal for future insurrection. The lack of "leadership" is probably the scariest element to the establishment - makes co option more difficult. I think the establishment endorsed OWS as a temporary street carnival and are now wishing they hadn't.
How to cook a pacific #revolution.
http://takethesquare.net/2011/07/15/how-to-cook-a-pacific-revolution/
There are no leaders ... there is no hierarchy ... everyone stands on equal footing, bitchez!!!
Nice posts people. I thought this might be another kick the dumb victims while they are down article, and maybe it is.
Lack of leadership, great. We don't want leaders, masters or representatives. Our system is corrupted at every level, anything licensed is a legalized racket promoted by snakeoil salesmen. You cannot trust anything anymore, information from the media, doctors, teachers, judges, law enforcement, your food, your water, your air. People of "Leadership" are as soulless as the paper they represent.
If a few more people would understand that they don't want "Leader's" wandering around this planet doing anymore damage, maybe we can get a bunch of them into submission and rectify the damage to the earth and the people. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't pay a dime or any tribute to a financial shakedown (or what they call financial crises). How does that compare to the impoverishment, suffering of our people, the poisoning and killing of our planet? US citizens and most other world citizens are born into slavery and thus accountable for all the Kings actions and problem.
How can we get to understand that the smart farmer gives to the land more than he takes, you cannot let people wander around in the world unless they will live by this principle in any action that can affect another's destiny. I think OWS people understand this more than most, it is hard to grapple with the fact in the land of the free, you are a slave and the right of self sustainability, or to house, feed or give medical treatment to your fellow man who is in need is treasonous.
How can it be that people still think like this? How many trials do we need to have made this patently false? In order to actually have a civilization, you're going to need to come to a pretty detailed consensus... and unless you're going to create a new kind of government (never before seen and certain to work), then I think it's time to drop this nonsense.
The hippies of today (OWS) are going to turn into the yuppies of tomorrow. You can take my word for it now or wait a few years... your choice.
Spastica: "... dress rehearsal ...". Yep, I'm with you on that. Lack of leadership? Just because we can't see the invisible hand doesn't mean that it isn't there. Who believes that all of these "Occupy <your city here>" "protests" are spontaneous? And look at the patterns of operation among the various venues.
http://www.adbusters.org/ is a Soros related entity. Among other things, they have marked the "Occupy ..." message; CapitOlism at work. The "mainstream media [sic]" hasn't been doing very much "reporting" or "investigating" anywhere around the issues.
Fall training camp will close down. Spring rehearsals for late summer game-time, imho.
- Ned
There is no way in hell you are going to get change by voting. Forget it. Voting just leads to more of the same old shit off into eternity. Frontier justice, and fuck the fucking system. Shit's gonna get real, and a total reset of the whole system is comming. This is just a small warning for whats comming. Who cares about the faceless movement, and if you don't understand by now that we are sick of everything, then learn. Demands can be manipulated, and misinterpreted, but when you've got a "herd" of people pissed of at the whole system, be scared or join us. Change for the better, not the same old shit for the 0.00001%
Re; the lack of leadership, you are exactly right, it is driving them crazy, and there are few effective defenses. There is no "organization" to hijack so the usual Cointelpro methods are much less effective.
About the only possible solution TPTB can use to discredit the movement at this point is to increase use of agent provocateurs - and I think this is already in play.
I Love You!
Aww, thanks JW
I'm just sick of seeing all the subterfuge and disinfo that goes on. I've had it. Lots of people have had it. Our political and economic institutions are broken beyond repair. Just look at the latest EFSF fantasy money-from-nothing adventure, and the Fed has been doing exactly the same thing. I keep coming back to this quote:
"Give me control of a nations money supply, and I care not who makes it’s laws."
Mater Amschel Rothschild, founder of the Rothschild banking dynasty.
These people are enemies of the human race.
>> I'm just sick of seeing all the subterfuge and disinfo that goes on.
Welcome to mind fuck america.
I hear TBTF, I hear central bank, but I don't hear crap about the shadows ...
True. Whining and complaining and running stories about disease, dirt, tent deaths, rape, assualt, "patience is wearing thin" is not going to stop or change it. The monetary system needs to be reformed - or else.
yes indeed, they need to Occupy Money
ECON WTF is preventing you from stepping up? Easy to take shots from the sidelines scumbag
If they are not the 99% now, they will be by the time the socialists get done with us.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Zuccotti-Lung-Park-Sickness-Demonstrators-Protesters-Illness-133669113.html?dr
It's more like the 59%, since 40% of the population gets their checks from the government anyway. Actually, it's the 8%. That's how many people are employed by mining, manufacturing, or farming, actually producing wealth. I guess you could add the transportation industry in here also.
Still, 90% of the country living off the productivity of 10%, what could go wrong?
Leadership = targets, and without them, they can't take down the enemy... I stopped reading after that particular line.
Really? So it's all by design that there is a leaderless, platformless protest? It's just to ensure it can't be stopped?
You want to know when the margins will take OWS seriously? When you get a guy who is middle america all the way, actually HAS been productive all his life (and I really mean productive), is articulate, and has a message of both conservatism and desire to narrow the wealth gap, then you're going to get somewhere (added bonus for sermon like public speaking ability)... actually, that should be rephrased... then you might have a chance of succeeding after collapse... of looking forward to rebuilding things in a positive way... as it stands, OWS is a nihilistic endeavor that can do nothing but destroy... while it may be creative in the end, the creative part doesn't appear to be coming from the movement proper.
Did the civil rights movement have a leader? What about the american revolution? A leaderless movement might be good to get off the ground running, but eventually it's got to transition if anything is going to happen... transition to a leader driven movement... with a centralized message.
>> Really? So it's all by design that there is a leaderless, platformless protest?
Yes. See the general assembly ... @NYCGA ... spawn from16 Beaver.
But by whose design is still in question?
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-international...
So because you're running out of patience for a leader/platform/solution/resolution/revolution OWS should just call the whole thing off?
GET DOWN THERE! I mean, since you claim to know so much about 'how it has to be done' and all...
Disappointed Machoman, I'd grown to expect more from you.
No, not call it off... transition into something capable of having any desirable political impact. I realize we're sort of in the incubator, but there's not even any hope of hatching at this point.
And it's not ME per se that's running out of patience... it's the margin... the people that OWS needs to ever develop into something capable of making viable political change.
Get down there? I thought 99% of Americans were already down there. What's that you say, they're not down there? Sounds like somebody has misrepresented what's going on down there.
Yes sir: you and your beloved mainstream media.
I don't have cable or satellite. I get my news from ZH and LRC.
How many times can you make incorrect assumptions and still believe that you are right, right, right?
why are they not in jail?
http://expose2.wordpress.com
You got it slewie..."leadership". Like what? The "leadership" coming out of DC? The OP is another status quo sock puppet. (initial public support and sympathy for the status quo socket-puppets wore thin a long time ago)
It's time they pack up and go.