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We are the 99 percent

Dallas Calls for General Strike: Nov. 30th

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 7, 2011, 2:07 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

strike called

Before the General Assembly of Occupy Dallas,

Whereas the General Assembly of Occupy Dallas stands in support of Occupy Wall Street which started September 17, 2011 at Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District. The movement has now spread across the country and is influencing the world. Occupy Dallas is a horizontally organized resistance movement to counteract the unprecedented consolidation of wealth and power in the world today. The Occupy movement does not have a hierarchy or a formalized structure. The Occupy movement represents those that feel disenfranchised from the current socioeconomic system because of policy passed by our political institutions and the actions of those in control of the unprecedented consolidation of wealth;

Whereas by consensus we view that for the first time in American history, current generations will not be as prosperous as preceding generations. This denial of the American Dream is at the heart of Occupy Movement.

Whereas by consensus we view that the social system has become tilted against us by:

  1. Unfair treatment and discrimination against individuals based on Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Race, National Origin, Physical Ability or any other factor that minimizes any person’s individual worth

  2. The commoditization of individual privacy

  3. Profit driven news sources with individual agendas

  4. Narrow definitions of what constitutes a family;

Whereas by consensus we view that the Political system has become tilted against us by:

  1. Widespread deregulation that has eliminated common sense regulations that have insured long term prosperity and protection from predatory business practices

  2. A Tax code that is cumbersome and rife with loopholes and language that favors an economic minority at the expense of the majority of wage earners

  3. A Supreme Court decision that has put into place the unprecedented concept of extending first amendment protections to political donations

  4. Jeopardizing the future of social security through investiture and privatization schemes

  5. By reducing funding to our education system our future generations are provided a lesser education that previous generations received because of increased class size and reduced resources

  6. Because of decreasing funding individuals are saddled with higher student loan debt

  7. A political system where even the most perfunctory tasks of government are partisan battles;

Whereas by consensus we view that the Economic system has become tilted against us by:

  1. A general degradation of the employer and employee relationship namely

a. the practice referred to as “dead peasants” insurance policies where by companies profit from the death of individuals.

b. the elimination of traditional pension and retirement arrangements in favor of 401 (k) investment vehicles.

c. outsourcing of jobs

d. failing or eliminating paid sick leave

e. failing or eliminating paid maternity leave

f. relying on part-time workers rather than investing in full time employees

g. scheduling work hours to insure that employees cannot obtain offered benefits

h. failing to provide a livable wage

i. reducing and eliminating employer based health care coverage

  1. Incredible income disparity between management and employees.

  2. Active discouragement and intimidation of unionization of the workforce

  3. Instituting illogical accounting practices

  4. Engaging in unethical business practices that jeopardize the long term financial stability of the country

  5. Viewing financial profit as more important than the individual worth of a people.

Then let it them be resolved by the General Assembly of Occupy Dallas through consensus on Date (_) that we call upon all people to engage in a General Strike on November 30th, 2011. We implore all people to:

  1. Refrain from Buying or Selling any goods or services including but not limited to, any petroleum products, consumer goods or bank transactions; starting at 12:01 am to 11:59pm on November 30th, 2011.

  2. Refrain from working for a wage starting at 12:01 am to 11:59pm on November 30th, 2011 excluding those individuals that provide emergency and necessary functions including but not limited to Police, Fire and Medical personnel.

  3. Join or form local groups to peacefully protest against the above stated elements.

Please join us in solidarity to make known our grievances and demand substantive change to insure our future.

220 Comments

220 Comments


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[-] 8 points by thezencarpenter (131) 12 years ago

My comment is directed at the issue which is central to the conflict between the 1% and the 99%, and that is "JOBS" and the need for a realistic living wage. It is absurd to think that a person could "live on a wage of $10.00/$15.00 per hour when you ad up all the living expenses that a person has to pay each month such as housing, transportation, food, clothing, fuel, car ins., etc..,as well as health care costs, a retirement plan. And why should they have to? The greed that has infected our society the past several decades has brainwashed some people (I will call them the 1% wannabes) to think we should all do without the basic needs of a decent way of life. This is the problem. Prosperity for all is a better solution than poverty for all to this economic problem. the phrase "The working poor" needs to be seen as an oxy-moron, working should not make you poor, how ridiculous. The numbers in the discussion for a living wage are so unrealistic it shows how out of touch the decision makers are. A family of 4 needs more than $38000 a year minimally, and that is to live in the poorest nighborhoods, drive used cars and skimp on groceries. It covers only insurance required by law, and presumes these people do not get sick, don't deserve any entertainment, and will never establish a rainy day fund. This form of economic oppression is what is fueling our 'recession' directly into depression. Who has a plan for a strong economy that doesn't include good paying jobs? We will not have a strong economy if we do not have a buying public that does not have to rely on predatory lending practices to participate in it. What is it that makes that so hard to understand? The answer of course is GREED. These unethical people that have created this predatory system simply don't care about anyone but themselves, Thanks for reading and good luck to all the talented and hard working people that are sacrificing during these desperate times.

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[-] 1 points by TLydon007 (1278) 12 years ago

Let me address the Capital gains tax problem. While I'm by no means a fiscal conservative, nor do I oppose raising the capital gains tax, I think it's a misconception that it will raise revenue in the short-term. When capital gains tax was lowered (or when lowering it was being discussed) the stock market did better because your taxed on the amount you made after selling it. Thus, people were holding on the their stocks because they didn't want to sell it under the higher rate. So, basically, the politicians are stimulating bull markets and increasing tax revenue in the short-term as people will sell and buy more under the new rate, they are drastically decreasing revenues over the long-term. The problem is that once a politician makes it appear that they intend to increase it again, what you'll get is a drastic bear market in the short-term as everyone sells off their stocks at the lower rate. Lets also bear in mind that while this is causing the stock market to decrease, they won't get any revenue from it because most shareholders didn't make money off during the sell off. This is an ugly reality that nobody wants to discuss when politicians talk about lowering the capital gains rate.

[-] 3 points by meep (233) 12 years ago
[-] 1 points by Rico (3027) 12 years ago

That IS an interesting review, and I appreciate you posting factual references in stead of just spouting unsubstantiated opinion ! Extra point for you sir !

[-] 2 points by fairplayingfield (5) 12 years ago

You “hit the nail on the head”; the real issue is JOBS and for some reason the government has been slow to realize that the lack of “decent” jobs is one of the key structural elements that lead to the financial collapse in 2008; without a good job market how can one expect a good real estate market since the median income drives the median home valuation. The system that was created over the last 30 years has increasingly allowed jobs to be outsourced, first in manufacturing, and now in services - corporations are allowed to profit while the so called “trickle down” benefit is going to other countries that do not share the same level playing field.

[-] 1 points by TheCloser (200) 12 years ago

I want to echo your sentiment: The US Census reports today that 49M Americans live in poverty. That's 16% of the population. 9% unemployed plus 7% as extremely poor...Poverty is defined as anyone who makes $5,500 a year or less. The poor are likely to become dangerous.

[-] 7 points by Thisisthetime (200) from Kahlotus, WA 12 years ago

More Power to Occupy Dallas. Item #3 in the first paragraph- "Profit Driven News" is an important distinction. All Major News Corporations are Mortgaged. They are financed by Corporate Banks, in other words, All Major News Corporation cannot spin or "no-spin" to far out of line or they will hear about it from the Corporate Banks that they borrowed the Billions of Dollars from.

[-] 7 points by joegeorge (7) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

OWS needs to call a general strike--something big--soon. It's falling out of the media. Out of the people's minds. We need to call it now.

[-] -1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Best of luck with that.

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

Someone should set this OWS up as a company...wait..... Then these people wouldn't like the current working conditions, long hours, very little respect, no benefits , no vacations, probably wouldnt agree with everyone they are working with, but they might have the chance to make a little money which I guess be classified as a JOB? I'm still unsure if earning money is a bad thing for followers of this movement? But if it is they could just leave it on a street corner I'm sure someone could us it.

[-] 6 points by seedballsforall (8) 12 years ago

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful - OccupyDallas we love you!! ... the stars at night shine big and bright - Deep in the Heart of Texas! the sage in bloom is like perfume... the stakes are too big to lose - go for it with all of the love in your hearts -

[-] 6 points by joesmith7789 (31) 12 years ago

This is a good plan. Then afterwards we can do week or month long boycotts of certain companies and products.

[-] 7 points by jamzwayne (14) 12 years ago

I've been saying this for months now. If every American stood up at once and said, " no!" and we all stayed home for a week....an eye brow would get raised.

[-] 2 points by ediblescape (235) 12 years ago

we all stayed home for a week....an eye brow would get raised.

[-] 2 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

If everyone from my place of business stayed home for a week, people would die.

If I stayed home for a week, no one would die... but I would lose my job.

This idea isn't practical.

[-] 1 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

You would probably loose your job anyway, sooner or later so might as well make the loss meaningful and go in style through a strike....thats what they want you to be: scared. See fighting for freedom is costly and not for the faint...

[-] 1 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

Ah. But I am not scared. I have worked my butt off over the past several years to learn as much as I can about everyone else's jobs around me. I look around and see a building full of baby boomers about to retire. In other words: opportunity.

I am not faint hearted, make no mistake.

I am not protesting because I still don't know what the protest is about. Period.

[-] 1 points by LoneStar3 (45) 12 years ago

With these weirdoes ....You will never know

[-] 1 points by ediblescape (235) 12 years ago

How about Non-cooperation? Start to buy local, stop buying make in China. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-cooperation_movement

[-] 2 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

If we're boycotting certain companies is there any way piggys can become aware of this and sell/cut -and-run w/ their stocks to avoid losing money?

and if so

Is there any way to send disinformation to fuck with the piggys and make them cut and run at inappropriate self-inflicting intervals and vice versa?

[-] 1 points by joesmith7789 (31) 12 years ago

The stocks of the companies being boycotted will not fall within a week or a month since they are boosted by outside sources. It is the net profits that will fall.

[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

Thanks for clarification.

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[-] 5 points by mollybloom (5) 12 years ago

we need a general strike!

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

How about in general strike tomorrow morning and find a job.

[-] 5 points by miteehigh (8) 12 years ago

Wonderful...Kudos to Dallas. Wall Street needs to do a general strike soon. Shut down the subway system would be a wonderful inititative.

[-] 1 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

The WHOLE country needs a general strike, rotating by shifts and regions!

[-] 5 points by Crispix (6) 12 years ago

Yes! General Political Strike, the only weapon of the working class. I hope this spreads out from Dallas and Oakland. Bring capital to a halt!

[-] 4 points by Merry505 (3) from Eureka, CA 12 years ago

Thank you, Dallas!

[-] 4 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

Very nice! Striking is an important and effective way of fighting the wealthy owners and achieving rights. It´s an important tool on the way to freedom and democracy: http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-society-we-should-strive-for/

Keep it up!

[-] 1 points by meep (233) 12 years ago

I'm just worried that it won't lead to better discourse, which is what we really need. Attention is incredibly important, but the movement largely has the attention of the nation (and man will that march from NY to DC get more), so what now? Do we keep shouting and raising signs and stamping our feet? I just wonder if that's really the democracy we want... What I want is to see the conversation start, is to see people talking together again, because that's the democracy I want to live in. Not the tyranny of the minority, nor the tyranny of the majority, nor the tyranny of the loudest, nor any other kind of tyranny. I want people talking and working together. I want a democracy founded on mutual respect. And I'm not trying to put anyone down, or discourage anyone's enthusiasm. I'm just worried. I'm worried that division and entrenched beliefs will win out over love and reason. And I'm afraid that if protest and strike are the only games that we'll never reach what should be the real goal, a revolution in the American mind and heart, not a revolution on the ground.

[-] 1 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

Please read my post The Society We Should Strive For where I share my thoughts on what kind of a democracy we should strive for. What strategies and tactics we should use is a complex issue. I am however writing about it now, soon to be published on this site.Look for it:) I have posted some thoughts on this already here: http://occupywallst.org/forum/strategies-and-expectations/

[-] 1 points by meep (233) 12 years ago

I saw that, and like many of the notions you express. I just wish there was a way for OWS to create a national stage for reasonable and respectful discussion of ideas. I think if we invited ideological adversaries (internal and external) to come and engage in long form debate about the state of the nation and economic policy then we can engender even more support and start to change the nature of political discourse in this country. It wouldn't quite be occupy wall st. since it would be more than just occupation, but I think that's not a bad idea.

[-] 1 points by TheCloser (200) 12 years ago

I'm with you. However I find it to be a big beautiful mess.

[-] 1 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

I partially agree with you. we need to find a good healthy combination of self determination within communities and local areas, and a common platform on important steps including how to solve issues that needs to be handled centrally (when the majority have joined and/or supports the movement)

This is an excerpt from the article Im working on:

It´s important that the organizing includes having a goal of getting people to join for common causes, a common platform if you will, but without it leading to hierarchical structeres of leaders etc. Instead the differnet people and organizations, should communicate, cooperate, arrange events, meetings etc – using different arenas to discuss and work for consensus, not necessarily on all topics but so that a constructive common platform and plan could evolve. Communities and local areas should of course have self determenation; each community have their own issues that need to be adressed, discussed, handled based on their unique situation, but in order for this movement to become sucessful there has to be some common ground worked out at very least on a national level. we need to find a good healthy combination of self determination within communities and local areas and at the same time in solidarity with eash other work out common strategies and tactics.

[-] 1 points by meep (233) 12 years ago

Precisely, I don't want to see leadership in the dictatorial, top-down sense that pervades our notions of capitalism. But I wouldn't mind seeing a transient representative leadership that rises and falls and exists purely for the purpose of hearing out debate. I guess that's kinda what congress is supposed to be, except that congress isn't a meritocracy. I feel like the nation needs to see reasonable people having reasonable discussions, and if they see that ows will gain even greater support. People need to publicly see the internal and external discussions, debate, and ideas, or else they won't understand that this isn't a movement about answers but about questions. And that's a hard thing for most people to understand, so used to divisive politics as they are, without seeing what it means.

[-] 3 points by occupyandeducate (3) 12 years ago

You have nailed it!!! I just reread the Declaration of Independence and it very much what you are saying. We are declaring our independence from a corrupt government. "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it"

[-] 3 points by dessert567 (5) 12 years ago

Though I live on the west coast, I will join Dallas in the strike. Hopefully this strike is widespread and peaceful.

[-] 3 points by fairplayingfield (5) 12 years ago

A general boycott is great but not enough and could harm the small business owners who are struggling as well and are also part of the 99%; instead, specific companies need be targeted starting with the 6 largest banks which in a “what if” scenario should have failed during the 2008 financial crisis - these banks took bailout funds from the American taxpayer to rescue themselves from imminent collapse and certain bankruptcy; these same banks took the funds under false pretense, failed to re-invest those much needed funds back into the economy, paid out $200 million in bonuses, and surprise, turned around and chose to foreclose on the same taxpayers who rescued them.

The top recipients [villains]:

Bank of America Corporation
J. P. Morgan Chase & Company
Citigroup
Wells Fargo & Company
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Morgan Stanley

Rather than a boycott we need change so instead STOP doing any business with these firms and move your deposits, loans, credit cards, etc. to your smaller local or regional banks who never received a cent of bailout funds. This will send a message to the CEO’s of these companies that the 99% have observed the banks actions, found them lacking, and judged them deficient; perhaps this will silence CEO’s like Jamie Dimon of J. P. Morgan Chase & Company who say the OccupyWallStreet movement will “go away” when the bad weather comes to Wall Street.

Next? Big oil? …….

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

Also, may I suggest we get busy and find all the stuff owned by the KOCH brothers, and boycott them all? These guys are truly the antithesis of the American Dream.

[-] 3 points by Julio (3) from Queens, NY 12 years ago

In Mexico people are occupying Televisa, the media monopoly that control de information and politicians. I'm very happy for it and I'll support it.

[-] 3 points by Anomalie53 (3) from Change, Pays de la Loire 12 years ago

A message from France, we are all with you, we fight against injustice ! The world looks at you =) ! Damien

[-] 1 points by an0n (764) 12 years ago

C'est un petit monde, apres tout. :o)

[-] 3 points by MasterBlaster (5) from Newark, NJ 12 years ago

We spend almost %60 of our federal income tax to maintain our war machine and pay for the costs of past wars.

How can the United States' foreign policies not be mentioned?

[-] 1 points by colonelingus (13) from Minneapolis, MN 12 years ago

cut off military spending-if you do this, where will all of the union workers go. Most of the defense industry spends its money on ubnion labor. Pull your head out-

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

That's simply not so, col. Most of the "defense" industry is spent on OFFENSE, and it goes into the pockets of Halliburton, Boeing, Black Water, etc., and it KILLS OTHER PEOPLE. You might want to rethink your loyalties.

[-] 1 points by colonelingus (13) from Minneapolis, MN 12 years ago

Department of defense dollars are mostly spent paying for unionized labor. Labor that produces tanks and bombs, etc-Boing is one of them. AM General-all union and makes most of the vehicles the mil uses. DOD is a large form of union stimulus-this is one of the reasons you dont see unions protesting war.

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[-] 3 points by harbek2000 (30) 12 years ago

Congratulations. The ideas are forming.. though needed long ago.

Getting the nation to comply has always been the problem. Hopefully, with all current events and the onpouring of information to those of tunnel-vision... possibly they'll have a better understanding this time around.

Stand together Americans! The monetary thieves may rule themselves, but they have no rule over us.

All of history has proven what happens to thieves, and where they end up.

[-] 1 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

Yeah, they used to chop their heads....luckily here and now we are more civilized, but beware, just accross the border from El Paso the job is still done and people are for hire...

[-] 3 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

A General Strike (User Submitted)

Posted Oct. 22, 2011, 12:20 p.m. EST (5 hours ago) by FHampton

Let's redouble the outreach to labor. The UK labor movement has called for a general strike on November 30th. Occupy Wall Street must show solidarity with comrades in the UK, Greece, Chile and around the world.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/09/14-3

http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-general-strike/

[-] 3 points by spaniken (6) 12 years ago

Occupy Wall Street needs to call a general strike soon. It's falling out of the media. Out of the people's minds. We need to call it now. http://ultimasnoticiaspress.blogspot.com

Motion 15-M of Spain has been analyzed by Bauman Zigmun as a social movement based on emotion heated, but not in thought. Just as timelessly heats, cools. With these moves we can not hope to take a step to change. It`s the problem.

[-] 3 points by jamzwayne (14) 12 years ago

OUTSTANDING! I'm all about it. Count me in!

[-] 1 points by colonelingus (13) from Minneapolis, MN 12 years ago

sheeple

[-] 3 points by julianzs (147) 12 years ago

The more effective way maybe not to demonstrate when you are on strike but to gather & engage in well planned & organized skill barters among yourselves for the duration of the strike. This reduces the impact of the loss of subsistence on yourselves and eliminates the possibilities of violence. As an example, an angler can barter his wild caught fish with home baked goods of another, both doing what they love.

[-] 3 points by TarigAnter (33) from Khartoum, Khartoum 12 years ago

I think people have to extend the Occupy movement to the elected lower and upper houses of representatives, including the president. And also to address the mighty and bloating bureaucracy of public service which include the police and the security forces.

Representatives and bureaucrats are the engines and the bodies of corporate greed vehicles. Corporate executives are in the driving seats whether in Wall Street; government departments; or the White House. And they are well protected in Wall Street.

[-] 8 points by JoeyDee347 (14) 12 years ago

I would like to see this happen in a big way.Obama campaigned that if the people took to the streets peacefully for change he would put on his walking shoes and walk along side.Of all his campaign promises this one has disturbed me the most.He should be channeling this energy and endorsing it instead of ignoring it. A war veteran who participated in peaceful protest had his skull cracked by police in riot gear.What did this soldier put his life on the line for and why has no one in DC commented publically on this violation and disgrace to the American people.I starting to believe that Obama is a huge part of the problem if he fails to become more proactive with this PEOPLE,s movement.

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

I totally agree.

[-] 0 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

0bama is behind ows. You're doing what he and his handlers want so that he'll be re-elected. He's statist, totalitarianist.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

You're fucking delusional.

[-] 0 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

Swissy Missy potty mouth is at it again.

[-] -2 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

But this is going to haunt him during the election: The republicans are likely already producing TV adds showing Obama superposed over the burning of Oakland. And odds are pretty high there will be much more, and larger outrages in the coming months as OWS realizes they are losing the public.

[-] 1 points by JoeyDee347 (14) 12 years ago

As long as people are continuing to fall down the economic ladder as they are.OWS is not going anywhere.I know more people who support it then do not.The numbers are growing by the day.More are getting off their crying couch turning off Dancing with the Stars and making a stand

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

I've read many bogs posted in many cities and have one question about the people falling down the economic ladder, have any of them tried to climb back up? Surely some have or it may be perceived that this group is primarily made up of people who have very little drive and less work ethic. In some countries you have no choice in what career path you take, in this country if it doesn't work out in one, you go find one that will. Of course there are changes that need to be made, but if you have given up after one disappointment, are you really strong enough to get me and others on you side??

[-] -1 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

When he declares martial law next year and suspends the election, you will have accomplished what he and his owners/handlers want. A totalitarian state.

[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

Goku will not let that happen.

[-] 1 points by JoeyDee347 (14) 12 years ago

That is the plan.They are test firing the ovens at at the ridiculous amount of FEMA containment camps around this country built by NO BID HALLIBURTON as we speak

[-] -1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

That's when us bitter clingers rise up and bring down Saruman and his Orcs!

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[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

If Obama came to occupy with us for a few weeks incognito, do you think anyone would notice?

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

It's hard to disguise the teleprompters

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

If he comes without the teleprompters, he would be incognito. Wouldn't have a thing (unless someone held up posterboards) to say and would probably hide in the crowd hoping no one asked him to make a speech!

[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

Leave the tele's in Washington, they do most of the work anyways.

[-] 1 points by UseTheBallotBox (1) from New York, NY 12 years ago

We need to be sure that the people who are elected are more friendly to the 99%. Most of the Tea Party activists are members of the 99%, too. However, their actions are doing significant damage to the values we hold dear. We must counteract their very successful tactics at State and Federal levels. Remember the fiasco of the debt ceiling and the absurdity of reducing taxes on the wealthy at all levels. Keep in mind the voter suppression tactics being put into place in many States and the rollback of workers’ rights. Voters in individual States are trying to act through the ballot box. OWS MUST help in this area and at a national level, too. How to do this? It would mean endorsing candidates. But, if we don’t align behind candidates who can win, we will all lose.

[-] 1 points by JoeyDee347 (14) 12 years ago

Vote tea party you vote for austerity, riots,martial law and a cell block in a FEMA camp.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

OUR BANNER/OUR CAUSE

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. July 4, 1776

Create sign and send petitions. The more inputs we have the better. http://occupywallst.org/forum/create-sign-and-send-petitions/

A site to submit issues have them collected, collated and submitted. www.lobbydemocracy.com

Contact the White house: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Contact the senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Contact Congress: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

Contact the house of representatives: http://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep?ZIP=55433

Contact the Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov/

[-] 2 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

I wonder why everyone is missing the oil magnates from the tx oil companies who are the greatest greed, crime and public exploitation perpetrators!,, The gand of seven executives should be put to jail for life. See details in the GasHole documentary available on Netflix....

[-] 2 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

Here we go.....FINALLY! General strike is in order and long overdue folks! It should last indefinitely until we see some real change and bring the 1% to their knees by bleeding their pockets!

[-] 2 points by solidarnosc (3) 12 years ago

Occupying Fox News and Clear Channel Hategarters is the most important place to start any action. Simply, start from the snake's head.. Catching snake's tail is stupid and unproductive. Without Fox News and other conservative propaganda all Neo Nazi Congress - Conservative Cartel will be lost and will surrender to 99%. Every Clear Chanel and other Conservative Radio Active Terrorist Legion ( local Radio Stations ) should be already occupied across the country. They are primary facilitators of Wall Street and Congressional Criminal Enterprise. I am suggesting to start Occupying the WGY -810 AM first, ( Schenectady- Troy, NY ) since this radio station have historical significance and is the most hateful radio station in the country (Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Hannity, Savitch, Levin and other psychopaths)

[-] 0 points by weeicemon (15) 12 years ago

And OWS is so nonpartisan--yeah-sure. A bunch of socialist, hate America, zombie, thugs, punks, rapists, criminals, hoods, losers, greedy parasites and terrorists, kicking old ladies, abusing kids.

Why aren't you marching in front of the WH? Huh? What about Obama hiring WS to head his campaign, what about Obama taking more money from WS than any other politician, what about Obama, Pelosi & Reid signing Dodd-Frank which is FOR BANK BAILOUTS! What about Obama approving $12million in Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bonuses.

You're all in bed with the hate-America unions and hate-America 'dums'. Keep doing your garbage loser and decent Americans which are the conservatives will beat you down and put you back under your rocks.

Now why don't you go rape somebody or throw a molotov cocktail at the police and run away like a little girl.

[-] 2 points by MaxRommel (57) from Ridgefield Park, NJ 12 years ago

A general strike in dallas?? Well, I would like to see it but Dallas folks are usually at the mall.

[-] 2 points by teachpeace01 (7) 12 years ago

Excellent. Your list of violations against the workers and the citizens of this country are well scripted, logically laid out and much needed. Thank you. I will stand with you in St. Petersburg Florida on November 30. Keep it up!

[-] 2 points by HelpingOthers (10) from Wall, NJ 12 years ago

anyone who says why are they here like seriously? WTF DO THEY WANT, are obviously uneducated, or they let others educate them instead of taking education into their own hands. anyone who reads this and doesn't understand just isn't socially or politically conscious enough to understand....yet

[-] 2 points by mentor (2) from Cedar, MI 12 years ago

Point #1 - OWS is integrating the observations and wisdom of many. It could be considered a "Leaderfull" group - not leaderless

Point #2 - The workplace practices called out above are signs of companies incapable of competing in the 21st century. As such they should be identified and their products and services boycotted- period. Companies that provide the same or similar goods and services but manage in more enlightened, conscientious and effective ways for true competitiveness and sustainability should be identified and patronized instead. Simply walk away from those bringing American workers, communities and the nation's economic security down!

[-] 2 points by MiMi1026 (937) from Springfield, VA 12 years ago

We need a General Strike across the country. The strike should start the day after Thanksgiving and continue through the Monday after Thanksgiving! Shut all large monoploy business down. Stay home!

[-] -1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

"I wanna devise a virus To bring dire straits to your environment Crush your corporations with a mild touch Trash your whole computer system and revert it to papyrus I want to make a super virus Strong enough to cause blackouts in every single metropolis Cuz they dont wanna unify us So fuck it total anarchy Can't nobody stop us

You see late in the evening Fucked up on my computer and my mind starts roaming I create like a heathen The first cycles of this virus I can send through a modem Infiltration hits your station No microsoft or enhanced dos will impede Society thinks they're safe when Bingo! hard drive crashes from the rendering A lot of hackers tried virus's before Vaporize your text like so much white out I want it where a file replication is a chore Lights out shut down the entire White House I don't want just a bug that could be corrected 'Im erecting immaculate design Break the nation down section by section Even to the greatest minds its impossible to find

I wanna devise a virus to bring dire straits to your environment crush your corporations with a mild touch trash your whole computer system and revert it to papyrus I want to develop a super virus Better by far then that old Y2K This [2011] the time of global unification break right through they terminals, burn em all Slaves to silicon Corupt politicians with leaders and thier keywords F.B.I and spys stealin bombs Decipitate thier plans in thier face and catch the fever Everybody loot the stores get your caned goods Even space stations are having a hard time Beast keeepers seek to take our manhood Which results in the form of global aparthied Ghettos are trash dumps with gas pumps Exploding and burnt out since before the great union The last punks walk around like masked monks Ready to manipulate the data base and break through em Human rights come in a hudreth place Mass production has always been number one New Earth has become a repungnent place So its time to spread the fear and the thunder some

I wanna devise a virus to bring dire straits to your environment crush your corporations with a mild touch trash your whole computer system and revert you to papyrus I wanna devise a virus to bring dire straits to your environment crush your corporations with a mild touch trash your whole computer system and revert you to papyrus"

Deltron 3030

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

The above rant and threat of destruction is just reactionary and nothing but rage. I understand the rage, and it's RIGHT to be angry about injustice and evil, but this kind of explosive, undirected lashing out is foolish and destructive of everything, instead of destructive of focused targets. Calm down, think. Use your HEART and your MIND. FOCUS THE RAGE. Use your creativity.

[-] 2 points by BethesdaMD (25) 12 years ago

I am so happy to be alive right now! You are doing such a powerful thing for the world right now. Dallas is New York, New York is Athens, Athens is London, London is Oakland, Oakland is Rome, we are in this together. This is an exciting time and is really the beginning of a new world.

[-] 2 points by MasterBlaster (5) from Newark, NJ 12 years ago

We spend almost %60 of our federal income tax to maintain our war machine and pay for the costs of past wars.

How can the United States' foreign policies not be mentioned?

[-] 2 points by changeit (7) 12 years ago

stockholders demand a return causing lots of these problems. the whole stockholder model should be revisted. a bad cycle ensues of businesses being reliant on stockholders.

[-] 0 points by economicallydiscardedcitizen (761) 12 years ago

All the more reason for companies to remain private and/or bypass Wall Street altogether. You might find the following of interest:

http://www.bypasswallstreet.com/

and, from the original author's site: http://www.dfdpo.com/bypassing_wall_street.htm

[-] -2 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Did you have to work at being so ill informed, or were you born that way?

[-] 2 points by GetAngry (35) from Warren, MI 12 years ago

Profits should never be gained at the expense of people.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

People like FreeMarkets don't give a shit about anyone but themselves or about anything but all the profits they can rake in.... at the expense of everyone else.

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

You are so filled with anger. Maybe all the injustices you see are just reflections of your rage.

[-] -1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

What does that even mean? Profit is the difference between what people VOLUNTARILY pay for something and the cost of producing it. Profit is re-invested to create new opportunities for everyone.

[-] 2 points by quercus (93) 12 years ago

madoff did not live in a vacuum, but a belief system; as do you and i. the difference is being defined.

[-] 2 points by RichardGates (1529) 12 years ago

ah, yes, in concept but not practice. furthermore, subsidies given to large corporations give them an unfair advantage over small biz. small biz is much better for the system because it creates wage competition for labor. small biz also has more room to grow, unlike a behemoth that has peaked out because stockholders and execs suck the life out of it's lumbering corporate a$$ all while we subsidies the real cost of their business, smacking the tax payer with the bill, once again.

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

FreeMarkets is a blind puppet. He'll never see any of our points at all. He has all the answers, and of course, he's right about everything.

[-] 0 points by RichardGates (1529) 12 years ago

right on.

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Mixed in there are some things I can agree with. No subsidies - agreed. Taxpayers not paying for business - agreed. But the solution is to take away the ability of government to get into these things - government must be made much smaller.

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

Well said!

[-] 2 points by Courtney (111) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Respect to Dallas

[-] 1 points by owsthentic (81) 12 years ago

So proud of you Dallas! 100% with you. Best wishes from California!

[-] 1 points by rogue1 (7) 12 years ago

Is there someone deciding what posts get posted? freedom of speech is still alive and kicking! Boycott banks! Demand change!

[-] 1 points by GetRealLibracrits (4) 12 years ago

Do you people realize that you are occupying whatever you are occupying becuase you want more... You wnat to pay less taxes... You want the rich to share their wealth with you... You hate greed... You are acting out of greed... Which I find hilarious... Your leaders and heroes are 1%ers... No one is stopping Michael Moore, Alec Baldwin, Jay Leno from giving more money to the gov... or you for that matter... Hmmm, I can pay off a down on their luck families debts and provide assistance... or buy that million dollar car... yeah ill take the car... Yall are funny...

[-] 1 points by housercam667 (2) 12 years ago

What a bunch of lazy people. Get a life.

[-] 1 points by GarnetMoon (424) 12 years ago

ESWA did a study several years ago and concluded that the MINIMUM wage for ONE person in the NE is more than $23.00 per hour...

[-] 1 points by spflhome (41) 12 years ago

Need your help. pl. click the link and sign the petition to send the message to politicians and fix our economic problems. Need millions of signatures to get politicians attention and make this work. Here is the link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/members-of-congress-and-senators-fix-the-economy-and-balance-the-budget-now?pe=d4e

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

Is change.org part of the Democratic Party? Because if it is, I am not supportive. Even if the Democratic Party is NICER than the GOP, they're all part of the Corporate Machine that has destroyed our country. I think we need at least one, if not several, new parties, and the Occupy Movement works for me, for now, as that. And no, we cannot any longer "work through the political system" because that system is corrupt. You can't elect representatives when they're bought off by corporate interests, like the Koch brothers. This is the root of our problems!

[-] 1 points by an0n (764) 12 years ago

I'm in.

[-] 1 points by talkofliberty (3) 12 years ago

I would like to see Occupy Wall Street put forward a balanced budget plan, what would it look like. Taxing people at 100% is slavery, so what is the solution? http://talkofliberty.com

[-] 1 points by richSOB2u (2) 12 years ago

you are fired !

[-] 1 points by Frustrated39 (75) 12 years ago

LOL guys, don't expect tooooo much from this particular little cadre (this isn't a particularly large or bright occupation, mostly college students who don't want to go to class from what I've seen in person and via their Occupy site).

As I said below - this isn't a location that you need to worry about the police...there are plenty of folks with CHLs here who aren't going to shoot anyone but won't mind giving some of these kids a piece of their mind if they try to physically block them from entering a building.

Public sentiment here locally for this occupation isn't as....warm and fuzzy...as it is in other places.

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

you ARE frustrated. you are also ill informed. instead of all your negative stuff, try finding out for yourself what's up... go and talk to them.

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by richSOB2u (2) 12 years ago

you are fired !

[-] 1 points by DianaLee (55) from Salt Lake City, UT 12 years ago

Go, Dallas, go!!!!

[-] 1 points by 44mag (28) from Coventry, RI 12 years ago

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent Van Gogh

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Great tracts of time are wasted in a series of small, silly nuggets.

Me

[-] 1 points by Occupytheimf (134) 12 years ago

Boycott xmas.

[-] 1 points by spaniken (6) 12 years ago

Pero el movimiento tiene que actuar, no solo protestar. Acciones inteligentes. En mi blog http://ultimasnoticiaspress.blogspot.com se dice que no solo es acampar y protestar hay que acompañarlo de acciones inteligentes contra el sistema. El problema del 15-M español, spanish revolution ha sido ese, no acordar actuaciones inteligentes que ayuden a conseguir una democracia real.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Estoy de acuerdo.

[-] 1 points by BizEducatedSociallyConscious (68) from New York, NY 12 years ago

I really dont know alot about how to change and fix the system...i do know it's broken and needs fixing. I wonder what tactics were all considered and whether this will work. I hope so. I DO know we need a majority of Americans to get on board with this movement--and not be scared of it or resent it. I am not certain a strike will do that, but hope I am wrong. What if people get annoyed with inconveniences of a strike? A strike can sometimes "impose" and not "invite"??? I already see the opposition falsely and effectively spinning this movement. It seems alot of thought was put into the list of grievances...most of which I agree with and I would add more. Perhaps if you explain a bit more WHY you have chosen a strike as the means to address the grievances? I also will have faith Dallas will come together as a community to get through any disruptions. Good luck!!!

[-] 1 points by iOccupy (1) 12 years ago

Very nice.

This should be ensured, not insured.

Widespread deregulation that has eliminated common sense regulations that have insured long term prosperity and protection from predatory business practices

[-] 1 points by GammaPoint (400) from Oakland, CA 12 years ago

Go Dallas!

[-] 1 points by blamethebankers (6) 12 years ago

Dear Occupy Wall Street

Did you know that there is a UK band called " BLAME THE BANKERS" who play a mixture of pop, blues, jazz and Latin? They were formed about six months ago and if in NYC would love to play for you - pass it around. http://www.youtube.com/user/blamethebankers

Good luck and keep it going!

[-] 1 points by bettersystem (170) 12 years ago

boycott capitalism, force change...

watch - http://www.hulu.com/watch/151119/the-end-of-poverty

This spring replant your "Garden of Eden" across your neighborhood and your world. Free yourselves

http://wesower.org

[-] 0 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

you can´t boycott capitalism. It´s everywhere, The wealthy control and own most of society. What we must do is dismantle capitalism http://occupywallst.org/forum/replace-capitalism-with-democracy/ and replace it with democracy http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-society-we-should-strive-for/

[-] 2 points by bettersystem (170) 12 years ago

and how to dismantle?

[-] 2 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 12 years ago

im writing a post about it now. Itll be finished soon. But shortly: organizing big popular movements - the people have, if many enough agree, the potential to achivejust about anything.

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

I guess it depends on what you think "society" means.

Most of the businesses in the US, and the biggest employers are small businesses. Capitalism is the reason we still have a semi-functioning society at all. Look at it this way, capitalism is nothing more than a system of exchange. You like what I'm selling, you give me money, I give you goods or services in exchange. That's capitalism at work.

Now, if my business was being propped up with price controls, or if I received bailout money and along with it an expectation to keep my employees on the books for political reasons, no matter if it made business sense or not, then THAT isn't capitalism.

[-] 2 points by oneamongmany (2) from Poultney, VT 12 years ago

"For capitalists to make a living (since they don't produce anything themselves), they have to get workers to produce goods and services that are worth more than the wages capitalists pay them. The difference is what capitalists live on.

Why however, would workers accept wages worth less than the value of what they produce? The general answer is that they don't have much choice, because under capitalism the tools and factories used to produce goods aren't owned by the people who actually do the work. Instead they're owned by capitalists, especially stockholders who invest in companies. So, for most people who want to earn a living, chances are they'll have to work for one capitalist employer or another, which means between working on the capitalist's terms or not working at all."

Pg. 43, Privilege, Power, and Difference. 2nd edition. Allan G. Johnson (c) 2006

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

yep

[-] 1 points by changeit (7) 12 years ago

the companies are not paying much and the government is passing off expenses to the working class leaving no money for the economy. evidently the government wants more of this?

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Oh please. Do you people actually believe this bunk?

[-] 0 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

They do, that's why left loves these "useful idiots".

[-] -1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

Workers do not always directly enter the equation when it comes to businesses. My small business is a 2 person operation. We're both owners, and we have no employees, but we deal with high-profit margin intellectual property and design issues. The way we make money is by selling our services to companies who need us. When we make money, we buy more things (computers, printers, phones, cars, etc.) which in turn provides capital for other businesses, both big and small. When they are profitable, they may hire more people, but most labor these days comes in the form of temp workers. A huge reason why this is the norm? Wrongful termination lawsuits. Thanks, lawyers. Thanks, employees. Things are the way they are for a reason.

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Why does Ford Motor Company hire most of its employees as contract workers.... in other words, "temps" who do not get benefits or anything but pay for their employment? My sister used to work there, and so did a former co-worker of mine. Both were hired as contract workers, even though they were permanent, full-time employees.

Many of my relatives who live in a small town in Michigan have worked and work in the few factories in that town. Why is it now a trend for them to hire people through Manpower and then "lay them off" a day or two before they become eligible for receiving benefits.... and then they call them a month or two later to "rehire" them as temps to do it all over again? This has happened to several of my cousins several times.

Big companies are getting away with this shit, and people wonder why so many of us are pissed off.

I don't blame the small businesses. They do what they can do to get by, and they often don't have unlimited capital with which to do whatever they want. Rather, they have to be frivolous with their spending.... but there's NO excuse for big/huge companies to be pulling this this while they make millions and billions of dollars a year and pay their top people shitloads of money.

Oh, and then they expect their employees to be 100% loyal to them!!!!

[-] -1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Hmm. I wonder if unions had anything to do with this? Do ya think?

In any case, I continue to be amazed at the sense of entitlement that oozes from all of you. Why do the shareholders of Ford owe your cousin anything? It is their company. Get that through your head. Start your own company if you want to give free stuff away to everyone. Remember, however, that unlike the government your company cannot print money.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Um.... no they don't, Einstein. The people I'm speaking of are white-collar employees.... you know, the ones who don't belong to unions. The unions have protected the blue-collar workers from cuts in pay, benefits, and overtime (while Ford makes profits), while the white-collar workers are unprotected (since they don't belong to unions).

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

Right you are, Swiss. I also for a while was a white-collar employee, had to go through the degrading process of becoming a temp (sorry, but it is degrading being treated like cattle). On the flip side, I eventually had enough and started my own business. I wouldn't work for anyone else now.

It's a shame that entrepreneurism isn't taught to very young kids from the start. If kids got a sense of being responsible for their own venture in their youth, our nation would be far better off, with risk-takers who know how to make something of themselves, instead of becoming benchwarmers.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

"It's a shame that entrepreneurism isn't taught to very young kids from the start."

I agree totally. I think schools fail miserably at teaching a lot of valuable life lessons and topics. They probably would be less scared about trying to start a venture if they were taught the necessary skills to do it. I have ideas about starting a business, even one that subsidizes my income, but I'm a little hesitant about doing it, because I'm not sure if I possess the skills to make it successful. I think some people are much better at it than others.

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

Trust me, I've know complete bumblers who became millionaires (I'm not saying you are a bumbler, just making a point). A love of what you are doing, a market for what you offer and a willingness to change the way you do things if the market demands something else are all essential, IMO.

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Unions killed those companies, making them unable to rain goodies on your sanctimonious self. I can't imagine having someone with your attitude as an employee.. .

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

That's OK, because I wouldn't work for someone like you with your attitude. You'd have people working for peanuts, working long hours, treating them like shit, and then expecting them to be completely loyal to you, while you rake in the dollars.

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

I've created about 20 jobs in my life. This in turn has allowed houses to be purchased, tuitions to be paid, retirements to be funded. I did this by taking risks and having a vision. I did not do this by blaming everyone in the universe for my problems, or shrieking at every passerby how "unfair" the world is. My employees were happy, and felt like part of a growing enterprise. They were innovative, motivated, and a joy to work with. One person like you would have poisoned the well, and they likely would have come to me about getting rid of you. Fix yourself first, missy, and the rest will follow.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Good for you. If you would have noticed, the examples I gave (Ford Motor Company) had NOTHING to do with me. Rather, they were about my sister and a former co-worker.

FYI, I have a great career that I love, I own a house and some land, I own my car (paid off by myself), and I paid off my student loan by myself. I travel a lot (to other countries for the most part), I'm taking online classes (that I pay for out of my own pocket) to further my career, I pay for my holistic practitioners out of my own pocket, etc. I don't use credit cards, because I enjoy paying cash for whatever I purchase, and I don't have any debt, other than paying for my house. The only thing I didn't pay cash for was my house. I am very happy that I'm able to pay my mortgage every month.

So, as you can see, I don't need to fix myself, as I am very comfortable where I'm at. But, I do see many problems with our system (politically and otherwise), so I have a right to voice my opinions about what I don't like and what I think needs to be fixed.... regardless of whether you agree with it or not. I also care about others enough to want to stand up for them when they're being taken advantage of and being oppressed I n any way. Does that mean I want handouts?

You, sir, are someone who never posts a positive word on this site. You have yet to do so. All you do is berate, insult, snare, write negative and sarcastic comments about ANYTHING you disagree with (which is everything). For someone who supposedly has treated your employees so well, you sure are negative and sarcastic.... oh, and you think you're right about everything.

So, before you tell me to fix myself, please take a look in the mirror.

[-] 0 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

So, you're saying that employees of companies don't have a right to be paid vacation time and other benefits and should be treated like slaves.... whereas the companies can slap them in the faces? You're really a self-serving, arrogant fucking prick.

People WORKING FOR A LIVING aren't getting things FOR FREE.

[-] 2 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

First of all, Manpower is their employer and Manpower does offer benefits and vacation time after a year of employment. I've been there and I've received the benefits. It's at Manpower's expense, not Ford's. So your theory is debunked right there.

Second, the name calling you have been reduced to is not the way to make a point to anyone. It makes you seem desperate and irrational.

Just saying.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

These people are hired CONTRACT by FORD directly, NOT through Manpower or any other agency. The companies where my cousins work are hired through Manpower. And it's the companies that use Manpower to hire those people that dictate when people get hired and laid off. They hire them just long enough to fill their production quotas, and then they lay them off right before they are eligible to receive benefits, and then they beg them to go back there to work again, and they pay shit wages. In a small town such as the one they live in/near, there isn't a lot of opportunity for sustainable employment. And these are huge corporations that make huge profits (Ice Mountain water is one).

Manpower is the "middle person" they use for hiring.

[-] 1 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

And this has always been the way of Temp Agencies. Nothing has changed here. I worked as a temp for years before I found permanent employment (through no help of the temp agency, btw).

Perhaps, if policy was written differently, local companies who are struggling to make it in this country wouldn't need to cut corners (benefits, vacation time) by utilizing temps. Perhaps, if policy was written to reward home land companies rather than the ones that ship our jobs overseas, this would not be the norm in your town.

Just a thought.

[-] 1 points by GetRealLibracrits (4) 12 years ago

Contractors can be 1099 or W2... 1099 contracts pay more usually than w2... w2 contractors work through 3rd parties... does your cousin have any skills, education or training... If not i would recommend aquiring some instread of whining... I current under w2 contract with manpower at the shit hourly rate of $74 with benefits

[-] 1 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

As I can't reply to Swiss Miss, I will say this here:

Contracting directly accomplishes the same thing as hiring through temp agencies. I'd wager it might even save a buck at the bottom line.

Last I checked, Ford was not recording record earnings.

Was this other company foreign? I only as because the same thing happened to my father after 35 years of service. Which, of course, ties directly into the shipping jobs overseas thing I've already mentioned.

[-] -1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Again, I said Ford hires people on a contract basis DIRECTLY and NOT THROUGH A TEMP AGENCY.

Another example of greed of companies is that in this same town, the factory where my uncle works (has worked there since he was 18, and he's almost 50) recently was bought out by another company. The new owner told the employees there that they had the choice of: 1) taking a pay cut for doing the same work; 2) taking a buy-out package and losing their job.

" Perhaps, if policy was written to reward home land companies rather than the ones that ship our jobs overseas, this would not be the norm in your town."

I agree with that.

[-] 1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

No, they don't have a RIGHT to any of those things. It is part of their compensation package. Slapping them in the face would be considered assault, which is illegal don'tcha know.

Where do you get this bizarre concept of "rights"? It is so distorted that it's hard to even grasp. You obviously have never been an entrepreneur.

[-] 2 points by Frustrated39 (75) 12 years ago

Right on - and, SwissMiss, I know you don't live here in Texas, but in this state, employment is considered 'at will'. No one forces you to work for any employer. If you don't like the terms of employment (contract work, no benefits, etc) then don't work for them.

I cannot comprehend the fact that you think paid vacation time and benefits are rights that, if not received, makes a worker a 'slave'. What's next? Everyone gets a company car? Everyone gets a window office because DARN IT the Constitution spells that out!

[-] 1 points by vertigo (1) 12 years ago

It is sad that in this alleged "greatest country in the world," folks like you don't believe vacation is a workers' right. Americans clock in the most hours amongst our Western counterparts. Whereas by LAW, Germans have 6 weeks of vacation each year - ranging from a McDonald's employee to a grocery store cashier. In spite of this generous vacation time, Germany has more exports than the U.S. and only about 1/3 of the debt. Looks to me like if people were offered vacation, it could influence productivity.

(I believe it is a right for folks to have vacation, to gain mental respite, but I mention the productivity rates because that is something conservatives actually seem to care about.)

[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

Benefits may not be rights, but they would sure come in handy. Especially when just holding a job can cost the employee more economic hardship than staying at home and watching fox.

I was recently fired from very physically demanding benefit-less job. While my managers were sitting up front in their air-conditioning and padded leather chairs all day playing grab-ass with their benefits.

Why was I fired? For taking my first two days off from work to attend a wedding after slaving for two years (with a properly out vacation request and everything.) After two years of coming in early every day doing an exceptional job, picking up a lot of slack from my lazy ass co-workers, and basically wearing my impoverished ass thin.

September, 2011 marked the Company's $250 million dollar milestone in monthly sales. And how were we peons awarded? A thin piece of shit beach towel with "FASTENAL" written on it so every time we went to the beach we could advertise our company. The entire company has roughly 7000 employees $250,000,000/7000 = $35,700 that is how much each person contributed to this company in one month. And we get a cheap-ass, almost transparent beach towel?

I cut it up into small squares and it came in very handy when I couldn't afford any toilet paper.

benefits....pssssh

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

But, according to FreeMarkets and other clueless trolls, you don't deserve ANYTHING, and you should've bent over backwards kissing your company's ass (not that you didn't)!!!!!!!

THAT is EXACTLY what I'm talking about..... a company that rakes in the fucking cash but treats its employees like SHIT.

I would've burned the beach towel, because every time I went to the beach (if I could've afforded to do so while working at your company), I wouldn't have wanted to be reminded of that company.

[-] 1 points by GetRealLibracrits (4) 12 years ago

Unions while "protecting" the workers was a noble thought in the 60's. Today they try to "hijack" comanies demanding more and more for the workers, and for the union executives aka fat cats... While there needs to be protection for workers, it does not need to come from corrupt unions... breaking the bank does no one any good... thats why unions use non union laber to build their offices... unions tip the scale of free market competitive salaries and benefits, thats why compaonies rely on contract labor... and buy the way they dont do that anymore... MS contractors won class action law suit for being let go after being with the company for years... Now corps max contract length is 18 months... so if i am there and doing a good job... I have to be let go and not work for them for 90 days... then i can get another 18 mon contract... point of fact, contractors make more than full time employees to compensate for lack of benifits... And they dont hold a gun to your head to be loyal... you are free to leave at any time... slavery??? really???

[-] 1 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

You're right, attitude towards higher-ups did play a role in the final decision. As for my fellow co-workers, I was never negative toward them, I helped to bring them up in so many ways. Mostly changing and cutting out some of the pointless and hindering procedure to make the job flow more smoothly. which could have also played a role in the final decision.

[-] 1 points by Rkw40more (29) 12 years ago

From the tone of your response could it be you lost you job because you were to busy complaining about all the managers and employees were lazy asses? In my experience people don't get fired for taking an approved vacation, it's usually because that persons negative attitude becomes cancerous to the company. Which leads me to this question: have you looked deep inside yourself, I mean really deep to see if maybe you had a better attitude, relationship and respect of your employers and co- workers, could you have stood up in appositive way to change some of the injustices you saw? The key to any of that is RESPECT if people don't respect you they will never follow you. RECPECT IS NOT GIVEN ITS EARNED (not by kissing ass or succing up) by being an honest, hard working person, having good work ethic and a conviction that all should be treated fairly. Take your pity party, selfishness out of the equation, and you may be the key that unlocks the door to the change you seek. The only people that repect someone that whines and complains are other people that whine and complain. Once you have evaluated your life, get out there and find a company that could use your enthusiasm get in there and make us all proud!!!!!!

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[-] -1 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

Right, fascism works so well. The USA is not a democracy, it's a representative republic.

[-] 2 points by koloneci (72) 12 years ago

Correction, the United States of America has the form of government Called....drum roll please, tapatapata

Federal Republic with strong democratic traditions!

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

[-] 0 points by economicallydiscardedcitizen (761) 12 years ago

I am GLAD to see the mention of 'dead peasants insurance' otherwise known as corporate owned life insurance that is taken out on employees by many of the largest companies in America and which, when the employee dies the benefit goes to the company and not the family of the deceased (many of these policies are in effect long after the employee has left the company-AVON is among the companies on the list, imagine all the consultants who've signed up for $10 and then quit selling AVON? They're likely all covered by a 'dead peasants policy' See list and explanation at :

http://deadpeasantinsurance.com/which-employers-bought-policies-on-the-lives-of-employees/

Respectable business owners will refuse to offer full time jobs that compel the worker to use PUBLIC and PRIVATE assistance programs but really big/mega-national and multi-national companies are guilty of mega-undercompensation in the face of mega-profits. Early on while I was literally pounding the pavement in person I would strike up conversations with local business owners and these decent people expressed that they were really hurting, that when things began to pick up again they would probably need an additional person in their customer service or admin. departments. When asked what they thought the typical wage for such positions was they said that in the past anywhere from $12.25 to $17 per hour which for the San Francisco Bay Area is about right. More than a few said that they believe in paying their people well. Heck, my State Farm Insurance Agent pays their staff generously and she says that it's worth it by several times to have a happy employee who knows they are being paid more than fairly for all of the work they do for her growing business! This is primarily why in my work history there are only about 3 or 4 companies where I worked that were among the mega-national or mega-multi-national variety-ALL of these paid 30% to 50% LESS than the small business owners I ever worked for. Why? Because all of the small business owners I worked for had plenty of experience 'feeling the pain' of corporate life since they too were refugees from corporate America.

Now, we're all hurting together. Here's an article I just noticed while visiting a site titled 'Our Future Hinges on Just One Thing:

http://mandelman.ml-implode.com/2011/11/our-future-hinges-on-just-one-thing/

..."our country has one of the widest rich-poor gaps of any high-income nation today, and that gap is now growing faster than ever. Many prominent economists have warned that the widening rich-poor gap in the U.S. population is a problem that could undermine and destabilize the country’s economy and significantly reduce our standard of living.

Even Alan Greenspan, who some no doubt consider the father of our rich-poor income gap, and who is certainly no bleeding heart liberal, has said, “The income gap between the rich and the rest of the US population has become so wide, and is growing so fast, that it might eventually threaten the stability of democratic capitalism itself.” And he said that in June of 2005, imagine what he thinks today, now that the gap is widening at an inconceivable pace.

What’s old is new again…

In many ways, it’s a situation strikingly similar to what happened during the Great Depression of the 1930s, when one thing… one event… did in fact change the course of our nation.

That one thing is known as the “the Pecora Moment,” and it refers to attorney Ferdinand Pecora who, in his role as chief counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, cross-examined the most famous men in finance as part of the committee’s inquiry into the causes of the crash of 1929."...

[-] 0 points by zorbaka2 (61) 12 years ago

I don't think stopping commerce is really a good thing except for at most a day or two to get attention. Stopping commerce would just hurt the same people you are trying to help. I think better to work through the political system and toward electing representatives. The tea party made this work in a short time frame.

[-] 0 points by bairo (3) from Newport, TN 12 years ago

Socialism works only until you run out of other people’s money.” Margaret Thatcher. I am 43 years old. I have started over in life 4 times. Through several years of blood, sweat, and tears I was finally able to turn a one man business into a thriving entity employing several people. I was able to relax for only a short time though until the economy crashed. My gross profits dropped 85% in 18 months, my liability insurance went up 25%, my private policy health premium soared by nearly 50%, gas prices nearly doubled, in short... a big piece of me died as my world came tumbling down yet one more time in my life. I dropped my insurance, sold as much equipment as I could and still function, went back to working the company myself, and stopped paying for advertising; I instead went out and beat the streets. Today I am still doing those things except now I have a new love in my life and we do it together. I still don't have health insurance, and we are mentally and physically tired; but we can pay the bills and the nearly 1/3 in taxes of what the company does happen to make. We are in the 53% You can be too if you stop blaming everyone and everything for your problems. The Socialism you so desperately want won't work if we 53% stopped working and started crying like your doing. Just make up your mind that life is going to suck for a while as you may have to work for what seems like nothing while "your present" turns into the future "you make it". realismamerica dot blogspot

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

This is exactly the kind of personal sharing that feeds the Divide And Conquer strategy of the corporate machine. What you seem to be saying is, I pulled myself up by the bootstraps, and if you can't pull that off, too, then too bad for you. If you are for real, then how great it is that you've survived. But saying those who are hurting are "crying" is like Michele Bachmann saying the unemployed should do without eating. It is heartless, without any empathy, and exactly what the corporate mindset is all about. Congratulations! You've lost your compassion. That the 99% will turn in on itself and destroy itself by misplacing our anger onto each other is just what the 1% is hoping for.

[-] 1 points by Misenka1457 (45) 12 years ago

Looks like there is a missplacement of body parts in your personna buddy, meaning your head is up to your a.... and viceversa.....we are talking here about real democracy, not socialism, but again it cannot be expected from a dumba....to understand the difference...and yeah, we all work hard you poor victim, as for me I started over 6 times and in different countries accross the world...

[-] 0 points by weeicemon (15) 12 years ago

Hey has OWS Dallas hit their quota of rapes, theft, pushing old ladies down steps, costing millions of dollars of damage, throwing molotov cocktails at police, arrests, crime, thuggery, etc? Can't wait to see the first OWS shot. Can't wait!!

[-] 0 points by justiceforall (4) 12 years ago

How about a strike on pay federal taxes which is not constitutional.
check out Aron Russo's Freedom to Fascism : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUpZhhbKUBo & this link http://www.paynoincometax.com/

[-] 2 points by bigeightinch (2) 12 years ago

Not trying to be an a$$ but actually, it is constitutional. Article 1 section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states, "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.

So you may want to actually READ the constitution before you go making false claims about it. I also hate paying Fed taxes but if you want to change it, you should go about it the right way and read and re-read the constitution as often as you can to educate yourself and then vote for the candidates that are for lowering federal taxes. And those candidates would be called Republicans.

[-] 2 points by jimmycrackerson (940) from Blackfoot, ID 12 years ago

"provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States"

huh?

[-] 0 points by scubasnax (0) 12 years ago

Your stating a bunch of problems (which i agree with), but what is your solution? go camping? I just want to understand because ive seen in videos of occupy people using iphones and eating food that they didnt grow in there backyard and stuff... which is produced by a large coorperations much like some you are mad at for getting bailed out.

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

While food corporations pose many problems (such as Monsanto), they DIDN'T get bailed out. The biggest banks got bailed out. And Apple didn't get bailed out, either, because it is a much smarter company (not saying it does everything fairly.... because its prices for its products are out of control most of the time).

[-] 0 points by scubasnax (0) 12 years ago

so essentially everyone is boycotting the corporations that did get bailed out and then also camping?

Edit: also what are you asking exactly of the government?

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

This movement is about MUCH MORE than that. There is more that is going on than "camping".

If you'd read more of the articles and posts on this site, you just may be able to figure it out.

[-] 0 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

I've read many articles and have asked many times:

What does this movement want? The people involved have made their grievances known every which way possible... but what of talk of solution? Where is the talk that will affect real change in this forum?

I still have no idea what the message is, what the ultimate goal is.

And I still don't feel comfortable with your statement claiming "Apple isn't the problem cuz they didn't get bailed out" when I have asked over and over again who, exactly, are you angry with... and just get a blanketed 1%.

A blanketed 1% includes Steve Jobs (or his family, now) and Apple.

[-] 1 points by JDog (7) 12 years ago

What does this Movement want? I will take the liberty of speaking for it, for your edification. This movement wants Justice. It wants the corporations out of the political system, it wants regulation of the banking industry, it wants GOOD jobs for everyone, it wants medical care for everyone, and it wants a government of, by, and FOR the People, all the People.

[-] 0 points by foreverleft (233) 12 years ago

Can you even comprehend the amount of twinkling that must have gone on to agree to all that?

[-] 0 points by alouis (1511) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Excellent.

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[-] 0 points by MikeyD (581) from Alameda, CA 12 years ago

Awesome! This is going to make Oakland look like tender love and kisses!

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[-] -2 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Great. Maybe their mayor - unlike Moonbeam lady in Oakland - will honor his/her responsibilities to the constituents. Maybe they'll shoot back this time.

[-] 1 points by Frustrated39 (75) 12 years ago

I wouldn't expect too much as far as turnout. Locally, there's been a small pocket of support but a much larger group that at first was semi-interested, then eye-rolled, and is now getting irritated. It isn't the police the protesters should be worried about in DFW - it's all the regular folks with CHLs who won't appreciate someone chanting "This is what democracy looks like!" while physically blocking the road or the entrance to a business.

[-] 1 points by Crispix (6) 12 years ago

Yes nothing excites the reactionary right like a street full of corpses. It's always been obvious that when the right discusses totalitarianism, it isn't disgust heard in their voices, it's envy. If you had your way, I'm sure all dissenters would be "rehabilitated."

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Please get over yourself.

[-] -2 points by MeMyselfandI (85) 12 years ago

No doubt. Wonder how many businesses will be looted and/or vandalized this time?

[-] -1 points by roosifer (-1) 12 years ago

so i dont buy gas or any petroleum product -we freeze and my kids cant make it to school. i dont go to work- i cant pay bills i become homeless. i grab a tent and wander downtown sit it up infront of my local political building and voila im in the movement. all i need now is to over dose on heroin and headlines are made. i feel for the kids who believe this is going to change anything. im not mocking nor creating an argument im mearly stating while this all has good value its somewhat unlealistic in the real world for those of us who need and rely on the basic things that are being protested against. its unfair yes. but we are all the minnows in this sea of life ruled by the wealthy.

[-] 3 points by miteehigh (8) 12 years ago

We know one thing from our experience. That is a defeatist attitude will leave us under the heel of the wealthy.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

And, protests and movements never helped anything in the past, right? What a narrow view of this movement you have.

[-] 1 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

The Tea Party has studied how local nominating committees work. They have placed themselves in leadership positions at all levels of government. They have done the hard work of taking responsibility - as the People - for self governance. Their initial protests were good for getting their message out, but then they got to work. There will be an electoral bloodbath in 2012 that sets the democratic party back 20 years . Agree or not, you will see the difference between theatrics and effective change.

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[-] 1 points by rocket88 (6) 12 years ago

That's it. OWS is an anti-authoritarian movement. They don't just want different bosses; they want no bosses. Think of OWS as a cultural movement, an educational movement, that introduces people to the values of autonomy, consensus, and direct democracy, in that order, and demonstrates that these things are possible. From there, people will naturally change the institutions they inhabit, from where they stand.

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[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

Hiding behind cynicism is no excuse

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[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

You sound like a Tea Partier to me. I was sympathetic to the original OWS intention of ending crony capitalism. Unlike you, I think it has already veered far into promoting anarchy and "the end of capitalism".

My feeling on the Tea Party, RINOs, etc. is that so long as we move in the right direction, the ball will move down the field. The perfect is the enemy of the good, as they say.

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[-] -1 points by Binh (83) 12 years ago

How many people were actually at this meeting? Oakland G.A. approved theirs with 1,000-2,000 in response to Scott Olsen Iraq vet being shot in the face with a tear gas canister. This is in response to nothing in particular, there is no anger, outrage powering this call.

[-] 0 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

The Oakland strike only gathered a little less than 7000 protesters as well. And it disintegrated into chaos. Destruction of property, fires... shutting down the port... which ultimately only hurt the people who won't get a day's pay when it comes right down to it.

"General" strikes are not the way. Take your grievances to Washington. They have the power to change the rules. Not Wall Street. Not the 1%.

[-] 1 points by Binh (83) 12 years ago

Wall Street owns Washington lock, stock, and barrel. That's been true since 1787. Washington himself was sworn in as the nation's first president on Wall Street.

[-] -1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

Not that I expect any employed people to take part, but if they do and are subsequently fired for abandoning their job... who pays then?

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

Many of us employed people have vacation time we can use for protesting. My company can't dictate to me how I must use my vacation time. I get 6 weeks a year.... quite a bit.... and then there are the paid holidays that we get off.

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

I've been my own boss for something like ten years now. I've actually lost count. I hardly ever take a vacation, and frankly I don't miss it because I like what I'm doing. :) Why would I want to leave something I love? Just a different mindset. Never in my life have I taken 6 weeks of vacation. I guess you must work for a pretty good employer.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

That's great that you like what you are doing and don't want to take time off. However, that's your choice. My response was to your comment about people "abandoning" their jobs and getting fired. Apparently, you didn't get the point of it.

And I enjoy traveling to other countries, and since my company gives me paid vacation, I use it for that. That's MY choice.

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

As I say, that's fantastic that you have these benefits from your company.

I did get your point regarding people possibly getting fired, so no worries.

[-] 2 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

If people are risking getting fired from their jobs to go and protest, maybe they are being irresponsible, or maybe they just feel it's important enough to go and protest and risk losing their jobs. I know I'm not going to risk getting fired. I can protest on the weekends if I want to.

[-] 1 points by nichole (525) 12 years ago

I don't recommend working for any publicly-traded corporation. Any entity that would fire me for exercising my First Amendment Rights does not deserve my labor. Are we not fighting fascism?

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

"Any entity that would fire me for exercising my First Amendment Rights does not deserve my labor."

I agree with your view.

[-] 1 points by GetRealLibracrits (4) 12 years ago

Really... You bad mouth your boss, his boss, the product or service that your company provides??? And stay employed... YOU are delusional... Unless you job is collecting welfare.

[-] 0 points by FreeMarkets (272) 12 years ago

If you read all of SwissMiss's literary contributions, and filter out all the swearing, you will find that she views the primary role of her employer as providing benefits, including vacations and paid holidays.

[-] 1 points by SwissMiss (2435) from Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI 12 years ago

And your literary "contributions" are put-downs, sarcastic and negative comments, etc. for the most part. Does that make you better than me, because I use profanity and you don't?

[-] 1 points by Occupytheimf (134) 12 years ago

Not many ft jobs anyways.

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[-] -1 points by bobby (58) from Quincy, CA 12 years ago

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[-] -2 points by JohnnyO (119) 12 years ago

Where in the Constitution is the "American Dream"? Rofl!

[-] 1 points by PincheCabron (131) 12 years ago

The Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I guess this is oft times called the "American Dream".

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