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We are the 99 percent

March from Occupy Wall Street Arrives in Washington DC Today

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 22, 2011, 12:18 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Exposes Failure of Undemocratic Super-Committee Attempt to Squeeze the 99%

Super Committee Fail = Occupy Wall Street Win

Today an Occupy Wall Street initiative called ‘Occupy the Highway’ arrives in Washington DC, having marched from New York City. Two weeks ago, Occupy Wall Street participants in Manhattan embarked on the epic journey. Their goals were to make the new movement visible in more communities, to connect with other occupations along the way, and to further a national dialogue about how to reclaim our democracy.

Their journey was timed to coincide with the announcement of the so-called Super Committee; to bring a message to Congress to end corporate welfare and tax breaks for the rich and to stimulate the economy by rebuilding the country's infrastructure and investing in education, clean-energy and public health; items that are supported by the vast majority of Americans in poll after poll.

"The so-called Super Committee was a failure from the beginning. It was an attempt to do something undemocratic. Thankfully it didn't work,” said Michael Glazer, an organizer of Occupy the Highway. “No one has the courage to stand up inside our corrupt political system and fight for regular Americans. So, we will continue to take a stand outside the system."

‘Occupy the Highway’ participants expect to arrive at McPherson Square at around 2:30pm today, where they will hold a General Assembly-style press conference. From there they will march to Freedom Plaza, and from there to the Capitol steps, where they will discuss the failure of the U.S. Government to be accountable to its people.

“Wall Street owns Washington. Our government is not representing the interests of the people,” said Ed Needham, a volunteer with Occupy Wall Street. "Congress is defending the big banks, big corporations and super-rich. This is why the Occupy Movement grows each day."

Schedule today:

  1. Last Leg of ‘Occupy the Highway’ March, meet at Rhode Island Ave Metro at 12:30pm. There is shelter from the rain while folks gather, and parking for those who would drive in.
  2. Press Conference at 2:30pm at Occupy DC, McPherson Square (15th and K NW) Brief General Assembly at noon, followed by a press conference.
  3. March continues to the Capitol, where they will set up a temporary occupation on the national mall across from the reflecting pool. On the way to the Capitol, they will stop briefly along the way for a rally of sorts at the other occupation at Freedom Plaza (13th and Pennsylvania Ave NW). 7pm General Assembly to talk about the issues.

Click here for more information about Occupy the Highway.

212 Comments

212 Comments


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[-] 16 points by retromac (18) from Westhampton Beach, NY 12 years ago

Dear Occupy the Highway, I am inspired by your brave journey from NYC to Washington.

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

Victories come more frequently as the Occupy Movement grows. The bigger, the more results. In other words: full steam ahead. Grow, organize, protest, convince, make yourselves heard. Before we know it we´re able to change the WORLD:

http://struggleforfreedom.blogg.no/1321101669_the_transition_phase_.html

A must see: Noam Chomsky at Occupy Boston: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZbNT62aprM

"What you should do is exactly the kinds of things that are going to lead to hysteria among privileged and powerful people" - Noam Chomsky

Keep on fighting, keep on growing. Greetings and solidarity from Norway struggleforfreedom

[-] 1 points by Misenka141957 (61) 12 years ago

Yes, hysteria should be the starting point, followed by justice and expropiation of stolen capital and judicial accountability for theft and abuse of power. We need to pass and modify the legislation that will enable us to expose and convict the 1%, while protecting the 99%!!

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

Many thanks for the Chomsky!

[-] 0 points by JosephCouture (45) 12 years ago

The Red Pill or the Blue Pill, which will you choose? I keep hearing people say they think the world is experiencing a mass awakening. Are you ready for it? Do you dare?

Read “Awakening To the Nightmare” at www.josephcouture.com

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

I agree. I am also inspired by Occupy the Highway. I really like the idea, "... take a stand outside of the system". Keep up the Good Work. Fair-ness.

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[-] 10 points by ThunderclapNewman (1083) from Nanty Glo, PA 12 years ago

God bless you all.

[-] 1 points by Coinyer101 (25) 12 years ago

Hi, TCN! Good to see you here, man!

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

Occupy Congress Everyday!!

[-] 10 points by thefewminutes (19) 12 years ago

finally....someone is DOING something meaningful about this. ty #OWS

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

I save i this declartion. Had my hubby read it. He completly agrees...finally!

[-] 0 points by Jimboiam (812) 12 years ago

What an incredible waste of time and money just to put the power back into the hands of the people in congress. Unbelievable.

[-] 2 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

Sorry you think that way, but congress is what we use. This isn't Egypt. What was your solution again? I think a congress full of 99r's would turn this ship around. Believable.

[-] 3 points by 1SiriusMagus (311) from Minneapolis, MN 12 years ago

To have a Peoples Congress we must begin with limiting all campaign finance to public finance for every level of government; impose 2 term limits on all elected and appointed offices including SCOTUS; pass legislation that prohibits any government official from lobbying our government on any level for 10 years upon leaving office. Prohibit any regulator to work for the industry that they have regulated. This will put an end to career politicians and the revolving door that ushers in self enrichment at the taxpayers expense..

[-] 2 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

Step1) #Occupy. check. 2) organize NGA 3) draft list of grievances 4) await redress 5) if redress is unsatisfactory, run 99r's in every district 6) occupy congress and start re-writing laws.

https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

http://occupywallst.org/forum/update-on-the-99-declaration-and-the-national-gene/

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

We can have a Peoples Congress by using our own communication resources and choose our path. If we wait for them to introduce bills to change things just because we make a little noise, they'll soothe us like an experienced Mammy and tuck us back into bed. They will NEVER pass legislation like that unless we have our own people in there. We can't wait for someone to write a check, it's grassroots time.

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[-] 9 points by bettydonnelly (115) 12 years ago

Obama was perfectly willing to throw Seniors under the bus to make a deal with this Super Committee. What a phony this guy is. Young people: Social Security & Medicare is probably not your major concern now I urge you to discuss these programs with your Parents & Grandparents to learn how important they are to your family members.

[-] 1 points by seaglass (671) from Brigantine, NJ 12 years ago

Obama is a fraud. He's just another Corporatist shill.

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

In New Hampshire, I thought it was cute how Obama asked, and I stress the point, a s k e d, if the grinches could please give us little folk some band-aid money to help us through the holidays. I don't think he speaks for the majority of Americans. I think the majority would've called them far worse than grinches.

[-] 1 points by cmt (1195) from Tolland, CT 12 years ago

There are legitimate cost savings to be had in Medicare by reducing the excessive profits of the pharma companies. The current law has lobbyist dream provisions that include prohibiting Medicare from negotiating lower medication prices with the drug companies.

Every industrialized nation in the world helps keep medication costs down through negotiating for groups who need them - except ours. The result is cost dumping: pharma just jacks up its prices for Americans. No price is too high.

There are children whose families cannot afford the medications they need, although it is an even bigger crisis for seniors.

[-] 2 points by bettydonnelly (115) 12 years ago

I Know the Veterans Admin gets to negotiate with BIg Pharma I think they get a 40% Discount . How many Trillions could be saved If Medicare could do the same. What is Medicare's Discount ZERO. Repeal Obamacare Medicare for Everyone ! From Cradle to Grave Get the Greed out of Health Care. God Bless OWS

[-] 1 points by rcarmstrong (115) from Cadyville, NY 12 years ago

Good suggestion. Working America is promoting, "Talk Turkey" on Thanksgiving. WA is an AFL CIO organization.

[-] 6 points by DisenchantedAmerican (7) 12 years ago

I am glad to see the Occupy moventment is taking the occupation to Washington D.C., because there is where they can be most effective. This movement should be focusing on staying visible through constant public demontrations, especially at the front doors of elected officials. They're the ones that can be changed and, given the upcoming general election, should be.

[-] 6 points by charnipar123 (122) 12 years ago

God bless all of you. I have some faith again knowing u r out there. Millions of people support u from a far.

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

OWS is a social movement. Like a beacon it shows the path. Political victories will follow spontaneously.

[-] 5 points by AidanAngel (8) from Wichita, KS 12 years ago

The Super Committee was set up to fail. People keep thinking along the lines of political parties (Democrats, Republicans) but you cannot think that way. We are all people, we shall not be labeled. Politicians put themselves into parties, when one could easily say they shall not be labeled and work from that angle. I am from Perth, Australia and as someone from a different country (different economy), I can tell you that America's economy is not that good. It is sad when you have people like Warren Buffett saying that he even believes the taxes to be unfair, and that he gets taxed less than his secretary, then you have groups like the Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength whom are calling for more taxes. Why is the "government" still supporting the rich, when the rich themselves are calling for more taxes. The "rich" know that they could be taxed a lot more, and how much it could help the economy. Yet the government is still trying to cater to the rich, when the rich are going against their lesser taxes.

I truly believe that Warren Buffett's idea to fix America is fabulous. How if America's national deficit gets above 3% of the national GDP, then every member of Congress loses the right to try be on Congress again.

People keep calling America a Democracy when it is not. It is obviously a Republic. Sure there are traits of Democracy, like voting in their leaders, but once the leaders are in power, they are absolute until they finish their term.

[-] 3 points by nich (57) 12 years ago

OWS, I hope, is not a political party. America, much less the political parties have to settle on how morally to proceed, what is the right thing to do and how to do it.

These people have failed themselves, let alone the country. They are the 1%, with policies to protect this. They cannot see things clearly beyond their own imperatives. Their moral imperative is thoughtless self destruction because it is about gaining power and only about gaining power without any purpose other than to hold power. That is not OWS.

The purpose of the movement is to teach by example. The task of following this movement is to learn purpose and value in a world where purpose and value is devised by human beings.

There are people who do not understand that and will never understand that. Power, status and dominance are the only inputs that they accept. They have never been faced with a desperate world where problems are real and have to be solved. They have only been faced with preserving political power, achieving financial gain and preventing competition.

They are ready to topple under their own wieght and the force of their brittle relationships.

[-] 1 points by AidanAngel (8) from Wichita, KS 12 years ago

I completely agree with you. OWS is an amazing thing. Do not mistake what I am saying. I am for human rights, I believe everyone deserves to be taken care of, and the idea of money itself is quite appalling.

Truthfully I am completely against the idea of governments themselves, I do not like the idea of other people being in control of my life, or any other lives. But sometimes you must play politics to get what you want. If I could, I would be there, marching, getting MY points across, standing for justice. But I cannot, right now I am working on many different projects at where I am. I just launched a metaphysics class through my school. It shall help get students, and teachers alike on the correct path, and be more for human rights. Metaphysics has gotten me on my feet, and broken the chains that I was bound by before. I am free, and I just want to help.

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[-] 1 points by CrystalP (79) 12 years ago

We actually state in our National Anthem that we are a republic, which quite frankly that veil was literally just lifted for me so thank you AidanAngel. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

[-] 2 points by tlh0330 (4) 12 years ago

We most certainly do NOT state in the NATIONAL ANTHEM that this is a Republic. What you quoted is something called "the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE." It is NOT the NATIONAL ANTHEM. Geez, don't you folks know the difference between the two?? Get your feet on the ground and quit being dreamy airheads.

[-] 2 points by CrystalP (79) 12 years ago

Pardon me for miss speaking myself, I guess I didn't realize I was in the company of perfection.

[-] 1 points by tlh0330 (4) 12 years ago

Perfection? Just an American who actually knows the difference between the two and has known it since grade school. EVERY American should know what the Pledge is and what the National Anthem is. Part of what has gone wrong around here is the fact that no one cares any more. It's time to start caring again. Not caring about even details like that is part of how we got into this mess to begin with.

[-] 1 points by AidanAngel (8) from Wichita, KS 12 years ago

I love how it is called the "Pledge of Allegiance", also that they try and shove it down your throat when going to school. Not only do they make you live by their rules, they also want to make you pledge your allegiance to them? How cool.

[-] 0 points by 53percenter (125) 12 years ago

"It is sad when you have people like Warren Buffett saying that he even believes the taxes to be unfair, and that he gets taxed less than his secretary,..."

http://www.examiner.com/finance-examiner-in-national/buffet-calls-for-taxing-the-rich-while-he-sues-irs-to-avoid-paying-taxes

[-] 5 points by OneVoice (153) 12 years ago

If Congress is elected to hold public debate and discussion in a transparent process to formula legislative action to decrease the budget deficit why would our elected representatives agree to a 12 member panel comprised of 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats who are all known not to compromise from their party platform? This Super Committee was a crutch for every member of Congress to cut spending without having a direct hand in the process. If a plan is designed to fail then it is not a failure. It's time to get rid of all incumbents.

[-] 6 points by Joe4more (165) from Cranston, RI 12 years ago

I agree all of them have to go. I RI our 2 Reps are D's, 2 Senators are also D's. I'm a D, and like I said, they ALL have to go! Both sides are owned by the 1% which is why foreign policy is dictated by the military industrial complex; energy and environmental policy by the oil corporations; health care by pharmacy and health care corporations; and most importantly, our economic policy is dictated by the greedy banks and Wall St. I believe our last bastion of hope for fairness and equality rests on the shoulders of the people protesting and their supporters. It's time to correct course, and if left to our elected officials we're doomed!

[-] 5 points by jgriff (6) from Tampa, FL 12 years ago

Time to get rid of both PARTIES. The parties are bought out, which means anyone elected in them is bought too.

[-] 4 points by Joe4more (165) from Cranston, RI 12 years ago

Election reform in addition to getting all money out of politics needs to occur too, I agree. I'm for public financing for campaigns. Bottom line, we need representatives from the 99% for the 99% in Congress. The Senate (millionaires club) needs some poor people in some of those seats. I know many intelligent people who are in the NINETY percent who would make better Reps than we have now.Ninety percent of individuals in this country earn less than $60k/yr. (Dept. of Labor 2009)

[-] 1 points by aahpat (1407) 12 years ago

Its long past time to get rid of all political parties.

George Washington: "Let me now take a more comprehensive view, & warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally." http://home.ptd.net/~aahpat/aandc/gw.htm

[-] 0 points by Jimboiam (812) 12 years ago

We should sue them in mass for corruption and press the justice department to launch an independent investigation into all of their activities. The best thing that could happen in America would be to crush the two parties.

[-] 2 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

these are all agents of the fascist elite who are controlled by a male only hierarchy of knights templars rebranded as freemasons. there is a tyranny, the mad fucker at the top, with the Whore of Babylon, the queen of england who control this hateful slavery economy. there is a united intent against us, against humanity.

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[-] 1 points by bettydonnelly (115) 12 years ago

Getting the money out of politics is the only way to save our country. I'd like to see truly Independent party but if you don't get the money out of politics it wont work either. I'm not smart enough to know how to do this.

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

Yep! They got to goooooooooooooooo! Kick'em to the curb!

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

You brave friends, keep fighting, soon millions will do same. God bless you.

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

I am so proud of you! Thank you!

[-] 4 points by greybrick (4) 12 years ago

Tell the cops: "Drop your weapons, and protest!"

[-] 2 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

tell the cops they cannot trust each other!! they know it! expose their violence and ignorance until they start fighting each other. start GRINNING IN THEIR FACE!!

[-] 4 points by FirstLight (21) 12 years ago

Did ya know that most all presidents that tried to mess with the Fed were Assassinated? Just sayin'

[-] 4 points by Idaltu (662) 12 years ago

Nobody does it better! GO Occupy The Highway!

[-] 4 points by murderkingz (56) 12 years ago

real shit! hats off occupy hwy!!

[-] 4 points by qazxsw123 (238) 12 years ago

I'm cyber-marching with you from Boston!

[-] 4 points by stephenadler (118) 12 years ago

Finally, an occupation in the view of the capital building. Great going!

[-] 4 points by VTSupportsYou (108) 12 years ago

Way to go #OWS! This definitely shows you have the courage to back up your convictions. Give 'em heck!

[-] 4 points by Jargo (11) 12 years ago

Do not let anything slow you down. You are looking good. Just Go Go Go!

[-] 4 points by Uzbazbeil (34) 12 years ago

It should speak volumes about what kind of government we have if people are too scared to even go inside government and ask for what the 99% want.

[-] 4 points by Faithntruth (997) 12 years ago

Dont let them forget what is theirs and what is not:

Our Constitution. Our parks. Our sidewalks. Our roads. Our government. Our economy. Our laws. Our police. Our military. Our buying power. Our privacy. Our water. Our air. Our resources. Our ingenuity. Our labor.

What do they have without us? What can they do without us? What can they sell if we wont make it, or ship it, or stock it, or buy it? What power do they have, but that which we allow.

[-] 4 points by ellebee48 (2) 12 years ago

thanks again, brave crusaders, for all the amazing and smart things you are doing for we, the 99%!! onward to victory!! =)

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[+] -7 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

they are not brave and are not crusaders. just group of useful idiots.

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

Oh, like yourself, eh?

[-] -3 points by raines (699) 12 years ago

missy cocoa puff is back.

[-] 4 points by zucnei (103) 12 years ago

I would focus on the Bush Tax Cuts. The Supercommitte Fail was a win on this issue and most Americans want them back.

Its a concrete issue going into the election - their repeal has broad support. OWS could be a real force of change on this and many who have criticized the vagueness of the protest - myself included - would instantly get behind it. If OWS catalyzed the massive public support for their appeal that already exists - it could be a huge huge win.

[-] 6 points by SparkyJP (1646) from Westminster, MD 12 years ago

Don't forget about addressing "corporate" tax. They say the US has the highest corporate rate ................... but do we REALLY?

REVEALED: The 30 American Companies That Paid Less Than $0 In Income Tax Over The Last 3 Years

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/these-are-the-30-american-companies-that-paid-less-than-zero-income-tax-from-2008-2010-2011-11?op=1#ixzz1eShwMdDY

How can a company profit billions of $'s a qtr and pay LESS than $0?

Something's Terribly Askewwwwwwwwwwwww!!

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[-] 3 points by JProffitt71 (222) from Burlington, VT 12 years ago

Yes, they finally have a presence where so many people have demanded them to be. The bush tax cuts are a good starting place, but there is silly no end of issues they could choose, as long as they show Americans that OWS really is their voice. Hmm that's actually probably the safest issue to start with though, good idea.

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[-] 3 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

two fascist doctrines. 1: man is bad. 2: war is good. our community doctrines 1: man is good. 2: war is bad. man is good? don't help your falling brother down, help your falling brother up. anyone who says or believes man is bad is an enemy of our community and humanity.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

I agree and religion feeds esp. #1 doctrine to the masses. It's slavery, mind control... kills the spirit. I see people consuming to fill the empty void, it brings me to tears.

[-] 1 points by sufinaga (513) 12 years ago

watch youtube sufinaga wichita lineman satori

[-] 3 points by Joe4more (165) from Cranston, RI 12 years ago

I didn't notice one mention of the ows movement on any major networks nightly news. You people march from NY to DC and aren't getting any press? Above you state, a press conference at 2:30/pm; with whom? I am wholeheartedly with this movement, but know you must strike while the iron is hot. Get professional assistance; spokespeople, PR, branding, etc...don't let purity be the enemy of progress.

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

Not one. Not on major websites either. Think I will get rid of yahoo. Sick of seeing articles about hollywierds drama and what mama is pregnant.

[-] 1 points by BreadLandPeace (359) 12 years ago

There's always something about OWS--usually two or three headlines--on the Drudge Report (www.drudgereport.com). There hasn't been a day in the last couple months that I haven't seen some OWS activity cited.

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[-] 3 points by dealdoctor (148) 12 years ago

Thanks for your work for all our rights. Let the Occupy Global Anthem inspire you. It will. http://tinyurl.com/7mxokbc

[-] 3 points by USCitizenVoter (720) 12 years ago

Super committee was a bunch of hog wash.

Grover Norquist has a death grip on on our government employees careers

Norquist is a mainstream conservative on issues other than tax and is a director of the board of the National Rifle Association---Grover Norquist: the tax lobbyist with an iron grip on the GOP

the full article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/21/grover-norquist-tax-lobbyist-supercommittee-gop

[-] 1 points by periwinkle55 (3) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Grover Norquist is an extremist conservative, i think, and those vows he got congress to sign....they've given him more power than god over this country.

[-] 1 points by debndan (1145) 12 years ago

No, he is a libertarian. People need to get this right. He WANTS government to collapse. People need to understand that neocons are not conservatives, they are libertarians.

They are out to destroy american democracy, american progress, and the american dream, and have done a good job of it so far.

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[-] 3 points by Kathleen (35) 12 years ago

So proud of all of those who have been participating in the OCW protest around the country. Many of us have been activist and very concerned citizens for years. Lobbying, registering voters, voting, petitioning our Reps, marching in the streets, getting arrested over unnecessary wars etc etc.

But this new and very alive movement is growing and will continue to grow. Demanding accountability for past banking fraud, etc etc. As Obama has said in the past "make me do it" Keep pushing folks. And thank you to all of the OWS protesters across the country

[-] 3 points by dkmarts8 (3) 12 years ago

From so deep in my heart, I am thankful for each and every one of you who participates in this march... for all who participate in this movement. I am inspired to action and communication and to help support all of you. This Thankgiving I will express around our family table how thankful I am for your courage and persistence and determination. You stand for all of us who cannot be there right now, you stand for real change and a new world.

[-] 3 points by globalfamily (45) 12 years ago

So proud of you! So much strength, energy, passion and love. Be well my children!!!!!

[-] 3 points by flyingcactus (12) from Gainesville, FL 12 years ago

Keep going strong. We need millions of voices to make the 1% pay attention. Doesn't matter if we Occupy a park or a square. We must Occupy everywhere, all the time, and be heard. 1% is an attitude and a state of mind. We must remake democracy for the 99% in all vibrant diversity so the least among us has equality and prosperity.

[-] 3 points by BreadLandPeace (359) 12 years ago

You're doing a GREAT job!

[-] 3 points by FirstLight (21) 12 years ago

OWS need focus on only one central issue and support the OCCUPIED Amendment by Rep Ted Deutch - read it. . Supporters, re-post this in every comments section repeatedly of every related story - we can bring this to the forefront. Corporate Personhood is THE root cause of long-term loss of democracy in our republic. It took over 100 years for the oligarchs to slowly subvert the US constitution - this constitutional amendment is the root fix to reclaiming our democracy. Expect this to be fought by big money more than any other piece of legislation in the entire history of our nation - it is the single biggest threat to the 1% control of America. If there was any single issue OWS should focus on, this is it. This is the epicenter of the 1% power - and it ought to become the central battleground for OWS.

[-] 1 points by binky4freedom (6) from San Francisco, CA 12 years ago

I would not support this legislation since it only seems to do good… nothing stops a corporation from creating non-profit organizations which would be allowed to contribute. Does Rep. Ted Deutch really think the public is this stupid.

[-] 2 points by IamMamaCas (21) from Norman, OK 12 years ago

Dear Super Committee,

End the war. There I saved you 680 billion dollars.

Sincerely,

Citizen

[-] 2 points by periwinkle55 (3) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Hey, I want to thank you guys for all that you've done and are doing for the People of this country. You are heroes, risking personal harm and changing the world for the better. The movement is going to work, and it'll be in history books as the force that corrected a corrupt Congress and wrenched control out of the hands of the rich and handed it back to real people! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

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

Stop the fraudclosures. The banks that wrote these liars loans wrote fraudulent contracts and they do not even own the rights to these properties. Stop the evictions and return the homes to the people who lived there before they were thrown out illegally. Banks have been paid by the people over and over. Leave the homeowners alone

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

We lost 2 homes, my rental investment (for retirement), and our home that my husband helped build. We couldn't get Washington Mutual to return our calls or acknowledge our letters. We begged for a modification. They locked the rental prior to the foreclosure date stealing the appliances we purchased. In down payments and fees they received in cash from us $52K on our loans, not to mention interest payments. When the houses were resold 2 months after the foreclosure, I'm sure they racked in more cash from the new owners bringing their haul up to $104K plus CASH. In my neighborhood there are at least 4 homes abandoned on one block, while people have to sleep in the streets. Think about how many of these homes are vacant. The banks are sitting on a gold mine when and if the market ramps up the smarmy bastards love it.

[-] 2 points by Misenka141957 (61) 12 years ago

We need to cast votes of non- confidence of this government and the whole connected aparatus and restructure the electoral process to emphasize the will of the majority of the people and not electoral votes. This should be done quickly. Waiting a year for next elections is an eternity under current circumstances...

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

Amazing! I am in awe of those who undertook this journey.

[-] 2 points by stpetejeff777 (2) from St Petersburg, FL 12 years ago

keep it going please...next year we will win...420

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

Greetings and many blessings from Vancouver Island Canada you are an inspiration for all of us. We support you and stand by you always.Keep up the good work . We're doing our bit here too.,OCCUPY the WORLD we are with you LOVE , NAMASTE ......................................................gypsea

[-] 2 points by Violetarojo (119) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

Congrats on your arrival! Great achievement and representation of OWS! God bless you all!

[-] 2 points by colofreebird (14) 12 years ago

Automatic cuts to the budget of 1.2trn USD over the next ten years - with not a dime in higher taxes, unless you assume the bush tax cuts expire. The current rates on investment gains are historically so low - like 90% of the time they ahve been higher. It is really unthinkable that we can't get some sort of increase in revenue.
Walkers, Good luck!! Your commitment is admirable and definitely emblematic of the sacrifices and hard work that all Americans rich and poor need to bring to the table so that we may pull out of this nosedive.

[-] 2 points by tjows (8) 12 years ago

Finally!
Here's a sneek preview of what the politicans will face.

Message for both Ron.Paul and B.Obama:

1) OWS message to R.Paul's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3djHp3WuKA

OWS: "We are the 99 percent. We will be heard. There are criminals on Wall Street who walk free. There are protesters in jail. There is something wrong with this system."

RP: "If you listen carefully, I’m very much involved with the 99. I’ve been condemning that one percent because they’ve been ripping us off. We need to sort that out, but the people on Wall Street got the bail outs and you guys got stuck with the bills,”added Paul.“I think that’s where the problem is.”

2) OWS message to B.Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXqAk_Vfxy4

OWS: “Mr. President: Over 4,000 peaceful protesters have been arrested while banksters continue to destroy the economy,”protesters proclaimed. “You must stop the assault on our First Amendment rights. Your silence sends a message that police brutality is acceptable. Banks got bailed out. We got sold out.”

Obama: “We’ll be talking about a whole range of things today and I appreciate you guys making your point. Let me go ahead and make mine, alright? And I’ll listen to you and you listen to me.”

[-] 2 points by entrepreneur (69) 12 years ago

is occupy the highway on livestream or plan to be on livestream or can some one post the video /links on this. Great work to all those who marched /walked as part of 'occupy the highway'

[-] 2 points by vnayar (289) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

A lot of people have expressed concern about the Super Committee failing to reach a consensus. To shed some light, it might be worth looking at an article that analyses the fiscal impact, specifically if no compromise is reached and congress does nothing.

http://www.offthechartsblog.org/why-doing-nothing-would-reduce-deficits-by-7-1-trillion/

An interesting note is that if Congress merely sits on their thumbs, the Bush upper-income, capital-gains, and estate tax cuts for the wealthy expire. It is very possible that the budget will be balanced if all the bad decisions made by congress run out.

I think things might be looking up!

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

It seems that despite all the cutting back everywhere, there is enough suffering to go around for everyone. In one case, a young family torments a life they find meaningless before snuffing it out. In another, a homeless man gives up hope of anything any better.

But a few brave souls have decided to carry on and find a way. Read about it all here: “Preoccupied In Hell” and “Cruelty: Great Fun for the Whole Family”

www.josephcouture.com

[-] 2 points by Coinyer101 (25) 12 years ago

I'm cyber-marching with you from Arkansas!!!

[-] 2 points by Skyeskye1 (49) 12 years ago

Thank you Occupy the highway we are so lucky to have you and to voice our issues. Stay strong and God bless all of Occupy!

[-] 2 points by Joe4more (165) from Cranston, RI 12 years ago

I hope our message includes process, a means to accomplish an end goal. We are being defined by those who oppose us, and I think they are getting the upper hand regarding public opinion. Recent polls suggest most are "indifferent" (40%); 30% approve of the movement. Some good PR can resolve this view of our efforts, and imho, is sorely needed!

[-] 2 points by Kathleen (35) 12 years ago

Link to Democracy Now/Seymour Hersh/Iran

Seymour Hersh: Propaganda Used Ahead of Iraq War Is Now Being Reused over Iran’s Nuke Program http://www.democracynow.org/2011/11/21/seymour_hersh_propaganda_used_ahead_of "In his latest article for The New Yorker blog, titled "Iran and the IAEA," Hersh argues the recent report is a "political document," not a scientific study. "They [JSOC] found nothing. Nothing. No evidence of any weaponization," Hersh says. "In other words, no evidence of a facility to build the bomb. They have facilities to enrich, but not separate facilities to build the bomb. This is simply a fact."

[-] 2 points by AStripp100 (2) 12 years ago

Time for OWS economics and challenge the Top View 1%.

[-] 2 points by wiseone60 (3) 12 years ago

we should all gather ..and demand everyone of them to step down from office .. since they dont do there job..they are put there to serve us..not us serve them.. mabe then they'll get the message why occupy is growing .and protesting is going on all over the country ..these phoneys dont give 1 shit about the american people.. i thin k the time has come

[-] 2 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

hoo hoo you made it and made national news heh heh "mission accomplished" love you all

[-] 2 points by rcarmstrong (115) from Cadyville, NY 12 years ago

Where? Do tell? I missed it.

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

While I sympathize with the anger and frustration of many OWS protesters, and fully support their right to conduct peaceful and leagal protests around the world, I like many Americans have been waiting for the movement to solidify around a core set of policy goals. I believe OWS' growing focus on Washington, D.C. moves in the right direction, and I believe their specific call to occupy the Capitol places the blame for our current economic predicament squarely where it belongs, with Congress. Toward this end, I have started a petition on Change.org to tell Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to sensibly reduce our national debt. The petitiion is non-partisan and calls for a balanced approach to solving our debt crisis. I invite anyone who is interested to check it out at: http://www.change.org/petitions/occupy-congress-petition-the-united-states-congress-to-pass-bipartisan-legislation-to-sensibly-reduce-our-national-debt. Thank you.

[-] 10 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

The National debt is nothing but a diversion advanced by the 1% who desire to deceive the public. The reason is that the Federal Reserve literally transferred 16 trillion in free money to the 1%. They did not earn the money, they did not deserve the money, it is literally blood money, they have used the money against the 99% to advance multiple crimes against humanity, and Congress is guilty of creating the legal framework that made this possible. Anybody who cannot see this fact has been blinded.

So what specifically does the 1% do with the 16 trillion? They elevate themselves as having superior worth and rights above all other humans on the planet. They militarize the campus police and the regular police forces and turn their weapons against the innocent who demand justice.

Next, the 1% weaponizes capitalism to cause mass-murder by starvation and the elimination of access to common resources necessary for survival. The 1% creates drug fake shortages with electricity (Enron), medications, access to medical care, food, most every commodity, and more. It is done simply to drive up prices and increase their profits while the suffering of the 99% increases exponentially.

So, the 99% respond with a simple demand for justice, but this is different. There is no central authority, and there is no leader because every individual is a leader. The only thing that matters is the individual's commitment to expose the truth and demand justice.

All of the demands for us to produce a leader, a hierarchy, a so-called coherent message, or whatever are irrelevant. They cannot cut-of-the-head of the movement because there is no head. They cannot attack the message because behind every demand is the desire for justice. Should there be a leader or a central organization the 1% would scatter us by destroying the leader or the centralized organization. If the demands were for anything more than justice then the message could be attacked by the 1%.

It is simple to understand a demand for justice. At the core of all world citizens is a fundamental sense that something has gone horribly wrong. That has been at the core of this movement since its inception. This is what defines the movement and makes it impossible to defeat. Where one is arrested or subjected to an injustice, ten more replace the fallen comrade. The response of the 1% is to turn the word “justice” into the “J” word while pretending to not understand our simple demand.

Finally, it is no longer sufficient to throw our bodies into the cogs of the machine to demand change. No, we must destroy the machine and become the machine to satisfy the demands of justice.

[-] 4 points by Joe4more (165) from Cranston, RI 12 years ago

I am soooo tired of hearing about austerity! Check out England........ Big 1% distraction tactic!

[-] 3 points by packetStorm (128) 12 years ago

Hear, hear.

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

A truly majestic statement. Surely this is a struggle of ideas, systems and attitudes, not a campaign against people, collectively or individually. OWS should remain non-hierarchical, non-violent, and non-abusive, even towards the 1%, in order to prevail. How else can we meld the 1% with the 99% so we can all become the 100%?

[-] 2 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

Nobody is advocating violence. However, this does not change the fact that the 1% has turned capitalism into a weapon that is wielded against the innocent.

I do not believe this machine can be fixed. The only alternative left to obtain justice is to destroy the machine via civil disobedience. We must clog the machine and break it. Then a new one must be created. This one cannot be salvaged due to the magnitude of the 1%’s crimes against humanity.

It's too bad if that is uncomfortable for you. There is simply too much mass-murder taking place at the hands of the 1%. I know. They almost murdered me.

You can pretend it isn’t happening, but who knows? Perhaps you will be their next target.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

Your post nailed it..bravo!

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

Wow, you make OWS sound like Al Qaeda.

[-] 2 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

That is your false characterization.

Stop judging after the manner of your seeing and hearing. Doing that only proves to the innocent that you have been willfully deceived.

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

People tend to judge by what their senses perceive. If you want to gain a following of the masses, then stop sounding extreme. A chain is only as good as it's weakest link and there are some "weak links" writing on this forum.

[-] 1 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

A list of facts and demand for justice is extreme. NOT!

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

To quote you, "we must destroy the machine". To me, that's an extreme statement.

[-] 1 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

It won't seem to extreme when the military is given police powers over American citizens. Just the fact that the Senate is having such a vote in favor of allowing the military to police American citizens is proof that "...we must destroy the machine...."

[-] 2 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

OWS beats the drum of the 1st Amendment right of the people peaceably to assemble but yet when I mention the 1st Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances I hear that that is not what OWS stands for, it's heirarchical, it's treasonous, or simply it's impossible. I appreciate that drafting that list is going to be a difficult task but I don't see how OWS is going to actually change anything if people don't use the right to petition as strongly as they've used the right to peaceably assemble.

I think OWS should morph into OLB, Occupy Liberty Bell or OIH Occupy Independence Hall. Have small peaceful assemblies all winter long in every congressional district spreading the word about the National General Assembly starting July 4th in Philadelphia. Ask the people of Philadelphia to invite their fellow Americans into their homes for the NGA and coordinate this all winter too. Have occasional "occupations" throughout the winter, growing in size as the spring approaches, the WE ARE THE 99% growing louder with each event. This keeps the light shining and the movement looks smart, smells like a rose. Imagine the city of Philadelphia's population doubling or tripling for four days in July 2012.

NGA NOW all roads lead to Philadelphia https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

[-] 2 points by JProffitt71 (222) from Burlington, VT 12 years ago

That seems sensible enough, dont give up the idea, you're a part of OWS.

[-] 3 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

Thanks, be sure to tell others and let me know if you hear of a better one. Some ideas are just plain better than others.

[-] 2 points by Justice4all (133) 12 years ago

Lets not be all too upset about those abusing power today. Its obvious many of them at one time or another stood up for what is right. Look at John Boehner, it's obvious he's been pepper sprayed a few hundred times at least. Hang on a sec. Sorry, just been told that's his natural look. He apparently got it from obtaining way too much sunlight from all the cruises he's taken by defrauding the people. My mistake. Carry on.

[-] 2 points by theredsandrevolt (23) from Garwood, NJ 12 years ago

I say we get the truckers involved and have them block the highways. This would really get the attention of Washington and the companies who don't pay their taxes. Yes, it might hurt us too, but it would really hurt the companies and Wall Street.

[-] 1 points by JProffitt71 (222) from Burlington, VT 12 years ago

Not necessary, and we don't want to blow our chance at heating the support of the majority thats currently on the fence with a broad stunt like that.

[-] 2 points by Pharos (12) from 's-Hertogenbosch, NB 12 years ago

Sick political game using citizens as pawns. Fox helps misquote OWS, dividing the "United Spirit of Economic Injustice".

[-] 2 points by xxcONScIENcExx (172) 12 years ago

@ThatEgyGuy Full list of "clients" who lobbied the "Super Committee" during the third quarter. No wonder they couldn't get anything done.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArZJzmIoVZE0dDRVR1hwRFVBY05QNi1KUVZ2VExILXc#gid=0

[-] 1 points by BRathmann (1) from Batavia, IL 12 years ago

What's so sad is that these marchers spent 2 weeks on the road with all their trials and tribulations and if I'm not mistaken there was NOTHING on the OWS site about them until they reached DC. I know they had their own site that chronicled their march but I didn't see any links to that website or any mention of these marchers on the main site. If I'm wrong I apologize. They weren't just walking to DC, they were spreading the word all along their 240 mile march. Good grief. Couldn't the OWS site at least mentioned them.

[-] 1 points by YoungPhilosopher89 (19) 12 years ago

Hi im darren check out my blog http://youngphilosopher89.wordpress.com its left wing reflecting my anarcho-syndicalist views

[-] 1 points by belltor (60) 12 years ago

i wish DC occupiers would declare that they are now the designated lobbyist for the 99%. I hope that they will try and confront all members of congress on the influence of corporate monies and lobbying on campaigns for re election Congressional member should be dogged until they declare the positions on this issue and then reported back to the nation. also lobbyists should be shadowed daily to report on whom they meet with and what they meet over. The main stream media must be made to cover these stories and only until we draw relentless attention to these issues they will not

[-] 1 points by JosephAMungai (5) 12 years ago

EVERY TIME HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF THE PRICE GOES UP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3DuampumYoc

“Surviving Progress” is a stunning new feature documentary that connects the financial collapse, growing inequity, and the Wall Street oligarchy, with future technology, sustainability, and the fate of civilization. Inspired by Ronald Wright's bestseller A Short History of Progress, filmmakers Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks dig deep into human nature and patterns of history to challenge and redefine the very idea of progress.

[-] 1 points by shifty2 (117) 12 years ago

I am proud of the people who are fighting for the right;s of American's and totally agree with most if not all of your concern's, But I see a problem with the way we are going about it. What about the million man march and a ball game can pull 100,000 plus people , Point being we must not be doing something right, We are alienating people away through our tactics, Maby all protesters around the country get together and make dissions as a whole. Is it possible our tactics are not working, Seem's to me it's only working to alienate A big portion of the 99%. As proven buy post's on this site and all other sites and news articles pertaining to the ows. The violence that takes place is not doing anything to better our cause, I believe from what i have seen it's mostly the police who are causing the most violence but regardless who starts it , It will continue to happen, I believe we need millions on our side to accomplish our goals and just maby it's time to regroup and come up with ideas to help us succeed. We have many well educated people in our group perhaps we could solicit for ideas to help our cause. I am proud of the fact that we have changed the way people of all walks of life are thinking about our economy and politicians. I believe we now need to work on getting the masses on our side which I don't think we have accomplished just my thoughts I am not one of the well educated I talked talked about as you can tell just a concerned citizen with children and grand and great grand children whom I'm concerned about their future in our once great Nation.

[-] 1 points by Danaan (96) 12 years ago

Well you should get the rest of Occupy to join you there and you should sack the government officially by marching up there and simply declaring this. Then march up to the bankers and have each and everyone arrested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen%27s_arrest

[-] 1 points by 1SiriusMagus (311) from Minneapolis, MN 12 years ago

Congratulations on this powerful march from New York to Washington DC. Would be good to have the OWS's from around the country converge in a massive march on DC. Good and steady growth!

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

How many showed up in DC. Started with 40 I think. How many did they pick up? Gratz to the walkers and I hope your feet stop hurting soon. Peace and Love to all of you.

[-] 1 points by dls101 (27) 12 years ago

Thank you for your journey.

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

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

You are American heroines and heroes! Carry on!

[-] 1 points by Cocreator (306) 12 years ago

Mobilize the Monster March, Pick a Day, call it out, and everyone meet at the white house..

[-] 1 points by mserfas (652) from Ashland, PA 12 years ago

I saw the idea posted here a month ago ( http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-many-of-you-would-be-willing-and-dedicated-eno/ ) and I was sure it would never amount to anything - so much effort, logistical issues, hundreds of towns each having their own chance to try to subvert the First Amendment. Now those guys are marching into Washington DC for their press conference. Congratulations! You have done well. I wonder how many other crazy ideas knocking around this web site will be tomorrow's reality.

[-] 1 points by maurielouis (8) 12 years ago

This is good. Rather than focus on the conscious-free corporate boards of directors, focus on the local and national politicians who allow themselves to be totally controlled and manipulated by the conscious-free lobbyists (Oliver Norquist) who are hired by the conscious-free corporations. Do the same for the executive branch. I totally supported Obama but it seems to me he also caved to the lobbyists, particularly the insurance industry lobbyists.

[-] 1 points by covalentbonded (9) from Reading, PA 12 years ago

talking the talk AND walking the walk! Too bad the political class in America believes that is somehow a bad thing.

Pray for and support our brothers and sisters in Egypt who are fighting the same forces but are paying a steep price.

[-] 1 points by BraddDavis (10) 12 years ago

I GIVE UP. I have really tried to understand the heart and principles of the OWS but all I hear is the same old "Give me..., I want ...They should...." and the evils of the mythological 1% who are responsible for everything from paying for our education to buying us a house. The is no understanding of economics, history, or for that matter, a genuine concern for our fellow man. Saddened that a movement with so much potential brings out the worst in people.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

Too bad the 1% is not a myth but a global corrupt group. I know it's difficult to grasp that it isn't the fault of the citizens that the economy is tanked. I'm insulted by the buy more messages we are hearing around black friday. The 1% made their money by illegal, immoral and unethical means by using us as labor, consumers, and a source of tax money that seems to flow unfettered from WA DC. We understand economics and history all too well, and it's a sad day to me you come here and say we are at our worst. Your post, while well written just puppets the same old tired bullshit from the 1% that they are better, more diligent and the lies keep on coming. No, we don't want a handout, we want to stop the corrupt politicians and the rest of the 1% to stop ripping us off, and yes share the wealth WE helped create by supporting their asses with tax cuts and back door deals. A young man who walks barefoot from NYC to WA DC to protest the super committee failure is demonstrating more care for the gobal community than any empty, untrue words you can write here in a post.

[-] 1 points by Occupy2PartySystem (1) 12 years ago

There's already a book out comparing us to the tea party movement. Not sure I want to be compared, but they did have some successes electorally. I'm buying it...

http://www.amazon.com/Parties-Occupy-Wall-Street-ebook/dp/B006CA0368/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322052805&sr=8-1

[-] 1 points by nullapars (10) from Sacramento, CA 12 years ago

We need a common demand, something simple that United We Stand for. We should call for a constitutional convention to change the way we choose our leaders and that makes it ILLEGAL TO GIVE MONEY TO POLITICIANS PERIOD. Take the money out of the system and we take away the weapon the rich have used to hijack our system and cause this mess. This is the way for the 99% to take back our government. The elected officials will never do it so we must. It's a simple message that is easy to understand and hard to be against. TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS make all forms of campaign contributions and political donations illegal. A specific message the media has to cover because everyone is demanding it. Right now the message is unspecific and that is going to kill the movement. No other single change could solve so many of our problems. Anything short of this wont work. Imagine how things would be if this were accomplished. I also think we need to get rid of the electoral college and implement term limits for everyone in congress. More info at http://uws1.weebly.com/

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

There are massive unfunded liabilities looming in the future of the United States, and a large portion of them come from social programs ( and military). The unfortunate fact of the matter is the United States has been fiscally irresponsible, and Social Security and Medicare/caid represent roughly 40% of spending.

The failure of the supercommittee is not a win for the Occupy movement, it is a loss for every American. It further shows the systematic failure of the American government to do what is necessary, at minimun, to avert a crisis for the union.

I say all this because the rhetoric I am reading suggests that you all may be no better. Whether you like it or not, social programs will need to be cut. So what. There need to be reductions in expenditures across the board. Show me someone who believes social security and medicare/caid are sustainable, and I will show you a fool.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

Show me a politician who will work to repay the money that Congress took from the Social Security and I'll show you a honest person. I'm still waiting....OWS never saw the super committee failure as a win. That is the very reason they walked from NYC to DC. We could solve the problem by ending the wars, that would save billions, next have Congress take a significant pay cut and transition them to Social Security, get rid of the influence of lobbyists, and dismantle the Federal Reserve, get rid of these departments in the fed that are useless....like Education, and overturn Citizens United.

[-] 1 points by charlie2be (7) 12 years ago

I want you all to know, The world is no longer watching, The world has paused... And now the world is listening.

More and more people are asking me about Occupy. They want details. They want news. They want to truly KNOW what is going on. I tell them and now have my own (very small) group of people who get their daily updates from me. Support is growing and the more pressure that is applied, the more society is forced to ask that age old question of "why"?

You are supported. The world is listening.

[-] 1 points by BreadLandPeace (359) 12 years ago

You are all absolutely fantastic!

[-] 1 points by NiceLovelyDay (55) 12 years ago

Good going.

[-] 1 points by jdjay (34) 12 years ago

Congrats on your successful journey. I just wanted to share an article on a subject I'm sure most people here are familiar with but I think needs to get more attention, that being the perpetuation of slave labor all over the world by the WTO and in alliance with the U.S. government. Anyhow, here is a pretty startling article for those interested in the subject, http://publicintelligence.net/apples-chinese-workers-forced-to-sign-anti-suicide-pledge/

[-] 3 points by jdjay (34) 12 years ago

The article is about Apple factories that actually have nets installed around their perimeter to keep the workers from jumping to their death. They are also required upon being hired to sign a pledge that states that they won't kill themselves. This particular company, Foxconn, employs 500,000 people and mainly manufactures IPads and IPods. Multinational corporations are causing so much suffering all over the world. There are so many stories. Anyhow, they, the multinationals and their political facilitators, need to be held accountable.

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

A 40 hour workweek is increasingly unrealistic in the industrialized world, so obviously things will be getting worse in the emerging markets.

Foxconn is a Taiwanese company, not an American one, just because they make Ipads does not make them an American multinational. Protesting here will do nothing there.

The people you protest against, whom get paid large amounts of private money, also work significant amounts of overtime. You do not become rich working a 40 hour workweek. The 1% tend to work exhorbitant hours, while the 99% do not. It is not about being lazy, it is about career choice, about drive and dedication.

[-] 2 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

And where pray tell did you ever get the information that the 1% work more hours than the common person? That is not true. That statement just parrots the LIE that the 1% are better than we are so we deserve nothing. We are fighting for equal opportunity in education for one. Oh yah, go to college and rack up a bill you can't pay. The tuition when I finished my M.ED was up to $25K for 3 quarters, not counting the summer. I worked my ass off and paid for the undergrad loans 2 yrs after finishing it. I personally know several people working 2 and 3 jobs that are not the 1%. Drive and dedication go so far when the banks and Congress are dealing from the bottom of the deck. Read some of the documentaries about the conditions in the factories in China. It's horrific. It's slavery when children work and sleep where they work. When do they play, sir? What will they reap from their "drive and dedication"?

[-] 1 points by jdjay (34) 12 years ago

With all due respect Armitage they may be a Taiwanese company but they are working within the context of a contract with Apple which is an American company. Apple is a multinational corporation. You can categorize things all you want but in reality it does not diffuse the responsibility that Apple and all corporations have to refrain from exploiting slave labor markets. Apple and countless other corporations are advocates of slave labor. They have signed a contract with Foxconn because Foxconn is able to drastically reduce the costs of production for Apple and thereby drastically increase their profit margins.

You don't find it at all alarming that there is a suicide net installed on the perimeter of this building? Can you imagine such a thing going on in the U.S.? It's no big deal that they have to sign a pledge that they won't kill themselves? How can you possibly say that Apple has no responsibility to these people? Their mistreatment is increasing Apple's profit margins. It is a very purposeful and conscious arrangement.

Since China joined the WTO in 2001 we have seen a huge exodus of American jobs go to China. Our politicians are purposefully destroying the middle class in America and increasing the income disparity by facilitating the 1%'s access to cheap slave labor. In fact, it is the goal of the top one percent (not all of them, mostly the extremists conservatives) to sacrifice the American middle class so that a burgeoning class of aristocracy can thrive in the United States. This is a very relevant issue unless, in fact, you want to destroy the middle class in American which appears to be your desire. It is very obvious that GW Bush was a puppet of the heritage foundation and other extremists conservative groups which had a very clear and obvious agenda. GW Bush II was THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY to cut taxes for the most wealthy during a time of war. How, during a time of war with a pricetag of $2 billion a week plus could GW justify placing more of the tax burden on the middle class and poor? He cut taxes for the most wealthy just prior to 9/11 and then again while two wars were in progress. The elitists agenda also facilitated the financial crisis in 2008 through deregulating the financial system in a very intentional and conscious effort to destroy/sacrifice the middle class in America.

The elitists in American have pledged allegiance to cheap slave labor and the destruction of the middle class in America. These are very relevant topics for most Americans especially the ones that can't take care of themselves or their families because our elitists' run government advocates for cheap slave labor more than it does for good fair labor here in the U.S.. Profits before people is their mantra. It is anti-christ, not Christian.

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

to reclaim our democracy all campaign contribution shall be out law...

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

Yes, the supercommittee's superepic fail is a victory for Occupy! Let's be ready for them to fight like banshees for more pentagon money, more war making capabilities and less good government.

[-] 1 points by LifeLiberyNOW (1) from San Francisco, CA 12 years ago

(This post is in response to a comment by Unicron 6 a couple of hours ago regarding the foreseeable failure of the “Super-Committee” (unconstitutional I add) and we must unite as the 99% and re-establish our Constitution-Democracy-and Government) The Republicans & Democratic Parties are one... There is no choice... Only "Good Cop - Bad Cop"... Good or Bad (Politicians) ... there all the same. The Republicans taking the white house in 2012 only provides us with more of the same... The System is Broken... A long time hijacked and Broken... Google if you will Prescott Bush and find a man involved with Foreign Dictators in planning a "coup" of America through and by a Corporate Force of Fascism... Or look at who is in Herbert Hoovers Cabinet during the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and you'll find Prescott Bush's Daddy... Samuel Prescott Bush... who just happens to be in the "business" of selling Arms & Ammunition's to Nations and Foreign Armies in and for War... supplying war munitions... Then of course there is George H. W. Bush and last(?) but not least... George W. Bush....Yet it was Bill Clinton who helped to push N.A.F.T.A. through Congress while the country was being focused by the Corporate Media on the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky fiasco and impeachment "show"... So who do you think President Obama is involved/in-bed with??? Why he keeps signing off on Bush's policies and wars and tax cuts for the wealthy?! ...and I cannot help but to add this myself... Who was it that assassinated JFK & RFK and MLK??? If it walks like a Bush... Talks Like a Bush... Acts Like a Bush... it must be a BUSH! The Bush's are at the head of the 1% and Our(so called) Congress is full of the same with the same allegiances to the 1%... So anyway... whether you vote for a republican or democratic candidate it won't matter! The same thing that is going on today... right now... will only happen more and more and we the 99% will have less and less and then NOTHING and then EVEN LESS THAN NOTHING (we will end up slaves!) WE ARE THE 99%!!! and YES I mention a century of conspiracies here but it doesn’t matter because it all adds up to THE 1%... WE ARE THE 99% …on to D.C.!!!

[-] 1 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

I couldn't have made such a trek! I'm ( as usual ) inspired by you all !

BlackListedNews.com has a good review for all of us O.W.S. ers., check it out!

Keep on keepin' on!!!

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

I am so incredibly proud of you all - higher angelic realms watch over you with tremendous admiration - you are self actualizing to your highest calling - bless you all...

[-] 1 points by JosephAMungai (5) 12 years ago

Maybe the 99% Super Committee can create and authorize the release of videos in the same format and in similarity with this Anonymous poetry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuBpPHy-9Wg&feature=player_embedded.

[-] 1 points by me2 (534) 12 years ago

I sure wish there had been more coverage of this as they made their way down. I thought this was really cool and I was hoping they'd get a lot of press and pick up more and more people as they went along. But of course the press resoundingly ignored occupy the highway.

[-] 4 points by Meesa (173) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Even more appalling is how Occupy Wall Street and other Occupy camps did not join this march! What a lost opportunity. They could have picked up people along the way, and thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of supporters could have met them in Washington. You bet that would have gotten attention. There hasn't been a lot of comments on the marchers' excellent blog/website either -- I'm surprised by the general lack of visible support for this group. I really applauded their decision to march -- a zany "stunt" but also symbolic and in fact "real" -- this conversation NEEDS to go to DC.

[-] 2 points by me2 (534) 12 years ago

This was/is so much cooler and better of an action than attempting to "shut down" the stock exchange for example. It could have been A) a graceful and meaningful exit from Liberty Square on our own terms, B) a fantastic media show, C) an inclusive, consensus building growth event - all of the above!

[-] 3 points by Meesa (173) from New York, NY 12 years ago

I know!! I don't understand why OWS didn't jump on this. I admire the marchers and support them. I would have given food and shelter if I was along the route!

[-] 3 points by DonQuijote (55) from West Springfield, MA 12 years ago

but, but, not even this website covered it. only the first and last day.

[-] 2 points by me2 (534) 12 years ago

Yeah exactly!

[-] 1 points by Kathleen (35) 12 years ago

OCW needs to stay aware of the continued push by Israel and the I lobby to push the US into a confrontation with Iran based on unsubstantiated claims Recent Iran discussions and information

Real News November 15, 2011 Former IAEA Inspector: Misleading Iran Report Proves Nothing Robert Kelley: Latest IAEA report recycles old intelligen

­ce and is meant to bolster hard liners http://the­realnews.c­om/t2/inde­x.php?opti­on=com_con­tent&task=­view&id=31­&Itemid=74­&jumival=7­594

Race for Iran... THE “IRAQIZATI­ON” OF AMERICA’S IRAN DEBATE: MOHAMMAD JAVAD LARIJANI AND THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA http://www­.raceforir­an.com/”

“Seymour Hersh on Democracy Now yesterday discussing Iran and the push for military action by the Israeli lobby and Israel

Seymour Hersh: Propaganda Used Ahead of Iraq War Is Now Being Reused over Iran’s Nuke Program http://www­.democracy­now.org/20­11/11/21/s­eymour_her­sh_propaga­nda_used_a­head_of "In his latest article for The New Yorker blog, titled "Iran and the IAEA," Hersh argues the recent report is a "political document," not a scientific study. "They [JSOC] found nothing. Nothing. No evidence of any weaponizat

­ion," Hersh says. "In other words, no evidence of a facility to build the bomb. They have facilities to enrich, but not separate facilities to build the bomb. This is simply a fact."

Seymours other articles about Iran Iran and the Bomb How real is the nuclear threat? by Seymour M. Hersh June 6, 2011

Read more http://www­.newyorker­.com/repor­ting/2011/­06/06/1106­06fa_fact_­hersh#ixzz­1eRz91p9B

http://www­.newyorker­.com/repor­ting/2011/­06/06/1106­06fa_fact_­hersh Preparing the Battlefiel­d http://www­.newyorker­.com/repor­ting/2008/­07/07/0807­07fa_fact_­hersh”

“One of the best interviews ­/ discussion­s about Iran Seymour Hersh and Former weapons inspector Scott Ritter quite awhile back.

From 2005. Watch the full hour and 27 min.

Target Iran http://www­.c-spanvid­eo.org/pro­gram/19513­5-1”

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

great statement

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

"Not One Dime" should be the OWS slogan. Here's why: http://freethoughtalmanac.com/?p=4032.

[-] 0 points by rebel9999 (24) 12 years ago

America is in the mist of an economic revolution. However the revolution is a war that has no direction, goals or means. This revolution has only complaints. We don't change anything by just complaining about things. We have to show what is wrong and what needs to be done to make things right. It's as simple as that. We can't go on just complaining because the nation will get tired of our complaining and the rich will get off the hook when it comes to making them change their ways. Read my web page at www.mybetteramericaplan.com to see ideas on my web page that will show how the rich and the politicians especially the Republicans have destroyed our country. Go to the Current Events section of my web page to see ideas on how to easily make this a successful revolution by first legally shutting down Wall Street Stock Exchange until they get rid of the derivative market place. We must pool ALL of our protesters from around our country onto the shutdown of the Wall Street Stock Exchange so to make it a successful shutdown. We must FORCE Wall Street and Congress to pass laws, policies and regulations that stop the rich from ripping off us Americans. After we shut down Wall Street we'll shut down Congress until we get laws passed that will stop the rich from economically ripping us off. Then we'll shut down the Chicago Mercantile Exchange until we get rid of the derivative market place which will lower the cost of everything for all of us. Then we'll shut down Remember if we legally prevent people from getting to work and prevent them from working when they get to work then we can make them change their ways until so that we'll allow them to work. That is the ONLY way to make this a successful revolution. Let's organize and get this revolution right before it amounts to nothing but a sit-in.

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[-] 0 points by FirstLight (21) 12 years ago

Where are the Rothschilds when you need em?

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

katwomin WROTE: obama took this country after so many years of abuse .DWG WROTE : You Right, take a look at this please and see how bigger is this MESS : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvcGZzGYW4U

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

Congratulations. We are so inspired and proud of you. Make our voices heard

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[-] 0 points by DonQuijote (55) from West Springfield, MA 12 years ago

Man, you guys should have been updating us on the march everyday. Just saying.

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

they are demanding just what the President has been saying- tax the wealthy and rebuild our infrastructure and for gods sake do not cut education!

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[-] 0 points by Unicron6 (1) 12 years ago

Shouldn't ending the wars be demand #1? Or is OWS ok with troops continuing to die for American greed? Cutting defense budget in half should be #2.

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[-] 1 points by NRNS (13) from Milwaukee, WI 12 years ago

Go away, government troll. YOUR propaganda will not be had here.

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

How did you construe what I said into me being a "Government troll". My only argument was that the super committee failing was not a win for the 99%. Life is not about all or nothing, It is about compromising. I understand that you are passionate in your beliefs and that you feel like you are entitled to everything but it is unrealistic to think that is going to happen. We are not children anymore, you can't just yell and call people names unitl you get your way. If you want change to occur than you are going to have to compromise, because shockingly, and I do mean shockingly, not everyone agrees with everything your saying. If you really wanted change to occur than you would have rooted for a compromise/ solution from the super committe because it could have started the process towards change, but by them failing we are now stuck in the status quo which i know you are against

Furthermore, when I said that there is propoganda on this website, I was not trying to insult the movement nor your beliefs. Personally I believe that the writer of this website does the movement a disservice. He blatantly lies about events and he takes too extreme of an approach. America is the melting pot not because of peoples heritages but because of the diversity of thinking. Not everyone is completley liberal and not everyone is completley conservative. It goes back to compromising; the 99% is not just a bunch of left-leaning people. It is people from both political parties, of all different ages, races and religions. If the goal is to instill change than OWS going to have to appeal to a majority of people, and to do that you need to be a little bit more moderate and not use such extreme rhetoric. I am not saying that the goals need to change, but the medium of how you convey that goals could potentially turn people off who are also interested in helping

So next time before you post a useless comment that tries to put someone down jsut because they disagree with you, how about you do some research and have a constructive argument. Its ridiculous that you think you are a champion for the 99% but if someone disagrees with you they are a government troll....why do I get a feeling that if you don't agree with everything on this website your arguments are marginalized. It is very disheartening to try and make a point and to be called a government troll because I am not as liberal as you. I have thousands of dollars in debt, I have an uncertain future, I have just as much as stake in America being successful again as you. Am I not the 99% because I happen to disagree with some of the rhetoric used here?

To end, If i could bet any amount of money, I would bet that NRNS has complained in the past about not being heard (everyone has at some point). Well NRNS, you are no better than the people who used to bully you, because you are doing the same exact thing here.

[-] -1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 12 years ago

Propaganda indeed. OWS is sounding more and more like a re-elect Obama campaign ad:

"end corporate welfare and tax breaks for the rich and to stimulate the economy by rebuilding the country's infrastructure and investing in education, clean-energy and public health;"

[-] 2 points by packetStorm (128) 12 years ago

got a URL to those OWS demands?

Didn't think so.

God Bless the GA.

[-] 1 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 12 years ago

? They are in the second paragraph of the post we are commenting on (above).

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

Are you against that which you quoted? If so, why?

[-] 3 points by LetsGetReal (1420) from Grants, NM 12 years ago

I'm not against that at all. I am against OWS being co-opted by the Democratic party, (or the Republicans for that matter).

While the stated goals are good, we need a systematic change beyond a few pieces of weak legislation. We need the money out of our government, which will require a strong constitutional amendment. Accomplishing that goal will require a trans-partisan movement.

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

And the advocates of OWS feel the same way.... that money needs to get out of our political system. That major event would fix a lot of other issues.

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[-] 0 points by realsupergirl (-1) from Boston, MA 12 years ago

How is the super committee "undemocratic" - going around making inflammatory, untrue statements like this isn't going to help people take OWS seriously. The committee failed in its mission, which is a symptom of the systemic problems in Congress right now, but its existence isn't any more undemocratic than any other committee in Congress. That's how our government works. Ultimately though, Congress will continue to fail until the American people vote out the ideologically rigid Republicans who refuse to consider making millionaires pay their fair share of taxes. OCCUPY THE VOTING BOOTH IN 2012!!!!

[-] 2 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

Have you read the 99% Declaration? It has something interesting to say about the voting booth i'm sure you'll like. It's right at the end of the document.

https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

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

Now that last part from your posted link is talking sense, I support that highly.

[-] 2 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

I think this approach is sensible whether The List has one item or 1000. Here are a few reasons why:

OWS beats the drum of the 1st Amendment right of the people peaceably to assemble but yet when I mention the 1st Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances I hear that that is not what OWS stands for, it's heirarchical, it's treasonous, or simply it's impossible. I appreciate that drafting that list is going to be a difficult task but I don't see how OWS is going to actually change anything if people don't use the right to petition as strongly as they've used the right to peaceably assemble.

I think OWS should morph into OLB, Occupy Liberty Bell or OIH Occupy Independence Hall. Have small peaceful assemblies all winter long in every congressional district spreading the word about the National General Assembly starting July 4th in Philadelphia. Ask the people of Philadelphia to invite their fellow Americans into their homes for the NGA and coordinate this all winter too. Have occasional "occupations" throughout the winter, growing in size as the spring approaches, the WE ARE THE 99% growing louder with each event. This keeps the light shining and the movement looks smart, smells like a rose. Imagine the city of Philadelphia's population doubling or tripling for four days in July 2012. Some ideas are just plain better than others.

I'm a farmer. I know a good machine from a crappy one (read Egypt). But a good machine in the hands of a lousy operator leads to damaged equipment and loss of crop leading to debts and hunger. We're coming out with better machines all the time but keeping the machine I have running productively means I can acquire a state-of-the-art machine sooner. So let's fix the machine we have (the ballot box is your tool box) while we discuss the new machine.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

I agree completely. Unless we use this powerful right to redress, we are an empty drum echoing in an empty building. I think that is the next step.

[-] 1 points by vnayar (289) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

I think the reason why people feel the Super Committee is undemocratic is that its members were not elected by the public, but rather appointed and selected through non-public meetings.

Many people feel that this group of 3 democrats and 3 republicans might have been selected for the interest of their party rather than the interest of the public, and all other voices have been excluded from the decision making process.

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

i'm not seeing how all of the occupy people even have time to protest and march and even set up a tent! if they were all fully engaged in their own education, or working a full time job, or out hunting for a job at least, i'd bet they might NOT be spending so much time in a municipal park belly aching about how bad it is in AMERICA! c'mon people! btw, how is that they all have ipads and cellphones (and all that access to all of this organizational social media)? who's paying their bills while they are out "a occupyin?" ...seems like a bunch of college hipsters who are bumbed out because they failed computer science 101, and therefore they are NOT the inventor of the next facebook.com or the next twitter "killer" internet app! hey occupiers, it's cool to work hard for stuff, save the money you earn, and then actually advance up through the career ladder because you showed up every day for your JOB, and you put in your 8 hours EVERYDAY, and you actually cared about your JOB!!!! ...just sayin... put all this effort into changing yourselves and i bet you'll see the world differently than you do today! 'nuff said!

[-] 1 points by CrystalP (79) 12 years ago

Well don't you have all the answers. I am a college educated married (to a Gulf War combat veteran), mother of three sons, the eldest of whom just returned from Iraq (thank God). I resent your assumption that only uneducated, loafers are concerned with the state of our country. The fact we have a bought and paid for congress alone should be enough for the American public to stand up. I wonder if you are aware that the members of congress do not have to follow the same laws as the rest of the American public. I suppose you think it's ok for a business to buy laws if they have the cash. And I suppose you agree that the UN has the right to take away our parental rights and set the U.S. on the fast track to socialism. Oh, and I suppose you think its a good idea to let corporate greed rape the American public without so much as a little KY. I'm here to tell you that I have a veteran son having a very hard time finding decent work, I have a son graduating high school with honors and looking into college even though we know there won't be a job for him when he graduates, and I just don't know what to tell my 14 yr. old about his future prospects. I guess I should use your logic and just tell them to get a job and it will magically become so. We do everything you are telling people they should do and it's not working what now genius. I'm thinking you may want to better yourself before criticizing others.

[-] 1 points by nich (57) 12 years ago

bartmobile, I think you are a fartmobile. Passing the deadly gasses of a system that you are convinced offers the only world view that you allow yourself to conceive from the only input that you will allow into your soul.

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

I just came for a "global ban". OWS, if you weren't so transparent, people might winder if you're full of shit. AND YOU'RE FULL OF IT!!! FUCK OFF!!!

[-] 1 points by vnayar (289) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

Hey there, Sunshine. You are welcome to participate in the conversation any time you wish. I'm sorry to hear that you are upset. Be careful about profanity and insults though, people might down-vote your posts!

[-] -3 points by bre0001 (50) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

You people are being used. Yeah, I'm sure you believe in those things you say you believe in, but they are playing you like puppets.

Democrats can't win any other way except by lying and dividing the public.THEY are the ones that made the Super Committee look like the Stupid Committee. They won't accept ANYTHING unless it raises taxes. Republicans don't want to raise taxes, they want to cut the govt to save money.

The committee was doomed from the start. Everyone knew that it would end this way including the people who dreamed it up. I mean, come on, John Kerry. This is the biggest loser in the Senate.

He married TWICE for money, lied about his VietNam record, bought a huge boat and registered it in a state OTHER than his own so he wouldn't have to pay taxes on it. This guy shouldn't be allowed to live never mind be a Senator.

I'm not saying you shouldn't continue your protests, but direct to the proper people who are causing all these problems and that is the politicians themselves, ALL OF THEM.

If you would start protesting outside your local politicians' offices, you would be more productive than what you are doing. Just think about it. Your OWS leaders won't tell you that because their bosses, Democrats don't want it. They only care about keeping their jobs.

Please wake up.

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

Dems..Repugs, all sleep in the same bed under the same sheets. Need a third to represent We The People. The current two party system is broke beyaond repair.

[-] 3 points by warbstar (210) 12 years ago

bre001 has been obviously spoonfed lies by the media. None of what you list is supported by OWS.

[-] -1 points by bre0001 (50) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

When I meet you on the soup lines, I'm taking your soup aholes. That's what's going to happen if Obama gets another 4 years. I don't know why I'm bothering to argue with you stupid libs, it's like talking to a fucking wall.

I'm taking your soup morons.

[-] 1 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 12 years ago

The Democrats, or any other political party, do not control me. I'm looking for a strong third party to rise up from all of this. A party that rises up on the promise of not taking ANY lobbying or corporate money will gain a lot of support.

The Libertarians and the Green party have been the most successful third parties, but I believe that they aimed too high by trying to elect their Presidential candidates right away. A successful third party would start small, try to win local elections first, and then work its way up to where that party can win seats in the House and Senate. Only then should there be any push for a thiry party President.

I know that there is enough people-power now for this to happen. Too many people have had enough with the current system. Now its time for the change to begin. This is a good start:

https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

[-] 2 points by vnayar (289) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

I have no evidence to back this up quantitatively, but on a qualitative level, I think the best course of action is to vote for a 3rd party.

What possible good can this do? Consider that both parties are funded by the same interests, but they legitimately want to beat each other. The elections are also almost always close, like 45% to 48%.

This means that if a 3rd party candidate can secure the difference needed to win, 3% in this example, then the major parties will be in a desperate clamor to get those votes or risk losing. The purpose of voting for a 3rd party candidate isn't for him/her to win, but to force the major parties to adopt the positions that make that candidate popular. If we get good policy, that's a victory no matter what empty suit takes office.

If you always vote red or blue, they don't have to change a thing. Voting isn't like horse races, you're not trying to pick the winning horse. You "win" if you pick a candidate that represents your own interests, and you "lose" otherwise, even if the person you vote for wins.

I think the actions of the current president demonstrate more than ever that the Republicans and Democrats are merely two heads of the same corporate hydra.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

Whatever happens, I refuse to vote for the "least evil". If need be, I'll cast a protest vote for a third choice....if there is one. No one I see right now deserves my vote they are all corrupt or misinformed. Their speeches are empty words that mean nothing.

[-] -1 points by bre0001 (50) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

You might as well vote for Obama then because that's what will happen if a 3rd party puts up a candidate. In others words, NO CHANGE for at least 4 more years.

[-] 2 points by Unicron6 (1) 12 years ago

Actually no. You don't want to vote for Obama. That's the only way to send them a message. Then when he loses to the republicans in 2012, they'll know people aren't F'ing around anymore. Next 4 years will have no change, but I bet the next candidates in the elections to come will know where they stand.

Not to mention, I've vowed to never vote for a war monger. So I'm unable to vote for Obama without compromising my principles.

[-] 0 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 12 years ago

I probably will vote Obama this cycle. I don't like any of the Republicans' platforms, but I also know that we can do better than what the Democrats are offering. It is a "lesser of two evils" scenario. I don't agree with the Libertarian platform, and I don't think the Green party has the ability to win anything. I might just vote for someone random since my vote doesn't do much considering the electoral college.

I wouldn't propose a third party Presidential candidate until 2016 at the earliest. That way the new party would have two congressional cycles to see if they can get enough support to put people into the House and Senate.

It is not going to be easy: The new party will have to convince voters that

a) They should NOT vote for either of the two "safe" options b) The third party candidate is the best choice for the position c) Their votes will matter if enough of them do it (your classic how to increase voter turnout problem)

[-] -2 points by bre0001 (50) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

You stupid libs won't learn until you're standing on soup lines. Obama wants to be a dictator. Do you want Obama to be a dictator? If yes, then vote for him. He will bring this country down and we will be standing on lines waiting for him to feed us.

I'm taking your soup ahole.

[-] 1 points by dingy58 (172) 12 years ago

I understand your stance on Obama and don't trust any of them right now. We are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Please don't apply labels to us--libs. You don't know us personally. It's pointless to assign labels since all the politicians are wearing the same sheep skin. Insulting people doesn't help your cause or your anger. Calm down and think.

[-] 0 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 12 years ago

Partisan anger never has, and never will, get anything done. Calm down.