Occupy Wall Street Activists Offer $2 Million Bribe to Gov. Cuomo to Raise Minimum Wage
Posted 11 years ago on June 6, 2012, 10:03 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Today, Occupy Wall Street activists and members of New York's 99% will deliver giant bags of cash to Governor Cuomo, hoping that a two million-dollar bribe will secure a long-awaited increase in New York State's minimum wage. Following the successful example set by the gambling industry, OWS and members of local community organizations have decided to try bribery, since overwhelming public support and peaceful protest have thus far failed to work. Scores of protesters will gather at the Governor's Manhattan office to deliver the bags of cash, with the hope that this bribe will buy the Governor's support for a living wage, in the same way that he became a staunch advocate for gambling interests after outlays of cash by the industry.
"While Occupy Wall Street activists and members of New York's 99% admitted that their bags of cash contained play money, they pledged to raise the necessary bribe, if that's what it would take to secure Governor Cuomo's support for a living wage. "Frankly, it's a great return on investment, providing a raise for 700,000 New Yorkers, and giving a boost to the economy that helps us all," said Jackie DiSalvo of Occupy Wall Street. "We don't have deep pockets like the gambling industry has but we'll start passing the hat today."
OWS activists, New York workers, and their supporters will gather at 42nd Street and 3rd avenue at 12 noon today. At 12:30pm, they will walk to Governor Cuomo's Manhattan office at 633 3rd Avenue to deliver the money, in large cartoonish sacks.
A new Yorker working full-time at minimum wage earns $290 a week, or just $15,080 annually. Supporters of a living wage point out that it's nearly impossible to pay for rent, food, transportation, health care and everything else on such a meager wage.
"It’s indefensible that someone who works 40 hours a week would be unable to feed her family," said Disalvo "It's time for Governor Cuomo to stand up for working New Yorkers and not just pay-to-play interests like the gambling industry."
Like many community organizations across the state, the OWS activists are demanding that Governor Cuomo act to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 to $8.50, and index it to inflation so that low-wage workers don’t continue to get left behind. Polls consistently show overwhelming public support for the increase.
I've been saying for several years now that it's pointless to pretend that we have a democracy (or democratic rupublic) when it's obvious to everyone concerned that money buys a president, or a senator, or enough senators to negate the president.
This "bribe" is just highlighting how this faux democracy really works.
Good one #ows.
Didn't Obama breaks records for donations? Why were there no complaints then?
You're seemingly still focussed upon partisan politics. When it comes down to the reality of our current situation, who received the most bribes is what really matters.
The oligarchy decided that for their next chess moves, meaning Libya and perhaps Syria and next, Iran, a black Democrat was a safer choice than a white Republican.
Can anyone explain why, if you want to make more than 8 bucks an hour, the right says “get a another job” but then they want to pass “right to work” laws, because all of a sudden even though you don’t have the “right” to make more than 8 bucks an hour, you do have the “right” to not join a union? I mean if “get another job” is a good answer for the wage question, why not for the union question too?
Fe Fi Fo Fumb. I smell hypocrisy.
some depend entirely on the short memory of others
Not sure what you mean by that exactly, but I was commenting on the hypocrisy of the right to work - no one can force anyone to join a union. IMO, owners just want to have their cake and eat it too.
sorry about that, I was reffering to how the right say "get another job" when people talk about the need to raise minimun wage but they act like people have no choice but to work at a union shop if there is no "right to work" it's like they want to say stuff that's works at the moment then they want to forget what they've said when the next thing comes around
For some, hypocrisy is more palatable than losing an argument.
even more to the point I think, people think it's about winning and losing, when more realize it's just about the truth, then maybe who knows....
I personally love laughing at the irony of supporting capital flight and outsourcing, without borders that are also permeable for labor as well.
We live in a Moneyocracy. Money = Speech (Buckley v Valeo). If you can outspend your fellow citizens, you can buy a representative to act on your behalf. Ain't life grand.
It's called a plutocracy.
Moneyocracy has such a nice ring to it.
It is a shame, because money can do so much good if it did not promote so much greed.
Although really, I think things like economic opportunity and low inequality are more effective than money in doing good things. I would much rather see a society full of people who are able to take care of themselves than one which needs my charity. I was told growing up that if I work hard I could do anything and pursue any dream. If that were actually true, I think we would live in a very empowered society. I myself would try all kinds of professions because I'm a hard worker by nature. Instead any intellect or talent I might have goes to waste because I am just working any job to survive.
yep
True so many of our young people are under-employed. There are many college graduates who cannot find a job that is near commensurate with their abilities, and like I have implied earlier, that is one of the main things that is driving this revolution.
It can do everything but buy you love.
If it's about the ring, then let's go with: coldcashocracy
The 'C' alliteration gives it that special touch. I like it.
Hi there, just signed up today to show solidarity with this movement. I'm writing from Italy and let me tell you things here, ever since we have Mr Monti, a Goldman Sachs Puppet and a Bilderberg boy, things are getting very tough. Not that things where better under Mr. Bunga Bunga Burlesqueoni. Just to let you guys know, that here at least we have a hope that things soon can change big time. People are done with the old school politics and are turning to something very new. I wonder if you ever heard of the Movimento 5 Stelle of Beppe Grillo. Well we are working hard on the net and we are acheiving great results on local elections and on nation scale we have hammerded Berlusconi's partie becoming the second electoral force in the country. We have nothing to do with the old way of doing politics, our candidates are choosed on the web and have no relations with lobbys or corporations of any kind. I believe that we are the same wave length on topic and issues OWS bring forward. I really hope that we can find a common way to embrace the same cause, because a radical change of the present social model is possible if there is world wide view on directions to take. In the mean while i wish you all the best.
Thank you for telling us! Are working from the bottom up here too. At least where I live. The old school corrupt elite are being exposed and run out in the Cities and Counties. The movement is gaining momentum. Buy local, share what you have, stop feeding the Machine.
I think that what's going on is incredible..Movements like OWS and Indignados should kinda come together in some way... The goal is common, it's just a matter on how to make these different souls meet. We are pursuing a better world, only that we need tools!! effective ones to. Will post some material..
So in Italy you guys have nation wide representatives don't you? How many parties are in your national parliament now? Is there any way you to apply this to "winner take all" systems like we have in the US?
This is a super initiative that OWS has taken on. I love the 'in your face-ness' of it, as it helps expose what really drives domestic policy, corrupt corporate MONEY.
I'm not sure money controls the vote
If I donated a few billion dollars to you, on the condition that you stop calling eggs...eggs, and started calling them chicken diamonds, would ya?
To a large degree it does. This is why our representatives are on the road fund raising for election war chests 50% of their time in office instead of working.
Once they are in office, now they do the bidding of the large donators, or lobbyists (big money).
How did my vote count in all this?
no politician has asked for donations
That's what a $25,000 a plate fundraiser dinner is... technically donations. No one is forcing anyone to give to the candidate.
I hope the dish washer gets a tip
I wouldn't count on it. From people who I know who have served as waitresses at functions like this..... no.
Money controls just about everyting I believe. That's why we're here.
Doesn't Occupy also accept donations, thus by opening itself up to bribery of sorts? For example, if I were to religiously donate 666,666$ dollars a month to Occupy they would certainly use that money to build infrastructures and programs. By threatening to pull my donation, I would have great power.
The difference is that Occupy is trying to bring about a government that is representative of the people. It is not an organization that expects to cash in on government policy that are in effect bribes from people who have narow special interests. There are no euphenisms for the latter, 'bribe' is the correct word. We welcome your donations, but do not expect anything other than a world that is better than the one we have.
Any and every political group, protest, movement, or party will say they are there for the people.
BTW - I support OWS. I'm just arguing this point.
AH a test? lol OK, thanks for your support, and I understand your arguing point. How 'bout this then. What we are advocating, is a return to the rule of law (where all people are treated justly), and a representative government of the people. While both these aims are broad, they go right to the heart of what our country is supposed to be about. When we achieve that, we will once again have a functioning democratic republic. We are nothing less than the modern day patriots. That's the best i can do right now, as I'm still recovering from jet lag here in AK. Can we count on that $666,666 per month, and can you up it a little? lol
OWS doesn't have infrastructure or programs they only have operating costs
Of course they have infrastructures and programs.
Was just wondering what Governor Cuomo would charge to ban fracking in NY. Then realized that it would be helpful, if politicians would publish a price list regarding issues.
"If you have to ask the price dear sir, you simply can not afford it...."
8.50 an hour? no way. You should shoot higher. Ask for 10. I've been saying OWS needs to take the minimum wage seriously. Anyone can afford to pay 10 an hour.
Didn't have enough Monopoly games to match the $4.5-million that Goldman, Sachs ponied up for NYPD ???
That figure -- the $4.5-million -- should be the OWS Astronomical Unit for bribery.
Anybody know the exact amount? I couldn't find it right off.
Btw: for PD's that are not bribed, look to what Frankfurt, Germany, has been doing for crowd management. Occupy Canada on FB has coverage in English. The riot police remove helmets and walk to the front and sides of the big protests -- brilliant !
NYPD do not support Free Speech.
They do take bribes.
I know a home health aide who works essentially twenty four seven but doesn't get paid for nights when she is supposedly "asleep" in the patient's home. That is not ever the reality and that's why she is mandated to be there twenty-four hours. She cat naps on the patient's chair. That's New York, USA year 2012.
Save your money? $2mil is not enough to bribe Governor Cuomo. The other side is giving him much more along with an "offer he can't refuse."
I just love that the money is used to purchase "a point" instead of some corporate junk that needs to be replaced every year. Great investment, lol. I would like to see a National Day of Occupy Sidewalks. Turn off TV and just walk around your nieghborhood, meet your neighbors. A world-wide block party. Can you imagine the numbers of cops it would take to round us up?
From Italy If it can Help.... Find out more on what MOVIMENTO 5 STELLE are doing. I can tell you this...the old Politics are craping their pants because they are Finished on the next round
San Diego welfare work $2/hr to able bodied road hazards ..vague work .. in San Diego , we don't slave for a wage. the Wage slave's you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uou4DiutW5g there are things out there that so amazing. I don't understand why its never talked about. You want jobs.. there they are. More jobs then you'll ever need.
Now your talking business... Thats what you call real change.... a completely different model.
Who posts on this site, do you read anything on here. Do you have ideas and thoughts. You must think about this shit all day long. You must have something intelligent you have thought of. Is there any kind of occupy news, that does...interviews and has like a internet news show. discus solutions along with problems.
Well......did he take it?
I would love to see a picture of his face when that money was brought in.
you think those tea bags are gonna give the working class a raise........what planet are you living on?
I understand what you are saying. I live somewhere that is quite "Right", but these people would be the first to bring food, give a ride, help out in any way they could. They don't have a lot of money. They just love the second Ammendment, lol. This isn't about "Right" or "Left". It's about honesty, humanity, liberty, and hope. I'm Independent because I see good in the people on both sides of the camp. What I am against are the those who want to put us in vertual chains for profit, and then laugh about it. I'm against evil. Glad you said your thought, too. :D
your o.k.
I like the symbolism of bribing the governor however if OWS actually bribe him wouldn't that be somewhat hypocritical to the ows goal?
Ohh! Can we do the same thing for Marijuana reform? Please???
everything is legal as long as ya don't get caught so grow it.......roll it ...........smoke it
Why are these bought politicians and councillors in power anyway.Time to wake UP.Do you actually glean your vote?,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIMy0QBSQWo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
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Jerk.
you should have not of gave that money to this man. I hope it pays off. I did the math on that. I did if for 10$ an hour. Witch what is really needed to be able to live and maybe have extra money to do things. I did the math on that..id say 10.00 an hour would be needed. For 700,000 people that 7million $ a day..thats 56million every 8 hours. 280million for every 40 hours worked. 840million $ a month, so for the year depending on where you work i would just ask company's can they pay for any of this 10080000000 a year. Then you will know
your not just contacting them, they'll be happy to give a list of people to talk about things that can advance our environment/culture/infrastructure into something useful.
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I am pretty sure that if I was commissioner of the NYPD, I'd have already issued warrants for the arrests of those involved for attempting to bribe a public official, which is a felony. Maybe a little prison time would give them time to think of the stupidity of their actions.
If minimum wage is increased, the cost will just be passed on to consumers, including minimum wage workers, through increase cost of goods.
Actually, business profits will share in the hit. Pass-through pricing and profits share any such cost increase.
That's part of Microeconomics 101.
Also, there's less dependence on public social programs like food stamp as the Minimum Wage rises.
Actually, that's the funny part of the proposal. For a single person with no dependents or a small family, the minimum wage hike is essentially zero gain. They lose food stamp coverage when their wage is increased and the wage increase is about the same as what they have in food stamps. It's not until you get to about $10 an hour where they start to benefit substantially. That's a 40% hit to a business and microeconomics will tell you that a business that relies on minimum wage labor does not have high enough margins to support a 40% increase in costs.
Most minimum wage jobs are not fill-time jobs.
You're living in the past, the 1960s and 1970s. Class War has taken over with staggering damage to America's working people.
That is true, it is Microeconomics 101 but unfortunately real world economics doesn't follow the book. The consumer would end up paying and prices would raise on everything.
True enough. It would be nice, for a change, though, to know the increase was going to the people that make it all possible, instead of the Fund for Public Servant Corruption.
Not true. Bad economics and/or bad math.
Whoa, I thought OWS was complaining about having no money. Where did all this come from?
Also, a little hypocritical calling out politicians for being bought, then trying to buy a politician.
Monopoly games.
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