Forum Post: A clear but simple objective is needed to sustain the movement
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 31, 2011, 12:56 a.m. EST by readytogo2
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I believe that the OWS movement is rooted in the proper spirit, and most importantly with the younger generation..the future of America. The diversity of issues and groups with causes is a classic sampling of America. My point is that it is impossible to achieve all of the various objectives unless the "root cause" of ALL the problems is addressed. The "root cause" is that our lawmakers (elected officials) are providing lip service only to the "99%'s" demands and delivering true results for the 1%. This is a simple matter of economics. The 1% has the disposable wealth to finance through PAC's and individual campaign contributions. Money talks in this system. Complete campaign financing reform is needed to eliminate the 1%'s huge influence on our elections and legislator allegience to those with the big money. This is a fundamental flaw in our democratic process that once corrected will result in politicians/lawmakers addressing issues that are rooted in the "one person = one vote" majority, and subsequently all of the diverse issues will be addressed per the electoral power of the 99%. I have some very solid, thought out ideas on how to achieve this, but I thought I would get some feedback first. The question is.. do we want to achieve some significant lasting results from this movement (i.e. restoring the proper function of our democracy), or simply have a brief demonstration of discontentment, hopefully followed by a few token gestures to appease and disperse the movement, and then return to business as usual. This is the way to return the power to the 99%.
Agree, here is previous post giving some rationale... http://occupywallst.org/forum/objectives-for-ows-and-oks-occupy-k-street/
I agree it's a very important issue, but not the only issue. I believe the first issue is developing a realistic vision of what a transformed system and society would look like. And the next, analyzing what tools are employed to confuse and defeat the people of American from realizing such a society. Money being poured into the political system by the corporatists is a major problem, perhaps the major problem, but not the only one. What too often happens to a one message movement is that eventually the politicians pay lip service to it after a long drawn out struggle, enact some ineffective provisions that deflates the energy of such a movement, and a band of tired patriots fizzles from fatigue.
See so-called recent Consumer Protection Agency as illustrative.
campaign financing reform is certainly an important issue amongst many others.
the simple objective should be to flush out and delineate all of these issues and come up with objectively sound solutions to these problems centered in and out of actual science instead of ideology.
http://occupythiswiki.org/wiki/THE_99%25_POLITICAL_PARTY
http://occupythiswiki.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.followthemoney.org/?gclid=CMbY87bB-qsCFUPt7Qod9HE8mQ
http://maplight.org/us-congress/guide/data/money?9gtype=search&9gkw=list%20of%20campaign%20donations&9gad=6213192521.1&9gag=1786513361&gclid=CP61oYbB-qsCFQFZ7AodcTF0jw
http://www.opensecrets.org/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/our-new-wiki/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/non-violence-evolution-by-paradigm-shift/
Rutherford B Hayes, 19th president, spoke thus: "In church it occurred to me that it is time for the public to hear that the giant evil and danger in this country, the danger which transcends all others, is the vast wealth owned or controlled by a few persons. Money is power. In Congress, in state legislatures, in city councils, in the courts, in the political conventions, in the press, in the pulpit, in the circles of the educated and the talented, its influence is growing greater and greater. Excessive wealth in the hands of the few means extreme poverty, ignorance, vice, and wretchedness as the lot of the many. It is not yet time to debate about the remedy. The previous question is as to the danger—the evil. Let the people be fully informed and convinced as to the evil. Let them earnestly seek the remedy and it will be found. Fully to know the evil is the first step towards reaching its eradication. Henry George is strong when he portrays the rottenness of the present system. We are, to say the least, not yet ready for his remedy. We may reach and remove the difficulty by changes in the laws regulating corporations, descents of property, wills, trusts, taxation, and a host of other important interests, not omitting lands and other property."
it's systemic and historical. this is no time for political and economic chemotherapy, the path to change is to change the system
To me, personally, OWS is a movement, it's a change of mindsets. It's a movement to wake up the critical mass. It's intention is not only about achieving objectives. It's intention is to change people's priority in life. Are we living to accumulate more money? Are we living for the betterment of ourselves? Is there not a social responsibility involved? I don't know what the objectives are. Wo knows what the future holds? We will all figure it out along the way. Collectively we can build a better society.
money out of politics
OWS is bigger than America. It is a worldwide problem. A perfect democratic government in the US would not be able to control the 1% who own the multinational corporations that are the root cause of the problems we all face. We need a strong United Nations and International court of justice to control multi national problems. We must make sure that people of all nations have a voice and an equal share of the planets resources. We cannot live in a world where more than 1.3 billion people live on less than $1.25 a day. These people have little or no access to education or health care. We must live within our means and not use the planets resources in an unsustainable way. Future generations will have their living standards reduced because of our greed.
I see your point. America is a global problem, that can only be cured by us. The united nations is the nwo and wto as far as I can tell. I think the world is better off having a spirtual unity based in the fact we love our planet, its glorious atmosphere and beautiful waters.----
Your points on economics are correct, but in view of US manipulation of economies, perhaps not meaningful because the inequity of life sustinance can be solved by knowlege of sustainable living which the new generation are in a position to support IF they realize that it is the most lawful way for America to continue. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness demand it. Therefore Article 5 of the US constitution must be used to amend the constitution and create constitutional government. Here is some info on Article 5 that has ben assembled recently to inform people of this movement.-----
Analysis of applications for a convention. Congress violates the constitution for 100 years. http://www.foa5c.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=2
A lawsuit against all members of congress for not calling an Article 5. http://algoxy.com/poly/article_v_convention.html
Article V conference, Mark Meckler Lawrence Lessig at harvard 9/25/11-video comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-7ikbvu0Y8
Lessig power point on article V http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpbfY-atMk
A effort each evening to create a web conference to discuss Article 5 is beginning.-- http://www.articlevmeeting.info/
Comprehensive strategy.--- http://algoxy.com/ows/strategyofamerica.html
This is only mildly related but happening right now. The global robin hood tax is apparently "supported" by OWS. But strangely, nobody on this forum cares about it. http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-are-being-co-opted-by-adbusters-and-supporters-/
All the demands of OWS can be met through constitutional amendment. While protesting for an Article 5 convention, you are demanding government follow laws. You can show they haven't to HUGE detriment of the public. Congress is NOT going to do anything for you. In fact, it is due to them and the supreme court we are all in this economic situation. Any assembly you conduct after enough states have made application for article 5 is in complete accord with all laws on the highest level.---
Congress is very afraid of an Article 5 of the US constitution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_to_propose_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution "Congress acted preemptively to propose the amendments instead. At least four amendments (the Seventeenth, Twenty-First, Twenty-Second, and Twenty-Fifth Amendments) have been identified as being proposed by Congress at least partly in response to the threat of an Article V convention."
Our first right in our contract is Article V, the right to have congress convene delgates when 2/3 of the states have applied for an amendatory convention.
Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.-------
Here is some good info on article 5.
Analysis of applications for a convention. Congress violates the constitution for 100 years. http://www.foa5c.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=2
A lawsuit against all members of congress for not calling an Article 5. http://algoxy.com/poly/article_v_convention.html
Article V conference, Mark Meckler Lawrence Lessig at harvard 9/25/11-video comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-7ikbvu0Y8
Lessig power point on article V http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpbfY-atMk
A effort each evening to create a web conference to discuss Article 5 is beginning.-- http://www.articlevmeeting.info/
Comprehensive strategy.--- http://algoxy.com/ows/strategyofamerica.html