Forum Post: A message to the movement, please give it a chance.
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 18, 2011, 3:58 a.m. EST by Mystory
(15)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Hello internet world, hello OWS site. I cannot explain why really, but I just find myself in a hole, and I guess I am just reaching out into the faceless world of words to perhaps release my laden soul of the burden. To anyone who actually reads this, from one sincere human being to another, thanks.
Sheesh, where to start.
Well this whole inner crisis began a few hours ago. I had applied to a Macy's for the holiday season but was under the impression I did not get the job. Then, they called me today and offered me the job, weeks later. I came to tears.
Yes, you read that correctly. I came to tears because I was offered a temporary, part-time, minimum wage job. My God...
As I write this I am at my computer which has been set up in the dining area of my elderly mothers one bedroom apartment. Her couch is where I have been sleeping for months now...
When did it come to this? Is it my fault? Is that republican presidential nominee correct when he tells me that, "If you have no job and you are not rich blame yourself."
Maybe he is right. Maybe this is all my fault. Maybe if I was smarter, more industrious, better connected, or perhaps from a more influential family I would be better off. I have tried to go along the path society told me was the correct path.
Who am I? My name is Damien. I am turning 32 years old this coming December. I graduated with a BA degree in June of 07. I have tried everything under the sun to get ahead since getting out of college but still, I am where I am. I would say the worst thing of all, for me personally, as a man, is that I only am able to see my daughter because my 78 year old mother gives me gas money to go get her and allows me to see her here in this little apartment.
I take her out to the parks, we go on walks, we go play soccer, and she is fine with it. She is only four years old, in fact she just turned four this last August. She has no idea what a fucking failure I am in this economy. It is so hard.
OWS movement, please, you and I know this is not how it is supposed to be. I wrote a book for you all. I wrote something that I think we can all get behind. It is my only hope, it is all I got. It is the only thing that gives me hope that I may have my own place again soon. That my mother wont die as a cashier at K-Mart because she has lost so much of the retirement money she counted on being there. Slaving away at an insurance company for nearly forty years. It is the only thing that could allow me to take care of myself again, and sleep in my own bed in my own place. That might allow me to put clothes on her, and food in her stomach that I, her father bought. When someone asks me what I do, I could tell them I wrote a book that inspired people. It is the only thing....Without the hope that my book might bring in a little money, my future is pretty much working at Macy's for a couple months and then back to unemployment, sleeping on my mothers couch...sigh
Please movement, do not give up. You also give me hope. I see you in the streets, I hear about you on the news.
What if the movement fails? What then? Who will stand up for people like me? Who will stand up for America if her citizens give up on her?
Right this second I am watching a big black man, a veteran of the Iraq war screaming, "there is no honor in this!' at the NYPD. It seems tensions are rising out east. They should. Let me tell you right now, I could explode. I can feel the bitterness, I can sense the frustration in my generation. We were lied to, we were deceived, we were tricked.
Anyways, I could go on. I guess I do feel a little better. The future looks bleak though.
Thank you to everyone in the movement. In college my attitude was so bright and full of dreams, the American dreams. They have all been crushed, every one of them.
Anyways, for the hell of it, I am going to link the book I wrote to you, to everyone out there in this country that feels as I do. I guess it is my way of being just like that Iraq war veteran.
I also made a few videos that I hoped would keep people encouraged and inspired to stick in there and not give up. My own little bits of digital protest. I want a better life for myself, I do, and I want a better life for my daughter.
I wish only the best for you, yes you, whoever you are. Even though we have never met, and we do not like know each other, I feel for you, I do. I am with you. If you are braving the cold streets and the lines of cops to try and make the future brighter for me and mine, well, may it be returned to you ten-fold and then some. You are patriots. Thank you.
Book $3.99 http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94223
Free(and hopefully) inspirational vids for those in the movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reazEr_AIBk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD1rpC7w2j8
Cheers, and please do not give up on America. Politicians cannot fix this mess. If we do not do it, then we do not deserve America anymore.
Sincerely, Damien in Washington.
Why not? If we dont like corporations and what they do with our money, then why do we give it to them? Wal-Mart is not like the IRS. If we are going to take our money back , we need to encourage free market amongst ourselves.
"we need to encourage free market amongst ourselves"
I couldn't have said it any better. Agreed. I think some may not see what this means but I can tell that we share a common view here.
C'mon lady. This is not the place to sell your product.
kudos
Peacescientist, kudos to you as well.
Hmm, these where did everyone go to?
Thanks to everyone kind enough to reply/read
keep on keeping on Damien....you are part of a global family now..long lost brothers and sisters you never knew you had,,,and u n I will never meet i feel the same way.........HOPE Humans On Planet Earth....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QrDLwSgg24
And I see a good in you brother.
Don't lose hope. Keep doing what you can to work. We need to fight for change and also continue to make our lives better.
Good point Peacescientist. To be honest my ambitions are completely innocent. I truly am just an average American living on a couch, blah blah the whole story above. I guess people would rather me call up Borders...oh wait they just went under...hmmmm...Point is I am taking my plight to the people, and in the process trying to do what I can to support them.
But let's not forget about the horrible ethics on Wall Street, the richest one percent, or the obscene, unjust, immoral, and illogical concentration of wealth they all stand for.
We have been mislead by Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, Bush Jr, Obama, and nearly every other public figure. Economic growth, job creation, and actual prosperity are not necessarily a package deal. In fact, the first two are horribly misunderstood. Economic growth/loss (GDP) is little more than a measure of wealth changing hands. A transfer of currency from one party to another. The rate at which it is traded. This was up until mid ’07′ however, has never been a measure of actual prosperity. Neither has job creation. The phrase itself has been thrown around so often, and in such a generic political manner, that it has come to mean nothing. Of course, we need to have certain things done for the benefit of society as a whole. We need farmers, builders, manufacturers, transporters, teachers, cops, firefighters, soldiers, mechanics, sanitation workers, doctors, managers, and visionaries. Their work is vital. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that we need politicians, attorneys, bankers, investors, and entertainers. In order to keep them productive, we must provide reasonable incentives. We need to compensate each by a fair measure for their actual contributions to society. We need to provide a reasonable scale of income opportunity for every independent adult, every provider, and share responsibility for those who have a legitimate need for aid. In order to achieve and sustain this, we must also address the cost of living and the distribution of wealth. Here, we have failed miserably. The majority have already lost their home equity, their financial security, and their relative buying power. The middle class have actually lost much of their ability to make ends meet, re-pay loans, pay taxes, and support their own economy. The lower class have gone nearly bankrupt. In all, its a multi-trillion dollar loss taken over about 30 years. Millions are under the impression that we need to create more jobs simply to provide more opportunity. as if that would solve the problem. It won’t. Not by a longshot. Jobs don’t necessarily create wealth. In fact, they almost never do. For the mostpart, they only transfer wealth from one party to another. A gain here. A loss there. Appreciation in one community. Depreciation in another. In order to create net wealth, you must harvest a new resource or make more efficient use of one. Either way you must have a reliable and ethical system in place to distribute that newly created wealth in order to benefit society as a whole and prevent a lagging downside. The ‘free market’ just doesn’t cut it. Its a farce. Many of the jobs created are nothing but filler. The promises empty. Sure, unemployment reached an all-time low under Bush. GDP reached an all-time high. But those are both shallow and misleading indicators. In order to gauge actual prosperity, you must consider the economy in human terms. As of ’08′ the average American was working more hours than the previous generation with far less equity to show for it. Consumer debt, forclosure, and bankruptcy were also at all-time highs. As of ’08′, every major American city was riddled with depressed communities, neglected neighborhoods, failing infrastructures, lost revenue, and gang activity. All of this has coincided with massive economic growth and job creation. Meanwhile, the rich have been getting richer and richer and richer even after taxes. Our nation’s wealth has been concentrated. Again, this represents a multi-trillion dollar loss taken by the majority. Its an absolute deal breaker. Bottom line: With or without economic growth or job creation, you must have a system in place to prevent too much wealth from being concentrated at the top. Unfortunately, we don’t. Our economy has become nothing but a giant game of Monopoly. The richest one percent already own nearly 1/2 of all United States wealth. More than double their share before Reagan took office. Still, they want more. They absolutely will not stop. Now, our society as a whole is in serious jeapordy. Greed kills.
Since it is obvious spam, in the form of one massive paragraph, I doubt people will read it bro. Gotta make it real, not just some internet rant...much love though and keep up with the good fight.
If you don't have any money, how did you get the book published? Just curious, not trying to be a smart ass.
No that is a perfectly legit question. Smashwords is a free service. Basically they will publish your book as an e-book for free and then take a cut of the sales. I looked into editors and stuff and yeah, no way, I cant even buy my own gas lol.
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to make a note of that company. I've got an idea or two.
I wish for you far more success than I have yet to taste, best of luck!
You too, thanks. And hang in there, man, your daughter needs you. Cherish the time, before you know it, she'll be out in the world.
Thats what I am so concerned about. What kind of world are we creating for her to walk out into? I am so thankful to the movement, at least they are trying to make a difference. All I have is my book.
Well, she's only four, so she's too young really to know how bad it is right now. If things improve in the next, say, five years, she'll largely miss the bad times. My daughter (who doesn't even bother calling me anymore, but I digress) is 28, working part-time, so she's pretty much right in the thick of it. Trust me, between 4 and 10 or 12 are probably the best times you'll have with her. At this age, daddy is the only man in her life. After 12, well, . . .
I truly appreciate your reaching out to me. I could almost feel the history, the emotions, between you and your daughter. Thank you for your kind words of wisdom, I intend to do all I can for her. I hope yours calls you very soon. Trust me, next time I am with mine, I will think of you. Cheers
The answer is 'no'. I keep posting. Thanks for the advice though. I really appreciate it. Much love and keep up the good fight. Just don't forget about that obscene concentration of wealth. No redistribution. No recovery for the middle class.
http://www.blacklistednews.com/Five_Banks_Account_For_96%25_Of_%24250_Trillion_In_Outstanding_US_Derivative_Exposure/16167/0/38/38/Y/M.html
"Five Banks Account For 96% Of $250 Trillion In Outstanding US Derivative Exposure"
Its an article from Zerohedge. Check it out, might help you in your research. Cheers
$250 trillion in derivatives? No way. That's impossible. With a figure like that in the headline, it's no wonder that it was blacklisted.