Forum Post: Capitalism 2.0

Firstly, I want to say that I appreciate that the Occupiers are bringing attention to the glaring systematic inequality between the 1% and the 99%. I am the 99%, too. I cannot join the protests in New York, but I have ideas that I would like to submit to the community for consideration and refinement. To start, the term "Capitalism 2.0" can resonate with the mainstream Americans we need without posing a threat to their way of life and its perceived benefits.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has succeeded in getting the attention, but it's apparent that the message is being obscured by knee-jerk reactions in the media. Instead of treating media outlets as the enemy, OWS should be reaching out to the media for interviews with our most effective communicators. When Americans watch an interview with an OWS representative, he or she should feel compelled to evaluate the message without being distracted by the person's appearance. An interview in the media should be treated the same as an interview for a highly sought after job. We are essentially applying for the trust and attention of mainstream America. If we disregard the mainstream, we will fail. We must make a good impression before they have a chance to blink. The Occupy movement needs to arrange hour-long specials on as many networks as possible, even if the networks are combatitive. Interviewees will be frequently interrupted, but must not lose patience or be defeated by hostile pundits. Diflect attempts to steer the conversation towards socialism and other currently unpopular ideas. The focus must stay on corporate responsibility.

Our best representatives will speak clearly and boldly about the changes we demand. To face conservative media, representatives should be well versed in conservative ideology. The message should be corporate responsibility. If corporations are going to enjoy the freedoms that legitimate citizens enjoy, they must also be held responsible for their impact on our society and the globe. The primary message cannot yet be that corporate citizenship is harmful to America. That is the conclusion, and we can bring America to that conclusion by chipping away at its flaws. The message of corporate responsibility will more easily resonate with middle and lower class conservatives. We have to illustrate that as Americans, we are responsible to our country, while corporations are responsible only to shareholders. Even in the wake of widespread fraud and economic damage, corporate executives face little or no punishment from the government. This is a luxury not afforded to low class criminals.

The role of government will be a key part of the Occupy message. Understand that a return to improved regulations and fairer tax structures will pave the road for solid and proven government programs down the road. Government can do great things for society when it's not being undercut from within. We could be leading the world in education by graduating competitive students from our public schools. We could ensure that the nation's best healthcare doesn't cripple the people it serves. We could strengthen the programs that care for the elderly and disabled when they cannot support themselves. We could have a government that succeeds where charity fails. But, none of this will be possible with the money vaccuum that has been created by regressive taxation and deregulation.

And that must be the focus of this great movement. Regressive taxation and deregulation have failed 99% of our country. What greater patriotism could there be than to promote the good of the 99%?