Welcome login | signup
Language en es fr
OccupyForum

Forum Post: Declaration to America

Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 7, 2011, 10:13 a.m. EST by tyler90arz (1)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

On July 4th, 1776, America declared independence from Great Britian for the injustices that were being perpetuated against the people. On this day in America, our beloved country, injustices are once again being perpetuated against the people.We the people find it necessary for changes to occur, so that we can enjoy our unalienable rights life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the Declaration of Independence it states, "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it." It is regretfully that we the people of the United States of America after a "long train of abuses" declare the need for substantial alterations of the status quo.

Until alterations are made to the status quo protests will not end. As has been evident, the Occupy Movement will only continue to spread and grow stronger. Much like when America declared independence from Great Britian and the Civil Rights movement; this movement will gain momentum. The Occupy Movement is parrallel to both of those in heart. We the people are fully commited to carrying Occupy out until the end.

We the people assert that our protests will be peaceful. We the people follow the creed of Ghandi for protests, "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man." In that spirit we the people request that our Constitutional rights to peaceful assembly be respected.

The Occupy Protest will not stop until these demands are met:

Town Halls across America specifically designated to address the Occupy Movement issues.

Minimum wage raised to a reasonable level across America.

Lobbyists are kept to a minimum in Washington.

The top 1% of Americans are taxed in proportion to the 99%.

Reasonable Health Care for all Americans.

Reasonable college education costs for all Americans.

Election counts need to be done in front of an ndependent observer.

Signed, We the People

Writers note: Errors will be present as this is a rough draft. It has yet to go through the review or approval process.

13 Comments

13 Comments


Read the Rules
[-] 1 points by BOYCOTT (25) 13 years ago

PLEASE ADD to the Declaration:

BOYCOTT INSTITUTIONS SET UP TO PROTECT ONLY THE RICH - Cripple the FAT CATS that sole purpose is to stop Wall Street Regulations and who play loose and fast with your money.

[-] 1 points by gracie (16) 13 years ago

Me again.There are so many things we could demand it's hard to know where to start. What message is the most effective? It seems to me that the malfunctioning and corruption in government lie at the heart of many of America's problems. The Tea Party's answer seems to be: Eliminate the Government, but from what I have seen and read, that is not Occupy Wall Street's response. If it is, then how do we differ from them? In my view, we need to position ourselves against the Tea party - not because I like competition, but because we need to define this movement somehow, especially if we want mainstream media to take us seriously and stop referring to us as a bunch of dirty, jobless hippies. So, if we're not protesting to end government, aren't we protesting to fix government? And, if that is true, our principal demand should be campaign finance reform and fair elections. Here are some possible demands we could make in an effort to reform the campaign system in America.

  1. End the electoral college. It's completely outdated, and allows certains swing states to be favored. If this is a real democracy, one vote should equal one vote.
  2. Next, we need to demand the overturn of the Citizen's United ruling which pretends like corporations are people - they aren't.
  3. Limit individual donations
  4. Take the money out of lobbying - Lobbyists can lobby with words and arguments, just like the rest of the 99% who is limited to writing letters and emails to their congresspeople.
  5. Put a limit on Campaign budgets period - what a waste of money!

Thoughts?

[-] 1 points by gsincjr (4) 13 years ago

I like how you reference the Declaration of Independance, but say nothing about the Constitution. Oh, you know, that document which shapes our founding and provides the rules of law in which we live under. Probably because if you did, you wouldn't find a government responsibility to provide ANY kind of healthcare nor would you find a government responsibility for ANY kind of college euducation. You're "movement" really needs to read up on the Constitution before making demands the government is not authorized to provide.

[-] 1 points by gsincjr (4) 13 years ago

I like how you reference the Declaration of Independance, but say nothing about the Constitution. Oh, you know, that document which shapes our founding and provides the rules of law in which we live under. Probably because if you did, you wouldn't find a government responsibility to provide ANY kind of healthcare nor would you find a government responsibility for ANY kind of college euducation. You're "movement" really needs to read up on the Constitution before making demands the government is not authorized to provide.

[-] 1 points by gina (10) 13 years ago

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we the people have no more rights. The NWO legislated them all away. They want people to protest, if the people create a revolution, they can then institute martial law and then you become their slaves permanently. They don't have total control of everyone yet, but they plan for that to happen.

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/fema_executive_orders.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ybZHyfMTvg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNFHokseg08&feature=related

They got big plans, and none of them are good.

[-] 1 points by gracie (16) 13 years ago

I like where this is going, but we might need to get more specific at some point, i.e. what is a reasonable minimum wage or reasonable health care?

Next, I think we need to demand that the regulations set forth in the Dodd-Frank bill be implemented NOW!!! Passing a bill is only the beginning, they have to apply it, if it's going to make any difference.

Then, echoing an intelligent Dutch commentator from the site, I think we need to demand that our elected officials start doing their job. We are not paying them to argue and pick their nose on Capitol Hill. If they can't get their act together in the coming months, then they shouldn't remain in office. As the 99%, we should be able to assure that they are not re-elected.

And, while we're at it, the electoral college is completely outdated. We need to demand vote for vote - forget electoral votes and percentages. Had this been in place in 2000, Bush could not have stolen the election from Gore.

Finally, I especially applaud Ghandi's quotes regarding PEACE. Peaceful marching and protesting is key - we do not want this to get violent.

[-] 1 points by American1st (1) 13 years ago

These are great goals, but they are so broad, and so vague, lobbyists could drive a freight train right through the heart of them and come out winners. Politicians want specifics - in order to move them to action there must be a perceived "united voice" of the people, with specific demands, else you will get more of exactly the same.

[-] 1 points by 1337stephen (2) from Raleigh, NC 13 years ago

You know what? Forget that crazy proposed demands list some guy posted a week or so ago. This right here sounds like something I can get behind.

It doesn't demand the impossible or unreasonable. It is short and concise. Maybe a little revision to be done but all in all, I think this puts our message to words.

Any other thoughts?

[-] 1 points by alwayzabull (228) 13 years ago

The government is broken. Real freedom is not having to rely on the government to set wages and provide services to its people. Free markets do that when lawmakers aren't picking sides based on kickbacks. The point is to get the government out the way, not ask them to subsidize the economy ... that eventually leads to the loss of liberty.

[-] 1 points by tyler90arz (1) 13 years ago

Unofficial document just an idea....