Forum Post: ENOUGH TALK. TIME FOR ACTION. Do you want to vilify the 1%? Or do you want to get something real and lasting done here? If you really want to change this system, IF YOU SUPPORT OCCUPY WALL STREET & want it to succeed then READ THIS
Posted 12 years ago on Jan. 27, 2012, 6:27 a.m. EST by therising
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I advocate nonviolent resistence. I am against violence but I am for forceful tactical action. If you're like me, you're mad. You're really mad. You're fighting mad (in a non-violent direct action sort of way). You may even feel like you want to "get" the worst of the 1%, out them, vilify them, whatever.
TWO THINGS:
First of all, I understand the feeling but non-violent direct action is the way.
Secondly, it's the system, not the individuals. I completely understand your frustrations, but I've been at the table with many many 1%'ers, self made billionaires, senators, some wealthy congressmen and congresswomen, trust fund beneficiaries, etc. and I'm here to tell you: There is no smoke filled room. These are people with families. People who are flawed and mortal just like you and I. I hate to disappoint you but if you really want to change this system and this country, read on. We can do this but using a different method than one might think. .
Look at the situation with fresh eyes my friend. The 1% are just cogs in a wheel. No one member of the 1% is executing some Machievllian plan to rule the world. They just do their thing like we do our thing and it comes together to cause all sorts of pain and suffering. I'm not letting them off the hook here. What we're talking about here is looking at the problem in a practical way and attacking it tactically. To do that, we need to get to the heart of the matter: it's the system, not the people caught up in it (whether they're a garbage man or Wall Street exec).
I'm not saying the 1% don't make bad choices. I'm not even saying you or I would make same bad choices. What I AM saying is that they are making these bad choices as cogs in a system that distorts humanity and CREATES the 1%'er mindset. You could "get" all of them you want but under this rigged materialistic system of corporatism, the 1% would quickly be replenished with a whole new cast of characters for you to "get". You can't get them all because they're self-replicating.
The way to beat this is to go to the heart of the matter: We need to hit this system hard from the outside. AND we need to hit this system hard from the inside.
What am I suggesting, you ask? We need to get the #^^$&@ money out of politics. We need to pass constitutional amendment That effectively overturns the Citizens United supreme court decision. We also need to legally and psychologically overcome the concept of a corporation being a "person". These two things alone (and others I'll suggest if you read on) are not the end all be all. However, practically speaking, these actions (using the specific methods I'll prescribe in a moment) will get the boot of corporatism off our collective necks long enough for us to unite and engage in even more meaningful and far reaching action.
There is all sorts of action we can and should and will take that will take this nation back to its roots, back to a place similar to what the founding fathers intended. I'm of course not suggesting we bring the wrongs of their era (including the lack of founding MOTHERS) into our new model. What I AM saying is that we need to bring back in very practical terms the notion of "one person, one vote" and we need to exercise that vote. We the people need to exercise that vote. This does not negate the fact that we need to hit this system from the OUTSIDE too and if you read on, you'll see some suggestions on that front.
I am with you on where we need to get. I just want to propose a different method. If we want to get our country back on track, there is much work to do. We need to take direct action. Enough talk. Let's get this done. Read this plan and let me know what you think:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/fresh-thread-forum-post-below-received-over-2000-c/
If link doesn't work, just google occupywallst.org fresh thread
Your original post above is a well-thought-out and intelligently presented argument. Well done.
I agree, the time for non-violent action is now (it was actually many yesterday's ago). I am particularly disgusted with all the hate-filled, expletive-dominated comments I read all over these forums that bring nothing of value to these discussions. I know people are frustrated, angry, hateful, and even violent. But nothing substantial can be accomplished without getting emotions under control. It is a waste of hard-drive space.
I completely agree with you that the system is the problem, not the people. I really don't think Bill Gates or Warren Buffet sit around trying to think how they can take over the world. But under an unjust system people need a focal point to vilify, and that's what they do. A movement like this requires cold well-reasoned strategy and tactics, not out-of-control emotions. That is the unthinking lynch mob at work.
I look forward to further commentary by you as you seem to be a person of intelligent and thoughtful insight and that is exactly the kind of person this movement needs.
Thanks for the encouragement. Once the 99% realize that they have more in common than we have dividing us, we'll be in a position to make decisions from a position of power rather than making demands from a position of divided weakness.
Sorry I am not in US but I think that what you need to do is to strike them economically. Just wreck the pyramid scam economy they invented and make it collapse, that will be the only hope.
How exactly would we do that?
It's the system, not the 1% that must be our primary focus.
If we unite, the power we, the 99%, have had all along will become apparent.