Forum Post: Go home and get a job!!! THATS J O B!
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 11, 2011, 5:52 a.m. EST by thomasmiller
(163)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
The way things are deteriorating within the movement, I think these occupations are doing more harm than good. It's time to pack up, go home, and let the real work of reform begin. I think if this happened, the movement will gain a lot more support from the average person. I don't think Ma and Pa Middle America can relate to what's happening in the streets, and the more they hear of assaults (sexual and otherwise), thefts, vandalism, disease within the occupations... people see this and they don't agree that occupying any number of places is the solution. What the occupations have done is begun the conversation about how to bring about real and lasting change to this country and the wider world, and that's important. There isn't any reason why these ideas can't be communicated in any other way than sleeping in tents in the middle of Winter. It doesn't make sense to me, and to be honest, I've gone from supporting the movement in the beginning but now have my doubts as to how far the occupations can actually go and effect any real change.
What's taking place right now is like Russia 1905 when masses consisting of workers, teachers, university students, elderly, women and children took to the street in a peaceful demonstration expressing all their grievances against the regime. They were leaderless, disorganized, and had no clear demands. They were brutally dispersed. But 1905 saw the beginning of a genuine revolutionary movement. Workers councils (soviets) begun to form in the industrial cities of Russia, and, led by a professional revolutionary party, the workers' councils advanced in numbers and in their education. It wasn't easy, for they were waging war against one of the most reactionary regimes in Europe. It took the movement 12 years before they finally overthrew the Empire, thus the Russian Revolution of 1917. It happened in a time when the fastest way to send a message is via telegram. The Occupy movement doesn't need 12 years to finally smash this Corporate Monarchy. But an organization is a must, with a leadership and a programme... This is America! And this is the American Revolution!
I understand what you are saying. As someone with two jobs, I can relate. However, they still have the right to protest and the right to free speech. If they give up now, people will just see them as quitters.
I wouldnt call it giving up...I would call it declaring victory and going home. Right now, everyday these camps exist is another day for something dramatic to happen. 4 violent people were arresed in NYC Occupy the other day, 2 people were killed by gunshot the other night.
This is Occupy's Alamo moment.
I don't know. Maybe occupations could be replaced by ubiquitous protest as we did in the 60s/70s, but I fear a loss of momentum.
People were killed at Kent State, massacred at Ludlow, beaten in Mississippi. Protest is serious business. Not for the faint of heart. When one declares a hunger strike he doesn't change tactics because he may starve. Just sayin'.
You're right man. Protesters are the bravest Americans today.
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This must be the perfect response to the 'get a job' argument :)