Forum Post: Can Someone Convert Me To An OWS Supporter?
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 16, 2011, 2:02 a.m. EST by rancherschoice
(3)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Not sure where I stand on OWS at the moment. I can understand the reasoning behind OWS...but not the execution. I have a few questions;
Is there any actual guideline as to what OWS hopes to achieve?
I can't seem to find any sort of outline or proposal stating the goals of this event. Is there a copy of a list of demands/requests I am able to view?
I live in the Vancouver area, and I see a lot of signs regarding 9/11, troops, and oil mixed in. Are any of these affiliated with OWS, or are these people just confused/trying to get other points across?
Well, the main thrust of OWS in USA is to remove corruption in our system of gov't and to return power back to the people. To unite in common cause and stand up for the rights of the individual, against the privilage of the few.
We oppose neoliberalism and neoconservatism which are basically the same thing. We are standing up for the rights of people to organize and collectively bargain, and for people to peaceably assemble.
We are opposing those in power that are profiteering from their elected offices, at the expense of everyone else.
We are opposing trade with China and other nations that DO NOT respect the rights of the individual, or the environment.
We seek to spread freedom around the globe, which will bring more equitable societies, instead of concentrating wealth in fewer and fewer hands.
Some of these issues fit in canada to, but you guys are not as far gone as we here in the USA.
Best regards --- D&D
It's not official, but many agree with it. Check out Section IV.
https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/first-official-release-from-occupy-wall-street/
This is a link to the declaration of the occupation of New York. The media definitely does not want this to go viral or it will gain more support.
I have a story to share with you. At occupy San Diego a gentleman was disrupting the general assembly by asking "what is it that you all are protesting?" Luckily people had copies of the declaration and someone handed him one. He read it. And after reading it he and others were engaged in conversation.
Conversation about this issue and other issues is really what will change things. Please spread that link.
I think it is ridiculous that people still have not seen the declaration. Make that thing go viral so people will stop asking what this is about and then start asking "what can we do to change things?"
cheers mate I hope this helps
Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor. -thomas jefferson
All these rich people keep telling us that our country is in massive debt... all the while they keep making more money. These rich people are members of congress and the president.
Salary of retired US Presidents .............$450,000 FOR LIFE Salary of House/Senate members ..........$174,000 FOR LIFE Salary of Speaker of the House .............$223,500 FOR LIFE Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders ......$193,400 FOR LIFE
Average salary of a soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN - $38,000
Average income for seniors on SOCIAL SECURITY - $12,000
Don't forget about all the money they make from insider trading.
"Both parties are rotten - how could they not be, given the complete infestation of the political system by corporate money on a scale that now requires a presidential candidate to raise upwards of a billion dollars to be competitive in the general election?"
The top 18 defense contractors each have contracts with the government that provide them with over 1 billion dollars per year in revenue. The highest is Lockheed Martin with 10 billion. The top 20 recipients of farm subsidies each received over 1 million dollars each in 2010. The highest of those was 5 million dollars to the Lesueur County Abstract Co. Blackwater/Xe, a privately held security company owned by Erik Prince, has recieved over 1 billion dollars in federal security contracts. Shall I go on? Know any food stamp recipients who've recieved over a million dollars in food stamps this year? No, me either."
War Crimes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2irN1G5HiRo
"In all my 70 plus years on this earth I can tell you all that our lives have NOT improved. We've lost so many freedoms and don't even realize it. We work harder for a lesser quality of life - if we can even find work. In my old age I now have to worry about protecting the benefits I paid in to for over 50 years. That's why I am solidly in support of OWS and you should all be too. Its young and disorganized but given time it will be the voice of the people!"
Hey there. I live in Vancouver too. I'm sure you know Occupy in Vancouver has been plagued with difficulties, including with what has got to be one of the most publicized heroin overdoes in Vancouver history. It also suffers from protest fatigue, with the Olympic protests not too long ago, and then there's the Stanly Cup riots. I hesitate to even mention this disgrace, since it's not a protest at all, but it does unfortunately contribute to protest fatigue in the eyes of the general public.
But when I consider that this is happening all over Canada and the US, I feel quite a bit more inspired. From watching the grainy footage from Liberty Plaza in New York when the police moved in, I felt more and more that now is a good time to stand up for something. If you're like me you haven't exactly been involved in politics most of your life, let alone a protest, it's a bit of an unusual experience to say the least. I feel the same way. But I went on a protest march for the first time in my life not long ago, and looking back on it now, I have to say it's something I'm proud I did.
If you're looking for a specific demand of Occupy, this is one site I'd check out: http://www.occupyanddemand.org . Although I really think people are just fed up with corporations posting record profits while they're out of a job and way behind on the mortgage payment. Check this site out too: http://www.occupytogether.org/
http://takethesquare.net/2011/07/31/quick-guide-on-group-dynamics-in-peoples-assemblies/
Anyone?
Working on it ... one sec.
If you're into Stalinist socialism then this is the place for you. If not, then you'd need to evacuate your grey matter before the orientation, and then just start chanting with the others. After that you can deficate somewhere (anywhere really), rape a newbie, smoke some dope and before you know it, PRESTO!!! you're a fully fledged believer ready to spill the blood of the 1%, or anyone who happens to disagree with the crowd.
I think that their have been posted but I think that major theme that comes up consensus every time is that special interest money needs to be taking out of politics all together in America. I don't know if this affects you in Canadian parliament, I suspect that that is an issue there as well. The best thing I can say is to check out the protest in your city in the daytime and talk to the people there you will get a better sense of what is going on believe me it is not a big deal I went to seven protests and no one freaked me out.
The movement seems to be using a long term strategy of relentless discussion of all the problems. Getting the money out of politics and keeping politicians accountable would keep many of the other problems from continuing or occurring. This happens automatically when the resulting problems get so impossible to cover up or handle that the politicians must appeal to the people instead of business interests. The fear is that it will be spun in the media or construed in a bad way. In reality every time the Government at whatever level attempts to prevent the protests or deny their rights, it feeds the movement by making more people upset. As the economy continues to decline, more people will find out about it and get more information. The one thing that almost all Americans understand is a mistrust of an overly powerful federal government and massive corporate banks or industries that have no concern for peoples rights or health. If profit is great enough, any harm done and the costs of litigation are minimal to the business. Citizens rights, safety, and security are the most important. No freedom or liberty can be traded away for promises. Hopefully you get the idea.
Can somebody convert me back to an OWS supporter please I seem to have lost touch with them. They could start by not deleting comments that question their tactics. I guess if you dont agree with everything they believe in you are a troll.
But is there any sort of implementation plan in place to go forward with any sort of action? I understand that the system may not be run in an ethical and efficient manor, but is there any sort of demand or request being made?
I just find it to be a bit ambiguous at this time.
Which system? Canada's or the United States? Since when are these two countries the same thing?
The two countries aren't the same, but they are on the same planet, and there are plenty of corporations that exist in both countries.
Fair enough. I wasn't sure which OWS demand you were referring to. There are so many. I am not a supporter but come for the dialogue. Most of my time is spent explaining to someone how they are wrong or why something is unconstitutional? :)
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I can answer your questions.
OWS actually wants to achieve the reelection of Barack Obama. The entire movement was orchestrated by professional political allies of his to be a distraction throughout the 2012 election season. So far, it is successful because his poll numbers have been increasing.
The actual protesters themselves think the movement is about a myriad of other things. That is cream on the coffee. They don't need to know a thing. They can think this is about anything they wish. So far. it has been a success.
This is a professionally orchestrated protest to look like it was NOT a professionally organized protest.
If your goal is reelecting Obama, then OWS is your venue. That is what the whole movement is about and what is was created to accomplish.