Forum Post: I respect everyone's right to protest.
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 3, 2011, 11:10 a.m. EST by Alliandrina
(40)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Even though I am a conservative, I like to think I am an open minded and intelligent person. I respect people of beliefs and respect differing opinons. I came here to the forums hoping to express my concerns. I am concerned because everyone in the movement believes in things changing in the same way. I don't see anyone there or heard of anyone there who wants to see change happen the way I would. So, without open and honest dialogue a conservative person like me - their needs and wants won't be respected in favor of the multitudes. Anyways I what I wanted to post in the forums is this: As an American citizen I respect all of your rights to protests and if there is any action I can take to support that I will. But I won't join you in the marches. I won't join you in the marches because even though I am one of the 99%- you guys don't represent me. Yes, money has influenced our government negatively. Yes, we should be more peaceful and take care of each other and the planet. But my main issue is that I don't want to be told what to do and how to behave. I don't think its the federal governments job to try to build community or to make us like each other. That is something we do need to do and find for ourselves. Just let me make my own decisons and let me live with the consequences of my actions. That is all I want and that is why I will not march.
I posted here because I am concerned about the future. And just from the couple of comments, I haven't got the feeling that I am understood in what I say or what I feel. Instead of help to understand more clearly what is going on I'm being told that the media "try to create distractions against the real issues." I understand the issues. It isn't unity. No group of people is going to agree 100% on what the problems are or what the solutions will be. And I do agree that one of the problems is corruption and greed in government. But I don't think it is simple to fix that. So, what I am worried is how we will get there? Will it be representative everyone: the majority and the minority? Will personal freedoms be balanced against community freedoms? All in all I haven't said that I don't believe in community or that I don't like people. I just believe that the strongest communities are the ones we each individually build. Another of the problems is that we don't listen to each other and only see our own points. That is another reason I'm here. To try and rationally explain my point of view so it is heard. Until it becomes more inclusive which I don't feel it being I won't march but I will support your guys right to march and protest.
The most important battle to fight against the one percent is to quit allowing them to polarize and to separate the 99%. Thru the media they try to create distractions against the real issues. The fixes are very simple (end corruption) yet we are always told to fight while they rob us blind. I keep hearing people say what is OCCUPY fighting for? I see it. It is UNITY. WE can't make demands until the 99 percent UNITE. Keep building and fixing bonds. That is what the one percent is afraid of. They are afraid of the 99% uniting. They are trembling over a few thousand. They are already scrambling and making mistakes. Keep marching and UNITING the 99%
You don't have to be part of a community and you don't have to like anyone, but you and I both need to have our rightful voice in the operations of our government, and you should support this movement for that reason.
My voice would probably be drowned out by all those wanting the Federal government to take a larger control in creating community when it shouldn't be that way. And Btw though isn't really your concern- I do have a community and I do like people. These people are those I have built bonds of trust with and they with me.
This isn't my concern? You made a post and I responded to it. Did you mean to write the post in your diary?
If you don't want to be part of this pro-democracy movement that's fine, but I think it's in both of our interests that you do regardless of our politics or positions on government "creating community".
What I said wasn't your concern is whether I like or don't like people or whether I am part of a community or not. One of the reasons I posted this is because I am not sure if I want to or can support this movement with what I've heard some of the demands to be. What concerns me is whether my trying to effect change this movement does just what the other side did and ignores the voices of those who don't agree. Society shouldn't be about majority rule but what is good for both the majority and the minority
Okay. I guess I think that society should be majority-rule. I don't see any justification for anything else.
Why? Not everyone has the same needs or wants
Sure, that's clearly true. But which minority should get the upper hand? The minority should never be treated poorly just because they are the minority, but it makes sense that the majority should choose policy. Unless you have an idea about which minority should be in charge?
No minority should be in change but neither should the majority. What we should be looking to do is incorporating both voices into whatever we do. Keep it balanced.
Are you suggesting that that's what we're saying should be done? Do you think that things are "balanced" right now? Is is not clear that corporations are in charge?
How would my voice be heard in this movement?
Join the discussion, go to a march, make discussion with friends. It's a large movement, but discussion with the rest of us is how we all form opinions and come to a consensus on what we should do to improve our lives.
Remember, we're all here to learn from each other as well.
I don't think the 99 percent of occupy is against you. We want to help everyone. We want everyone's opinion heard. We just don't want greed an money too have the only voice. You have a voice speak it. There are two types of people in this country the rich and us. You are very welcome here. It may be more liberal but we need conservatives too. As long as u are against corruption and greed I'm sure u are more than welcome
I am against corruption and greed. I am also for tax reform and making sure that all our laws are applied fairly.. I've read the Declaration of Occupation and while those grievances sound good- they seem to be more about creating an America that looks after each other and the enviroment (which is not a bad thing) on a Federal level. That is what worries me. Community is not and should not be created top down but bottom up. We should care not because we are told to but because that is who we are.
Weather or not u believe our economic crisis is fixed on a federal or local level is up to you. You are the 99% . Your voice needs to be heard to. I'm typically liberal on my views myself but I stray on sum issues to the conservative side. I just think we need to fight for the people we are not represented at all. Thank you for the replies and fight for what u believe in. My advice is to stay away from dems and republicans and look for a 3rd party or independent. But find sumone for you.