Forum Post: Importance of Solidarity

I am a firm supporter of the Occupy Wallstreet movement, however, I fear for its longevity and success if many supporters continue to demonize capitalism and espouse truly socialist ideologies. I realize that OWS is attempting to be a politically-neutral grass-roots campaign but the very wording of the official statement put out on September 30th reads like a subtle leftist agenda which will only deter potential supporters from embracing the cause.

In order to bring about effective corporate and governmental change, supporters need to put aside their personal social agendas and beliefs in order to encourage cooperation with (sensible) members of the Tea Party. Both movements are opposite sides of the same coin which need to unite in order to bring about a solution to the quagmire we find ourselves in. Now is not the time to fight for gay rights, decry the effects of globalization, nor lament the detrimental effects of factory farms. If OWS participants fail to leave these concerns at the door then we risk alienating 50% of the 99% which is exactly what the 1% want. The mass media misinformation machine is already trying to polarize the public into impotence - don't aid their effort! The real issue here is the corrupt interplay between large corporations and their political pawns in the form of political lobbying and campaign financing.

The potential merits and disadvantages of a capitalistic society is a discussion for another time (due to its complexity and breadth of scope) but it is vital to keep in mind that we do not operate in either a truly free nor purely competitive market due to the perverse incentives forced upon the market by the deep pockets of Big Business as well as the corrupt politicians they fund.

What I'm trying to say, is let's be sure to keep our eye on the prize and leave our personal social ideologies on the sidelines. There will be plenty of time to sort out such issues once we are able to re-establish a functioning democratic system.

Occupy Wallstreet vs. Tea Party? http://bit.ly/noT2bm

Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists: http://bit.ly/o4kixZ

~Supportive but Concerned Economist