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Forum Post: It's truly sad that #Occupy is already failing.

Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 7, 2011, 9:35 p.m. EST by vocalism (0) from Denver, CO
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I’m sorry everyone – as a long time liberalized thinking Democrat concerned for our society… I suddenly feel compelled to say something – to add to this dialog.

I just don’t see it. Hearing the official statement from the “leadership team” of the OSW crowd this morning, all I heard was a long and tiresome list of overused/unsubstantiated stereotypes loosely quilted together into one uncompelling whine. To learn more, I scoured YouTube to view grassroots videos that outlined the overall theme of the movement and what I saw was also unstirring. 8 minutes of people chit chatting, walking around and dancing with 1 final minute of a person who clearly illustrated their reason for protesting. That reason? He was protesting Wall Street because he steeped himself into deep student loan debt. Somebody help me understand why his lack of planning and financial foresight gives him an excuse to help create social unrest. I’m afraid that most of our brothers and sisters occupying Wall Street are caught up in something that isn’t real and I’m not looking forward to the same shallow rhetoric coming to Denver. Here’s why:

Exactly where is the civic leadership in this movement? What will come of the Occupy movement besides general unrest and pointless rioting? Not to mention the multiple interspersed days of sitting around the steps of Wall Street – doing nothing but posting videos on YouTube? I suspect nothing of real substance. None of this inspires me. Why are we copy-catting another movement? Where is your original thought? Where is our genuine community leadership? Exactly how is my message, my complaints about corporate greed and my complaints about crooked government going to be addressed by #OccupyWS with any degree of effectiveness?

I want to believe that the people behind this movement mean well. That you all have an interest in doing something valuable and of substance, but a riot isn’t that. If you all wants to riot, then go to an overseas soccer game. America/Greece/Spain/Italy doesn’t need people to stand around and play double-sticks in the streets – and then bumming out when the police move them on. What the world needs is people of integrity willing to climb the ladders of society and lead by example. Socialism doesn’t work without capitalism (funding). Capitalism doesn’t work without social programs (ie. public health). The two aren’t mutually exclusive and it’s up to us to carry the torch into the 2020′s, 2030′s and beyond – it’s up to us to devise strategies to marry the two successfully. A protest doesn’t even come close to doing that. Sitting in the parks of WS for a few days doesn’t ensure that our grandchildren will enjoy the benefits of liberty 40 years from now. Somebody, please rethink this.

6 Comments

6 Comments


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[-] 1 points by thoreau42 (595) 13 years ago

It's easier for the gubmint to babysit everyone if they gather in a public park.

[-] 1 points by gawdoftruth (3698) from Santa Barbara, CA 13 years ago

capitalism does not exist. corporate oligarchy does exist, whats needed is a wiki and sub forums in order to have adult dailogue. i agree with the basic gist of this. they are failing fer sure.

[-] 1 points by Chinatown (2) 13 years ago

Sure, we could all wait around for one of us to climb the political ladder so 20 yrs from now there might be change....but that's foolish. These protests are bringing faces and words into the spotlight and people are engaging in debate and thinking passionately......This is patriotic, this is what the Founding Fathers wanted.....out of all these people and attention, there will be something good that will come from it.....Hopefully alot of blood will not be spilled before it does.....But I do agree with the Original Poster's call for narrowing in focus, and supplying Facts and theories to help the movement's image....THe root cause is The ability of Corporate Entities to Control our Gov't---this must be separated, much like Church and State......The protests on Wall Street should be coordinated and keep close tabs with the protests in Washington.....More americans see Washington as the problem too, it's not just WS......

[-] 1 points by Chinatown (2) 13 years ago

Sure, we could all wait around for one of us to climb the political ladder so 20 yrs from now there might be change....but that's foolish. These protests are bringing faces and words into the spotlight and people are engaging in debate and thinking passionately......This is patriotic, this is what the Founding Fathers wanted.....out of all these people and attention, there will be something good that will come from it.....Hopefully alot of blood will not be spilled before it does.....But I do agree with the Original Poster's call for narrowing in focus, and supplying Facts and theories to help the movement's image....THe root cause is The ability of Corporate Entities to Control our Gov't---this must be separated, much like Church and State......The protests on Wall Street should be coordinated and keep close tabs with the protests in Washington.....More americans see Washington as the problem too, it's not just WS......

[-] 1 points by GammaPoint (400) from Oakland, CA 13 years ago

Protests are actually very important. Without them generating attention and getting people to THINK about what kind of society we live in, we are all just silently and pointlessly discussing things on the internet, with no hope for real change at the ballot box. Marching forces the system to take notice, if not for the simple reason that they have to put police everywhere to prevent destruction to private property. That costs money, and they can't do it forever and all across the country. If they tax us more or take the money out of education to pay for that, then we will riot even more. If they tax the wealthy to pay for the police, well then there, at least we've reduced inequality.

If you want the OWS movement to head in a more realistic direction, please help those of us who want the same to get there.

[-] 1 points by Dewey (19) 13 years ago

Check your head again. Reset for objectivity. Rinse, repeat as necessary. You will come around. Best of luck.