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Forum Post: My frustration

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 6, 2011, 5:41 p.m. EST by Notabanker (4) from Algonquin, IL
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Hi everybody I'm new here so I want to introduce myself by writting a post about my view of the present state of our nation. I am not anti capitalism or anti wealth but I am anti unfairness, eliteism and corporate/government corruption. I own a manufacturing business in Elk Grove, IL, a suburb of Chicago. In my endeavor to turn a profit I have always understood that I must be thankful to the people who work for me, without them I am simply nothing. We paid our employees health insurance in-full, until the premiums were raised aprox. 30% every year! We instituted a profit sharing program with no contribution from our employees, at the peek we had everyone in the company with a fund in the six figure range. Most of what we built is gone now, taken from and our employees. I feel like a rodent in one of those wheels, everytime I try to take a step forward the wheel turns and someone at the top gets richer. My whole life I have heard my fellow Americans tell me that I don'tneed to worry about the future because "this is the richest and most powerfull country in the World!". "If we are so rich" I always wanted to ask "then why can't we afford decent healthcare for all of our citizens, why can't we educate our children, why is our physical infrastructure falling apart?" A blank stare would always follow that question. To me an economy is like one of those snow globes that little girls find so amusing, it's only interesting if shake it up and snow (money) is flying everywhere. All the money has settled at one end of our society becoming concentrated with a very few individuals. The question then becomes "did they earn it, didthey produce a product, employ people, invest in technology, further educations (other than their own children) or otherwise contribute to the economy? The answer is "no", they stole it, they gamed the system and horded all the money for themselves and that is simply wrong. I am sick and tired of hearing about the wonders of capitalism, this is no longer capitalism since there is no capital availible to the rest of us. When the great masses are forced to toil for the benefit of a priviIeged few I call it feudalism! I stand with all of you in the fight for justice, the time has come to take back our country!

31 Comments

31 Comments


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[-] 2 points by Notabanker (4) from Algonquin, IL 12 years ago

greedisgood, I don't know your background so your point of view is hard for me to understand. However before you call for others to study and understand basic economic pricipals perhaps you should do the same. To your point about: 1) Most Americans not agreeing with the OWS movemnet. A) Most Americans are gripped with fear since the the politics of fear have been used against to great effect for such a long time.

2) An outsourcing tax will do no good. A) Maybe not but we certainley don't need to be doling out corporate welfare to those corporations who want to outsource, if they want to leave why do they need our tax dollars to do so?

3) Student loan forgiveness. A) Okay maybe that's nt the best approach to the problem but you do agree that we have a problem don't you? Or do think it's O.K. that only the wealthy can afford a decent education in this country?

I suggest that you think before you speak.

[-] 2 points by unfleecedbysheep (153) 12 years ago

you should reply at the bottom "reply" link underneath the individuals statement. That way they will be informed of your reply and will much more likely read it.

[-] 2 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 12 years ago

Welcome aboard.

[-] 1 points by Nevada1 (5843) 12 years ago

Hi Notabanker, Good post. Incorporation destroys capitalism. Limited liability causes people to behave recklessly. The trading in shares takes a company away from the core business, with everything being about the stock (smoke & mirrors). Best Regards, Nevada

[-] 1 points by Idaltu (662) 12 years ago

You're not alone. The problem right now is to get past writing on forums and actually do something. But do what? yea that is the million dollar question. Tenting in the snow in the middle of a city is a great way to focus attention on the issues.....but as of yet nothing is actually changing.

Nothing in the system will change without pressure...but I don't see a nation wide boycott on credit card use. If that were to happen then there is no doubt the changes would be immediate....the banks toss out the greed for a 5 dollar service fee when people took their money out in protest. That type of pressure does work....

[-] 1 points by Notabanker (4) from Algonquin, IL 12 years ago

I like the boycott idea, I think we should keep promoting it, maybe it will gain some traction.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 12 years ago

use paragraphs I'm dyslexic

[-] 1 points by TIOUAISE (2526) 12 years ago

Welcome indeed!

[-] 1 points by sickmint79 (516) from Grayslake, IL 12 years ago

we don't have capitalism, we have crony capitalism or corporatism. it's only possible by the government granting favors, and the government granting favors is only possible by us allowing them the power to do so.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319132_10100280130273789_30800332_47048366_1117804471_n.jpg

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

There is a plan (a legal one!) out there but it's lost in the noise that you see on this forum. I haven't got much time right now (the kids are hungry!) but give this a read. What do you think? Especially click on the Committees of Correspondence. https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

[-] 1 points by Notabanker (4) from Algonquin, IL 12 years ago

I agree whole heartedly and I will pass it on.

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

Have you read Ghostofthomasjefferson's Declaration of Desperation? -------- http://thedeclarationofdesperation.wordpress.com/ Some interesting discussion regarding these two approaches if you're interested. I think they could be melded.

[-] 1 points by theghostofthomasjefferson (10) 12 years ago

I am, of course, biased, but I believe the 99 Percent Declaration is an ineffective document. It is a list of demands, not grievances; and some of the demands are, rightly or wrongly, controversial and unpopular. The Occupy Movement must not alienate our fellow Americans needlessly. There should be one demand: the end of political corruption. It is the one cause members of both parties will support.

[-] 1 points by LNAB73 (82) from Oklahoma City, OK 12 years ago

hmmmm... that looks very interesting. I had not thought of this strategy.. but something has to be done... the gov't is never going to hamper itself and it's legalized bribe machine by giving power back to the people.

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

OWS needs to transition to what most people really want it to occupy: Congress. BTW if you have a couple of hours free, Zeitgeist:Moving Forward is an interesting documentary (on You Tube). Almost 12,000,000 in nine months! http://www.youtube.com/user/TZMOfficialChannel
for a shot of fun: the juice media, http://www.youtube.com/user/thejuicemedia#p/u/16/yDSAu204NLA or zombiebankdeathsquad Classic!!!

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

time to let go of the #OccupyWallStreet and move forward with the "We are the 99%" http://thedeclarationofdesperation.wordpress.com/

[-] 1 points by BradB (2693) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

cool... good post

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

pretty wild eh? Hats off to the author, sure wish he/she would help lead. I guess in a way they are, the rest is up to .... "We. Are. The 99%! " Peace.

[-] 1 points by theghostofthomasjefferson (10) 12 years ago

There is only so much I can do. I have done all I can at this time. It is now up to you and others. Spread the word. I find that whenever I am in a public bathroom, sitting in a stall, I cannot help but read what is written on the walls. Paper, ink, and tape could be revolutionary.

[-] 1 points by BradB (2693) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

;) Peace back

[-] 0 points by greedisgood (39) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

you do realize that that is not only unconstitutional but also treason? Theres a double edge sword to upending a government.

Do you really think the majority of americans are behind you? I suggest to you that they are not, especially after what happened in Oakland. Also you condricted yourself when you say end all tax loopholes then insert a tax loophole for student loan forgiveness.

These ideas are outlandish not supported by a majority of americans and furthermore come from a economic illiterate point of view.
Simply put student loan forgiveness causes a moral hazard and destroys the incentive to lend. Also student loans are not the main problem of this country.

Some other points, China is one among many that manipulates its currency just this year the following central banks have manipulated there currency: European Central Bank, Swiss Central Bank, Bank of Japan, The Federal Reserve (US).

Another point, an outsourcing tax will do nothing. All you would have to do is set up a corporation outside the US and the US gov has 0 jurisdiction over it.

You idiots really really need to learn basic economic principles before posting crap like this. I surprised anyone actually agree's with this.

Your economic point of view is basically summed up as "americans deserve special treatment well b/c we are special so eventhough a Chinese national can do my job better and for 1/2 the wage that doesn't matter. I also want healthcare and training and maybe some green transportation to work."

Im in the financial services industry and im glad everyone in my industry laughs at you guys.

[-] 2 points by gestopomilly (497) 12 years ago

its at half the wage cause they all live in 50sq ft hovels.. they implant mechanisms into thier teeth to do thier jobs are you kidding?

[-] 2 points by BradB (2693) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

NO... it's TREASON to support those who are extracting the wealth from this country for their own self interests....

[-] 2 points by LNAB73 (82) from Oklahoma City, OK 12 years ago

I am wondering if you have ever considered that a CONSUMPTION based worldwide economic model on a finite planet...might not be such an intelligent long term plan. Fact is, it is unsustainable... and a global economy without parity is just results in wage serfdom. And unfortunately for you, the people are waking up to the casino economy that has been installed by our gov't. The majority of us didn't choose to turn the economic model of the U.S. into the Walmart superstore... and daily, more and more people are starting to connect the dots. Game over when we reach that tipping point... you can't continue when an entire nation opposes it and the rampant legalized bribery that has completely corrupted our gov't and political system.

[-] 1 points by unfleecedbysheep (153) 12 years ago

you are a rare species. prepare for it's inevitable extinction.

[-] 1 points by DTX (33) from Dallas, TX 12 years ago

Hey did you here that over half a million people transferred funds from the major banking institutions on bank transfer day? Some estimates say that they took out nearly $5 BILLION dollars. I guess that might not seem like much at the moment to someone in the financial services industry, but we'll keep going until you guys get the message.

So we'll see who has the last laugh. :)

[-] 0 points by NotYour99 (226) 12 years ago

That's less than 0.002%. Only 98.998% to go!

OWS has the wrong focus. Period. Attacking Wall Street is utterly pointless. The corruption that needs to be dealt with is that within our own government. Career politicians, subsidized by corporate lobbyists. THAT is what needs to change. Term limits and no private monies going to legislators or othe government officials.

[-] 1 points by AFarewellToKings (1486) 12 years ago

I think it's fair to say that OWS needs to re-focus. I see the occupation of wall street as symbolic, a shot across the bow. It's been very effective but credibility will flat-line soon. Time to shift the focus to where the rubber meets the road. Time to leave the camps and run delegates to Philadelphia as per the 99% Declaration. please take a close look. thx https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/

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