Forum Post: Occupy Wall Street IS a resounding SUCCESS!!!
Posted 11 years ago on Feb. 12, 2013, 9:09 a.m. EST by imagine40
(383)
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Don't believe the naysayers. We have changed the national dialogue, We have begun the change of political direction. We have encouraged, & empowered enumerable progressive groups to add their strength to pressure for the change we support.
Even Republicans are talking about Income Inequity. (now we gotta shut them up about austerity cuts)
http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/10/31/357001/how-ows-has-already-succeeded/
The nattering nabobs of negativism have no vision, or understanding of how change comes. After only a year and a half we have achieved more than we could have expected, Less than we need or want but enough to build on if we can recognize success.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marina-sitrin/occupy-wall-street-anniversary_b_1884829.html
Jimmy sees hope. Trust him.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/occupy-wall-street-jimmy-carter_n_1281163.html
Be strong, but patient. Embrace all small success as the foundation we need to reach our goals. Nurture any slow progress as the correct direction it is, and do not let inevitable setbacks discourage you. We cannot be deterred, do not be distracted by failures, keep your eyes on the prize.
Don't let thoughts of failure, be a self fulfilling prophesy.
Peace, Strength, Solidarity, and SUCCESS!
Good post i40...very well said
Let me add; Keep up the RESISTANCE...keep REACHING OUT, and be RELENTLESS
And don't forget: "Nothing that is worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that." Nicholas Sparks
SOLIDARITY
~Odin~
Action Alert: We can all get involved with this very successful, important Occupy effort.
http://strikedebt.org/#get-involved
Spread the word. This week. is a nationwide event.
Thanks for the encouragement, donation made. Strike Debt has turned into one of the most dynamic affinity groups in OWS. They are doing wonderful work
On March 23rd, Occupy Town Square, which I have been a peripheral member of since Jan 2012 will be collaborating with Strike Debt at Washington Square Park for the Rolling Jubilee
Everyone is invited, and it will be a good chance to gear up for May Day 2013
~Odin~
I'll be around with friends and family.
Great, I'll be the tall handsome fellow 'hanging' with the OTS people mostly
Alright, the old crinkly bugger..'hang........ lol.
~Odin~
Judge finds in favor of squatters
Occupiers win again
http://interoccupy.net/blog/high-court-judge-calls-on-enfield-council-to-use-common-sense-and-negotiate-with-famous-friern-barnet-library-squatters/
It can happen
That's cool VQ. I'm happy that the courts are often finding in favor of Occupy
Do you know if the NLG represented the Zuccotti Park Occupiers in their case, and if so are they the ones that got some of the settlement money for reperesenting them? I hope they did as the NLG has beem extremely important to our struggle
Also did you notice the Philadelphia court judge who said something like, 'these (the Occupuy people) are some of the nicest defendants that she has ever had in her court'?
~Odin~
I remember the Philly judges comment on their case. I don't think NLG was involved in the library case but not sure. I know they worked the Bklyn brdge case, I will ask.
Peace
Even this extra occupy effort adds to the momentum of occupy centric idea of 'people helping people'.& of occupy goals of spreading info on issues we've taken a stand on and that benefits the 99%.
http://www.nationofchange.org/give-teenager-camera-watch-world-change-1366035871
Agreed.
"Financial Crime" and A Deep Recommendation @ all :
Financial Crime - of, by, and for our Predatory Capitalists.
http://strikedebt.org/ ;
http://rollingjubilee.org/ & also ...
http://publicbankinginstitute.org/ !!!
This Is Why We Are Here ! This Is What It's All About !! O.W.S. !!!
e tenebris, lux et per ardua ad astra ...
Current Occupy editorial
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/25/hip-hop-artist-immortal-technique-revolutionary-spirit-of-occupy-wall-street-is-still-alive/
Yep, OWS & hip to the hop and just don't stop & catch this 8 minute pure flow yo :
Hey, it just needs a heavy back beat and it's a hit !!! Dope !! Peace !
fiat lux ...
Excellent illustration that strong regulations/regulators can make a difference.
We don't quite have either. And of course we need it desperately.
I submit in fact we need radical change in the banking industry.
breakup banks
consumer unions/state public banks as real competition to start with.
Much more.
"Why Many in Washington Don’t Have Half A Brain", by Robert Reich :
"Lords of Disorder : Billions For Wall Street, Sacrifice For Everyone Else" by Richard Eskow ;
Two short punchy pieces to the mid-section that just need a 'Left Hook' for a knock out combination ;-)
per aspera ...
Reich is usually great, Don't know Eskow. Will get around to reading later but I know it will be good.
You never disappoint.
Yep - shun the mega monsters in any way one can as soon as one can - go local non-affiliated bank and/or credit union. The crash has been in no way shape or form resolved at this very point in time - currently it is only in a stall.
We are one of many movements. We have inspired and influenced many organizations and millions of people to speak up and stand up for change.
it is this spreading dissent that represents our success.
http://www.nationofchange.org/inspiration-contagious-indians-workers-climate-food-and-torture-activists-and-polar-bear-1365260100
FYI, & a bump for this good post.
"As we look around the US and the world, we see that people everywhere are in revolt against the growing dominance of big finance capital which exploits the planet and all living things for profit. These activists for peace and justice are inspiring more and more people to rise up.",- from your excellent link, further to which - I too bump this important forum-post by appending :
e tenebris, lux ...
Excellent piece, You know Richard Wolff, i just got in from another talk of his at the Brecht I like his approach, but I realize all these approaches are long shots.
"Why Derivatives Threaten Your Bank Account" by Ellen Brown :
Very Cool that you get to hear Prof. Wolff too. Don't hesitate to post any pertinent audio/video links.
fiat lux ...
I have, and will.
Thx & thx for the article
Our fellow French Occupiers joining together
http://news.yahoo.com/french-farmers-anarchists-unite-airport-fight-070105021.html
Every action adds to the momentum of protest.
FYI
Thanx & also by Ellen Brown, courtesy of A4C :
Have you heard of an early June conference in CA btw ?
fiat lux ...
Great detail on that derivatives piece. The publicbanking site is very timely.
Some friends and I were discussing Pub banks, ND, the differences w/ cr unions big banks etc, & possibility NYS might create one. (not likely in the center of finance I thought)
Thanks. As always, useful, and thorough.
Did you see who will be speaking at the conference ?
fiat lux, justitia nunc et semper pax ...
TAIBBI!!!! He rules! And so young.
Wish I could go.
Yes, Taibbli ! Ellen Brown, Gar Alperovitz et al too !!
Hopefully there will be 'LiveStreaming' here on OWS !!!
spero ...
Right. Should be. We'll see.
HEY MOD ALERT !!! Hopefully there will be 'LiveStreaming' in June here on OWS of :
dum spiro, spero ...
Yes MODS should take the lead/initiative on this issue.
Well said. There is so much going on that our critics deny.
"Billionaire Banker Bandit Likely to Become Next Commerce Secretary", by Greg Palast : http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/14493-billionaire-banker-bandit-likely-commerce-secretary .
e tenebris ...
More of the same recycled people/policies.
More than ever we need to get in the streets and show our righteous indignation, our outrage.
It's all we have but is more powerful than any other force if the crowds are large enough.
"More than ever we need to get in the streets and show our righteous indignation, our outrage." AMEN !!!
verb. sat. sap. ...
I've marched with the Chomsky. (not that he knew it).
great info. thanx
Re. the streets, yes - "It's all we have but is more powerful than any other force if the crowds are large enough." so for your aural delectation, music from the streets & in respect to the 'feet on the streets' :
"Love Someone" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiInBOVHpO8 & check the lyrix &
"What Does a Police State Look Like ?", by David Sirota : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33938.htm ,
Answer : "Violence, arrests of Occupy protesters and stop-and-frisk. Plus: A worshipful media" !!!
multum in parvo ...
great tunes, & info.
Agreed, getting out in the streets is paramount to our success, and reaching out to the center is too
I've told this before on here.....I made up these hybrid flyers a while back that have a lot of statistics on the middle-class's downward slide, and every month I run off 60-80 copies (folded...4 sides.. like a book) on bright green or orange paper. I drop them off at coffee houses, grocery store sale paper bins, libraries, etc. 2-4 at a time in the conservative area where I live. They end with;
CHOOSE THE WORLD THAT YOUR KIDS GROW UP IN
SUPPORT OCCUPY WALL STREET, or DON'T COMPLAIN and
THE CORRUPT STATUS QUO WILL CONTINUE BY DEFAULT
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
~Odin~
As a bridge from the forum to the street activity might I suggest visting the facebook May day planning page.
https://www.facebook.com/events/425191017568481
Contribute to the planning.
Learn to plan for your own community.
Plan to arrive in NY.
Encourage other coincided events outside NY.
Just FYI Odin. You are well aware of this stuff I know.
We are the 1st tremor.
http://www.theoptimist.com/stories/society/the-legacy-of-the-occupy-movement
FYI
Yes incman, Occupy has indeed set off the first tremor, and the earthquake is inevitable
A 'can of worms has been opened,' and they're not going to go back in the can
Rather as your link implied... a whole new generation of activists has been born, and they have become "mobilized" and "politicized."
They have the most energy..They have the most to lose...They have a steely determination..
For me, personally, it is a beautiful thing to witness first hand, it really is
'The cat is out of the bag.' There are 20 year old kids who know that the 2008 melt-down was not part of any NORMAL business cycle,
But rather that fiasco which has caused untold human misery, was brought on by corruption at the highest levels of government and business
Politicians who were suppose to be working in the PEOPLE'S interest, CLEARLY were NOT.... BUT instead were working in complicity with banking and corporate interests to enrich themselves at our expense
Now WE are supposed to pay for it?! I don't t...h...i..n..k so!
~Odin~
Well said.
thanks
No prob.
If we keep this up we should each have a couple thousand more points by the end of the night.
Odin
LOL. Neither of us do this for the points (If I can be so presumptuous to speak for you).
We just have trouble ending an exchange.
(I did upvote ya' though, so...)
True, "neither of us do this for points," as my having been banned multiple times here would prove, and your great comments would also suggest
I wouldn't mind being able to cash in some of my points... for $ though
As being a rebel has been rather costly to me...50 or so trips to NYC since this began @ approx $40 a pop with other stuff i have shelled out some bucks for
Like one of the editors at Spain's co-operatively owned La Marea magazine who survived cancer, I had my own health issues that I have overcome.....so far anyway ;-)
She said, "If you survive something, it is to live - to feel you put your energy into things you believe in. That is to be alive."
~Odin~
Deep sustaining words. I have only had minor health issues but I fully expect to deal with health challenges based on my earlier lifestyle.
Stay strong. We need you.
Thanks, I loved Ms Banderas quote, as I could relate to it well
You also "stay strong," and be there for our friends in our struggle when they are feeling down
That building COMMUNITY is essential to our eventual victory
~Odin~
Excellent effort. Important for people to see it in physical black & white too (green or orange as well of course).
Low tech is not dead.
Yes I'm better at low tech than high tech, as are many of the people we need to reach out to
There are real benefits to having something tangible, and easily shared
Also said before on here....there are a lot of $ bills with this stamped on them, "Not To Be Used For Bribing Politicians....Amend The Constitution."
They are circulating in NJ, NY, and even Alaska, and they seem to follow me wherever I go. ;-)
Hopefully I won't mature too much before this is over...lol
~Odin~
Funny. no bribing. I think any positive effort can inspire a powerhouse activist.
It's like planting seeds. You just don't know what you will get.
Perhaps many will not grow much, but one can start a whole garden of activists.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/grow-your-own-food-sign-petitions-pressure-all-pol/#comment-930547
Good luck.
Good comment on the link, "Petitions can be the seed for growing a powerhouse activist. Grow your own activist (& food;)"
In our efforts to reach out to the center, I believe that it is important to leave a potential convert to our cause in the most amicable way possible
We may not convince them now, but the "seed" has been planted
It just may take a little more fertilizer or shit to grow, and there is plenty of that as we all know here.
~Odin~
Yes indeed. We'll provide the shit, the population will become the next new growth of activists.
Ding...ding...ding!
~Odin~
We will reap what we sow.
(bumped)
Most definitely, "we will reap what we sow."
In the past thirty years or so, we have not done a good job at sowing
But we are now witnessing a rebirth in activism as well as a search for the truth,
So i advise people in my flyer under the "What Can You Do" heading. It reads, "FIRST you can turn away from the Main Stream Media, as it is corporate owned, and hence they advance the interests of the wealthy few at the expense of the majority..."
I then suggest different web sites, books, and docs to watch
~Odin~
Great effort at the rally!.
Thank you for your continued work.
Largest environmental rally in history.!!
Let's see if we prevent the govt approval of xl Keystone pipeline.
The pamphlet idea is valuable & great (as I've already said), the straight forward approach of " the data out there. The reality is very clear" and simply giving the facts would be very effective.
I think pamphlets with the sober environmental facts and a list of environmental actions individuals can take part in (petitions, rallys), or accomplish alone (cutting energy use) is good material/subject matter.
Congrats and thanks again foryour efforts.
You're very welcome, but don't underestimate your own good good contributions on here, or your overall recalcitrance to this rotten system, and your efforts to do more.
We should all be searching for ways to do the latter, as the cumulative effect of the RESISTANCE to the corrupt status quo from a multitude of ways is putting an enormous amount of pressure on it
I reread Chomsky's Media Control on the bus trip to and fro DC, and I was reminded... that what this system fears most is for the "bewildered herd" to awaken, and start to ORGANIZE, and that is clearly happening
I recently met one of the extremely bright young ladies who is very close to the heart of this movement in NY. I complimented and thanked her for her tenacity. She replied in an email, "...I am only as good as the people I work with - and I am looking at you. :)"
So here is looking at you i40 :), and all the other great contibutors on here with chutzpa.
~Odin~
Probably the most important and effective way to get people educated& informed properly.
I may print up some lowtech pamphlets too.
You never know who might be inspired.
Thanks
I just got back from the Climate rally in Washington. It was great to be amongst my fellow Occupiers. When we got to the White House, one guy strung a long piece of Occupy Wall Street police tape (plastic, yellow and black) on the wrought iron fence, and we called Obama out. lol
OWSNY was the rowdiest, with Occupy Atlanta being a close second. ;-)
Many of the people that we are trying to reach out to are in the center of the political spectrum, dems & repubs
These people are reachable, as many of them have been hurt by the negative effects of neoliberalism
WE in no way want to misrepresent (we have had enough lies) our struggle, but having a flyer that is tailored to educating that more conservative group would be very helpful
The ultimate goal though is to slowly 'radicalize' them, using statistics, and trends (downward for the 99%)
Then it is their decision what, if anything they want to do about it
This strategy is used by Spain's La Marea magazine
One of their editors, Thilo Shaefer said, "The strategy this time isn't to shout about injustice "like another loud angry leftist voice" singing to an audience of activists, but to "prove and make the points with facts - to reach a broader public." (my emphasis)
Another editor Banderas said, "We don't have to tell people how to think; we don't have to manipulate.....We just put the data out there. The reality is very clear. With sober language, and militant ideas, we can reach people." (my emphasis again)
I would like to see this web site make a PDF up, so that people on here could run copies off
As there are many people here who are not near active OWS movements,
And this would be an excellent way to be a more direct participant in our struggle
And at 20 cents (both sides, folded in half) a copy, anyone who really cares about this movement...should be able to afford the $2-4 per week to drop off 10-20 of these at different businesses, and libraries
Whadda you think?
http://truth-out.org/news/item/14102-spains-rebellion-moves-to-print
~Odin~
let me get this straight, Thousands of people burned fossil fuel to travel to Washington to "call out" a "pro-environment" President, who flew to Flordia to play golf with Tiger Woods. And THAT'S progressive?
If you'd care to learn more about "recycling" political appointees, might I suggest:
http://www.thomasrdye.com/
we're not dead yet
http://interoccupy.net/blog/preliminary-findings-of-the-occupy-general-assembly-research-project/
Petitions absolutely work
When Colorado legislators were considering bills that would prohibit large-capacity ammunition magazines and require background checks for gun transfers, MoveOn member Bruce Hoppe started a petition using our petition website, SignOn.org. Bruce's petition spread quickly, especially after we emailed it out to our list.
And then, something really amazing happened. The Colorado Legislature actually responded—not with a form letter, but with an actual change in policy. Governor Hickenlooper signed these landmark bills into law.
Of course, Bruce didn't do this alone. But it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that petitions can make a difference.
Now it's your turn. Using SignOn.org, you can start your own online petition on any issue—local or national—and invite your friends to sign it. We'll send the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members to help build support for your cause.
Click here to start your own petition on SignOn.org right now.
Thanks for all you do.
–Steven, Rosy, Wes, Jessica, and the rest of the team
1 Month old comment? Really?
We're not dead yet!
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/15786-opposition-grows-fierce-to-austerity-cuts-in-portland
Take portland occupiers lead.
My comment and the story are brand new.
Just wanted you to see evidence that all non violent tactics are encouraged by OWS because they are effective.
Cool?
Thanks
My pleasure...
OCCUPY: The analogy of swallows flocking. Many individuals reacting intuitively through consensus based action. Sometimes they partition into fractions and factions, facets that reform unto the collective whole. Our philosophies, ideologies or epistemologies do not have to be homogeneous to be ubiquitous. My only personal suggestion would be that all actions are peaceful and harm no-one. Onwards into 2013...
Where Does Occupy Wall Street Go From Here? By Michael Moore November 22nd, 2011
'Here is what we ended up proposing as the movement's "vision statement" to the General Assembly of Occupy Wall Street:
We Envision: [1] a truly free, democratic, and just society; [2] where we, the people, come together and solve our problems by consensus; [3] where people are encouraged to take personal and collective responsibility and participate in decision making; [4] where we learn to live in harmony and embrace principles of toleration and respect for diversity and the differing views of others; [5] where we secure the civil and human rights of all from violation by tyrannical forces and unjust governments; [6] where political and economic institutions work to benefit all, not just the privileged few; [7] where we provide full and free education to everyone, not merely to get jobs but to grow and flourish as human beings; [8] where we value human needs over monetary gain, to ensure decent standards of living without which effective democracy is impossible; [9] where we work together to protect the global environment to ensure that future generations will have safe and clean air, water and food supplies, and will be able to enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature that past generations have enjoyed.'
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/where-does-occupy-wall-street-go-here
Naomi Wolf's Suggestions for Occupy Protests:
'BE PEACEFUL no violence, no property destruction VIDEOTAPE police and post their images on a website esp if there is violence HAVE lawyers observing and representing; memorize the lawyers’ numbers. DON’T resist arrest. Lie down if it looks as if you are being charged by police. DON’T taunt or yell at or insult police. NON-VIOLENT PEACEFUL DISRUPTION of business as usual is the way to go Carry the UK flag or some other patriotic symbol that makes it a BAD visual for you to be beaten. DON’T think short, sharp, militaristic strategy — think in terms of modelling a way of life. SIT don’t march SING don’t chant DON’T cover your faces'
http://naomiwolf.org/2011/11/some-collected-notessuggestions-for-occupy-groups-and-any-others-working-to-effect-change/
Noam Chomsky: What next for Occupy? The Guardian, April 30, 2012 (Extracted from Occupy by Noam Chomsky, published May 2012.)
'Q: How best do you think the Occupy movement should go about engaging in these, what methods should be employed, and do you think it would be prudent to actually have space to decentralise bases of operation?
A: It would certainly make sense to have spaces, whether they should be open public spaces or not. To what extent they should be is a kind of a tactical decision that has to be made on the basis of a close evaluation of circumstances, the degree of support, the degree of opposition. They're different for different places, and I don't know of any general statement.
As for methods, people in this country have problems and concerns, and if they can be helped to feel that these problems and concerns are part of a broader movement of people who support them and who they support, well then it can take off. There is no single way of doing it. There is no one answer.'
http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/20120530.htm
OWS comicbook?!?
Well we HAVE finally really arrived. or thoroughly failed.
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/02/dc-comics-occup-movement/
Very interesting. Anything that brings awareness of how power works within society, who has it and how they get it etc. is very important.
It can be. I've always loved comics so I hope they are done as well as 'V'.
Should be fun anyway.
Occupy is the conscience of a new center/left coalition that has finally begun taking root in this country after 30+ years of neocon hegemony.
Progressivism has been reborn.
Thx. great articles.
greetings.together we are stronger than our oppressors . :) http://www.353043671100251950.com/
Solidarity
1st required success is changing the terms of debate!!
http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/279726/occupy-wall-street-succeeding-changing-terms-debate
Done!!
We have a long way to go!!
We have come far!
Agreed.
Spirow Agnew rides again with his gang of Nattering Nabobs.
Dontcha just love that saying. I believe Pat Buchanon wrote it for Nixon during the 72 campaign against McGovern.
Pat was a tough guy.With a very good if not misdirected sence of humor.
And he knows politics, not my preferred ideology but sharp.
Very sharp indeed.
Too bad he's a racist, isolationist.
Someone has to fill that nitch.I think like most politicians he fills the need of his base.Writes books gets paid to go on tv.Ironic how he turned into one of those nattering nabobs don't ya think.
LOL. yeah. Whatever his problems he usually is spot on with political predictions/acumen.
Yeah.......right.......
Just one example of our continued success.
http://crm.interoccupy.net/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=257
Are you with us?
[Removed]
And just wait until spring! Oh wait, that was what we said last winter. Okay. Just wait until THIS spring! Which is this week. Okay. Let's do a drum circle!
Occupy supports petitioning!!
http://crm.interoccupy.net/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=270
Join us by signing the petition and help our successful efforts helping the 99% victims of hurricane Sandy.
I can't believe you are all still here...
Go Get A Job You Frigging Hippies !!!!!
hehehe ;)
W can't responsibility for all this, but we are a part of it and can claim a measure of success as a result.
http://www.nationofchange.org/march-worldwide-protests-gained-momentum-1365690194
Most Occupiers in NYC were middleclass people working or in school.
Your stereotypical slur is inaccurate and indicative of your brainwashing by the MSM.
Get your head out of the sand! Stop defending the people preying on your family!, Stop advocating against your own class. Stop attacking the brave people fighting for you!
Have you no honor?
hehe inclusionman ... it truly was meant as a complement ;)
Bullshit!
heheheehe Happy St Patty's Day
Support the 99%! break up the banks!
A resounding success!!
We are one of many movements. We have inspired and influenced many organizations and millions of people to speak up and stand up for change.
it is this spreading dissent that represents our success.
http://www.nationofchange.org/inspiration-contagious-indians-workers-climate-food-and-torture-activists-and-polar-bear-1365260100
Don't you agree?
hey Iman.... truly I agree...A resounding success!! ... and it ain't done yet...,
I'm a bit old school....activist from the 60's ... and the Hippies were the ones who were Hip to what was happening... and Occupy, worldwide is and will become remembered as the greatest movement (of minds) the world has ever seen....
calling you all "Frigging Hippies"... was truly a complement from me... and I say wear it with pride....
and suggesting to "go get a job" ... was sarcasm .... you already have a job.... saving the frigging world from the greedy.... also... wear that with pride...
;)
If you say so.
Another small victory
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/occupy-sacramento-still-making-noise/content?oid=9480123
so tell me again what you've done besides " made aware " :0)
Didn't you read the articles?
yup, OWS has still accomplished nothing LOL
So why come here?
Ever hear of strikethedebt?
http://strikedebt.org/
Check it out! Let me know what you think.
I like the part about the split in Occupy Miami. Who would have thought that rampant drug use and crime who occur when squatters moved into a vacant apartment building in Overtown, whose one claim to fame was the riots in the 80s
Isolated incidents that the 1% puppets jump on to try and define our whole movement. It's just weak and desperate.
Occupy is the conscience of a new center/left coalition that has finally begun taking root in this country after 30+ years of neocon hegemony.
Progressivism has been reborn.
I admire the goal and the heart. But you are not preaching anything new under the sun. I am sorry, but the communal ideology of fair share and distribution is doomed to failure on a nation-wide scale. Perhaps locally, perhaps in a small, western European nation that had no defense budget to contend with. But every nation-wide attempt (USSR, Eastern Bloc nations, Cuba, Northt Korea) has failed and failed miserably.
The United States currently is an excellent example of fair share and distribution.
Many states are net takers of fed largess (mainly small southern red states) While only a few states are net givers to the fed (large blue states)
If we applied the selfish greedy "you're on your own" ideology then many states would be struggling and the USA would not be running the planet (into the ground)
So I'm afraid you have missed the most obvious proof that in fact the share/distr "we're in this together" principle is the best.
The United States is in dire straits. As a resident of a small, rural town in the south, I see a large portion of the residents with no goal, no hope, and no means to achieve a goal even if they had one.
I am a pharmacist and I see the people who are duly deserving of the aid that they get. I do everything I can to help them. "we are in this together" should be working together to rise up and succeed together. My definition of success is self-sufficiency. No, I do not mean survivalist with an underground bunker. I mean working to support oneself and their family and not be a drain on the national resource pool. I am running the risk of sounding heartless. And I will risk it. When I see 2 or 3 generations in the same family on Medicaid, I become almost sick. I do not believe that the safety net was meant to be a way of life; merely a temporary help. With a 1+ trillion dollar budget deficit a year, it seems like "we're in this together" implies going down with the ship, with Beyonce lip synching the Star Bangled Banner. I was not raised with that mentality and I will never subscribe to it.
"we're in this together" does not imply going down with the ship. That is you misunderstanding.
Beyonce is the best, don't what your complaint is.
If you don't believe in using aid then maybe you southern state should be declared bankrupt and left to fend for themselves since all the southern states are net takers from the fed govt.
Good luck
I prefered the Stones in the half time. As for the red states and blue states, I believe a look at who voted red and who voted blue, within each state is worth a look. From my limited perspective, I see a mix of earners and takers; and an associated mix in political views.
Sounds like loser Romneys inaccurate 47% & Ryans "takers" talking point.
They lost because the statement is wrong.
The "takers" are the wealthy who have taken tax shelters, corp welfare/subsidies, low tax rates, govt contract/sweetheart deals. & other govt largess. That is a far larger number.
The veterans, elderly, and sick earned the benefits they receive!
The poorest who get benefits they haven't paid into ain't 47%. More like 6%, the cost is negligible and most are truly needy, Only a small % are gaming the system. And many get off welfare in one generation. More can get avoid generational dependence when we improve opportunity for all people.