Forum Post: OWS needs more ideas!
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 10, 2011, 12:38 p.m. EST by mrsbblack
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you have requested - and I have supplied. Vote now and submit your ideas asap! http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html
I still can't seem to get my comment to post, so I'll put it here:
I-Addressing current and past Wall Street misbehavior:
Civil suits by DOJ against all the main investment banks, criminal investigations against any and all higher-ups at these banks. Penalties to include confiscation of all assets, physical and otherwise.
II-Preventing further Wall Street misbehavior:
Restoration of Depression-era bank legislation beginning with Glass-Steagall. Breaking up of all financial conglomerates; each division becomes an independent company with a new CEO, directors, etc. Compensation limits on financial higher-ups, including the end of golden parachutes. Federal regulation of the derivatives market, either ban CDOs outright or subject them to special scrutiny. Expand fraud legislation to include conflicts of interest; no more short-selling someone whom you're financing or advising, no more staple financing or similar practices. Full disclosure of asset portfolios to federal regulators, regulators to retain independent analysts to rate portfolio elements and assign value to overall portfolio. Leveraging regulations; the ratio of exotic assets (including but not limited to CDOs) to hard cash capped at 5 to 1. Redesignate PACs, political organizations, etc. as for-profit corproations and regulate them as such. Eliminate the 501(c)(4) designation and redesignate its current members as for-profit institutions.
III-Tax reform:
Uncap the FICA; all income subject to Social Security and Medicare taxation, not just the first $106,000. New income tax brackets starting at $250,000 annual income, $500,000 annual income, and $1,000,000 annual income, taxed at 45%, 55%, and 65% respectively. Restore the estate tax for all estates/trust funds/portfolios over $1 million in value and set it to 70%. Set tariffs on all imported goods in order to give companies an impetus to begin manufacturing in America.
IV-Mortgage relief:
Funds obtained through procedures outlined in Section I against financial conglomerates used to take all struggling mortgages out of the hands of the banks. Fannie and Freddie unwound and replaced by a new government loan/mortgage agency with entirely new staff. The new agency takes struggling mortgages and refinances them in such a manner that homeowners can reasonably expect to pay the balances on time. In cases where that is clearly not possible (i.e. both adults in household unemployed), the agency forgives the mortgage.
V-Student loan relief:
Same process for student loans as for mortgages. In order to attract talent to the federal government, set up a sponsorship program: high-performing students in qualifying programs of study will have their education paid for by Uncle Sam in return for five years' service in the government agency corresponding to their area of study (i.e. economics and finance majors would do their time in the Fed or in financial regulatory agencies).
VI-Unemployment relief:
Use the funds garnered through tax reform as per Section III to begin actual projects that put people to work. No disbursement of the money to states, all relief-eligible projects to be initiated and overseen at the federal level. All parts for infrastructure projects to be obtained in America (i.e. a bridge replacement would only purchase steel manufactured in a plant in America). Project staff (excluding federal overseers) to be exclusively hired from the unemployed (where it is possible to find unemployed people with the necessary qualifications), all the way from the construction worker to the project manager.
VII-Campaign finance reform:
Ban all campaign contributions by corporations, for-profit or otherwise. Ban group contributions in general. Cap donations by individuals at $500 per candidate. Personal and family wealth disallowed: you may "donate" up to $500 to yourself and each family member over 18 may donate up to $500 to you, but other than that nothing. Cap total donations at $100 million. Provide a base public fund from tax dollars to each candidate to work from.
VIII-Lobbying reform:
Create an open forum setting in which all interest groups and/or citizens may express their views. All open forum sessions to be taped, and both tapes and transcripts to be made publicly available on paper and on the Internet within 24 hours of such a session. Forbid access to politicians by interest groups and their representatives outside the open forum. Forbid any and all gifts from interest group representatives to politicians. Forbid regulators from working at corporations in the field they were responsible for overseeing for twenty years from end of time in office. Forbid any politician from taking private-sector lobbying or consulting employment for five years from the end of their term. Apply the same rules to lobbyists wishing to enter politics (five year cooldown period, twenty if you want to oversee the same field your company worked in).
Great ideas! Copy - past into http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html - that should work! Lots of great ideas are coming in!
I keep trying to do that and it's not working... I don't know why but when I click "post comment" the page simply reloads with my comment in the "type comment here" box instead of on the page...
hmmm - well, I can do it and put "ARod1993" in the front maybe it's too long? idk
Thanks!
ok! just posted it for you on http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html thanks! :) share the link and tell others to submit their ideas and vote! take care
does anyone have the answer to this question: is there a list on OWS somewhere that supporters can sign so we can get an idea of the #'s we have gathered?
It's a crying shame that the forum is not layered and that it doesn't provide any democratic function except aloowing ayone a piss in the wind. Valuable ideas, dreams and vsions are lost in the noise, this forum in it's current form is a waste of eyerone's time en effort. Or am I wrong?
I completely agree! Thats why I'm trying to get people to list ideas at www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com! At least it can be organized! Thanks :) Pass it on lol (just like notes in kindergarten)
What we need is a democratic way of submitting ideas, and a voting system, that shouldn't be too hard. There are plenty forums where you can add a '+' or '-' to postings and where a count is kept of votes.. I think this is urgently needed.
this forum has that '+' or '-' idea named points - but there is no way to make the forum available to everyone. I'm not sure what I can do on the blog to make that happen but I'll work on it for sure.
Another thing - any voting system should be localised, i.e. I as a Eurpean shouldn't be able to vote for American issues, I should only be allowed to vote for European matters in order not to blur the image as it were. So I want to propose secure regional voting sytems...
Once again, your anonymous fellow American Citizen has some very good ideas in his compempelling and inspiring statement:
www.radiokazoo.net/OPV
These are ideas worth voting, this is (IMHO) an excellent example.
It's all about building community. The actual movement is much much greater than the crowd on the streets, people from everywhere want to get involved, this forum is very important in that respect. There must be a way to really use the internet democratically to it's full potential to serve the movement and implement a voting sytem that will fully reflect the voice of the people and be used a decisive instrument for taking action. Everyone's demanding true democracy, well, here it is, we have it at our fingertips, get going with it!
Yes, I saw those, but you're right, they don't work. It would be just great if you or someone could improve this. As it is, there is no feedback and valuable ideas vanish. It would be so helpful to the entire process to make this blog into an essential democratic tool, to measure consensus and to develop directives for action based on it...
OK! I figured out how I can add the ideas and people can vote on them! I've put up a poll (as an example) on the right side of the blog. Check it out! www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
Yes, this is great. But instead of diverting everyone to your site, shouldn't it be implemented on THIS forum? What do you think? Then again, this site is far too big, and I guess voting doesn't take up much bandwidth. Maybe this site should remain like it is - a central place where people can discuss and things, and maybe your site could be used as a secure regional voting site?
Please keep on it, show it around, I think you're doing a great job...
thanks :) I'm trying! Devoted almost my whole day getting this blog heard and looked at! I'm almost at 200 hits from over 6 countries! I hope the ideas start rolling in! Feel free to share the link! One voice with many ideas! www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - another outlet - http://whatprotestorswant.aforumfree.com/ for those who prefer a forum vs a blog
I just posted a message about your site and voting on the forum, I think this is a very important issue and I wish you alle the luck!
See you soon, I'm signing off - it's 4:00 at night up here (Netherlands)
cheers!
thanks! cheers!
Is there a length limit that I'm missing, because my comment isn't going through.
I'm not sure - mabye it is being moved towards the end? sometimes that happens if you make a comment in the comment box rather than replying
ok - I am going to start the list then. There should be a list somewhere that shows supporters! I'll add a post to www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - please don't use fake names or type Anonymous - this needs to be accurate!
the only thing that matters right now is CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, unless you get the big money out of politics, no change whatsoever will occur, this should be the focus of the protests, we need to have honest politicians that work for the public before any thing else can get done, campaign finance reform (ending corporate personhood, kicking the lobbyists out of the Washington) is the perfect starting point. It really is a no brainer that this should be the one thing we can all agree on. Because unless we do this, all those other demands that people have will never be addressed, not in a millions years.
I agree. Please check my forum post "What Should the Demands of OWS Be?" It is a working list of potential demands for the movement. Keep fighting!
I agree with this 100% and i have been saying the same thing for years.
My suggestion and it's just a suggestion !!! lol
Fund political campaigns with Tax dollars. It would take some discussion on how to do this and do it in a fair manor but it shouldn't be to hard to figure out.
Remove lobbyist and special interest groups from Washington. Lobbyists and Special Interest groups should not be allowed to have any contact with our politicians outside of an open public forum.
Make all campaign donations illegal. And i mean ALL of them ! Our politicians should not be for sale to anyone.
Do these 3 things and the power will be back in the peoples hands. Our greedy politicians will be owned and controlled by us all and not just the richest few.
To refine these ideas a bit...
1: Publicly funded elections are a grand idea. If the election process were extended and regulated to make it more about policy and less about smears and personality politics, ballot access by civic actors would be enhanced and corporate/institutional puppets would be reduced. But in addition to this, the existence of third party political actors such as think tanks, PACs, etc...still needs to be addressed.
2: Lobbying, for all of its bad reputation is also what allows for private citizens to voice their concerns and desires to their government. I think what you are leaning towards is more a restriction of private to public to private sector transitions. Regulatory agencies, for example, are often staffed with industrial insiders with plans to return to their former corporate sector employers at a higher pay rate after gaming the system from inside. A ban on public to private sector transitions, in conjunction with an elimination of influence bearing campaign contributions could help unstack the deck as it were. But interest groups and lobbying in general is actually something that is vital for the health of a robust democratic republic, despite how repulsive we may find them.
3: Would these donations you speak of also relate to third party ulterior issue based support campaigns? The chamber of commerce and SEIU both engage in regular electoral voter outreach efforts in support of their chosen candidates by adoption of issues and endorsements of supposedly proposed plans.
I am a little confused by 1: the existence of third party political actors such as think tanks, PACs, etc...still needs to be addressed.
2: I do not want to take away the voice of corporations or special interest groups. How ever, I don't want them to have special access to our politicians, especially behind closed doors where the back room deals are made. Let the prying eyes of the public keep them honest.
3: my opinion is that no donations of any kind or from any one can be made to our politicians. The homeless man on the street with not a penny in his pocket should have the same power and say as the richest person in America. If we allow donations, even $1 donations, we are opening the door the same greed and corruption we have now. Also, if we allow donations of any kind you know damn well that some one will find a loophole that will allow large donations to our politicians.
Ending their ability to fund electoral campaigns would eliminate the weight of their influence.
As far as third party actors go, everyone from the petrol industry to trade unions and everyone in between (in terms of interest groups) stage and execute campaigns of their own. Phone banks, canvassers, literature, mass mailings, staged demonstrations...
These serve as material support for politicians who are universally on the corporate dole. Their influence in elections must be addressed in addition to the financing aspect. However their right to free expression protects these. Were campaign financing and election season communications to be more closely regulated and managed, the corporate and interest actions taken during elections would have considerably more power on their own.
This is an aspect of the issue that needs to be addressed.
You raised a valid issue i didn't think of... I don't know how we would address special interest groups from funding outside political campaigns with out trampling our 1st amendment rights. I'm not even sure if we should ?
Well let that be a question to be addressed after we free the elections themselves from undue and imbalanced influence. I'm sure there is a solution, but we must first take this step to ensure that populism can truly return to politics.
In my opinion, elections should be boring, civic institutions, free of flashy bullshit, personality politics or the George Creel (google him) methods of public outreach and mobilization.
I agree with you 100% my friend. =)
Please bump or repost the following thread then. Bump for exposure and to bump down the trolls.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-central-message-we-need/#comment-54685
Might I suggest stopping by the following? (And sorry if it seems self promoting, do read the comments)
Since the Supreme Court granted corporations access to our election process, it will require a Constitutional ammendment to overrule it. All Senate, House and Presidential campaigns should be taxpayer funded with no outside funding. Personal fortunes will not be allowed. A petition process whereby a certain number of registered voters will determine which candidates will receive federal funding. A fixed amount of funding will be available to the qualified candidates. Campaigns will be for six months after funding is received.
We don't have years. How did these crooks get at least $8.7 trillion under a series of new bailout programs? Starting with 1 meeting before congress. If that can be done. So can this. Now is the time to take the power back.
Destroying our system of laws and trying to replace it would prove to be a task far greater than amending the Constitution. The world has changed since the last effort at amending the Constitution was tried. You and I are communicating with the possibility of joining with untold numbers of people sharing the same beliefs and goals. Together we can shape the future.
Agreed... I have been saying this for years, look at the post above yours for my suggestion. It's very similar to what you are saying.
Getting money out of politics and setting up a rational election process will benefit the efforts of any group trying to make a difference, especially third parties. Right now our politicians are in perpetual campaign mode. They as well as anyone should realize that eliminating the need to raise funds for election would make their position so much easier and enhance their ability to do the people's business. It is all about the money!
I agree. This would be my number one priority as well.
New ideas are always needed and understood which shall help in creating better and more useful ideas.
Support anarchy and Hooliganism http://occupywallst.org/forum/free-pussy-riot/ come on, seriously!!!!!!! ?
If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: http://interviewquestionstoask.info/intl-fcstone-interview-questions/
Best regards.
Hi
I found that a member asked same question in this forum some months ago.
Pls use search box to find this questions with comments
Given the grossly disproportionate influence the 1% has on governmental policy we have to remind the government to pay attention to us too. The message is as simple as a children's story. Horton Hears a Who. "WE ARE HERE, WE ARE HERE, WE ARE HERE" and "A person is a person no matter how small."
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cut-Their-Pay/153050428107623
SERIOUSLY! I posted a forum topic on it, but I can't for the life of me find it. Maybe it was perceived as spam and an admin deleted it...
OWS = delegates from 1776!! read here:
http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-delegates-from-1776.html
Idea? Sure, why not. http://occupywallst.org/forum/occupy-local-government/#comment-77650
A social network for Occupy supporters. http://www.occupyr.com
Everyone should read this new book, "Time For Outrage", by 94 year Stéphane Hessel who participated in, and survived WWII. Could these times be any worse!?
http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=occupy%20wall%20street&geo=US&date=today%207-d&cmpt=q
From the link I posted, you can see that overall attention started decreasing on Friday, October 7th.
The main areas that have thrived are New York(of course), Portland, Boston, and DC.
Can we think of any ways to focus attention on these bastions of hope so other cities continue to have somewhere to draw inspiration from??
My ideas... -if you live in one of these areas, please contact news organizations/columnists and encourage them to report on it. -contact or write to your representatives (state/federal) asking them to speak about it. (positively... negatively... it really doesn't matter.
If you think my ideas suck, that's great because it means you have better ones to share.
I don't think your ideas suck! They are great. I think that word is still spreading, all though maybe much slower now. For example - Occupy Grand Rapids just happened this past weekend! So that's good news! http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html Share ideas here too :)
While I think support from Grand Rapids is great, how far away is that from Chicago?? I only ask because my theory is that we're not receiving adequate news coverage because we're spreading too thinly. Chicago is not only the city in the Midwest that is most interested in these protests(according to my Google Insights research), it's also home to the second largest financial center in the country. In my home city (Philadelphia), I've suggested to others that they would be better off joining the protests in New York so to have one protest in the area so large, it can't be ignored.
My other idea is that those of us with money(me), should only donate money, food, and support(maybe even transportation) to these key areas so these protests will never officially come to an end until we see changes.
That's my idea. I'll follow your site.:)
thanks for following :) Chicago is about 3 hours from GR - give or take because of traffic. It would be good to get small cities close enough - to travel to the larger ones. I agree with donating money, food, transportation. The people on the ground in NY need all of the above. They are making great sacrifices.
DUMP YOUR BANK DAY. Imagine all Occupy supporters going down to close their bank accounts and open up credit union accounts on the same day.
Let's do a Dump Your Bank Day!!! Tuesday November 8th.
We are unhappy with banks, their policies, their profits, their bailouts, lets do more than talk about it, protest about it, let's DO something about it.
Let's have Dump Your Bank Day on what would be "election day" ... First Tuesday after the first Monday in November... TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2011.
What better way to send a message to our elected officials?
Those of us who already have credit unions will show our support by marching in the Financial District and/or holding signs near local credit unions that say "We Dumped Our Bank Today"
http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html
Here's an idea you might like for how we can actually create a new way of life by making decisions from a position of strength rather than making demands from a position of weakness http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-we-win-one-perspective-on-where-we-go-from-her/
"First off, all societies from small towns to entire countries would need to create secure electronic voting websites in which every person is able to securely log on and vote for everything from local to global concerns."
from http://www.radiokazoo.net/OPV/ by an American Citizen
OWS needs no ideas, leaders or demands.
It simply needs to BE.
OWS is doing just Fine as it is.
if there is no action being taken - and just lots of people sitting in the streets and singing songs, then the likely hood that it will fade away is more. Demands - no. Ideas being properly represented - yes.
They are BEING The Change.
That is all OWS needes to do.
Maybe more ideas isn't what we need. Maybe what we need is a strategy for where we go from here. We can take this to the next level people and gain serious power for this movement. We can remake our country. Read how here http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-we-win-one-perspective-on-where-we-go-from-her/
you can sign your name to the list! http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/list-of-ows-supporters.html
Put a end to Lobbyists in Washington DC, every State and local municipalites. These individuals have contributed to our economic problem. it should be up to the people not corporations to pass laws.
thanks! add this to http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html and I'll turn it into a poll! keep voting! and sign up on the list of supporters of OWS http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/list-of-ows-supporters.html thanks again!
Focus on ONE thing. PEACE. You CANNOT have Prosperity without PEACE. The entire global financial system is IMPOSED on the world through violent domination. So refuse WAR. Demand Peace. Everything else will follow. Time to pull the tooth. Stop with the gauze, the fear, the medication. The tooth is rotten. Peace is Prosperity.
I bet that was easy to write sitting in your chair in front of your computer. I bet if you and your friend were about to be gang raped and murdered, you would not hesitate to use a gun if you had one. And this is not a hypothetical situation either. It happens every day. You never know what you will do until you are pushed.
Yeah it does. DO you support it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hobDCtmx0xo&feature=player_embedded&skipcontrinter=1
Wake up friend. You ARE being gang raped. You have no freedom. SCREAM FOR PEACE!
the atrocities will never end. we must look for a higher meaning in our lives
Love is contentment and Truth. Peace is it's medium.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-many-of-you-would-be-willing-and-dedicated-eno/#comment-57341
You all are great! This great financial reform movement has been a dream of mine since 2008, after hearing Congressional Hearing on Energy Reform and on how Financial Deregulations hurts the average hard working Americans, and turns undeserved brokers/executives into overnight Millionaires!
So I feel (and many others) that only way we can get back on safe financial footing again is to close the Enron Loophole, created for energy/oil speculators, and bring back The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which prevented the current banking and insurance scams/loopholes. After all, it worked great until late 90's, until when Congress threw it out. Since then, like prior to 1933, we are experiencing what our country went though then, total Wall Street Greed with no Penalties, its all legal Gambling now...thanks to the architects of our new system in 1999, President Clinton and Rep Senator Phil Gramm. Think about where we are now, it all started in 1999 with the subprime loans Gramm was peaching on Senate floor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKQOxr2wBZQ&feature=related
And for the Free Trade Movement, bringing back the Glass-Steagall Act will not hurt our financial markets or hinder Free Trade, as the GOP rhetoric claims, instead with this back in PLACE bankers can still make millions a day, but not the trillions as they do now on the accounts of hard working Americans.
Bankers need more regulation, not less. Don't let the Bankers new Game to charge for debit cards as the results of the Dodd/Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act surprise you. Right after it passed, we have the banking lobby on national TV saying that "we "will pay for it, after we bailed them out, What nerve! So this is their response to having it their way since 1999: We have have to find a way to give out Executives their way out of line bonuses: Bingo, charge for debit cards!
Cheers to all that are involved. Let's get focused and bring back Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, they got it right 1933, we don't need to reinvent the wheel because bringing this Act back will create an even playing field once again....and let's tell Congress to finally Close the Enron Loophole, which allowed Enron to charge what they wanted for energy; they went to jail for this, but no one closed the loophole, why? re-election Monies from the banks and oil companies! The writing is on the wall.
Why we need Glass-Steagall to be reinstated:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/071603.asp#axzz1aPEc3wXj http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/09/19/shattering-the-glass-steagall-act/
Why are oil prices high?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waL5UxScgUw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdtTGYQBMU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNp0y0SjOkY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-kExdTgNZA&feature=channel
awesome! thanks - share your ideas on www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com and I'll add them into the poll list. OWS - One voice with many ideas!
great, will do, let's get this done soon, way over do!
not a problem! Working on it around the clock. get others to submit their ideas for change, and we can all start voting!
I did it, hope it worked? thanks for that. Let me know if you need any help.
you did vote or posted your idea? - a lot of people are posting as anonymous so it's hard to distinguish who is who. the votes are coming in! and I've added a post for people to "sign up" as a supporter of OWS :) http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/list-of-ows-supporters.html
I posted it, thanks. Please stay in touch. jma@palmnet.net
i couldn't find that, so i opened a blogg tilte; one clear way...
will try again, juts in case;
You all are great! This great financial reform movement has been a dream of mine since 2008, after hearing the Congressional Hearing on Energy Reform and on how Financial Deregulations hurts the average hard working Americans, and turns undeserved brokers/executives into overnight Millionaires!
So I feel (and many others) that only way we can get back on safe financial footing again is to close the Enron Loophole, created for energy/oil speculators, and bring back The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which prevented the current banking and insurance scams/loopholes. After all, it worked great until late 90's, until when Congress threw it out. Since then, like prior to 1933, we are experiencing what our country went though then, total Wall Street Greed with no Penalties, its all legal Gambling now...thanks to the architects of our new system in 1999, President Clinton and Rep Senator Phil Gramm. Think about where we are now, it all started in 1999 with the subprime loans Gramm was peaching on Senate floor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKQOxr2wBZQ&feature=related
And for the Free Trade Movement, bringing back the Glass-Steagall Act will not hurt our financial markets or hinder Free Trade, as the GOP rhetoric claims, instead with this back in PLACE bankers can still make millions a day, but not the trillions as they do now on the accounts of hard working Americans.
Bankers need more regulation, not less. Don't let the Bankers new Game to charge for debit cards as the results of the Dodd/Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act surprise you. Right after it passed, we have the banking lobby on national TV saying that "we" will pay for it, after we bailed them out, What nerve! So this is their response to having it their way since 1999: We have have to find a way to give out Executives their way out of line bonuses: Bingo, charge for debit cards!
Cheers to all that are involved. Let's get focused and bring back Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, they got it right 1933, we don't need to reinvent the wheel because bringing this Act back will create an even playing field once again....and let's tell Congress to finally Close the Enron Loophole, which allowed Enron to charge what they wanted for energy; they went to jail for this, but no one closed the loophole, why? Re-election Monies from the banks and oil companies! The writing is on the wall.
Why we need Glass-Steagall to be reinstated:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/071603.asp#axzz1aPEc3wXj http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/09/19/shattering-the-glass-steagall-act/
Why are oil prices high?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waL5UxScgUw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdtTGYQBMU&feature=related
ok, please excuse me for being so confused... you couldn't find the blog or couldn't find the polls to vote on? Do you want me to copy/paste your above paragraph into the blog comments? here is a link - www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - are my other links not working? again - please excuse me, I'm lost.
all good. thanks!
nevermind! I found it. you posted into the sign up area - do you mind if I move your post into http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-requests.html ? or - you can add it so your name is on the comment. thanks! let me know exactly how you want your idea to be worded into a poll for voting :)
Wall Street laughs at us behind their protective walls as does the President and Congress. Kindred spirits UNITE! We need to expand to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and take our message to President Obama! Congress also needs to hear us. They both have the power to change things. Things that they created
awesome idea! Post to www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - i'll be adding your idea into the polls right now. Should OWS move towards 1600 Pennsylvania and empower the President to make changes? perfect!
This thing needs to focus on some agenda. Ideas have to be voted up and down for that to happen. We're drowning in what reads like a Twitter feed.
yes - which is why our ideas will now be submitted onto purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - share your ideas and I'll make them into a poll. everyone will vote and I'll publish the results.
sorry - link didn't work. www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com I call it purple blog spot because I think the movement should be turned into the Purple political party. time to vote in our generation who are open-minded and will make big changes! enough with the old thinking - time to make a difference! you can also view www.whatprotestorswant.aforumfree.com/ to get conversations started
Why is it that protests on Wall Street and elsewhere — denouncing corporate greed and perverse distribution of wealth and the attendant corruption of our institutions — why don’t we recognize energy policies and energy’s absolute relevance to inequity? (Indeed, amassing capital essentially correlates to determining energy policy.)
But do you really think this is primarily about class struggle? When we toss the capitalists out, who exactly are we going to bring in to assist in managing this clusterfuck we call our society? Some good old anti-capitalist professionals? Maybe even some young ones?
Well, did you ever consider the inequity and degradation that necessarily result from a high-energy consumption economy? Forget capitalist or socialist. Think: Society gorging itself on energy actually deprives and frustrates the hell out of us.
Significantly, in this mostly unacknowledged aspect of quanta of energy as it correlates to inequity, the actual source of energy is irrelevant; whether it be petroleum, nuke plants, the “clean” energies of wind and solar, the hoped-for magnificent new battery; or even some other techno-splendorous future development: gushing cheap plentiful energy from used kitty litter.
This is about levels of energy (and by extension, technology).
Could it be? Could it be that beyond a certain threshold of energy consumption, that technical processes begin to dictate social relations? No way you say? And you’re going to put that on your Facebook friend wall — maybe even “dislike” it? Well, friend, you’re not alone in being sort of troubled by such a notion. The fact is that if you begin to accept this entirely rational line of reasoning, you’re probably going to run, more likely drive, into some other awakenings that just don’t sit well with that little gremlin that lives in your wilderness, as you hunt for legitimacy and authenticity as a good citizen trying your best.
So ya, greedy bastards, snarfing up all the resources of our planet is indeed part of what troubles us. However, it’d seem to be rather disingenuous to not observe that the high energy that is controlled and utilized by the affluent (that’d be us too) is what generates the inequities.
Beyond carrying a placard announcing “That asshole has too much money”, how in the world do we possibly go about tweaking this reality?
Consider the energy inputs, and the industrial complex-energy outputs, and the reality of their costs to our society. A fairly obvious, and now rightly considered absurd, illustration would be something like the supersonic Concorde jet of decades ago. As the price of acceleration for a small affluent group of travelers, the majority of the people paid the societal cost; in pollution and otherwise. Now what is often overlooked in such scenarios is the disutility — the disabling — of those unable or unwilling to adopt the apparent technological sophistication. This leads us to what has been termed “radical monopoly”, whereby an industrial consumer-value, say our system of motorized transportation, is adopted to the extent of the exclusion of self-powered transit — and other appropriate use-value oriented technologies. (Where I live, as I walk my sorry ass through the parking lot — to locate my motorized crutch: my car — I often feel as though perhaps I’m a confused terrorist in the war on pedestrians.)
To summarize, and in looking at possible alternative approaches to fixing some crappy aspects of crumbling empire, I’d suggest that communities, in the historical sense, find ways to engage in the political process; to assess from an enlightened local perspective; what levels of energy and technology are in their interests and where limits might be appropriate.
(For more information regarding this, read the sociologist Ivan Illich’s Energy and Equity.)
Check out Ron Paul's websites.
I think the MSM (fox, cnn, msnbc) the big players also need to be occupied. They are the ones who have promoted all the wars, all the bailouts, the entire FAKE MONEY SYSTEM. The whole system is a fake reality, its time to wake up to that truth. We as humans don't need a money system to keep us going as a society, the earth provides everything we need to survive. Money and banks get in the way of our potential as a species on this planet.
I think the MSM (fox, cnn, msnbc) the big players also need to be occupied. They are the ones who have promoted all the wars, all the bailouts, the entire FAKE MONEY SYSTEM. The whole system is a fake reality, its time to wake up to that truth. We as humans don't need a money system to keep us going as a society, the earth provides everything we need to survive. Money and banks get in the way of our potential as a species on this planet.
I saw the peaceful revolution in East Germany in 1989 with my own eyes. The most important thing, whatever happens, is to keep it non-violent. If it grows to that dimension in America, it will attract advocates of violence from both sides. That's always the danger. If the streets burn, like in London, the hammer will come down, American style.
I saw the peaceful revolution in East Germany in 1989 with my own eyes. The most important thing, whatever happens, is to keep it non-violent. If it grows to that dimension in America, it will attract advocates of violence from both sides. That's always the danger. If the streets burn, like in London, the hammer will come down, American style.
Well, you can use guys and gals, like me, in your organization. I am an MBA, with a specialization in international business. I have some formal legal training and I am a victim of the chronic and unnecessary unemployment of two generations of highly educated Americans, so I share in the pain of everyone here, in a profound way.
I would be happy to work with your group to create traction for our movement. You are not a political movement and this is a great good thing. It is essential that we are in the service of the political elite, as we are a movement seeking to work within the system, to make the USA better, rather than to up end the USA and her political system.
Generally speaking, let me offer this: Language is the architecture of thought. Occupy Wall Street supporters need to understand the language of business, the language of politics and the language of law. You need common understandings of what is to be achieved and how it will be achieved. You need the political elite on your side. This means working on a solution that makes the politicians better off, not just the rest of us. This means making sure that I- Bankers and Corporations get rich off of our plans, too. I am confident that I can get the ball rolling on coming up with a plan that will help to enrich all of us; though I will enlist others, in my efforts, including top economists and politically connected families, this is my problem, not yours.
Remember, a win win solution is the answer. Social interaction is only sustainable when it is mutually beneficial. We all want to have a good future and none of us should be left out. I will contact your leadership and discuss terms. If you do not want me in your ranks, I will ask that you consider to affiliate with my side project, when I get the ball rolling. Best regards, MJ Morrow
Well, you can use guys and gals, like me, in your organization. I am an MBA, with a specialization in international business. I have some formal legal training and I am a victim of the chronic and unnecessary unemployment of two generations of highly educated Americans, so I share in the pain of everyone here, in a profound way.
I would be happy to work with your group to create traction for our movement. You are not a political movement and this is a great good thing. It is essential that we are in the service of the political elite, as we are a movement seeking to work within the system, to make the USA better, rather than to up end the USA and her political system.
Generally speaking, let me offer this: Language is the architecture of thought. Occupy Wall Street supporters need to understand the language of business, the language of politics and the language of law. You need common understandings of what is to be achieved and how it will be achieved. You need the political elite on your side. This means working on a solution that makes the politicians better off, not just the rest of us. This means making sure that I- Bankers and Corporations get rich off of our plans, too. I am confident that I can get the ball rolling on coming up with a plan that will help to enrich all of us; though I will enlist others, in my efforts, including top economists and politically connected families, this is my problem, not yours.
Remember, a win win solution is the answer. Social interaction is only sustainable when it is mutually beneficial. We all want to have a good future and none of us should be left out. I will contact your leadership and discuss terms. If you do not want me in your ranks, I will ask that you consider to affiliate with my side project, when I get the ball rolling. Best regards, MJ Morrow
please help in any way you can! the more people talking, the faster this will spread! List your ideas and vote! www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - I started this blog specifically for OWS and our ideas! I'll get them organized and anyone can share their ideas. Share the link and share your voice :)
Step 1. Elect an executive committee
Step 2. Call for the formation of OWS election committees in each of the 435 congressional districts.
Step 3. The 435 election committees prepare and organize a nationwide election of two delegates from each district, one man, and one woman.
Step 4. The executive committee arranges a venue in Philly starting on July 4, 2012.
Step 5. The 870 delegates attend a convention in Philly on July 4, 2012 to draft and vote on a petition for the redress of grievances as authorized by the first amendment,
Step 6: Present this petition to the 2012 candidates and demand immediate action on the petition.
Step 7. GIve the government to act on the petition within one year.
Step 8. The delegates would reconvene by email and vote on a call for a recall and resignation of the government if they fail to act on the demands in the petition.
Step 9. If there is no action or resignation, you fill in the blanks as to what the delegates should do next but at the very least the delegates could run for congress as an independent OWS slate of candidates in 2014.
This is a non-violent plan. Here is a sample petition and plan of action some drafted. The 20 points are only suggestions, the delegates should vote on the final petition.
https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/home/the-steps-to-non-violent-revolution
One idea--start cleaning up your mess each day.
List your ideas and I'll have everyone take a poll! The best ideas with the highest poll ratings will be posted at the end of each week. (could revise if things heat up) Enjoy! www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
submit your ideas here : http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-more-than-occupation-of-voices.html
We need SOVEREIGN RULE of the economy by the people and an elimination of money from public office and campaigns
That said it will take political muscle to push this movement. All should be welcome. If someone declares support the TAKE THEM TO TASK AND DEMAND ACCOUNTIBALITY ON WHAT THEY WILL SUPPORT AND HAVE THEM BROADCAST THE MESSAGE.
I have personal debt, I accumulated by buying things I wanted for the vastly most part and only rarely on things I needed. I do have a moral responsibility to pay it back. But, that being said, going forward, one thing I think this movement needs to do is to take on the task of getting people to target their money to business that engage in fair trade, pay fair wages and act in a socially and environmentally conscious manner. That we all have a moral obligation to not participate in this corrupt system. This doesn't take legislation or government action. Once Unethical Corp. starts to lose money they will change their business practices and if they can't let 'em go under. If its a highly desired product someone will figure out a way to deliver it in a socially conscious manner. How about a list of who we should buy from and who we should not? Also, lets work on getting people to better be able to tell the difference between what they need and what they want and to not debt themselves unnecessarily. It is simply not sustainable to have an economy where tens of millions of i-whatevers are bought using credit cards. Collapses are going to be inevitable either on the micro or macro scale.
please add to www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com -all ideas will be organized there - thanks!
Team up with the Transition Towns movement, build communities, create new forms of money, start making arrangements for survival...
Did you know that the city Havana, Cuba, grows 90% of it's own food supply? Cuba survived the crisis we're still facing up here. Start thinking practical, develop action strategies, take care of yourselves and of each other, start building your new society before they round you up.... As it is right now, OWS is just as sustainable as the system it's protesting against. Be smart, fast, creative... you may just have one shot at getting it right....
Only one major idea that needs to be promoted throughout the people.
"Self-Sufficiency."
The People, United, Will Never Be Defeated!
yes indeed!
It takes two to screw us! Politicians to hold us down, so then the Corporations can do the screwing!!! Politicians need better rules to follow to prevent lobbying! We tax payers should also fund important elections, so the best person wins and not the one with the most money!!! Top 2 demands in my book! Write it down!
I think that tax payers funding elections is a great idea. Ban money from corporations and lobbyists so that the elected officials aren't obligated to side with the bastards after they are elected.
The main thing of concern I see is that OWS needs representation. The media has already misrepresented the movement as people who want to raise taxes on the rich or the Democrat's Tea Party. It's not Occupy the IRS or Occupy the GOP, but already most people have the wrong idea about OWS. This needs to be set straight quickly.
I agree - someone needs to set the media straight ... not sure how that is done though.
I'm not sure either, but I can tell this forum is not helping. It's tough since there isn't one clear specific demand. I don't think they hope to take down corruption entirely, just some legislation against the way financial system was played in the last decade. Politicians remained very loyal to their banker friends and we all have a right to be angry. All I can think of is talking to legal representation so they can get some options, decide on one, and tell the media. Make those signs clear. Dressing up as zombies or funny sayings don't get the message across.
totally agree. dressing up as zombies isn't going to do anything. I suggest calling OWS the Purple party and have people vote for NEW government officials! Out with the Old in with the New! New ideas from Younger generations! I've listed a few ideas on www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com that will only be passed into bills/laws by young people who are OPENMINDED. not the old farts running our government!
is there a list on OWS somewhere that supporters can sign so we can get an idea of the #'s we have gathered?
Spokespeople are a bad idea. They offer a target for the professional detractors of the movement and take what is a populist campaign and turn it into a personal crusade.
I recommend adoption of a singular uniting platform to bring all various factions with their respective ideas together to make a single demand which will open up the field for the factions various individuals desires and ideas to be discussed more openly by power.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-central-message-we-need/#comment-54685
good point! Never thought of it that way. Feel free to follow purpleblogspot.blogspot.com and share your ideas! just got started yesterday - all for OWS!
Are there any newly-reported OWS protests from today? It's hard to tell what exactly is going on from outside news media sources.
it needs better organization for the ideas being generated. a lot of sub forums and wiki. i'm now putting the word out that i am looking for a techie who can putthose things up since this forum has epic failed to generate wiki and sub forums.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/thetruth-socialismcapitalismcommunismmarxism/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/capitalism-versus-corporatism/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/help-me-understand/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/capitalism-a-love-story/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/sociology/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/energy-101-solution/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ethics/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/break-your-left-right-conditioning/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/nader-kucinich-and-paul/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/5-facts-you-should-know-about-the-wealthiest-one-p/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/i-am-homeless-joe-jp-morgan-chase-accidentally-for/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/can-we-end-the-fed/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/why-end-the-federal-reserve-and-what-do-you-replac/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/teaching-the-occupation/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/this-forum-needs-structure/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-is-not-your-personal-billboard-for-your-politi/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/systems-theory-primer/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/organize-inform-take-action-effect-change/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/better-website-needed/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/stop-playing-the-devils-games/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/nonviolence-the-only-path/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-not-against-capitalism/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/this-is-not-about-political-stripe-it-is-about-bas/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/national-initiative-for-democracy/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-third-political-party-the-movement-of-the-middle/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/300-fema-camps/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-is-a-false-flag-operation/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/why-this-will-not-work/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/paradigm-shift-now/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-proposal-for-focus/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/stop-the-bullshit-posts-and-get-organized/
-Separation of government and economy. (no bail outs, no TARP, no minimum wages, no FCC, no EPA, etc...)
-Allow all individuals operating in Free Market to exercise their Individual Rights free of government interference or burdens.
-Elimination of the 16th amendment
~Elimination of income tax and institute (at the least) a low consumption tax with the goal of voluntary taxation very long term.
-Return to Constitutional Principles and a reassertion of our rights as individuals.
~~On the same point; A reassertion of the proper powers of the government:
~~~To protect the rights, as defined in the US Constitution, of all individuals (ex: Repeal Patriot act).
~~~Specifically to protect each individual from Force and Fraud (Ex: Police used force on peaceful demonstration -or- Bank lied/misrepresented the terms of a loan your purchased).
~~~To Limit the powers of government to within the defined parameters specifically spelled out as in the US Constitution. (Ex: Article 1 section 8) As is interpreted by founding documentation and judicial precedence.
-Elimination of all programs run by the government which are not delegated as specific executable powers under Article 1 Section 8 or a previously implied power.
~~Examples:
~~~ A slow (20-40year) phase out of social security with the end result of total elimination.
~~~The Elimination of the DOE and relegate the CHOICE of public schooling to individuals and then states.
-Demand Declarations of war with clear goals when sending troops over seas for military operations. No exceptions.
-Prevent government from interfering with peaceful assembly, but protect the right of each individual to choose NOT to participate if they so decide and/or to be required to provide aid to such assembly through law, tax or any other force backed measure not of the free choice of the Individual.
-Demand that the Federal government assert its power to regulate immigration and to apply RATIONAL and REASONABLE rules regarding immigration/emigration OVER the states, specifically:
~~Anyone may enter and become a citizen in a reasonable time frame (2-5 year probationary period) excepting the following:
~~~They are a known terrorist, enemy of the state and/or have plans to commit acts of violence against the United States.
~~~A person is carrying a dangerous communicable disease with no proper/reasonable means of controlling its spread and has no intention of seeking medical treatment to deal with the contagion.
~~~They have committed a felony in another country which is a recognized felony in The United States of America.
~~Anyone may exit, without penalty, tax, fine or other punitive application of law so long as none of the following are met:
~~~The emigrant is fleeing prosecution for a crime they are reasonably suspected to have committed or been a part of.
~~~The emigrant has been judged to have broken the law and is fleeing punishment.
~~~The emigrant owes a legally determined judgement to another.
~~~The emigrant is seeking to join the ranks of a declared enemy of the United States.
This was off the top of my head, feel free to elaborate.
Lets print up our own funny money OWS Dollars: http://occupywallst.org/forum/graphic-artists-how-about-designing-an-occupy-doll
Stiglitz and Krugman know the way
OWS needs less ideas. Cogent, thoughtful ones. A precious few.
Anger is not an idea. Violence is not an idea.
I completely agree. If people promote anger and violence under the movement - then it makes OWS as a whole look bad.
ITS SIMPLE PEOPLE - STOP FEEDING THE MACHINE WITH YOUR MONEY.
Do any of us realize how much control we actually have? Stop going to the movies, stop buying coffee, iced cream, DVDs etc... Will we deny ourselves the little things that make us happy? YES WE WILL. But only for so long. Only until they realize and recognize that we can control their money because it is our money.
I have always laughed a bit at us Americans. Us 99rs. We looked wide eyed at the 1% yet we never stop to think that we feed them. We are their caretakers. It takes our money to buy what they sell be it a perishable or non-perishable.
What would Hollywood live on if we stopped going to the movie? Buying DVDs? What would Corporate greed thrive on if we stopped buying what we don't need?
OWS needs to get the 99% of us together to boycott. Those who have the discipline to do so will help us show who has the true power. Those who do not, well, they don't really care anyway so who needs them?
REMEMBER PEOPLE - MONEY MAKES THIS SICK WORLD AND COUNTRY GO ROUND - WE CAN CUT OFF THEIR FUNDS BY NOT BUYING THEIR SHIT AND WE CAN WIN IN THE LONG RUN BECAUSE OF THAT.
If it was only that simple... Boycotts hurt the workers first and far more significantly. When demand is reduced the work force gets cut, parts and supplies are reduced, affecting the entire supply chain, creating a ripple effect. Is that really what you want?
EXACTLY. You don't need to protest in the streets when you can protest in the check out line.
Hey! I totally agree. The problem is all of our ideas are spread across forums, IRC, facebook, and there's no real way to organize a consensus.
Join www.openassembly.org, it's the General Assembly of the internet
or follow www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - I named it Purple Blog Spot because I see OWS as being if anything, the making of a new party. The Purple Party. Blue + Red = Purple. Hopefully we can gather new members from both the Red and Blue sides. Everyone is unhappy - not just Democrats.
again - with finding a spokesperson : how can we get Alan Grayson to actively be the spokesperson for OWS? Lets all send him an email or call his people up on the phone! If enough people make the call it can happen!
You will be accused of selling out to democrats but if he is at occupy orlando this weekend maybe we can talk to him....Personally I feel it is a mistake. If he wants to talk let him talk.....but no official spokesperson
yeah, not official - but another voice that has a lot of people viewing him - that's a plus
Would be better to have someone that isn't a politician. Even if Grayson speaks honestly and doesn't add any of his own agenda, it still makes it look like a liberal political movement. That is a huge issue and Grayson won't help with that.
There are some REALLY good ideas for a true occupation of corporate America, it's on the front page of thecompletespectrum.blogspot.com. Those of us that can't go to a protest rally, there's some stuff in here that can help.
-Madison
thanks! will look into it
www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com -tell me what you think about OWS! Support OWS on Purple Blog Spot and on Occupywallst.org Share your ideas about where to cut spending - and where the $ should go after it's cut!
99’ers -Here are Your goals- FIX IT!
Wall Street System is Broken- Fix It! Eliminate all Billion Dollar Company Mergers- They only merge/purge employees Create 50% surtax on any W/Street annual Bonus over $100k
Wall Street Regulation System is Broken- Fix It! What W/S Bankers did to Housing was criminal/ illegal/against the law, send them to prison
Wall Street/Corporate Compensation is Broken- Fix It! Greed is NOT good, demand Executive Compensation be tied to company performance!
Banking System is Broken- Fix It! Break-up all Trillion dollar banks into smaller $500 million equal unit banks/Not too big to fail
Financial System is Broken- Fix It! Charge Credit Card company executives with Extortion for interest rates over 15%
Political System is Broken- Fix It! Abolish members of Congress/Begin nationwide Internet Voting on Legislation instead
Democrat /Republican System is Broken- Fix It! Money influences all our representatives in Washington/charge them with Bribery Vote against Democrats /Republicans who have their own special interests/ Create new iNET99 party! Take back our Country!
Health Insurance System is Broken- Fix It! Reduce Health Insurance premiums/profits and corporate pay of these companies
Tax System is Broken- Fix It! Rich and Corporations should pay higher taxes/Min. 25% of all income Eliminate income taxes on retiree Social Security income and Unemployment benefits Abolish IRS taxes/deductions/ Create Value Added tax on consumption instead
Immigration System is Broken- Fix It! If you’re illegal, you have no right to work, to Health Care, to Schools, to be here.
H1B Foreign Worker System is Broken- Fix It! H1B is a corporate gimmick to hire cheap foreign workers, abolish it!
Post Office System is Broken- Fix It! Sell Post Office to private corporation.
Medi-Care System is Broken- Fix It! Go after Medi-Care fraud instead of cutting benefits
Education System is Broken- Fix It! Pay teachers a living wage and provide computers to every student. Defer all College Loan payments until 5 years after college.
Foreign Aid System is Broken- Fix It! Stop all Foreign Aid for 5 years, use funds to take care of needy in US
Labor System is Broken- Fix It! Corporate Employees are working 50/60/70+ hours for no pay/ demand overtime over 40hrs
Public Service System is Broken- Fix It! PS workers should work for minimum wage and have same medical insurance as us
Military Industrial Complex has Broken us- Fix It! Stop all wars immediately, Military Industrial Complex is running the show/ruining US
SOLUTION: Work to Elect a SOLID majority of Progressives.
Push for public financing of all federal elections. That takes the money out of politics. Take the money out of politics and from that good things shall flow. Also push fot re-instating the Glass-Steagall Act. Repealing it is what allowed banks to become casinos and lead to consumer abuses, like credit card fees, penalties and usurious interest rates.
credit card fees and now bank fees (BofA) for using our debit/credit cards! insane amount of "fees" going on... and the $$ goes into their pockets! Not right.
If government defense money was cut - where do you think the $$ should go? Share your thoughts: http://purpleblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/10/ows-more-than-occupation-of-voices.html?showComment=1318270581670#c8525357396464288054
Go home?
www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com - tell me your ideas there tooo!
http://youtu.be/yKAxOHnuk-I It is a great video from the revolution in Spain, It has english tittles. The song is UPRISING from MUSE.
how can we get Alan Grayson to actively be the spokesperson for OWS? Lets all send him an email or call his people up on the phone! If enough people make the call it can happen! I think this is the right info:
D.C. office: (202) 225-2176 Orlando office: (407) 841-1757
The slickest move the rich ever made was to fuck over poor people and convince the poor, to blame other poor people. 30 years of Tax Breaks made them Billionaires. Did it "Trickle Down"?. Have the salaries and benefits of the labor force been improved proportionately to the increase in wealth of the super rich, who wouldn't have that wealth if it wasn't for the blood and sweat of their workers and the environment of the free market? #OURBAILOUT
"trickle down" - what a joke!! And they still talk about it like it's a process that works! so lame!
did anyone watch Bill Maher on sunday and see Alan Grayson say he would bee the spokesperson for OWL??
just changed the settings - comments can be made with out logging in. and no - i'm not a Nazi! ty very much
www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
Stop putting extremists on the cover of your website, get rid of your "Call to action" and specific demands statements.
99% will support an "End political corruption" statement.
Create legislation to relieve all home owners of their mortgage payments. Banks are sitting on trillions of dollars. #OURBAILOUT
comments are starting to come in! share your ideas! www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
Speaking of purple: http://www.thepurplefinancialplan.org/
Create legislation to relieve all students from their student loan debt. Wall street got a bail out, Where is our bailout. #OURBAILOUT
Organize #occupytranslation Translators needed!
I don't think your "natural state of being" will translate into action. From what I've seen, the occupiers are sufficiently busy trying to feed themselves. Any real answers or guidance will come from the grandstands - from those who can see and feel the whole picture.
www.acmemindguard.com
http://occupywallst.org/forum/occupytranslation/
OWS- Occupy Grand Rapids (MI) was held on Sunday. It was a small gathering of a few hundred people - I hope to see it get much bigger! :)
I'm up in TC. Do you guys have a mailing list or website?
here is a link with some info on it :)
http://grcentral.wzzm13.com/news/news/62492-occupy-wall-street-movement-grows-grand-rapids
I am hoping OWS will foster specific political action. In fact, OWS could join forces with the Tea Party movement to implement political change. Operation Primary Impact: if voters want change, they have to implement that change at the Primary level. Once voters gets to the general election, they are going to choose the lesser-of-two-evils. If a voter is conservative, the lesser evil is the conservative candidate. Just the opposite for liberals. That is how we re-elect 92+% of Congress when the have about an 85% disapproval rate. Ignore the Presidential race - that is just a political dunking booth - and focus on the Congressional primaries. Congress makes the awful laws that OWS opposes. Take action against the perpetrators.
Start translation groups!
With unions, workers, teachers, nurses, students and others in the 10,000s marching on oct 5 in NY the international media takes notice of Occupy wall street.
Help them spread the messages.
One way to do this is to organize multilingual volunteer teams organized like working groups to translate and distribute signs that are already made into a multitude of languages. The groups would travel amongst marchers and protestors and would translate everything they see as well as help people who wanted a specific phrase in a specific language, or any other help that might be needed. The voices of Occupy wall street can be heard around the world.
But thats just one idea.
Expand and Produce!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" is a nice slogan for those people that, for some reason, need slogans, but it's too closely tied to the Obama admin (it comes straight-out of his 2008 campaign) and is therefore inappropriately partisan for a non-partisan movement.
I question the depth and sincerity of any movement that can be encapsulated in a slogan.
PS: Lay off the CAPS, eh? Too many caps in a sentence looks cranky;)
Here's an idea. Lower corporate income tax rates to 10%.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/why-end-the-federal-reserve-and-what-do-you-replac/
I am going to repeat this response as many times as I need to:
OWS is all about Being The Change You Wish To See In The World.
As soon as you start to use old paradigm words and concepts such as "leader", spokesman", "left", "right" "demands" and so on and so on, you betray the very Ethos of OWS.
Rge old paradigm has totally failed, and trying to incorporate all or part of the old paradigm will not bring the changes we wish for.
The people on the ground at OWS are Living That Change, and doing so beautifully and perfectly in the spirit of the movement on the ground.
Please stop being an airmchair actyivist and demanding that OWS should conform to your ideals in accordance with your own needs.
Please Can We Simply Be The Change We Wish To See In The World, which requires no thought or effort - It Is Our Natural State of Being.
What OWS might accomplish has to fit in the present state of affairs. Being concerned with the seating chart on the Titanic will produce few results.
The current "state of affairs" has hopelessly broken from the top down.
It must all come down - all of it.
Then from the ashes we can then, like the Phoenix, start over with a world for All.
A task beyond anyones comprehension. Its like burning down the house to get the nails.
You can reform the system by cutting the flow of blood to the cancerous tumor. Take all the money out of the election cycle and send the people's representatives to serve us in Washington. A Constitutional amendment funding elections with taxpayer dollars will return the concept of one person, one vote.
OWS's "ethos" is one in which implies weakness. Every great movement has leadership. In fact, the problem with our country right now is its lack of leadership! I think it's naive to believe this ethos will promote any change. If anything, it will allow those with their own motives to co-opt your movement. Get a grip, OWS.
You can repeat yourself as many times as you want, but people follow leaders, not movements. The last great movement in this country was the civil rights movement. Without Martin Luther King, it would have gone NOWHERE.
Leaders don't create movements. Movements create leaders. I have agonized over the seeminly helter-skelter approach to what is occurring. I have resigned myself to believing the lack of focus will allow more to buy in on the front end of this movement. Hopefully a course of action, like a Constitutional amendment ridding the election process of corporate monies will result.
One more thing....This movement needs a Rosa Parks moment. If OWS wants to effect change, they also need to be willing to make sacrifices. More than just sitting out in front of the big Bull. If the consumer is King, which it is, OWS needs to organize pointed "messages" on the financial system. If that means organizing mass divestitures in corporations, via selling off of stocks, boycotts of corporations who drive jobs over seas and who donate vast sums in politics, these ideas are ones that are productive and coincide with the basic message. The 99% People (and their money) matter more than the rich believe. After all, where the hell do you think they're gaining their earnings from?
I'd start with encouraging Bank of America customers to move their business to smaller local banks!
OWS is the ultimate in strength, because it is concensual.
"Leaders" come from the Ego, which is the same path we have been on until now.
We have to Be The Change - not demand the change.
Changing humankind is a mighty big task. How about a smaller bite of the elephant like campaign finance reform.
Humanity is evolving and changing itself.
No action is required.
Evolution/change does not mean to a better place. Evolution only means change.
and if you read the interview by Howard Zinn - there is a bigger meaning than just noticing the words "leader" and "left" ...
I'm not trying to demand that OWS should conform to my ideals?! where did I say that? I'm just suggesting ideas that could help bring in more $ for the country. I would be on the ground in NY but I live too far away. I will be on the ground here in my home-state at the next OWS event.
I have no problem being the change, but I don't think suggesting ideas will harm anything. I'm confused by your reply.
Because ideas originate relative to the old paradigm.
As OWS are doing so admirably - we have to Be The Change - not rationalise it.
Dissent = occupy wallstreet An older interview - but it has an amazing point!!
An Interview With Historian Howard Zinn Sharon Basco is executive producer of TomPaine.com. Howard Zinn is an historian and author of A People's History of the United States. Sharon Basco interviewed him for TomPaine.com.
TomPaine.com: Dissent these days seems to be a dirty word. The Bush administration has, at least since September 11th, usually termed any criticism of its policies "unpatriotic." Howard Zinn: While some people think that dissent is unpatriotic, I would argue that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. In fact, if patriotism means being true to the principles for which your country is supposed to stand, then certainly the right to dissent is one of those principles. And if we're exercising that right to dissent, it's a patriotic act. One of the great mistakes made in discussing patriotism -- a very common mistake -- is to think that patriotism means support for your government. And that view of patriotism ignores the founding principles of the country expressed in the Declaration of Independence. That is: the Declaration of Independence makes it clear that governments are artificial creations set up to achieve certain ends -- equality, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness -- and when governments become destructive of those ends it is the right of the people in the words of the Declaration, to alter or abolish the government. In other words, obedience to government certainly is not a form of patriotism. Governments are the instruments to achieve certain ends. And if the government goes against those ends, if the government is not defending our liberties, but is diminishing our liberties, if the government is sending young people into war or making war which is unjustified, well then the government is not following the principles of caring about life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. When the government is taking huge sums of money from education and health, and using that money for military purposes, that's a violation of the principles of the Declaration of Independence. And a government like that cannot be obeyed. To obey a government like that is not being patriotic. At that point, when a government behaves like that, it is the most patriotic thing to disobey the government.
Thanks - L www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
I have listed a few ideas on my blog but I'll copy/past them here to get conversations started! For too long our public education system has been used as a free babysitting program for families across the US. Why are children as young as six going to school 7 hours a day? Not to learn and become the elite minds of America, but rather - to allow their parents to work 7 hours a day. If the public school system was a year long program, 5 hours a day, children would benefit more and school systems could cut down on major costs. That's just one idea.
some other options:
A non-tax deductible donation to the government debt. I know this seems asinine but, lets look at it from a different point of view. If your family member was in serious debt, and asked you for help, would you expect the money back at the end of the year? Maybe some of you would, I know I wouldn't. If we want to make a difference maybe we should donate our extra (assuming we have any) to the national debt. Support our country and our children's future.
Legalize marijuana and TAX it. !! Bringing in MORE money will help our national debt.
Legalize gay marriage in all states. This shouldn't be a federal issue at all and I could devote two more posts to the issue alone - but I will refrain for the moment. If all states made gay marriage legal the fees for the applications would come pouring in. And lets not forget the costs of a wedding! It will help the local economy very much.
Stop spending so much money on defense! We should cut defense by at least 2-5% and put that money directly into the education system. 2-5% would make a HUGE difference for education.
What other ideas do you have? www.purpleblogspot.blogspot.com
Share your ideas on how to change our government budget!
http://occupywallst.org/forum/where-are-we-and-how-do-we-move-forward/
HERE'S ONE: THERE ARE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN OWS AND THE TEA PARTY. The fasiscts would know there time was up if OWS and the Tea party got together.
What similarities? The Tea Party is for corporate greed and OWS is against it. OWS is not anti-regulations or anti-tax the wealthy or against spending for social programs. That's Koch Industries and Fox News presents the Tea Party (registered trademark)
well that is kind of a subjective opinion but I'm a libertarian and I'll allow you to have it. No, we got labeled by the media as the "radical right". They are in the process of labeling OWS as the new "radical left". It's divide and conquor all over again. Let's find our similarities and work together. Once the fascism is gone then we can argue social issues and what not.
looks like this is starting to fizzle out huh?
yup :) that's ok though. unless someone wants to offer some new ideas, it looks to be done.
Anything happening in NJ to support OWS?
99’ers -Here are Your goals- FIX IT!
Wall Street System is Broken- Fix It! Eliminate all Billion Dollar Company Mergers- They only merge/purge employees Create 50% surtax on any W/Street annual Bonus over $100k
Wall Street Regulation System is Broken- Fix It! What W/S Bankers did to Housing was criminal/ illegal/against the law, send them to prison
Wall Street/Corporate Compensation is Broken- Fix It! Greed is NOT good, demand Executive Compensation be tied to company performance!
Banking System is Broken- Fix It! Break-up all Trillion dollar banks into smaller $500 million equal unit banks/Not too big to fail
Financial System is Broken- Fix It! Charge Credit Card company executives with Extortion for interest rates over 15%
Political System is Broken- Fix It! Abolish members of Congress/Begin nationwide Internet Voting on Legislation instead
Democrat /Republican System is Broken- Fix It! Money influences all our representatives in Washington/charge them with Bribery Vote against Democrats /Republicans who have their own special interests/ Create new iNET99 party! Take back our Country!
Health Insurance System is Broken- Fix It! Reduce Health Insurance premiums/profits and corporate pay of these companies
Tax System is Broken- Fix It! Rich and Corporations should pay higher taxes/Min. 25% of all income Eliminate income taxes on retiree Social Security income and Unemployment benefits Abolish IRS taxes/deductions/ Create Value Added tax on consumption instead
Immigration System is Broken- Fix It! If you’re illegal, you have no right to work, to Health Care, to Schools, to be here.
H1B Foreign Worker System is Broken- Fix It! H1B is a corporate gimmick to hire cheap foreign workers, abolish it!
Post Office System is Broken- Fix It! Sell Post Office to private corporation.
Medi-Care System is Broken- Fix It! Go after Medi-Care fraud instead of cutting benefits
Education System is Broken- Fix It! Pay teachers a living wage and provide computers to every student. Defer all College Loan payments until 5 years after college.
Foreign Aid System is Broken- Fix It! Stop all Foreign Aid for 5 years, use funds to take care of needy in US
Labor System is Broken- Fix It! Corporate Employees are working 50/60/70+ hours for no pay/ demand overtime over 40hrs
Public Service System is Broken- Fix It! PS workers should work for minimum wage and have same medical insurance as us
Military Industrial Complex has Broken us- Fix It! Stop all wars immediately, Military Industrial Complex is running the show/ruining US
A simple but very effective vehicle to get the 99% of us people noticed - Cut our consumer spending - voluntarily shop less. I propose we begin with 1 day/week of NO spending on anything except for survival (food, water).
This will send shock waves across a capitalist society - and will surely hurt pockets and get Wall st (and it's proxy, our government) attention. Only once we have their attention can we negotiate.
The best defense is offense.
if there's 99% of us buying 0% of the the stuff, prices drop, we win, I like it.
Economic action is a great idea but consumer abstinence isn't really sustainable for most folks. How about a published list of rotating (daily, weekly?) boycott targets?
Okay, here's a start. These are the first 100 on the Fortune 500. The entries that start with an 'x' are those for which I think consumer level action is impractical. That still leaves more than enough for one-a-week. Wal-Mart Stores Exxon Mobil Chevron ConocoPhillips Fannie Mae General Electric x Berkshire Hathaway General Motors Bank of America Corp. Ford Motor Hewlett-Packard AT&T J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Citigroup x McKesson Verizon Communications x American International Group International Business Machines x Cardinal Health x Freddie Mac CVS Caremark x UnitedHealth Group Wells Fargo x Valero Energy Kroger Procter & Gamble x AmerisourceBergen Costco Wholesale Marathon Oil Home Depot Pfizer Walgreen Target x Medco Health Solutions Apple x Boeing x State Farm Insurance Cos. Microsoft x Archer Daniels Midland Johnson & Johnson Dell x WellPoint PepsiCo x United Technologies x Dow Chemical x MetLife Best Buy United Parcel Service Kraft Foods Lowe's x INTL FCStone x Lockheed Martin x Merck x Goldman Sachs Group x Express Scripts Intel Sears Holdings Caterpillar Chrysler Group Safeway Supervalu x Cisco Systems x Morgan Stanley x Prudential Financial Walt Disney Comcast Sysco Sunoco x Abbott Laboratories Coca-Cola x New York Life Insurance x Northrop Grumman FedEx Hess x Ingram Micro x Johnson Controls x Aetna Amazon.com x Humana x Enterprise Products Partners x Honeywell International x Liberty Mutual Insurance Group News Corp. x DuPont Sprint Nextel x General Dynamics x TIAA-CREF Delta Air Lines x Allstate x HCA Holdings American Express Google Tyson Foods Philip Morris International Time Warner x Oracle 3M x Deere x Plains All American Pipeline Rite Aid ohhhhkay - no formatting - sorry.
I like the rotating idea. Gas mondays, clothing tuesdays. lol idk
i'm in