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Forum Post: Protest Critics Miss The Point

Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 18, 2011, 7:04 a.m. EST by Magnum (0)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

It's the people who criticize the protests that miss the point. PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED. They feel they and their tax dollars have been taken advantage of by a small group that reaped huge windfalls at their expense. I don't believe most people want handouts, they just want a fair chance to succeed if they work hard. The financial system is stacked against them, and that's what has to change.

8 Comments

8 Comments


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[-] 1 points by FemmeDeLaNuit (1) 13 years ago

If the point is that you're frustrated, then just go home. That's a waste of time, space and effort.

If your point is that you have realistic solutions to end your frustration, then by all means shout your solutions to the masses and be heard. Chanting "we are the 99%" and pointing out the numerous flaws of capitalism and the fact that corporate greed exists will get you nowhere. People know there are problems, what they need is solutions.

Decide what you want to achieve, map out a realistic plan of action to get it. Does it involve, for example:

  • legislative reform
  • Public listed companies being held more accountable for profits, private limited companies too and if so in what way and by what means?
  • More restrictions on the actions of special purpose vehicles to discourage lenders taking on bad debts to sell them on for profit and if so what restrictions should there be and how will they be enforced?
  • Government regulation of all financial institutions bailed out by tax dollars after the GFC until the amounts paid to bail them out are repaid and used for the benefit of the taxpayers. Perhaps they should be unable to pay dividends on shares until their debt to the taxpayer is repaid. Since you seem to have a problem with company directors receiving big bonuses, perhaps aim to regulate that as well. Bonuses should be paid for rewarding good work, if the company needed bailing out then the directors failed and since they have caused the company to take on a debt to the taxpayer, they should not receive bonuses until that debt is repaid.

Whatever you want, decide on it and come up with a viable plan of action. Then take your plan to the public and to the government.

You shout for change but offer no realistic mode for change. Or if you do, it's so lost in the shouting and ideology that people who aren't involved in the movement just can't find it. I support your plight, but not the way you are pursuing it.

[-] 1 points by luckylucky (15) 13 years ago

People are frustrated. But frustration alone doesn't get you what you want. Nor does blaming bad guys . . . just tends to make you righteous and angry. If you've ever tried that with your partner you'll know how it works. :-)

We're learning here. We can do it!

[-] 1 points by bonnieootz (3) from Anderson, SC 13 years ago

Yes, they certainly miss the point. So at this time, they should just give it back....whatever they have received from our lax tax system and getting huge bonuses for just doing their job....just give it back! No, they really don't miss the point...they just don't want change.

[-] 1 points by dad22679 (2) 13 years ago

I see how news comentators peg this movement and it sickens me... I support you guys one hundred percent. It seems like like the rich and greedy will never get it...I have said "WE WON"T EAT CAKE" for a long time and I am glad tha you guys feel that way too. Maybe you could adopt a slogan to make this a more peaceful expresion such as " I have a dream.....We won't eat Cake" That way they understand it's a peaceful political revolution. Peace out !!!!

[-] 1 points by dad22679 (2) 13 years ago

I see how news comentators peg this movement and it sickens me... I support you guys one hundred percent. It seems like like the rich and greedy will never get it...I have said "WE WON"T EAT CAKE" for a long time and I am glad tha you guys feel that way too. Maybe you could adopt a slogan to make this a more peaceful expresion such as " I have a dream.....We won't eat Cake" That way they understand it's a peaceful political revolution. Peace out !!!!

[-] 1 points by Overton (15) 13 years ago

It depends what you mean by critics. There are those who criticize the overall attitude of the protests and denies it any validity. But there are those who criticize specifically based on clear values hoping for a mutually constructive end. The Occupy Wall Street protesters have valid reasons to feel discontent and to communicate those criticisms upon the economic mechanisms which benefit the wealthy minority. That does not mean the protesters are beyond criticism which could make it more effective.

[-] 1 points by SanityScribe (452) 13 years ago

You got it.