Forum Post: The problem with OWS
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 17, 2011, 8:34 p.m. EST by mandodod
(144)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
First of all I think protesting is good. It is the American way. The problem with you folks is that when we watch you on TV there is no leader. No real list of demands. On news clips it just shows every night a bunch of folks yelling and holding signs. And pissed off people. In other words, you look like a bunch of folks just standing around. You have no spokesperson on TV. No TV ads. You are different from the Tea Party. They have been doing it a different way. They have already had folks elected to office. We know what the Tea Party wants. They want lower taxes, power to the States and stick to the Constitution. Pretty simple. Your message is not as clear. You need to make it clear for us. Thank you.
For decades now the corporations and special interests have had our "representatives" bought and paid for (both on the right and the left). Don't get distracted by the symptoms - we need to address the root cause. Concentrating our efforts on getting the money out of our politics is the best way we can create an environment in which further reforms can be realized. Until we end the current system of legalized bribery (campaign donations) and paid lobbying our politicians will continue to be the LAP DOGS of the corporations and special interests. What we need first and foremost is real, loop-hole free CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!!!! If the corruption is not dealt with first, the chance of any other meaningful reforms becoming a reality is almost zero - the special interests will just use their money to buy votes and put forward bills that create loop-holes or otherwise twist the law in their favor. If we want our children to live in a country where there vote matters, we need to get the money out of our politics, otherwise they will increasingly become the 21st century version of the "landless peasant." Spread the word - End the LEGALIZED BRIBERY!!! CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM needs to be THE main goal of the protests!!!
I agree 100%. This is the most rational and nonpartisan approach OWS can take. As I have talked to friends, family, coworkers, occupiers, and others from the left and right, there seems to be a broad consensus on 2 issues: 1. Ending "personhood" status for corporations. 2. Getting money out of politics, or Campaign finance reform as you put it.
We need true representative government where the power of your voice trumps the power of money. Money is not speech!
Amen - spread the word. Even those who mock the protests agree we need to get the money out. The only ones who don't agree are those who are benefiting from the current system. Let's get the money out!
You might be interested in reading The New Common Sense. It is one of the best pieces of literature I've read written on the abuses of government and the special interest: http://pastebin.com/gm2UV08D
What Occupation are you from?
The insults hurled from one side to the other are part of the problem. In other words, "can't we all just get along?" The tactic of divide and conquer has kept the rich and powerful rich and powerful for centuries. The only time it doesn't is when the common people stand up to them and are united. The common people of both movements want a lot of the same things, but they are divided on trivial, made up issues like communism or fascism. They are just scary words intended to incite discord amongst the common people. The only way to "get our America back" is to stand united. Funny, well ironic, that we are the "United" States of America. If you are reading this and think I'm just spouting some hippie left or right wing propaganda (I really don't care which wing is which) then read some books. Try "Malcolm X." You were taught about divide and conquer in your high school history classes. It's what Hitler, Stalin, Henry VIII, Mussolini, Julius Caesar and any one else you want to add to that list has done. And it is what they are doing today. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC are all corporate outlets. They want you to hate each other. So stay divided if you like. Bicker over things that don't exist. As my grandmother used to say: "I love you all anyhow."
No the ability to spot trends and make people do what they want have kept the powerful powerful. Do you dislike Ford because of how rich he became on an idea he had. On the system we have now he went bankrupt 2 or 3 before finally hitting it big. If he had not done that nothing we know now would be the same.
I never said I disliked anyone. I don't blame people for being successful. I'm not sure you read my post.
For the record all of those people can hardly be called successful
You mentioned Ford.
The Tea Party also got support from the Koch Brothers who are the prime example of big money influencing our government and controlling representatives who should be representing ALL of their constituents - not just the right wing extremists.
Read up instead of watching the news, you are watching fluffy news. But if you must - watch Current you'll actually see dialogue and understand this movement. Thanks!
The Tea Party has TV spots because they have corporate funding for their puppet-masters. Duh.
Our message IS clear, only corporate media have obfuscated it. That is not our fault, that is the clear result of corporate owned media. Our message is clear: WE WANT CORPORATE MONEY OUT OF OUR DEMOCRACY.
Most Tea Party people haven't even read the Constitution. Their calls for a return to the Constitution are laughable. They are just an extreme wing of the corporate fascists who have duped millions into somehow believing they are acting in the interests of the American people, when all they really want is to funnel more power and resources to the corporate fascist overlords.
Wow small world, im from ONH too. We've spoke about this on the forums, remember? This is Keith. I agree with you 100%. We should collaborate on this some more to get the message out. I honestly think this would send the clearest message to the 1% that we are not going to let you own OUR government for your own gain anymore.
If you mean the forums I built at free-haven.org, they've become pretty inactive. In fact nobody has posted on them in a couple of weeks, now. Everybody prefers to play on the corporate, fascist owned spamlot, facebook.
I've stopped using facebook for the movement. Its pretty pointless. Im going to start using those forums again. Ive been on this forum mostly and the NYCGA forum too, which I like because it has less trolls.
Yeah, I log into facebook for about 10/day just to see if I have any messages from my distant family that are too thick to use, say, e-mail, but otherwise, I stay away from it, now. I wrote all about why at http://www.farcebork.com
Throughout history, Corporate money has been p[art of us!
The leaders are Above. You will see them when they Show them selvs. They Do see us when we are shiny.
Actually there are TV ads, here is a link to one of them:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-tv-commercial-to-air-soon/
crickets
"We know what the Tea Party wants."
To do away with Social Security?
http://occupywallst.org/forum/tea-party-leaders-say-they-would-absolutely-abolis/
That is a big debate. Regardless of what side you are on though, you should prepare to retire with no social security at all. Whether it is purposely repealed or it just goes belly up, all those under about 40 or so should assume it won't be there when they retire and plan accordingly.. If it is, you can consider it a bonus. I don't say this as a Democrat or a Republican but as someone who can use a calculator.
Because OWS's purpose is merely to create anger and chaos. They are waiting for the next set of instructions from their communist organizers. What you see on the street are the useful idiots. The puppets.
The more I research this group the more I think Joseph Stalin runs it.
actually it was started by anonymous. Adbusters picked up on it and the anarchy group n17 organized it.
Think about all the idiots across the country who unknowingly jumped on board. LOL
Okay wow. I'm sorry, the greek marxist group N17 has nothing to do with it. That came from Glenn Beck's bad interpretation of people saying the date of the protests today in abbreviated form (November 17th, N17) and a poster that referenced Tianneman Square which he said was also Marxist. Which is kind of the opposite of what that was about, considering you're supposed to sympathize with the guy in front of the tank. Front page of the blaze. And no. No it was not started by Anonymous. Get facts, not conspiracy theories.
Bullshit. The cat is out of the bag. Either you really believe this and just got sucked in, or you are trying to cover for them. Just keep doing us all a favor by destroying radical liberalism in America.
No. I'm just telling you the truth. Adbusters put out a call for a protest, then Anonymous got involved. They have supported but not organized. and past the original call for action, Adbusters hasn't been involved. Really. The information is out there. And really, N17 hasn't even existed since the 70s.
It's over man. Everyone knows. There is no amount of PR you can do.
Everyone knows that a Greek group has resurrected in the United States multiple decades after it's relevance and guided by a Canadian magazine and a small group of hackers? Are they on acid?
Everyone knows the motives are well hidden. OWS does not have the backing or trust of the American majority.
I hear idiots on here try and tell people it's a bipartisan movement when unions are fueling it. Please just stop. It doesn't matter what radical group started it. Everyone knows it's radical bullshit.
I know you think you are shocking and awing the world. In reality, you are just pissing off the people you claim to protect. How stupid do you think people are? The communist imagery in the posters and ads are reason enough. It's going to blow up on you. History has proved this time and time again.
I am an American business owner and working single father. You do not speak for me, sir. OWS does.
Is this comment some kind of declaration that OWS has majority support? Even if you weren't lying, the polls and public reactions say otherwise.
I am not lying. I've raised my daughter on my own since she was 6 months old. She is now 12. Thus, I am a single father. Furthermore, I am self-employed, running a translation and localization agency from my home office. Also, I think you're a dick, and I agree with OWS. There are no lies in my statement anywhere.
Most polls seem to indicate c. 30% support for OWS, but, it is my belief that a lot more people would be voicing support if they actually new what was going on, which, of course, is difficult with the media continually obfuscating the simple, cohesive message of OWS: Get corporate money out of our government.
Then you will love this story, Dad.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/ows-protesters-chant-follow-those-kids-as-small-children-try-to-go-to-school-on-wall-street/
What a load of sensationalist bullshite. My daughter would have been cheering the protesters on.
My daughter is awesome, fearless, creative, compassionate. She was reading at a high school level in the 3rd grade. I take her rollerskating every Friday (and skate with her, not just watch). I'm a great dad. She stands up for the rights of others, for gays and minorities in her schools, and animals. She has all kinds of moral backbone. I am very proud of her. She questions authority, and cares about people more than possessions. In fact, it is precisely because I have taught her to have morals that she would be cheering the protesters on. It is trolls, such as yourself, here to back the interests of the corporate fascists who place profit over people, who lack morals.
Again you are probably lying. Otherwise, what a shitty dad you are. I'm glad my father raised me with a moral backbone.
Chasing down kids. These people need to be beat.
I suppose we'll see.
Oh you are going to find out. In more ways than one.