Forum Post: Time to get serious on demands!!! (Part 1)

Dear 99%,

I am hoping to gain some agreement and unity with a small, simple set of “demands”. Please read, and if you support them, please adopt them and spread the word. There are many many different ideas out there, some good, some unwise. I’m hoping these will catch on.

1. We must promote “Made in America” goods and services Part of the issue is lack of jobs…We must promote awareness of companies who outsource call centers, manufacturing, and other jobs overseas for no other reason than their own bottom line. We must punish these companies by withholding dollars from them. They need to be taught that the couple of dollars they will save will absolutely pale in comparison to the money they will lose in lost business. Make it worth their while to keep jobs in America, or have the masses refuse to spend their money with them.
   *strategy Set up an information repository for “made in the USA” companies and promote awareness of companies who outsource. Avoid patronizing businesses who put profits over American jobs.

2. Backlash against big banks. Foreclosures, unreasonable fees, and outright greed…the movement must promote awareness of what these institutions are specifically doing, and how those actions are hurting our middle class. NO bank should charge a fee to see a teller, to use your own debit card, or charge $3, $4, or $5 to simply use an ATM machine. *strategy Promote the idea of continuing to move away from big banks to credit unions, or smaller banks. Also, people must be reminded that they must be willing to sacrifice convenience to accomplish this goal. Some have accepted the big banks unfair ways just for convenience’s sake. There’s a REASON that there is a BofA on every other corner. Some are just “too busy” to avoid being basically robbed at an ATM machine for the sake of saving 5 minutes…or taking a walk down the block. Also promote awareness that the big banks, too, are planning to execute tens of thousands of layoffs. Remind people that as the big bully banks lay people off, some jobs will simply transfer to other smaller banks. There IS NO too big to fail this time!

3. We MUST not quit voting While the general consensus of the movement directs anger at both political parties, the democratic process should not be ignored. If we are to argue about our free speech rights, and the Constitution, then we should stress the importance of keeping with democratic tradition by voting. Politicians, especially extreme conservatives who constantly thwart attempts by responsible lawmakers to help the middle class, need to be identified, and their views need to be repeated to those who either may not vote, or who do not have the means to keep track of their voting histories and their comments regarding our efforts. They have slandered the good intentions of people who simply want a fair shake. There must be political consequences. The Tea Party shows up to vote. OWS must do the same! We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.

4. strategy Organize drives to get people to register to vote. (to be continued)