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Forum Post: What needs to be done?

Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 10, 2011, 11:29 a.m. EST by blaisealan (11)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

If the answers were easy, we would not be having this debate. Many of the discussions I've seen here reflect excellent outside-the-box thinking, but how's this? We need to toss the box!

Not that I don't expect to be dismissed completely, but I do have a suggestion. Several, in fact. It reminds me of watching the Arab Spring uprisings; a great idea, but what are their goals? What do they want and who speaks for them? They should be running things, but who to deal with, since there's no-one in charge. Simply negotiating with them would be like eating warm Jell-o with a fork - nothing to grab onto.

OWS and the spin-offs it has inspired are now in a position to have input, to make their voices heard. But what message can be heard above the din? Change. We need real, worthwhile, effective change. But what exactly? We'd like to stop being screwed, but how? We know there's money enough to fix it all, but how to attempt it without wasting more? And we're running out of time, people.

The following is a list of demands that I feel we should work from. Okay, you don't know me and I'm nobody, but they're things we all want. There's no way to know what Big Fix we need, but there must be ideas that we can agree on. And a working list that we can build from - adding new ideas and dropping or evolving others.

First, yes, I'm nuts. Some of these notions will appear bizarre and I doubt anyone will support them. But at the very least... This is how one thinks without the box and you should, too. Anything is possible. And considering that ours is now a global economy, the world's finances are intertwined and we need a one-world solution. This country showed the light of Democracy to the entire planet - and taught it Free Enterprise - now we need a new model for both.

If I may...

  1. Unemployment benefits and other ‘safety net’ measures are to be extended to all deserving Americans, while making efforts to limit losses and ensure that those receiving aid are qualified.

  2. Property taxes are to be paid for all unoccupied properties; banks are to establish rental agencies to get working families into foreclosed properties or take steps to end urban blight.

  3. All Americans shall be required to pay taxes at a rate that will lift the financial burden from the working class; no offshore accounts, no tax breaks for the highest earners, and no subsidies.

  4. Measures taken to provide health care to all Americans while controlling medical costs; government takover of hospitals is prefferable to a system that favors the insurance industry.

  5. The Senate and House of Representatives should be dissolved and replaced with a computer-based system that will allow Americans to vote on issues, representing themselves.

  6. Firms with government contracts be made responsible for maintainance and improvement of the American transportation and electrical infrastructure that made their success possible.

7 Comments

7 Comments


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[-] 1 points by JeffBlock2012 (272) 13 years ago

outside-the-box:

What if voters got to VOTE on a revolution? http://www.JeffBlock2012.com

[-] 1 points by blaisealan (11) 13 years ago

Interesting and not unfounded but I wonder if you see the real issue. Destroing the Federal Reserve is not the answer nor is the outlawing of money, I'm afraid. No, we need to take back the Fed, make it work like it was supposed to. Ask yourself this: Why aren't the rich allowing their fortues to languish in federal banks? Those rich enough to allow their "money to work for them" need to put that cash someplace. Why aren't they using the Fed? All of that ready cash would make the fund more than fluid - and might get things rolling again. When that happens, we need the Fed and won't want to re-create it. A better idea is to find out how to restore confidence in the US government again. That means taking command of it - and the Fed.

[-] 1 points by blaisealan (11) 13 years ago

Revised to correct significant oversight:

  1. Stop the war in Afghanistan and end American involvement in Iraq, providing resources, (including job skills training and health needs,) to return veterans into productive society.

  2. Unemployment benefits and other ‘safety net’ measures are to be extended to all deserving Americans, while making efforts to limit losses and ensure that those receiving aid are qualified.

  3. Property taxes are to be paid for all unoccupied properties; banks are to establish rental agencies to get working families into foreclosed properties or take steps to end urban blight.

  4. All Americans shall be required to pay taxes at a rate that will lift the financial burden from the working class; no offshore accounts, no tax breaks for the highest earners, and no subsidies.

  5. Measures taken to provide health care to all Americans while controlling medical costs; government takover of hospitals is prefferable to a system that favors the insurance industry.

  6. The Senate and House of Representatives should be dissolved and replaced with a computer-based system that will allow Americans to vote on issues, representing themselves.

  7. Firms with government contracts be made responsible for maintainance and improvement of the American transportation and electrical infrastructure that made their success possible.

[-] 1 points by blaisealan (11) 13 years ago

Hang war profiteers!

Better yet. Let's empty their pockets.

[-] 1 points by blaisealan (11) 13 years ago

Good point. Y'know there are laws that these folks have violated. There is legal pretext.

First we need an honest man. In government. Tough break.

[-] 1 points by bangbang (61) 13 years ago

Lock up all the evil people and groups The World Bankers, CIA, FBI, NSA, The Terrorist Right Wing Christian leaders, Anonymous, Psychiatrist and anybody who is making money off of the suffering and destruction of others all day everyday.