Forum Post: Why blame Wall Street when Obama is taking just as much from us?
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 7, 2011, 8:27 p.m. EST by nobama2012
(66)
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Why not hold Obama accountable for his mistakes... if he did his job remotely well, this would not even be an issue. He is learning on the job (having not run any political or private entity), and not fast enough. He has no new ideas, and is channeling your anger to redistribute wealth from those who worked hard to earn it. Is this the America we want? Punish the successful when the economy he can't jumpstart stalls? If you take entrepreneurial risk and succeed honorably, will you want to be a villan?
Part of the news media is telling you this a pro-Obama movement.
It isn't.
The Tea Party does a great job of opposing Obama, I'm glad this movement is here to tackle some of the other issues we face.
The news media is reporting something truthful- Obama is trying to hijack this movement to fit his own interests. Get everyone mad at Wall St., then tell Americans the Republicans are pro-Wall St., then get re-elected.
It is a shame he is wasting a lot of the effort of these people. The message is good, but it will be hijacked by the White House soon enough. Obama will even make a rally one day soon- trust me.
I agree that moveon and other pro-Obama groups have been and will continue to try to hijack.
We'll see what happens. I tend to think that effort will be resisted strongly, but hey, I could be wrong. I am just one interested person here,I don't know everything.
I hope it is resisted, and I hope I am wrong. I am no fortune teller :), but once the political machine starts picking sides I fear the "tiny voices" here (to the media) will be overshadowed by theirs.
This OWS(occupy wall street) movement has been called a few things: -socialist movement
-Tool of the left/anti-teaparty
-Something started to take attention away from obama's poor performance.
I do hope one day that we eliminate these misconceptions with some very solid voices.
Boots
it will continue to be misclassified until a united voice clarifies it is not about a political party, socialism, etc. but economic purity and political fairness. the media will distort your voices until this happens (and maybe after...)
Maybe a mouthpiece for OWS needs to be hired/appointed who can full time send the constant message as outlined in the "About" tab of this website. It would take a couple thousand a month, or someone dedicated who is independently wealthy but it would help the situation.
Boots
The problem is that the 1% mostly did not honorably earn it. We don't hate all people with money. We hate the corrupt ones who have BILLIONS (can you even imagine that much money) because they stole, cheated the system, or just plain did not earn it.
What is worse, those people use their money to corrupt our democracy and control our politicians.
You know why Obama hasn't fixed the economy? Because he is in the pockets of the 1%
How do you differentiate between the crooks and those who did so the right way?
Many of the crooks have been exposed. Also all you have to do is look at their public spending records and see.
Also, there are people that pull off an "infinite combo" and just find a loop hole in the system and just keep putting in VERY little effort and getting millions out of it.
Then there are people who act or play Sports. They get paid millions because of who they are. Are you going to tell me that they earn this more than hard working families of 4 with a Master's degree? (note saying actors own our government lol)
See what I mean.
I agree this inequality is frustrating and needs reform, but this movement, to have lasting impact, needs to pick a small subset of things to bring attention to. Otherwise it will be remembered as a nice idea but people will be unsure what we should be researching and questioning.
You are right. There is another new forum designed to hammer out those ideals.
Thanks, I will have to participate there. This is a time sensitive issue as every 15-minutes of fame fades...
occupation.freeforums.org
Observe why this is not an issue of Dem v Rep http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/
Follow the money
Lobbying is only one part... the system is broken but it cannot be thrown out en masse. It needs to have piecemeal fixes, starting with those politicians who aren't improving the situation (e.g., Obama).
Politicians are not the problem. The government is not the problem. Successful people are not the problem. Wealthy corporations are not the problem. The polical system is the problem.
There is too much money in our political system. Money talks too loudly in our government and it is drowning out the voices of the 99%
Politicians accept the money though. They are part of that problem you speak of. Guess how much Obama wants to raise for 2012... $1 BILLION dollars. Are you kidding me? Guess who is funding, people who expect things in return.
Politicians accept the money because that is how the system works. The system is the problem. 1% have bought and paid for their representation and 99% get the crumbs. The system needs to be changed to take money out of the political system. 1% has unfair influence and money is their tool. This system and the money the drives it diminishes our democracy.
Campaigns need to be publicly funded. Separation of money and state!
I agree, but when will it start? Only through legislation... tell Washington, not Wall St. that public funding is what you want.
It will start when people demand it! It can happen through this protest! Wall Street is a symbol of money. Money in the political system is the problem. 99% may not have wealth, but we have eachother! And we have a collective voice calling out for fair and equal representation. 1% buy their representation, and we want some of THAT!
Symbolism is lost on mainstream America. Most Americans only read the headlines, and the headline you are creating is "we hate rich people". I'm sorry, but that's the way it is.
You need a coherent message, or your voices, however nobel, will be lost in the white noise. And as long as Washington distorts your efforts into a referendum against conservatives and those who want free enterprise, it will all be in vein anyways.
What I would do is distance myself from unions and other pro-Obama movements. Keep the core message through a set of "protest principles". You are creating dialog, which is good, but you are being used by the Obama team right now and nobody seems to see it.
Then please help us! I know that there is alot of noise in this protest. There are alot of problems. People are angry and frustrated and need to voice their concerns. But most are just symptoms. Of a government that has been bought and paid for by the 1%. By working together we can help others see. Our government does not work. It needs fundamental structural change. Separation of money and state. Then we have a true democracy and its up to us to change it. After that the possibilities are endless. I really don't care who thinks I'm being used by who. Let them think what they want. I know my truth. I know what I want. The 1% have bought their representation and I want some of that!
Obama is bought by Wall St. He is more Wall St. than he is himself.
Agreed. He got so much Wall St. money during his first campaign.... may not get much this time around with his socialist infused message and inciting this anger in the wrong places. He is trying to make bankers the sacrificial lambs.
Wha? He is owned by bankers. You missed the point I was trying to make.
No, I got it. I am saying he pivoted now to try and save his job. He WAS owned by bankers until it became politically untenable to stay that course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmRgaKfWMPA&feature=player_embedded Obama- "I will be held accountable (for the economy)"
I would add to that the fact that Obama was bankrolled by the very institution that OWS is protesting. He voted for the bailouts and pushed for the second round of $350 billion to be released. He is part of the problem, not the solution.
Agreed. Nobody questions the golden boy. He is as shady and corrupt as those bankers, maybe even more-so. But the trouble is the majority of those in this movement are union professional picketers who want Obama, not what's best for America.
Truly a shame. There are legitimate issues that need to be dealt with, but I don't think that OWS is coherent and cohesive enough to form a very simple message and carry it forward. It has already been co-opted by the unions, Soros, Move-on, and the far left.
It hasn't been co-opted. If you were on the ground at the general assemblies, you'd know this to be true. Just because Unions support us, doesn't mean that they speak for us, or hold sway. If they don't show up at the GAs, they don't have a voice at all.
The unions will try to steal your movement, I truly believe it. Unions work for Obama, and this is just the distraction he wants. Wake up!
Ah, but it's being reported that way. A huge gathering of the disenchanted far left.
Since when has anything that the corporate media reports been the truth? We don't need them.
Every media outlet is slanted. Fox to the right, all others to the left. It is up to the individual to try and understand motives and truth. Americans prefer to be spoon-fed half-truths than think for themselves. This is how Obama got elected- the skewed media coverage to his side.
Well, they've always stood by the left and ignored the truth. Heck, Obama could never have been elected if the media did their job objectively.
Of course, they are eating this up too. This is less "crazy" than the tea party movement because it's part of their belief system. The funny thing is they are both very concerned with the economy at their core.
Can you guys forget this for a second? We're on the same friggin side here. We both want corporate media to shut the F up and we both want corrupting, moneyed influences out of politics. Stop being side tracked and let's join up and change things!
True, very true. The OWS crowd can do no wrong and the tea party can do no right in the eyes of the media. Perhaps the OWS and TEA should get together and work on some real change through the political process.
Best idea I've heard so far! A true bipartisan grass roots effort to reform DC and save our economy.
The media would have a fit with that. They'd have as much luck painting the OWS/TEA movement as a bunch of right wing nuts as they're having portraying Herman Cain as a racist :)
Follow the blog Sky of Stars. Read this post: The RIght to Better Government http://theskyofstars.blogspot.com/2011/05/right-to-better-government.html
Follow the blog Sky of Stars. Read this post: The RIght to Better Government http://theskyofstars.blogspot.com/2011/05/right-to-better-government.html
Seems other posts are re-affirming a fear of a Democratic hijack of this movement. Use posters and the media to tell the world you are not puppets!
Why not stop making every single thing about Obama and politicians?
Because that is the crux of the issue. Wall Street and the economy are only as strong as Obama makes them.
Oh Lord you have been drinking some koolaid.....but hey, you are entitled to your opinion. I personally dont think there has ever been any one person with that much influence.
Do you want the government to stay out of the way or to fix the economy? Make up your mind.
Those are not mutually exclusive. The government can help the economy and still not get in the way. Government works projects are not the answer. Pointless anger at rich are not the answer. Obama wants to redistribute wealth and tap your anger to keep his job! He has failed us as a leader and should not be re-elected.
I don't think Obama had any delusions that his "Jobs" plan would pass, or if it did that it would make any real improvements to the economy. If it doesn't pass he can blame the republicans for blocking the bill, even though his own party is blocking in in the senate, and use it as a campaign issue. If it did pass, the best it could do would be to prop up the economy just long enough for him to get re-elected before the money runs out and things return to the status quo. A no lose situation? Well, he could get it passed and have no improvement in the economy (most likely situation). But, with no record to run on, that's a pretty good re-election plan.
Yep, indeed! I just wish his political acumen was equally matched by economic acumen.. oh well. ;)
Do you want to government to stay out of the way or to fix the economy? Make up your mind.
Someone just removed a comment from this page... are the site owners removing posts against the liberal agenda and silencing some freedoms while protesting for others?
If we hold Obama accountable then we should hold the Bush Family accountable as well and the Clintons, etc. I think for now we should do everything we can to develop a base in these protests, create a set goal and continue pressuring Wall Street. We must educate ourselves as unbiased as possible to understand why we are all in this mess and start thinking constructively about solutions to the real problems. Whatever those may be. Agreed?
You hold Obama and not prior presidents accountable BECAUSE HE IS STILL PRESIDENT. Protesting Wall Street is pointless since politicians pass legislation and reform. Tell Obama to fix the economy, not Wall Street. Tell Obama he has a few months to do so, or he won't get re-elected. He is campaigning for HIS JOB while millions others have none! Wake up, it is HIS fault, not the 99% of honest people who work for banks.
How about we say it's all of our "faults" and try to fix it.
not sure who 'your' is referring to... view the youtube link above. Obama asks to be judged by his results. His results are piss poor!
Sorry I fixed it. It all of our faults and all of our responsibility. Yes, Obama's results have been poor and most likely so would McCain's have been. Obama's results are poor because our economy is broken. It's been breaking for years and almost failed in 2008. Do you think the republicans will fix it? Then vote republican. I am concerned that if we keep lurching from democrat to republican without really finding out and fixing what's broken nothing will change and we will fall. "Divided we fall."
I do not believe the protests to be pointless. We have told Obama to fix the economy and he has tried and succeed with marginal success. It is not up to just the president any longer. We sat idly by in 2008 expecting him to fix everything when we should have taken to the streets in support of him and tried to pass legislation about how America conducts big business. I feel that is what is hurting us. The protests are just an opening salvo of what is to come. They are a social warning that things will only get worse if we as Americans, those that work for banks, sanitation, McDonalds, Congress, Elementary Schools etc. don't do something quick to cooperate and help one another.
The protests could lead to something far worse, yes. But that will again be on Obama's watch. This is his way to deflect blame from his own failures. Saying "it could be worse" is not leadership! Saying blame the rich is not leadership!
I believe he has claimed full accountability for the economy and everything happening. What do you propose we do to change the way things are economically speaking or otherwise? Do you believe we as Americans can improve ways of thinking, approaching business, healthcare, public protest/demonstration?
He has not claimed anything. He blames Bush, and now Wall St. No president is ever dealt a "fair" hand, they all inherit bad things. Most are able to turn it around, yet he is not.
The way we change our economy is to ENCOURAGE entrepreneurial risk, not vilify those who became successful in this way. Let's all take ownership of our future and not count on Washington to fix it!
I agree with the economy portion of your argument. But how can we encourage entrepreneurial risk when there is no currency to even start up a business? People are jobless. Millions of people.
Apple started with $2,000 in a garage. I know money was worth "more" back then, but the point is we don't need $100k anymore. Especially in software, you only need about $20k to start. Family, friends, bootstrapping, debt, accelerator programs (YCombinator, etc.)... I know many friends who would do it if there was entrepreneurial health care.
So here is how- create entrepreneur friendly programs that are not handouts, but tailored to their needs. Make it a national priority to help create X new startups in the seed startup model of YCombinator.
The sad fact is the skill-set for some unemployed people will not fit in a startup at the ground level, but if startups take off and hire, then those people could find jobs there after they grow.
I like what you have to say. You should continue to discuss it with people here. We as Americans need more people like you presenting working solutions. Be the change you seek in the world. If you have a problem with the way this movement is being conducted tell people like you have told me and do it in a non-condescending manner. People will listen. I thank you for your comments and constructive input.
Cheers, Richard
Thanks Richard. I think I will try to find a suitable platform and do so. :) Best
I might add that we should not target those people who work for banks they are just making a living like the rest of us. The CEOs on the other hand are to be held accountable for the selfish way that many of them conduct business.
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Why not get away from loaded political talking points and stop fomenting childish partisan bickering?
Trying to blame the institutional problems generated by a flawed system over the past 90 years on a single politician today is intellectually deplorable
No, it is how change comes to bear. You can't blame a sector in the industry and hope for change. You take your message to the doorstep of the person responsible and can change it. He is an inept president, and is using this movement to distract from the real issue- the economy is failing under his watch. If you bring down wall st. and corporations, what future do we have as a country? Not all bankers are bad...
You're spewing conservative propaganda anyone older than twelve would consider transparent in an environment that is intellectually fueled by primarily independent literati.
Best of luck with that, I'd rather you waste your time here than be out in public spreading your nonsense to actual people.
You seem very touchy for an independent lol. I bet you want this movement hijacked by the Obama administration and his apologists.