Two Main Problems with Occupy Wall Street
No one is going to fault their passion. No one can try to call into question their commitment to what they feel is right. On the surface a movement like Occupy Wall Street is something which should be celebrated. Their organic, independent spirit is a thing which any freedom loving individual would want to celebrate. However in my guesstimation there are two main problems with this Occupy Wall Street crowd which will make their efforts fall short of their desired goals.
Group Doesn't Represent the Whole: It's fascinating to me that this group has lumped themselves together with "the 99%" meaning not the top 1% of earners in this country. I am by no means in this top 1%; I do not come from a rich family; I did not marry into wealth; I don't have a high paying job; I don't even have a job at all! I don't live in luxury; I don't live anywhere. I haven't had a steady address or full time job since 2007. It's only by the grace of my dear sweet wife and generous friends and family that I'm even anywhere at all. So when I hear the argument against corruption and insider deals and not being represented; I hear it. I'm totally against corruption and dishonesty and I want to be represented. But I feel like I am represented at least as best as is possible. I don't fault any one person or group for the gridlock of the moment. Do I think we need reform? Yes. Unquestionably. Do I think people need to be held accountable? Yes. I would love it if the people who commit these travesties were met with swift and punishing justice. Of course the wheels of justice turn slowly in part because the ability for people to be wrongly persecuted is real. Still, do I want massive reform or across the board changes? More than a poor man I'm a realist. I know that such changes all at once would bring the whole enterprise to a screeching halt. Still I'm an optimist that things will get better; for the nation and for me; without the forced movement that these Occupy Wall Street types are asking for.
Deafening Silence: If you walk down to where Occupy Wall Street are (as I did the other day) you are greeted with deafening chants, big banners, violent signs, and crazed behavior. It's enough to totally shut out the average person. If Occupy Wall Street were really interested in the opinions of everyone they would be a little more reasonable in their execution of their demands. They may even get into politics themselves; so they can see the difficult line many of these pols likely have to walk in order to maintain their sanity and maintain their position. Moreover when the protesting masses become deaf to the voices of the masses, they are just as disconnected as these Castle on a Cloud politicians in DC.
Am I a fan of politics? Absolutely not. I think many of our nations biggest problems come from politics. But Occupy Wall Street are nothing more than a zealous, extreme political position. Think about it.
Group Doesn't Represent the Whole: It's fascinating to me that this group has lumped themselves together with "the 99%" meaning not the top 1% of earners in this country. I am by no means in this top 1%; I do not come from a rich family; I did not marry into wealth; I don't have a high paying job; I don't even have a job at all! I don't live in luxury; I don't live anywhere. I haven't had a steady address or full time job since 2007. It's only by the grace of my dear sweet wife and generous friends and family that I'm even anywhere at all. So when I hear the argument against corruption and insider deals and not being represented; I hear it. I'm totally against corruption and dishonesty and I want to be represented. But I feel like I am represented at least as best as is possible. I don't fault any one person or group for the gridlock of the moment. Do I think we need reform? Yes. Unquestionably. Do I think people need to be held accountable? Yes. I would love it if the people who commit these travesties were met with swift and punishing justice. Of course the wheels of justice turn slowly in part because the ability for people to be wrongly persecuted is real. Still, do I want massive reform or across the board changes? More than a poor man I'm a realist. I know that such changes all at once would bring the whole enterprise to a screeching halt. Still I'm an optimist that things will get better; for the nation and for me; without the forced movement that these Occupy Wall Street types are asking for.
Deafening Silence: If you walk down to where Occupy Wall Street are (as I did the other day) you are greeted with deafening chants, big banners, violent signs, and crazed behavior. It's enough to totally shut out the average person. If Occupy Wall Street were really interested in the opinions of everyone they would be a little more reasonable in their execution of their demands. They may even get into politics themselves; so they can see the difficult line many of these pols likely have to walk in order to maintain their sanity and maintain their position. Moreover when the protesting masses become deaf to the voices of the masses, they are just as disconnected as these Castle on a Cloud politicians in DC.
Am I a fan of politics? Absolutely not. I think many of our nations biggest problems come from politics. But Occupy Wall Street are nothing more than a zealous, extreme political position. Think about it.
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Published by Jesse Schmitt
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3 Comments
Post a CommentThe Obama Zombies are at it again
You cannot escape politics, unless you skulked off to Antarctica. Those are kids down there and they're realizing the American Dream is slipping away. Perhaps they are inarticulate (for now), but they know things ain't right, And finally (at long last), they are standing up.
I cracked up when a news reporter asked one of them to explain what they were protesting and she began a rant, "It's so nice being with everyone who has a common goal...." He asked again, "What is the 'goal'?" and she said, "Well, I'm probably not the best person to ask!" - If I was the reporter I would have said, "Well, then why are you here???" LOL cheers ;)