Link http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2098948,00.html and was headed down there today to interview them to find out what this is all about. But today they are leaving and heading for Washington DC like I am tomorrow. I got to see a huge group of people marching in NY City streets with signs and chanting (mom took pics and video) and we talked about how these people are actively doing what we have been learning about the last 3 weeks (in Revolutionary War times) standing up for their beliefs and making their voices heard and who knows if in those groups there isn't the next Paul Revere or Sam Adams who might lead the way for change somehow. It's been interesting to learn and read distant history and then see this now and close up happening in my time in places I am at. I don't understand it all yet, though it's now going to be the focus of my current events so don't be surprised if I report on it from Washington next week. I would love to know thoughts from you all about what it is and means to you or if you simply don't care about it and think they are a bunch of nuts. I am starting here (for different points of view) please suggest any articles or videos for me if you liked something.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/x471037000/Wall-St-protesters-still-have-many-lessons-to-learn
http://www.tnr.com/article/the-vital-center/96377/occupy-wall-street-democrats-populism-elites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loxZ5cQQdbI&feature=related
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/10/14/understanding-occupy-wall-street/
If you need a basic introduction like I did: http://news-basics.com/2011/occupy-wall-street/
First people I interviewed:
Mom's two cents: At any point or place the government starts or is interfering in your life you should be aware, concerned and actively involved in understanding it and speaking up for your place in it while always considering the greater good.
Dad: I think they tend to be people who have not been successful and are complaining that Wall Street and government are in cahoots and that the government is not helping them individually be financially successful and while I defend their right to say whatever they feel I do not agree.
What do you think?
Jack
I first of all think it is fantastic that you are there in the thick of it, getting to interview and experience all of this first hand. I love that you are learning about the history as you meander through the geography of it's historic setting. It helps to put things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteWe have had quite a bit of this Occupy Wall Street here in Seattle, and it's interesting to hear the different comments from protesters and radio talk and co workers..
My feeling is.. it's nice that people are taking a stand for what they believe in.. we need more of that from everyone. The government should not be involved so much in our personal lives. We were meant to have a government in place to help us maintain our freedom but in an organized and civilized manner. These days, people take it for granted that our government is in place to meet all our needs, protect us from everything and help us rise to success. That's simply not the way I see it. Our government is corrupt. Our government is out of control because we allowed it. As a society, we have a generation of people who really do believe someone should pay their way and that the rich should automatically take care of and cover the poor. We have people here in Seattle who are demanding that the rich should pay for their college education, and when asked why, their only response is " because that's what I want". That's sad. I believe these protesters are whiny, disgruntled, underachievers who simply want life to be easier and want someone to blame for their lack of insight and ability to be successful.
Though it's true that government has stifled many dreams with budget cuts and laws that stand in the way of some success in business and education, we the people allowed it. WE the people didn't make a stronger stand and demand more of our politicians. We the people have allowed politicians to line their own pockets, serve their own purpose at the expense of all our freedom and ability to enact change in our system where it was needed. We need to hold our representatives and senators accountable for their actions. We need to stop allowing the politicians to vote for interests that benefit them more than anyone. Make our representatives live within the same means, with the same social security benefits and insurance that we all have, and they will vote differently when the time arises.
On a local level, we need to show our government what is important, and where those tax cuts and budget cuts really should be. It isn't so much about taxing the rich more to pay the poor. It's more about making it possible for the poor to sustain and become middle class at the least. It's about reallocating funds where the most need is. Education. Making education affordable, and available to all.. Rewarding good teachers with a salary that identifies their talent and contribution and reducing or getting rid of the teachers who are just collecting their pensions after years of service, who aren't contributing quality education. We need to think about where the future is headed. How do we compete with other countries in science and medical technology, and development and engineering, when we can't even produce a quality public education through high school for the majority of our country? Every year more cuts, more schools closing,and the more government steps in and controls what the schools can and cannot do, to the point where creative education and really engaging our youth is becoming less and less popular.
I say these protesters need to re think their position, and really identify what it is they are arguing. The truth is, they are in need of a mirror and a dose of reality.
That's my $2 worth..
Hi Jack: Cathy and I are finally finding some time this weekend to get caught up on all of your blogging. Thanks so much for the postcards. Really enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteOK, I think I am supposed to respond to your observations and ask questions. I will start with Occupy Wall Street: Outside of looking forward to Occupying Orlando with you next month, I think there are elements of the protests that do represent the outrage of the American public, but that there does not seem to be an actionable way for the Occupiers to deliver change.
I would liken it to Vietnam protesting in the early years of the conflict. It got the ball rolling and represented what was on or in the back of most American minds (Is this a war we can actually Win? The Tea Party movement might be an example of a more action-oriented movement (as opposed to pure protest-driven).
One of my favorite political commentators is George Will. He is one of those people I turn to when I don’t know all sides of an argument and am looking for a reasonable voice. He also writes great articles on baseball and sports so that attracts my attention, as well. Check out his quote below and see what you think:
“I wish for the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators a long life and ample publicity, for two reasons. I think they do represent the spirit and intellect of the American left, but also I remember the 1960s. We had four years of demonstrations like this leading up to 1968, when the Nixon-Wallace vote was 57 percent, the country reacting against the demonstrators and the Republicans went on to win five of the next six presidential elections.”