Forum Post: CLEAR LIST OF DEMANDS (feel free to add)
Posted 12 years ago on Sept. 27, 2011, 3:54 p.m. EST by GandhiKingMindsetResist
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PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
INVESTIGATE, ARREST AND TRY THE WALL STREET CRIMINALS who clearly broke the law and helped cause the 2008 financial crisis in the following notable cases: (insert list of the most clear cut criminal actions). There is a pretty broad consensus that there is a clear group of people who got away with millions / billions illegally and haven't been brought to justice. Boy would this be long overdue and cathartic for millions of Americans. It would also be a shot across the bow for the financial industry. If you watch the solidly researched and awared winning documentary film "Inside Job" that was narrated by Matt Damon (pretty brave Matt!) and do other research, it wouldn't take long to develop the list.
CONGRESS ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY BY REVERSING THE EFFECTS OF THE CITIZENS UNITED SUPREME COURT DECISION which essentially said corporations can spend as much as they want on elections and no disclosure is required about who's giving to who. Corporations should be highly limited in ability to contribute to political campaigns no matter what the election and no matter what the form of media. The Supreme Court decision is really weird. Read it when you have a chance. The justices who argued for unlimited corporate contributions without disclosure thought that wouldn't have an adverse effect on democracy and wouldn't undermine the citizen's view of legitimacy of elections. I'm not sure there's a word for that it's so strange.
ACTION ON GLASS-STEAGALL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass–Steagall_Act --- Wiki entry summary: The repeal of provisions of the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933 by the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act effectively removed the separation that previously existed between investment banking which issued securities and commercial banks which accepted deposits. The deregulation also removed conflict of interest prohibitions between investment bankers serving as officers of commercial banks. Most economists believe this repeal directly contributed to the severity of the Financial crisis of 2007–2011 by allowing Wall Street investment banking firms to gamble with their depositors' money that was held in commercial banks owned or created by the investment firms.
CONGRESS PASS THE BUFFETT RULE ON FAIR TAXATION SO THE RICH AND CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE & CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOP HOLES INCLUDING PROHIBITION ON HIDING FUNDS OFF SHORE. Pass the Buffet Rule on fair taxation so the rich pay their fair share. (If you really had a good negotiating position and had the place surrounded, you could actually dial up taxes on millionaires, billionaires and corporations even higher. But this would require direct non-violent blockades / action in New York and DC to get the broad public support necessary).
CONGRESS COMPLETELY REVAMP THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND STAFF IT AT HIGHEST AND LOWEST LEVELS WITH PROFESSIONALS WHO GET THE JOB DONE PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET THEREBY PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND INVESTORS. Also, this agency needs a large staff and needs to be well-funded.
RE-ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC AIRWAVES IN THE U.S. SO THAT POLITICAL CANDIDATES ARE GIVEN EQUAL TIME FOR FREE AT REASONABLE INTERVALS IN DAILY PROGRAMMING DURING CAMPAIGN SEASON. The same should extend to other media.
CONGRESS ENACT SPECIFIC LAWS THAT EFFECTIVELY BUILD A WALL BETWEEN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY AND THE U.S. MILITARY. If we're going after corruption and also trying to reduce all the unnecessary wars that are costly in so many ways (most importantly costly in terms of human life on both sides), then this is the GRANDDADDY OF ALL REFORMS. Any of you who have seen the award winning widely popular documentary "Why We Fight" will realize the HUGE impact of this. Here's a snippet of Eisenhower's brave speech.
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
"We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together." That's from part 5. Entire text here: http://www.h-net.org/~hst306/documents/indust.html .
Here is short youtube video of speech here. It'll give you shivers. He was so brave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUXtyIQjubU
But be sure to see "Why We Fight" if you haven't already. I'd put it right up there with "Inside Job" as incredibly informative and well researched and highly watchable (if not RIVOTING).
Please keep one thing in mind. This is from Martin Luther King, Jr.:
"Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent-resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word "tension." I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.
The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation."
Here's the entire "Letter from the Birmingham Jail": http://abacus.bates.edu/admin/offices/dos/mlk/letter.html
And here's a short video from BBC to inspire you. It gets pretty extraordinary about halfway through: http://youtu.be/lqN3amj6AcE
Forgive student loan debt and reinstated bankruptcy and consumer protections for both federal and private lenders. Please sign the petition below to begin this process, we have over 13,000K signature on the white house site and 400k on signon.org
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/forgive-student-loan-debt-stimulate-economy-and-usher-new-era-innovation-entrepreneurship-and/jHfPW9c9
http://signon.org/sign/want-a-real-economic?source=mo&id=310
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
http://coupmedia.org/occupywallstreet/occupy-wall-street-official-demands-2009
It's hard to find, but this is where the voting is happening. I say start a new tax code from scratch.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
SET A DEADLINE for completion of this list and designate a spokesperson. you are running out of time.
One major problem here with number 2: the SCOTUS actually upheld the disclosure requirements part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, and corporations cannot contribute directly to political candidates. The decision only rules on corporations ability to use their money to engage in their own political speech. Regardless of what side of this issue you are on please get your facts straight. http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2008/2008_08_205
Legislation that would end "corporate welfare". If the demise or the possibility thereof of a company comes at it's own hands then they should fully and personally experience any adverse effects their actions produced. And if their demise would harm the overall economy then the Government should be able to assume full control of the company until the wrinkles get smoothed out, then give them the opportunity to buy the company back by paying back all of the taxpayer money (with interest) used to hire analysts, accountants, or anyone else that would be involved with righting their wrong as a result of their irresponsibility or financial malpractice rooted from negligence or dishonesty.
Legislation that would require 100% transparency for effective auditing before, during and after the fact. (maintaining trade secrets is of high importance, however their importance should not allow the hiding of greedy practices. These types of audits where sensitive information is being handled can be done confidentially, kind of like certain things are discussed in Judge's chambers in criminal and civil cases when needed.) After all the whole reason they got as far as they did was because they were not being monitored. We need babysitters for them. I don't know of anyone that finds the fact that Casino employees and bank tellers are subject to being video taped and having their records scrutinized absurd. How should they be any different. They have too much power to be left home alone.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
Excellent. From the HuffPost today:
The current banking system is both a cause and an intrinsic part of our current economic and political crisis. The system encourages excessive risk and profit taking, and discourages long term sustainable investment and lending practices, and marginalizes the poorest and most needy from the banking system altogether. Worst of all, the risk -- and thus profit -- are effectively insured by the taxpayer. The public is in effect subsidizing Wall Street profits.
We do not hate bankers, but we hate the system. It is time to change it. We have five key demands and proposals. These are not only for the government to adopt; everyone, across the country, who wants to change the system can help too. We demand a better banking system -- one where risk is not passed to the taxpayer, but which supports sustainable enterprise, and embodies values other than pure profit-making.
The Past. We demand an independent inquiry into the credit crisis, and, if necessary, prosecutions of those guilty of deception or fraud. The inquiry must name names, identify lessons and hold those responsible properly to account.
The Future. We demand effective banking legislation to curb excessive and risky lending, but to sustain credit for businesses, particularly small businesses, in lean times.
In particular, these reforms must include the following: requirements for greater high-quality capital reserves: the separation of retail from investment banking: legislation to encourage and support local, cooperative banking, and micro-credit for those routinely denied loans and banking services.
The Politics. One problem of the current and unjust system is that the big banks enjoy unequaled access to the political system. This tilts the political system to provide for their needs over others. We demand equal access: in particular the Administration must provide a full list of every meeting with representatives of Wall Street banks with the White House, Fed and other government officials. We demand equal access to put the public's requirements on the table.
We encourage everyone to demand but also adopt "better banking". We should withdraw our money from those banks that are aggressively lobbying for their own interests over the public's (JP Morgan Chase is a particular example). We should instead deposit our money in cooperative and community banks, and credit unions. We shall also work, with bankers and other supporters, to establish a new national cooperative bank, owned by and run for its depositors and borrowers, not its share-holders.
"We should instead deposit our money in cooperative and community banks, and credit unions"
Yes, you should.
I think the movement needs a coherent and reasonable list of demands. We are where we are from a systematic destruction of safeguards installed by Roosevelt during and after the Great Depression. All US citizens should watch the documentary "Inside Job". Not buying stuff hurts US blue collar as much as it does white collar, other than the goods that are manufactured (which admittedly we import a lot of goods; seems like most, but I am told that America is still the world’s largest manufacturer). This movement needs to take on epic proportion - and result in a wholesale change in congress or member support of the movement, because as we all know, they are currently owned by the super wealthy. The control of congress by Lobbyist is complete; we need a game changer. I submit the following list for consideration: How to fix American Economy
When you include "hiding funds off shore" please be careful. The United States is one of the only countries that taxes Americans who do not even live in the United States anymore even if they have not lived there for decades. Usually about 90 percent of the time these people don't owe any taxes to the U.S. because they file and owe more in their country of residence.
So please specify that they should go after millionaires off shoring for the express purpose of avoiding taxes and leave innocent families outside the U.S. ALONE. Otherwise, the powers that be will tell the protesters they have already taken steps to "catch overseas tax cheats" while lying about what they are really doing. They are leaving the real cheats alone and going after working and poor innocent families. Thank you and I apologize for the length of this post but, people are suffering because of FATCA and FBAR out here.
Recently, in order to appear to be going after "overseas tax cheats" as the Wall St. Journal called them the U.S. government enacted FATCA and FBAR. FBAR is a piece of paper that says, if you are American and live overseas, you must tell the U.S. of every account your name is on. Even if all the money in the account was made by your foreign spouse and none by you. If you have checking rights you must tell them. If you do not, then they will fine you 10,000 to 50,000 dollars or seize your accounts.
Foreign banks have been forced to turn over names of foreign citizens. People who have never been American can have their retirement funds seized and if foreign countries do not turn over their private citizens info those banks will be fined 30 percent of all U.S. holdings essentially bullying foreign nations into violating their own countries privacy rights.
What is happening here is that almost no one was notified of FBAR which is just a piece of paper. It was a way to trump up fines and penalties on people who owed no taxes and it IS being framed as going after "tax cheats" when again these people owed nothing. Many families around the world are living in fear of losing everything because of this heinous situation. A friend of mine has four children in the U.K. all are foreign. One has downs syndrome and her husband is British. Because she does not want her foreign husband fined she has taken her name off everything, their home, all their checking accounts essentially she is a pauper at the age of 55. There are stories about this all over the net and the finance minister of Canada has spoken out.
What the U.S. government has been doing is not going after people living in the U.S. off shoring their millions but, instead going after average poor and working class families over seas who just happen to have an American family member and framing it in the press in such a way as to demonize innocent people. Some are renouncing citizenship so as not to burden their foreign families though they would not have done so otherwise. The government knew that would happen so they are charging an "exit tax" on people wanting to stop the stress and worry of this terrible draconian legislation. Some people are not even American anymore or did not know they were since they happened to be born there but, never lived there past infancy. The U.S. government doesn't care.
Make them go after the 1 percent and leave working families out of this FATCA and FBAR are witch hunts so they can "look" like they are "holding people accountable" when all they are doing is stealing from people already suffering.
I will join your protest soon but, be VERY careful with the wording about "off shore" tax collection because our devious government has covered their tracks on what they are really doing to families who don't owe them a thing with trumped up fines and penalties on a paper no one even knew they were supposed to file at all. That wasn't an accident. It was a cash grab and they don't give a damn if they take every red cent some of these families have. They will just continue to lie and say we are the same as those uber rich off shoring their money for tax purposes. WE ARE NOT THEM so don't let them go after the people this protest is trying to stand up for any longer. FATCA and FBAR are heinous! Thank you.
I didn't see it mentioned and I haven't really heard anyone mention it on any of the live feeds, but perhaps you all should consider demanding the enactment of the second Bill of Rights. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights
Require presidents and federal legislators to live on social security - with medicaid for healthcare - from the time that they take office until their demise, never to receive any form of payment from any institution other than the U.S. government again.
I think it would reduce the prevalence of for-profit officials and increase state interest in these programs on which Americans should be able to rely.
I strongly support an internet-based, mass formulation of these demands.
4 and #5 are not currently on the list of potential demands
http://coupmedia.org/occupywallstreet/occupy-wall-street-official-demands-2009
i don't know enough about them (yet) to know if they warrant consideration - but they sound good.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
I demand they stop ignoring the Constitution, and they abolish the FED. I demand we stop engaging in undeclared wars of aggression. I demand the troops come home. I demand deregulation of the market: Clearly this practice has failed and only allowed a few large corporations to become even larger monopolies. I demand sound money, and nullification of the debt incurred through borrowing fiat money (this goes right along with abolishing the FED). I demand those who have failed We, the People, to resign, and to be tried before a jury of their peers. I demand freedom, and the right to be left in peace.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
https://occupywallst.org/forum/declaration-of-independence-20-feel-free-to-add/
In Australia, it is estimated that Rupert Murdoch owns 70% of the media. Food for thought. I wonder, do even journalists like the status quo?
I'd put Glass-Steagall #1, since it's the necessary first step.
I have a demand!
We must restore true democracy to the government. I demand a new branch of governmental power to supplement the 3 we have now. I demand the power of the Peoples Mandate! I demand to have my voice, and my vote, MEAN something.
I propose the creation of a National Forum, in which every registered voter will get to discuss and vote on mandates to Congress. Founded by the TRUE majority. How else will we get term limits? How else will WE get to decide what our tax money(that though the government holds, IT STILL BELONGS TO US) gets spent on? How else can we truly hold that 1% accountable? We NEED to do this!
Accessibility is an absolute MUST. More citizen/voter involvement is a MUST. A National Forum will do this! We can do this, and reform our country and government to it proper glory.
Yea, or nay?
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/
I want to see this amendment on the demands!!! GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS!!
http://www.getmoneyout.com/
Thanks for the suggestion. Made the changes. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC DEMANDS FOR WASHINGTON DC: https://occupywallst.org/forum/specific-demand-and-action-list-for-washington-dc/