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Forum Post: OWS appears not to be...

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 18, 2011, 4:56 p.m. EST by objectiveguy (0)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I'm not going to insult supporters of this movement, insult leads nowhere. As i read through the movement beliefs and these forums. i see tons of "theys" and "thems" "Big corporations" and "wealthy greed" "Wall street banks" and "bank staffers" "1% rich" and " we're getting screwed or raped." But not once have i read a solid, factual, objective or educated purpose from a supporter. I have read tons of biased, subjective or very opionated rants possibly provocted by some other influence.

i believe that there are smart supporters of this movement but i am confused why they go about this in such a backwards approach. i you want people to support your movement, don't use words like "they", who do you think "they" is? And don't answer "corporations." Don't use "Wall Street." Generalizing will get you no where. It would be like someone using, "Those whites" or "blacks." It won't get you very far, trust me.

You say you're getting screwed, by who? don't say "the government." because "the government" covers a broad group. which includes your state and local branches too. We just have to be aware as human beings we tend to generalize when we get emotional about something. but it's not fair.

so, is the fact that the extremely wealthy individuals and corporations have the financial ability to influence government for their own benefit fair? no, i don't think so. does it need to change? sure, but what part of our federal legal system is not need a some overhauling?

a little thing i know about corporate greed, Exxon paid $89 billion in taxes in 2010. They employ thousands of hard working americans that pay millions in taxes and SS and med. Those Exxon employees, buy millions of dollars of taxable goods in stores in their towns. Those stores employ more hard working employees and they too pay taxes, see where this is going?

Here is a little thing i know about 1%. I prepare taxes for several good people that fall into the 1% group. Those fine people pay millions in taxes. So much that, the "1%" group makes for almost 95% of the individual taxes paid.

"Wall Street" what is it? it's where the NYSE is located. You know who works there? Hardworking americans. Not multi billionaire CEO's. Yes, there are some employees at the exchange that do very very well. But most of the floor traders are living from check to check and take the train to and from work everyday.

"Banks"? my experience has been that my bank, a big bank, provides good personal and business services to me and several of my clients. i haven't been screwed in anyway. in fact, i wouldn't have my house i live in with my family if it wasn't for a bank.

my point is, the movement seems to take a shotgun approach when targeting the prey. The very people being harmed by the protests are the individuals you so closely relate to. Be smart, be specific and aim in the correct direction when you fire.

peace

9 Comments

9 Comments


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[-] 3 points by sophiaomni (289) 12 years ago

I'm glad that you are not stooping to insults as so many on the right often do. You raise some good points, but it seems like you are the one who is generalizing just a bit. Can't you admit that the problem of income inequality, the control of the political process by a small elite in this country, and the responsibility of Wall Street and the banking industry for the financial mess that we are in are real issues? And that there might be good reason why so many Americans are pissed off with both Wall Street and Washington?

No one was talking about these issues with any seriousness before OWS...Now they are part of the public conversation. That's the real significance of this movement.

http://www.michaelsrusso.org/2011/10/question-on-income-inequality.html

[-] 0 points by TIOUAISE (2526) 12 years ago

Hear, hear!

[-] 0 points by jay1975 (428) 12 years ago

What in this statement makes you think that the poster is on "the right"?

[-] 1 points by TimMcGraw (50) 12 years ago

anything against OWS must be RIGHT, right? ;)

[-] 0 points by jay1975 (428) 12 years ago

So it would seem, but I keep hearing how this isn't a partisan movement; regardless of all evidence to the contrary.

[-] 1 points by jay1975 (428) 12 years ago

It is far easier to point out that which you think is wrong. It takes real leadership to offer solutions. Unfortunately, OWS thinks it is some kind of honor to be a leaderless movement, which means there can be no solutions but plenty of complaints.

[-] 1 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

As another point. In what direction do you suggest we fire? We are firing at the ones who are being paid too much, in excess of 10 million a year.

[-] 1 points by OccupyLink (529) 12 years ago

They are not fine people in the Banks for sure. They are crooks who have caused misery to millions of people. Want your proof? Have a look at the individuals who receive mega bonuses each Christmas running into trillions as a total. They get them whether the Bank makes a profit or not. These are not rants. They are facts. These guys are crooks, and they are laughing at the 1%.