November 17, 2011 saw record numbers of people taking to the streets in New York City and cities all over the U.S. and the world, in support of the Occupy Wall Street Movement on it's two month anniversary. A particularly moving moment was a live projection mic check on the Verizon bldg as thousands crossed the Brooklyn Bridge from downtown Manhattan. Another world is possible.
I thought this was a very beautiful video, and compelling message, from the Occupy protesters.
Their message is definitely beginning to resonate even with politicians as evidence by an amendment introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL).
Courtesy of Think Progress:
Deutch’s amendment, called the Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy (OCCUPIED) Amendment, would overturn the Citizens United decision, re-establishing the right of Congress and the states to regulate campaign finance laws, and to effectively outlaw the ability of for-profit corporations to contribute to campaign spending.
“No matter how long protesters camp out across America, big banks will continue to pour money into shadow groups promoting candidates more likely to slash Medicaid for poor children than help families facing foreclosure,” said Deutch in a statement provided to ThinkProgress. “No matter how strongly Ohio families fight for basic fairness for workers, the Koch Brothers will continue to pour millions into campaigns aimed at protecting the wealthiest 1%. No matter how fed up seniors in South Florida are with an agenda that puts oil subsidies ahead of Social Security and Medicare, corporations will continue to fund massive publicity campaigns and malicious attack ads against the public interest. Americans of all stripes agree that for far too long, corporations have occupied Washington and drowned out the voices of the people. I introduced the OCCUPIED Amendment because the days of corporate control of our democracy. It is time to return the nation’s capital and our democracy to the people.”
I can't say I have a great deal of hope in this amendment passing, but just having it introduced is in itself "one more step." And ultimately it will be these single steps forward which might finally give this country back to, those from whom it was stolen, the people.
we can only hope this idea will catch fire.
ReplyDeleteI am very much in favor of this amendment. The problem of political corruption is, of course, not new at all. Will Rogers, one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s, said "America has the best Congress that money can buy." A fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign fund recently called me, and I reminded her of that, and also told her the story of the lost tourist in Maine who asked a local resident for directions (this was before GPS, of course). The reply: "You cahn't get they-ah from hee-yah." Similarly, I'm pessimistic about getting to a government that works for the people when starting from a government that is bought and paid for by the elite - I think we have to go someplace else first. But we'll see what happens.
ReplyDeleteOne criticism - the clip of the guy cursing in the middle of the video doesn't add anything positive to the message. If anything, it detracts. Is the real message of OWS "suck my fucking ass?"
ReplyDeleteSome of us have secured a future with our investments and 401K's. We play close attention and play the markets and build our portfolios. We are made to look like bad people or criminals because we play the system as it is and create a bit of wealth to live on in our older years when we can't depend on Social Security or Medicare. Why punish the 1% that use the system for our own good when we won't have Government support?
ReplyDeleteThere will always be some in the 1percent who will whine that they invested their money in 401k's, played the stock market, and got themselves a "little wealth" set aside to use because the government won't support them.
ReplyDeleteThese people also use loopholes and pay a very small percentage of their wealth in t-a-x-e-s in relation to the working poor and decimated middle class.
How is paying your fair share, all that's being asked by the ows movement, "punishment"?
Take one more step outside of your "comfort zone" applies to 100 percent, NOT just the 99 percent.