Story on cleanliness, including a disturbing image of a classy gentleman defecating on a police car.
I can't find the video, but a protester was complaining about being unemployed and when asked if she was offered a job right now would she take it she said "Absolutely not"... Really? /facepalm
EDIT 10/10: Found the clip... Quote wasn't quite as I had remembered, but here you can see it for yourself.
I'm all for a good protest, but it has to be done well, and legal. The second you break the law, or you defy your own arguments you become a joke. Someone, somehow, made a list of demands that would be laughable if it wasn't real. Thankfully (?) this isn't an official list, but a truly "official" list will never exist because nothing is official about this until unions and political groups get involved - which they are starting to.
I'll only touch on a few of the insane ideas...
Demand two: Institute a universal single payer healthcare system
Because why let one person create a business to make a contract with another person about healthcare? It's better to have our taxes taken from us and used on something some people may not want? I am not responsible for your healthcare, YOU ARE.
Demand three: Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment.
I wish this was a joke. What's the point of doing anything? Doesn't this just scream "I'm lazy and want to be taken care of for doing nothing"?! how can these people be taken seriously? I am not responsible for your free ride through life. YOU ARE.
Demand four: Free college education.
Give-me-a-break. Education is NOT a right. It is a responsibility. Who owns that responsibility? It's not the government, it's not other tax payers, and it sure isn't the collegiate system in place. It's you and/or your parents responsibility. If you want to learn more, find the right place and/or people to learn from, there is nothing that guarantees it will be free, and nor should it. Teach your children. If you can't teach them enough to live a productive life, maybe you need to pay someone to teach them for you. I am not responsible for your or your child's education, YOU ARE.
Demand six: One trillion dollars in infrastructure (Water, Sewer, Rail, Roads and Bridges and Electrical Grid) spending now.
Where did this 1T number come from? Pulling it from air? I agree that infrastructure is one of the responsibilities of the state and local government - so I'm not totally against the heart of this point, but it's what our taxes already goto - so again I ask, where did the 1T figure come from, what do they feel is lacking, and why should this be a national issue?
Demand eight: Racial and gender equal rights amendment.
When there is evidence of favoring equal candidates only for racial or gender reasons, that establishment should be held legally accountable, but we already have laws for this. Does this also mean abolishing the practice of affirmative action?
Demand nine: Open borders migration. anyone can travel anywhere to work and live.
I swear these people are smoking the stuff that's already coming over the border... This combined with a guaranteed living wage, free education, and free healthcare? Who will support the world? If these people's answers would be "the rich folks of America" I bet they wouldn't even say thank you if those people choose to do it. They think they are ENTITLED to these things?!
Demand eleven: Immediate across the board debt forgiveness for all. Debt forgiveness of sovereign debt, commercial loans, home mortgages, home equity loans, credit card debt, student loans and personal loans now! All debt must be stricken from the "Books." World Bank Loans to all Nations, Bank to Bank Debt and all Bonds and Margin Call Debt in the stock market including all Derivatives or Credit Default Swaps, all 65 trillion dollars of them must also be stricken from the "Books." And I don't mean debt that is in default, I mean all debt on the entire planet period.
Yep. They're definitely smoking some wacky stuff. Again, doesn't this sound like someone saying "I kind of maxed my credit card and don't feel like paying... Can't we just be friends and forget about it?" In old school Chi-town you'd have your kneecaps broken for much less than the trillions we're in the hole for. I AM responsible for the debt I have and have promised to pay it. I expect no one to forgive my debt because I have integrity and honor my word.
Demand thirteen: Allow all workers to sign a ballot at any time during a union organizing campaign or at any time that represents their yeah or nay to having a union represent them in collective bargaining or to form a union.
I have no issues with the basic right for a group of people to try and negotiate with their employer for better conditions or pay. As long as they also understand the company can say "No, we can't afford your conditions. Either get back to work or you're fired." As an employer, I expect to hire who I want. If you don't like it then I promise that no one will force you to work for me.
So while this is not an "officialy sanctioned" list of demands by the "group" - it's the closest one I could find and the only one making rounds. Road to totalitarianism is the new jiveword for this, and really - it is.
While there might be some similarities between this occupy XXX movement and the Tea Party beginnings, their intentions, goals, and tactics are so far from each other I'm surprised when people make a comparison of them. (BTW, Media... Shame on you)
The new buzz item for the folks in the middle is the 53%. "We are the %53" is a collection of people sharing their "hey, I had/have it rough too" stories through tumblr with a much different ending. Instead of a "Damn you for not giving me enough because I deserve it" message, there is a message of personal responsibility blaming themselves, sometimes with the explanation of how they pulled themselves out of the crap-situations they've been in.
I'm not sure where either of these groups/movements will land, but I know for sure the OWS people can learn from reading stories of people who have went through hard times and found a way out. Instead of turning down a job from a rich guy only because he's rich, or waiting for a poor person to pay you what you think you're entitled to, why not find a way to make a good or offer a service that others will want? Become that poor person who will give away your money to another person to help them. Become that rich person so you can give away all your money and save the world how you see fit. People have done it before you, and some are the people you're protesting.
Personally, I can understand many of the issues the OWS folks originally started protesting, but solutions never start with regulation and government. They start with yourself, as demonstrated by the 53%.
If I had an IAm|132.5*16/-40|% (#IAm53 #IAmThe53) story....?
I never got anything I thought I was entitled to.
I never give to those who expect.
I am in debt, and will repay every cent, no matter how many vacations or items I pass up.
When I don't see the way, I will make a way.
I own my mistakes.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Those close to me know my story - and really, those are the only people who matter.
With fear of being called old... I leave with Dragnet.
11 comments:
Found this on the We are the 53% tumblr site. Very cool - Like the addition of the Dragnet video. Weirdly appropriate now...
what deejrandom said.. :)
Ill pass on the link and the dragnet clip.
Pshaw..I took that list of demands and responded to all of them. Ripped them apart too. N o I am not a happy camper.
Dude, you rock!
"Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment."
I'm not of the opinion these losers who can drop everything and protest for weeks at time will actually start a revolution. I am, however, enjoying the theater and the chance to engage some of my liberal friends in a frank discussion of why I think their way is wrong.
That statement is the beginning, middle, and end of the argument against all forms of socialism. I've worked - no college, basically crappy jobs - since I was nineteen. Proud of myself for making it and blessed to have help from my hard working parents when I'm stuck. It may not seem like much to most people, but it's what I've done with my life. It's been hard sometimes, but I do what I have to do. Right now, it's two part-time jobs and keep
Have to admit, I'd be temped to sit back, at least for a while, at live at the "living wage" if these dingbats succeeded. Lord knows, I've lived below it on more than one occasion. If someone already has a poor work ethic, they're never going to want to go to work. We've seen that with the welfare system. Can you imagine how bad it'll be when you don't even have to pop out a baby to freeload?
Here's the thing, there are assistance programs out there available, and they serve an amazing purpose for those who really need it. Many are religious institutions, and almost all are rampant with abuse.
There is never a problem with asking for help - because there are times everyone needs it. The problem with this is when concessions are demanded and one group is forced to support another.
I think the biggest problem with this is that people have a seriously flawed view on what a "living wage" would be. Now some think a cell phone is a necessity? A car? A TV? A computer? Hell no. Necessity = form of shelter, clothing, and sustenance - Not enough to gorge yourself, but true sustenance. This has caused many of the great offers to be abused.
Found your site through the Tumblr 53% group. Love this post and will spread this around as much as I can. Fantastic points.
1. it is a gross misrepresentation to say the movement does not support corporations. What they want is to dislodge corporate control over our government.
2. The secret to good demands is to ask for way more than you know you'll ever get and negotiate.
3. have you noticed the homogeneity (white male) of the 53% versus the heterogeneity of the 99%. Do you think that the 53% may not actually be representative of our country? The problem with white people, and I am one, is that they don't recognize white privilege. If you are white, your life is made a lot easier in the US by your skin tone alone.
peace,
Mort
My take on 53%:
http://iam53percent.blogspot.com
Thanks for your thoughts, Mort. As for my thoughts on your points...
1. While I disagree it's a gross misrepresentation, or even a slight misrepresentation I'll ask a question back - Who is causing this? I believe that if it is indeed a misrepresentation it's by the people who are actually attending. Signs that blame corporations, "Occupy WALL STREET" which is primarily tied to corporations and not thought of as a government entity, and banter only about the 1% and not the ties to government... It's not my fault (or the fault of the person who made that image) on how they are perceived - it's their own mixed, convoluted message.
That is, of course, if you really believe it's not about hating on corporations.
The other item that leads me think that they do not thinks it's the relationship to the government is that they are not "occupying" any government locations... (at least to my knowledge). Many of the banks and institutions they are protesting would be bankrupt if our government hadn't stepped in, which is something I'm unsure anyone could argue would be a bad thing - businesses need the ability to fail without a sweeping safety net.
2. First, that seems like shady practices - it's part of the reason no one likes lawyers, because this is their thinking. How can you even go to the table to negotiate with these sort of demands? Second, I think the person who made up those demands did not think like you. I think they genuinely wanted each of these things and in the way it's listed as "demands" and not negotiation points, they were not expecting to negotiate.
3. I haven't noticed. Mainly because I never consider race in situations, unlike others who try to insinuate that situations are race related, even if they are not.
With that said though, I'll bite...
While I do not have the stats, I would bet that there is a larger percentage of whites who work, earn more, and therefore pay more taxes and would more likely end up being part of the 53%. Is the 53% representative of the country? Absolutely, yes. Of the whole country? Obviously not. But I find it amusing you use that almost as an attack on the movement when those claiming to be part of the 99% are not representing 99%.
I have a big issue with blanket statements like "The problem with white people..." You know, if you replace that with "black people" you're a racists. No wait, it's still a racist statement...
White people don't recognize "white privilege"?! PEOPLE don't recognize privilege! You think the color of your skin has anything to do with the human nature of taking things for granted? It doesn't. Look out at the protests and you'll see many people not recognizing the privilege they have to live in the best place in the world, do as they wish, protest without being killed, build their own businesses when they refuse to support others, and live a generally free life. It's not a "white" problem.
You simply bringing the race card up is insinuating one of a couple things... 1) Other races don't pay taxes. 2) The 53% as a group (which it isn't) is somehow racist? or 3) Minorities aren't smart enough to get themselves out of troubled situations like white males. I think the answer is much more simple... Minorities simply haven't posted their pictures - That's it. No fault of anyone.
It's that simple and to apply race to it, is not justified. In fact, crying wolf when there is none, is in fact racist itself.
A buddy of mine tried to post this here, but had issues. So this is a copy and paste from his email he wanted me to put up here. It is in two parts due to limitations of my comments system
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The main issue for me is that the bankers and financial institutions extracted tremendous amounts of wealth from across the globe and consolidated it into the hands of a few, did so in a fraudulent way, had that fraud come back and bite them, and then had the audacity to come to their respective governments and ask to be saved. What's more infuriating is that the officials who proclaimed "small government, limited intervention, no regulation" promptly wrote them a huge check, providing the bankers with yet more of the world's wealth. And they did so with very few strings attached.
I think it's reasonable to require that the banks write down the loans on any house that was underwater. Note, I'm not calling for the erasure of all debt; merely asking for a means of allowing people to have some degree equity stake. The other thing that really needs to happen is that the laws regarding student loan debt need to have a long hard look taken at them. In particular, private student loans should be subject to the same standards as any other unsecured debt, namely that they can be shed via bankruptcy. Net effect, fewer private student loans. This comes back to your point about education being a responsibility. If you can't get the scholarships or the loans then you don't go or you work your ass off in whatever crappy job you have to in order to go to college.
Healthcare is a strange topic. No, I'm not responsible for your health but when you get the plague I care. A lot. Especially considering those who are least likely to have health insurance are most likely to have to go to work even when ill. From an infection vector perspective that's a big deal. Providing a mechanism for those who are ill to be treated when it's "non-emergency" keeps the rest of the population healthier.
Guaranteed wage is a non-starter. You can make money if you have a job (or a trust fund) otherwise stay out of the way.
I'm fine with a constitutional amendment on racial and gender discrimination. The people most likely to care are the ones that the law targets. Laws can be changed at the whim of the government and the courts, constitutional amendments are not so easy to change.
A trillion dollars in infrastructure is probably a bit low, but it's a good starting point. Our country has taken the "patch and ignore" approach to infrastructure for far too long. The fundamental basis of our economic engine must be maintained and occasionally rebuilt. Without it we're hosed.
In today's political arena there is no tolerance for a grand vision, for compromise, or for far reaching goals. The instant gratification society is destroying our ability to succeed. At the end of the day these movements are concerned with one thing: having people be heard. That part is good.
Unfortunately what's happening is the conservatives advocate for capitalism on the way up and socialism on the way down, while the liberals advocate for socialism on the way up and capitalism on the way down. No one, liberal or conservative, has the courage to accept the consequences of their policy positions when taken to their logical extremes.
In the conservative world we go back to the grand old world of the industrial revolution. Corporations (really their CEOs) effectively rule the country and the political establishment. Workers were ground to paste in the name of progress. The environment was crushed and destroyed in the name of progress.
In the liberal world we move to 1984. Our basic decisions are made for us in the name of societal well being. Nonconformity is ground away leaving both high and low achievers at the same level. The environment is beautiful but you can't go anywhere near it.
Those of us in the middle are left scratching our heads trying to find the path that balances these two worlds into something that works. Because let's be honest here, neither vision if given complete free reign will work. You need liberalism to drive change and to protect the people, but you need conservatism to maintain order and protect the values system.
Here's a clip that I find particularly poignant on the topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnUBNRZaFJY
-RS
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