Fox Business News Occupied, Owned
Last night, a Fox Business News reporter faced off against an Occupy Wall Street protester over the “Millionaire’s March” that had people demonstrating in front of Manhattan homes owned by super wealthy CEOs on Tuesday afternoon.
She argued how plebeian crowds could have scared their kids, assuming they weren’t in the warm embrace of nannies, and did her best to to deride the group’s intentions.
But that didn’t work out too well, because OccupyWallSt.org’s spokesman, Harrison Schultz, was well prepared for the network’s special brand of bullshit. To their credit, at least they aired this interview, unlike its sister station the last time an articulate demonstrator had something smart to say.
by Bucky Turco on October 12, 2011 at 10:00 am
Editor-in-Chief:
God this is great.
So, the message is…we're angry and we HAVE no plan to fix what we're angry about? We're protesting…just to protest?
When your roof leaks, you don't yell at the leak, you find the cause and then you FIX THE LEAK. Most of these "occupiers" (and I've been down there daily talking to them for over a week) have NO IDEA how to change things. They just want their demands NOW – no matter how ridiculous they are.
$20 minimum wage? Free College for all? Forgive ALL debt worldwide? These are crazy pie-in-the-sky ideas, but if they were serious ONLY CONGRESS has the power to change ANYTHING on their list of demands. If you want to change things, why not Protest CONGRESS? Why not go to Congressman's homes?
Instead you occupy a park 3 blocks form Wall Street to become a Tourist attraction and nothing more?
Protests have NEVER changes how a private business does business.
A sit in and tantrums does not a movement make.
I see what you're getting at but these are just the beginnings, the tide is rising
. For instance, if nobody pays taxes can the government bail out banks and fund illegal wars? If the majority of the population boycotts elections, is the government relevant anymore? No.
The people in power realize this and will have no choice but to enact changes once the heat gets too high.
We should be thankful that there are no plans for change, it's so open ended that anybody with any concern can join in.
If "nobody" pays taxes, the every facet of government will shut down, closing post offices, hospitals, welfare centers, public health clinics and more. It's not only unlikely, it's a pipe dream.
And, the chances of "nobody" paying taxes is slim to none – except, of course, for the 95% of all US Earners who ALREADY pay only 20% of all US income tax. (the top 5% of earners pays 80% of all US income taxes.) See what I mean? These pipe dreams have no basis in reality without engaging the rest of the country – but all they are doing now is alienating themselves from them, while creating a class war.
Same with the "majority" of people boycotting elections. INSTEAD, why not form an ALTERNATE party? if they really had 99% of the Nation on their side, and each donated 1$, they'd have the most powerful PAC on the planet.
The tide is not turning because some out of work folk and trust fund kids in $300 jeans took over a bunch of city parks. The tide will ONLY turn if they get the rest of the nation on their side. They have a Looooong way to go.
A looong way to go, but if we don't start doing something now…when?
Even if most of the problems aren't solved there is still gain, just like in the 60s
with the civil rights movements…
Please tell me you didn't just compare the so-called "Flea Party" to the Civil Rights Movement.
Especially after OWS Atlanta SHOUTED DOWN and then refused to allow Civil Rights Pioneer and Icon John Lewis to address them just days ago…
Apologies for their lack of ambition, message or drive to accomplish anything is all I seem to hear from supporters and the "occupiers" themselves.
So, what is your solution?
To start, I'd move the protests to Washington DC, since only Congress can approve the kinds of changes that need to happen. (I know there is a branch there called occupy DC, but they are fairly innocuous). Announce a procession and gathering day in DC and people will come in droves.
Then, instead of marching on Millionaires' homes, I would have 'cells" if you will occupy/stage rallies in the hometowns of Senators and Congressman. Bring the message to their constituents, many of whom may join you. Let their wives and kids and neighbors see the outrage. Right now, it is easily ignored if you don't live in NYC, just change the channel. But if the outrage moves in down the street from their families, lawmakers *will* stand up and take notice.
However, NONE of that can happen until a clear, coherent list of ATTAINABLE goals (forget forgiveness of debt, free college, $20 minimum wage) is compiled. Realistic ideas and policy changes should be outlined and presented in depth to the American people via press releases and the Web, then to the various levels of government through designated channels to create a national dialogue – not the monologue everyone is currently laughing at.
That's for starters.
It's not the protestors job or responsibility to draft detailed plans to fix the issues they are angry about, that is the job and responsibility of legislators. And if Congress had been doing that job, there wouldn't be hordes of angry, pissed off people voicing their displeasure.
@honestrob. Good points about whom to target. However your data about the income tax is irrelevant. They may pay 80% of the income tax, but those that pay the other 20% pay way more of THEIR income to tax. Does that make sense? You are looking at the wrong numbers. Why am I paying a higher % of my yearly income in taxes than someone who makes 100x what I make a year?