US: "Occupy Wall Street" Uses the Street as a Stage...

I'm surprised there has been nothing posted on here about this yet!  Any who, I've been following what little coverage there has been of this, and I find it fascinating and heartening. I thought Americans didn't have it in them anymore, but apparently they do!    There has been a lot of criticism about this: how unorganised it is, seemingly directionless, no clear list of goals, a bunch of whinging college students, etc. 

I disagree that these are actually faults.  I think it's bringing to light A LOT of issues that need to be addressed.  This should have been happening in 2008 when the economy went down the tubes, this should have been happening when the healthcare bill was on the table, this should have been happening when the government was at a deadlock about the budget a few months ago.  But better late than never!

Anyway, I enjoyed this little article 'Occupy Wall Street' Uses the Street as a Stage.

What are others' thoughts? I'm interested! 

I personally think it's a matter of enough is enough.  With all the fee increases that the banks are placing on their customers here because essentially they want us to pay for their government loans, people are finally fed up. 

Here in Boston.  There is a tent city of protesters which has been up since last week.  They are right across the street from my office which is in the Financial District of the city.  They marched again yesterday. 

It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of it.  So far, from what I've seen, the media hasn't stated what the protesters actually want to come out of their marches and such.  Unless I've completely missed it on the news, I haven't seen even one protester interviewed...strange to me.

It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of it.  So far, from what I've seen, the media hasn't stated what the protesters actually want to come out of their marches and such.  Unless I've completely missed it on the news, I haven't seen even one protester interviewed...strange to me.

Funny that you mention that! I saw this yesterday: Occupy Wall Street Activist Slams Fox News Producer in Un-Aired Interview

But yeah, one comment from a lot of people on the side of the protest is that the media has simply been ignoring the whole thing as much as possible, minus the bit about 700 protesters being arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge. Well, of course they have, it's not in their interest to give this thing coverage because look at where all their money comes from.

This should have been happening in 2008 when the economy went down the tubes, this should have been happening when the healthcare bill was on the table, this should have been happening when the government was at a deadlock about the budget a few months ago.  But better late than never!

It takes time....and as we progress into the coming years, things will really start to bite. For many this has all seemed a 'phoney war'...

But you know the authorities have really clamped down on protest and getting arrested can really screw up your life - you may want to immigrate one day or something - or find a job in the sh*tty economy you were arrested for protesting against.

It takes time....and as we progress into the coming years, things will really start to bite. For many this has all seemed a 'phoney war'...

But you know the authorities have really clamped down on protest and getting arrested can really screw up your life - you may want to immigrate one day or something - or find a job in the sh*tty economy you were arrested for protesting against.

I agree, it certainly does take time and nothing will just happen overnight, so to speak, but as a people, we do have a right to be heard.  Especially where this country's government is supposedly "of the people, by the people and for the people."  It hasn't felt like that in a very long time (at least IMO).  I think that most people have had enough of being blatantly ignored...especially when they are the ones who make up the majority of the country. 

I can only speak to here in Boston, but I've seen the cops out there...not arresting people, but it looks like they're just making sure that the protests don't get out of hand and remain non-violent.  But, you're right, getting arrested can really screw up your future chances in life.  It all comes down to how much you believe in the cause and outcome vs. what may possibly be waiting for you down the road of life.

All power to the people!

I personally think it's a matter of enough is enough.  With all the fee increases that the banks are placing on their customers here because essentially they want us to pay for their government loans, people are finally fed up. 

Here in Boston.  There is a tent city of protesters which has been up since last week.  They are right across the street from my office which is in the Financial District of the city.  They marched again yesterday. 

It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of it.  So far, from what I've seen, the media hasn't stated what the protesters actually want to come out of their marches and such.  Unless I've completely missed it on the news, I haven't seen even one protester interviewed...strange to me.

I agree.
The country is being held to ransom because of the election next year. That's very important unless you are one of thousands who don't know if they will have food for tea tonight.

The presidential candidates are shouting they will get jobs, jobs, jobs but why aren't they passing these bills in congress that will create jobs? Because it's not in their political interests.

It takes time....and as we progress into the coming years, things will really start to bite. For many this has all seemed a 'phoney war'...

But you know the authorities have really clamped down on protest and getting arrested can really screw up your life - you may want to immigrate one day or something - or find a job in the sh*tty economy you were arrested for protesting against.

Not feeding your family because you don't have work can really screw up your life also.

I think it's a matter of "We are mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore!"
It was the same in Syria, Egypt and Libya. The people are really pissed off now and they feel that taking it to the streets is the only way  left to get our government to see we are desperate. 

I agree.
The country is being held to ransom because of the election next year. That's very important unless you are one of thousands who don't know if they will have food for tea tonight.

The presidential candidates are shouting they will get jobs, jobs, jobs but why aren't they passing these bills in congress that will create jobs? Because it's not in their political interests.

Completely.  The politicians need to stop bashing their heads against each other and do the job that they have been elected to.  They need to get this country back on it's feet and they aren't going to do that by degrading each other's parties.  Enough already.  I know three year olds that act better than these people. 

Then again, what do they care?  They can live comfortably in their houses, not have to worry about food or shelter while the rest of us have to scrape to get by most times.  We can vote them out, but we usually aren't given anyone much better to vote for.

But you know the authorities have really clamped down on protest and getting arrested can really screw up your life - you may want to immigrate one day or something - or find a job in the sh*tty economy you were arrested for protesting against.

You're right, but my mother seems to think that young people (college age) should be the ones to protest in the street because right now, we have the least to lose. My generation is going to be the first in quite some time not to be better off than their parents. While I understand that I will one day need stable employment, not protesting out of fear only exacerbates the issue. In fact, that's what they're hoping will happen. That people will be too afraid to rise up and demand change because we're afraid of losing our jobs. Don't get me wrong, I'm afraid to be without employment, but I'm also afraid that I'll be working in retail the rest of my life despite having a college degree.

But you know the authorities have really clamped down on protest and getting arrested can really screw up your life - you may want to immigrate one day or something - or find a job in the sh*tty economy you were arrested for protesting against.

It's true, and this is one of the really, really unfortunate things about the state of our country at the moment.  That we have to feel afraid to voice our concerns. That there are BS consequences for showing solidarity with others when we're not happy about something. But, writing letters doesn't help, does it? Petitions? Those mediums are so easily ignored by politicians who want to ignore them. What else can you do? Vote? For who, for what? Another person just like the guy before? Another guy in the pocket of some corporation?

I am so glad that there are people taking that risk, despite the fact that there shouldn't be a risk. I would love nothing more than to be a part of it. But, like you said, I have to think about my future as an immigrant, so the best I can do is talk about it with people and just show support in other ways. 

so the best I can do is talk about it with people and just show support in other ways. 

We can vote. But they all seem the same. Or even if they have principles the political system itself ends up corrupting. You have to play ball. One of the great strengths of representative democracy is that it has a built in stability. But this stability makes change - the kind of versatility needed to address things like the current crisis - almost impossible. 

Too I think there is a collective denial regarding the seriousness of the situation. Mervyn King today said he fears this crisis is the 'worst ever' - a pretty extraordinary thing for a Bank of England governor to utter. But I think many, those hanging on to their jobs, are just keeping their heads down and uttering late night prayers, "Dear Lord don't let it be me".

But, like you said, I have to think about my future as an immigrant, so the best I can do is talk about it with people and just show support in other ways. 

This.  Although I agree and respect what the protesters are trying to bring to light, I also have to cheer from the sidelines as I have to think about my future as an immigrant.

We desperately need change (for the better) in this country.  I heard on the news this morning that President Obama "understands" what the protesters are doing.  Really?  That's great, but unfortunately, every time he's brought something up as a needed change, Congress has bashed it over the head to keep it from happening. 

As it was put earlier by NOT, we can't vote for change as that just brings in the same type of person with the same BS just a different face.  We can't write for change because letters/emails/petitions are easily passed over and ignored.  Unfortunately, protesting for change is really the one thing left to do which they trying hard to ignore, but I hope will not be ignored for much longer.