What is "Occupy Wall Street" Really About?

This is a position paper by Mike McCready about what the Occupy Wall Street movement is really about. You can read the text or download the pdf by clicking here: http://www.mikemccready.com/2011/10/24/what-is-occupy-wall-street-really-about/

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• Occupy Wall Street
• Position Paper
• Vote
• Politics

[DrGeoSci]

I enjoyed the video and generally agree with it, but I didn't hear any clear objectives on which policies should actually be changed, and how.

[mjmccready101]

@DrGeoSci You are right. When I made this video (nearly 3 months ago) my concern was that the whole movement was being misunderstood and that the few misbehaving protestors were detracting from the message - or even that the protestors themselves were unable to effectively articulate what they were trying to say. The "solution" to the problem is far more difficult and probably much more debatable. Although, I have not heard a single good idea from the Republican field of candidates.

[AudioBlueCrew]

Nice commentary - my summation is much more succinct - wall street has lost the basis of true value when contemplating - level of effort - with the economic rewards...

[mjmccready101]

@AudioBlueCrew I understad what you're saying but I don't think that any two businesses or fields of endeavor have a consistent ratio of effort to reward. The economy places a value on the results that are created. Some results have a very high value regardless of the amount of effort required to create them.

[hellkid12345]

Soooooo..... What I got out of this is that occupy wall street is full of communist and people who are agienst capitilism....to think I actually once supported you guys...but I do agree with fighting agienst shit like acta!

[SunnyLowdown]

While I agree with the sentiments expressed, there's more to it. Many of those in the 1% did not get there solely through hard work. Some started with inherited money. Others exploited cheap labor overseas. Others, such as the banks, auto companies, and brokerage firms that were too big to fail, were propped up by government handouts. Many who took handouts are Republicans. They want it both ways -- no government help for those less fortunate, but "pay me when I screw up". Selfish greed.

[allgoo19]

Capitalism drives the wealth to people already have (money makes more money), by nature. Things get even worse when wealthies buy politicians to get their way, then the it'll accelerates even faster.

Economy slows down when people don't have money to buy things(Inequality), by nature. Along the way people don't have money to buy necessities tend to commit crime results in undesirable society.

Capitalism is not a sustainable system without a little tweak.

[DrazonSanders]

Very very well put. Bravo.

[MrGueMusic]

This is the clearest and most insightful understanding of the current economic situation that I have heard. So what does the average Joe do about it? Is there really anyone in Washhington with the integrity to fight for what's right? Doubt it, since it would cost them special interest money.

[TheAceofNate]

You're one of the smart occupy supporters that I actually agree with. Not all those "corporate controlling the government" hippies.

[innerrevolution1]

It's about a lack of awareness and greed generally. If the number one goal is to be materially affluent, moral standards fall by the wayside, and the pyramidal hierarchichal structure of greed is allowed to take shape. This can only be undermined, when people discover they are not victims - slaves to consumerism and fate - instead they are wonderful individuals in a network of life that can create happiness for one another. Sounds trite but love conquers all.

[AudioBlueCrew]

@mjmccready101 - great response, as expected....but until the value systems of some (not all) move beyond that of greed and self service, the opportunity for change will be a distant.

By the way - I'm diggin' the music xray idea...