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NationofChange / Op-Ed
Published: Monday 31 October 2011
“Occupying public space is the beginning of an American revolt.”
A Warning to the Economic and Political Elites: Listen Now
The Occupy Movement is not only resulting in the occupation of public space, but also in political space. We are already shifting the dialogue and the movement has just begun.
When we started planning the occupation of Freedom Plaza six months ago, our goal was to create a place where the ignored voices of the American people could be heard. They are starting to be heard thanks to occupations all over the country. If it is not clear to the economic and political elites, this is the beginning of an American revolt.
Before considering occupation, we tried other avenues: elections, lobbying, petitioning, email campaigns, telephone campaigns, marches, rallies – but they were ineffective. The country continued going in the direction of concentrated wealth, rather than where super-majorities of Americans wanted to go.
The occupation of Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, DC and occupations around the country display our message of anger at the unfairness of the economy, the expanding war quagmires and the corruption of government that result in the people’s urgent necessities being ignored in favor of more wealth for the top 1%.
I don’t like sleeping in a tent in Freedom Plaza. But we see no other way to get our voices heard. We are occupying Freedom Plaza because Americans have been kept out of the political process. Money rules elections and lobbying, while the 99% are ignored.
We occupy Washington, DC because it is where big business money combines with campaign laws that corrupt government so that it does not respond to the people. Washington, DC is corporate occupied territory with 18,000 professional lobbyists, most of who work for business interests pushing the agenda of concentrated wealth.
The great health care reform “triumph” of the Obama administration highlighted how out of touch government is with the people. For more than a decade Americans have simply wanted improved Medicare and for all and removal of the unnecessary insurance industry. Instead, President Obama and the Democratic leadership pushed “reform” that further entrenched the insurance industry with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual tax subsidies and forcing Americans to purchase flawed insurance. They kept single payer out of the debate because Medicare for all compared with insurance-based health care is less expensive, covers everybody and improves the quality of health care.
The response to the financial crisis was also inadequate. People from Wall Street responsible for the collapse were put in key positions in the administration. Congress was unable to pass a real stimulus early in the Obama era. Instead a weak, partial stimulus was passed that may have slowed the economic collapse but missed the opportunity to turn things around. The financial reform was inadequate as it failed to break up the big banks, bring back Glass-Steagall or adequately regulate derivatives. Last week Citibank got off easy with a $285 million fine for the sale of a billion dollars in fraudulent mortgage derivatives but this was only one of many corrupt Citibank deals, the rest will not even be investigated. Once again, obvious and necessary steps were impossible due to corporate power.
Occupying public space is an opportunity to discuss political taboos. As the war drum against Iran began to beat Freedom Plaza held an Iran night with Persian food, music, dancing and discussion. We discussed why war on Iran was wrong, as well as the problems in the U.S. relationships with Saudi Arabia and Israel. And, we mentioned a reality almost never heard in U.S. media or politics – U.S. Empire. While the military will not say how many bases and outposts it has the most thorough review estimates more than 1,100 around the world and now a new empire of drones. The British Empire had 37 bases at its peak and the Romans had 36. The U.S. Empire is a secret to most Americans only discussed as a euphemism –policeman of the world. This false description hides the real facts of exploitation and domination. This taboo needs to be broken so Americans can debate whether empire is good for the nation and the world.
The Occupy Movement is being driven by economic insecurity. Almost all Americans feel it that is why we are all part of the 99%. The economic insecurity is not because of lack of resources, but because political elites consistently send money to economic elites through tax breaks and giveaways resulting in the wealthiest 400 Americans having the wealth of 154 million of us, yet paying 17.4% in federal taxes while working Americans pay 25% to 30%. The tax structure needs to be restructured so wealth is taxed more than work, purchases of stocks, bonds and derivatives are taxed (we pay taxes on purchase food, clothing and shelter) and a truly progressive income tax is put in place. It is this unfairness at a time of economic fear that is driving the Occupy Movement.
A warning to the elites: occupations are only the beginning. This movement is in its early stage and is going to grow in ways that are hard to imagine right now. We know that decades of the expansion of corporate power will not be undone with one occupation. Plans are being made by some of us to move “Beyond Occupation” to the next steps of building a movement that represents all Americans – youth burdened with college loans and lousy jobs, seniors stuck in poverty retirement with their Social Security and Medicare threatened, the middle class who worked their whole lives and are now part of the long-term unemployed, live in homes with underwater mortgages and fear foreclosure and of course the poor, homeless and mentally ill whose mistreatment has become more obvious as the public space we occupy draws them to us for food and housing.
A message for the elites: THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. LISTEN TO US NOW OR THE PRICE OF CHANGE WILL GET MORE EXPENSIVE FOR YOU: What do we seek? We seek an end to corporate rule and shifting power to the people.
For more on the October2011 movement please visit October2011.org
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16 comments on "A Warning to the Economic and Political Elites: Listen Now"
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October 31, 2011 8:53pm
I agree!
October 31, 2011 8:28pm
This is not going away and will continue to grow. By restricting the protesters from using amplified electronic equipment they have given the pure human voice the most power it has ever had. That the voice of the people has grown stronger in the face of this restriction is a testament to the adaptability of the movement and its ability to overcome obstacles. I am in love with the human mic (although it reminds me of a few scenes from "The Life of Brian"). That others around the world have mimmicked this in homage is a beauty unto itself. It is inevitable that samples from the mic will infiltrate the electronic music scene if it hasn't already. The people have found their voice. There is no turning back.
October 31, 2011 3:57pm
There is an old saying: "Don't fix it if it ain't broken..." Today is time to FIX our Government!!
October 31, 2011 3:28pm
Thomas Paine urged that everything "beyond what a man's own hands produce" was a gift that came to him simply by living in society, and, hence, "he owes on every principle of justice, of gratitude, and of civilization, a part of that accumulation back again to society from whence the whole came."
The Entire Income Tax Code MUST be Repealed and Replaced. By the elimination of ALL the Exceptions, Exemptions, and Deductions and by making every source of Income be subject to the same Tax Code no matter How it was earned, Where it was earned, or What it was earned from. That means Capital Gains would be taxed at the full Tax Rate. This is an Income Tax Code that is based upon the ability to pay, just like everything else in life is. PLEASE note that the implementation of this Tax Code would Significant6ly reduce the size of the IRS.
The definition of poverty level income will vary from family to family as it depends on how many people live under one roof. Therefore the amount of Income one can earn before paying Income Tax will also Vary. This figure will have to be adjusted annually for a Cost-Of-Living or Inflation.
Income earned from $.01 to $10,830.00 for a family of one would pay Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $14,570.00 for a family of two would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $18,310.00 for a family of three would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $22,050.00 for a family of four would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $25,790.00 for a family of five would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $29,530.00 for a family of six would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $33,270.00 for a family of seven would be Zero Tax Rate.
Income earned from $.01 to $37,010.00 for a family of eight would be Zero Tax rate.
Income earned from $10,000.01 to $20,000.00 would pay 2.5% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $20,000.01 to $30,000.00 would pay 5.0% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $30,000.01 to $40,000.00 would pay 7.5% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $40,000.01 to $50,000.00 would pay 10.0% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $50,000.01 to $60,000.00 would pay 12.5% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $60,000.01 to $70,000.00 would pay 15.0% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $70,000.01 to $$80,000.00 would pay 20% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $80,000.01 to $90,000.00 would pay 25% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $90,000.01 to $100,000.00 would pay 30% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $100,000.01 to $350,000,000.00 would pay 35% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $350,000.01 to $1,000,000.00 would pay 40% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $1,000,000.01 to $10,000,000.00 would pay a 45% Tax Rate.
Income earned from $10,000,000.01 and up would pay a Tax Rate of 50%.
Corporate Tax Rate would be 10%. With NO Exceptions, Exemptions and the only Deductions would be for the actual Expenses directly related to running the business and producing or providing the product or service. This would ensure that all Corporations, Companies, Institutions or for Profit Organizations that earned a Profit they would PAY TAXES.
To the Corporations I actually believe that it is very possible that this could be a much smaller Income Tax Rate if the rest of my Tax Plan were the Law.
October 31, 2011 8:57pm
Good idea!
October 31, 2011 1:54pm
The foundation of the current political/economic/cultural system which the economic, political and cultural elites control is a sociopathic/psychopathic agenda which is determined to destroy the social, political, cultural and economic fabric which binds us together. As that fabric unravels and disintegrates, the stage is set for the mass deaths of many within the 99% through austerity policies, unbridled greed and a cultural, political and economic system which are regressive, instead of progressive, and destroys the social, economic, political and cultural fabric.
So, when it comes to organizing to counter the power and the sociopathic/psychopathic agenda of the political, cultural and economic elites, and creating a much stronger social, political, cultural and economic fabric which cannot be corrupted by the elites, it will be absolutely necessary for OWS to reach out to the disenfranchised and the dispossessed and bring them into the movement in order to generate the kind of critical mass (which is the hallmark of a true "mass-strike") which can provide the basis for a radical transformation in the society, culture, political and economic systems, including the creation of at least one new political party to combat the insular, ossified two-headed one party political system we have now.
October 31, 2011 8:58pm
Inciteful. You are cerebral!
October 31, 2011 1:36pm
If revolt doesn't work, then revolution is the next step. The world is changing and fast, the elites will never concede without violence, so as well intentioned as our revolt is, the way will end up being total revolution, because the system that is degrading humanity and consuming the planet cannot be sustained any longer.
October 31, 2011 1:32pm
400 Americans having the wealth of 154 million of us, yet paying 17.4% in federal taxes while working Americans pay 25% to 30%.
These 440 people control 300,000,000 of us through the political/economic/cultural system. The challenge: how we can organize to counter their power?
October 31, 2011 8:56pm
I agree!
October 31, 2011 12:44pm
"Power concedes nothing without a demand".... Frederick Douglas
I think it safe to say that power, as it is currently practiced behind closed doors on Wall St. and in DC, will concede nothing for ay reason short of the threat of imminent violence. As events in Oakland California last week have demonstrated, violence is not off the table. The #OWS movement has remained steadfastly non-violent, not so the Oakland police and I would venture a guess that more police promulgated violence is to come if the #OWS persists. Sadly, the blood of martyrs does seem to have a catalyzing effect, but let us hope that the goals of the movement are achievable without that.
The next step is of course to take the movement to the political parties. That means sending the tea bag assholes in Congress back to the private sector that they are so enamored of, get the sandbags in the Democratic party to get off their indolent butts and out of the pockets of the same corporate mooks that are pulling ALL the strings in DC. And while we're at it, flush the corporazi lobbyists out into the open, sunlight being such an effective disinfectant. It is also time for a viable third (or fourth of fifth) party in American electoral politics. As it is currently constituted, there are no parties that speak for me. I am the 99%. See you in Oakland on Nov. 2.
October 31, 2011 12:38pm
Eliminate the upper class and the lower class by rewriting the tax code to create a thriving middle class. The rest of the noise doesn't matter. The tax code does.
October 31, 2011 3:38pm
Hey George rewriting the Income Tax Code is only part of what we need to do. I have posted my latest update on my Income Tax Plan one here.
But we MUST get the BIG Money out of Politics. When will we Demand a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the "Rich and Powerful" from having the ability for buying elections for those they support financially? The Supreme Court of the United States of America, In a black-robed coup against our democracy, the Supremes ruled that a corporation's money is "speech" and that CEOs may dump unlimited sums of it into their own ad campaigns to elect or defeat any candidates they choose.
All the Amendment needs to do is clarify that an Individual is a Living Breathing Member of the Homo-Sapiens Species.
Only Congress should have the ability and authority to place limits on who can make Contributions to a Political Party and to a Political Candidate. Only Congress should have the ability and authority to place limits on Who, What, Where, When and How a Contribution can be made to a Political Party or to a Political Candidate.
I recommend that all contributions should be made directly to the FEC with a stipulation as to which Political Party or to which Political Candidate it is to be given to. Then once a month the FEC should transfer the Contribution to the Political Party or the Individual Political Candidate anonymously, thereby eliminating the obligation a candidate might otherwise feel if they knew who it was that was support them Financially.
October 31, 2011 11:11am
Thirty years of failed economic policies have resulted in a regressive tax system. It should be progressive and not devolve into something even more regressive, which is what Repubs want. It makes sense that those making over $1M pay more but it would also make sense that the loopholes corporations drive through are closed and waste in government operations (like the staggering duplicative military budget) is slashed. This isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' problem but part of the problem would be solved if those in the 1% would do their share.http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/category/the-bk-dame-says/
October 31, 2011 9:05pm
Staggering duplicate military budget is right. But did you watch CSPAN last week when the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee broke down and wept crocodile tears into his silk, monogrammed handkerchief at the thought of cutting a dime? He was obviously inspired by witness Gen. Peter Chiarelli's performance. Chiarelli defiantly waved his finger skyward showing his contempt and disdain for anyone who suggests we cut a penny from military spending. That will be a hard row to hoe. Woe is us!