What do you hope this movement becomes?
“My hope would be that, like all great social movements, that it gets so large in number and influence that it fundamentally changes the priorities of our elected officials so that they believe then that it’s their obligation to serve individuals and not corporations.”
What do you say to critics of this movement?
“I think that most grassroots movements that I am aware of start out messy and disorganized but they do come together because there is some galvanizing need … I think it’s unfair to dismiss what is a real national crisis because it looks as though it’s less than serious.”
What would make you go home (or say “mission accomplished”)?
“I think that it’s important to maintain this as a national issue either in this park or by other means of organizing in a collective effort until there is significant change in the priorities of government, with regard to the government’s role in creating a more equitable economic system.”
-Jon Riener, 49-year-old laid off 3 times since 2001 from marketing executive jobs, as reported by Miranda Leitsinger, msnbc.com
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I really like how news reporters are highlighting the diversity of the ‘occupiers’ out there- I think that has to say something about a movement that has also been largely peaceful* despite the movement’s apparent convolutions of desires and outcries. I personally think very strong, unified themes are emerging out of the mix day by day (whether or not these more concrete ideas being forecasted will lead to concrete change is a whole ‘other political animal…).
Unfortunately, some really curious politicians are more interested in naming the Occupation a “mob” that is just pitting Americans against Americans, despite its (again) largely nonviolent protesting and increasing participation of a rather large cross-section of the population. Said politicians also believe that the “99%” should be blaming themselves for a lack of work and wealth. Right… Equal opportunities, merit-based advancement (yikes), fair labor relations, economic justice- perhaps these are the fine ideals you may have been thinking of when citing such ‘laziness’- but they are not a substantive part of our reality, Mr. Cain.
And that’s why some people are calling on the freedom to assemble.
These harsh critics should take heed: they are just further isolating themselves from a growing and justifiably impassioned part of the electorate. And speaking of “pitting Americans against Americans”, I seem to recall some GOP supporters/Tea Partiers’ explicit disapproval of some of their fellow citizens (need I point out who?). And silence concerning the well-being of many (not to mention a demonstrated lack of compassion on the issue of what really ails us).
So…who exactly should you be concerned about, Cantor?
I say this is not to somehow attribute perfect moral clarity to any side of the partisan line (s). I do have my own ideas about which side appears a little more informed and outward thinking (and less myopic in view of both history and the global landscape…). Certainly, there’s room for some humility (and definitely compassion) on all sides.
What I am saying is *this* Wall St. Occupation- despite its many voices and its sputtering infancy- is a development worth following with our eyes and ears, if only to demonstrate that we care about what is distressing so many of our fellow citizens.
*it seems arrests have been largely due to traffic obstructions
(Source: msnbc.com)
