Occupy Corruption

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the efforts of Occupy Protesters at least once in my blog.  I guess this day would be better than any other.

From the beginning, when Occupy first set up in Zucotti Park in New York, I had my doubts about the movement and what they were trying to accomplish.  I was interested and intrigued, however, as with every other observer, it was difficult to discern what they were trying to convey.  When their messages began to materialize I became more than interested, I grew emotionally involved. Their messages were mixed, the press was confused, yet I saw the beauty of their statements as a metaphor for how the country is feeling at this time. 

In the end of the George W. Bush presidency we had seen a somewhat similar movement, called the Tea Party, grab hold of our political conscience.  They became a huge voice in the 2010 elections due to a weary electorate looking to oust the insiders connected to corporate lobbyists and greed.  And then their message became muddled with the voices of angry pundits spreading false information and radical ideology.  At once our nation awoke from the slumber and realized that the Tea Party movement was no longer a people's movement but a partisan ambush.

Rather than populist concerns and intelligent discourse, it became co-opted into angry rhetoric and partisan bashing.  The conversation was no longer that of love of country but take up arms and destroy those who disagree.  I once had a friend in my home discussing current politics.  When I spoke in simple terms of my distrust and low opinion of the Tea Party movement and the visceral turn it had taken, not to mention a certain movement hero who choked out numerous ossifying and polarizing oratories, my friend turned on me.  He became animated and began shouting at me.  I've no doubt there are many others around the country who have had similar experiences.

As it became painfully obvious that the Tea Party had evolved into bitter voices and bigoted actions, the collective conscience of the more moderate thinkers in our society shifted away.  A political party embraced them as the ugly cousin with cute friends.  But to those who embraced sanity in an insane world, the message was lost, yet the problem remained.  No one had truly addressed the issues that nearly brought our nation to the brink of disaster.  And in walked Occupy.

The motley band of protesters with their tents and drum circles were nothing more than fodder for late night talk show hosts and political satirists.    But as the movement grew, so did the attention bestowed upon them.  Those who vehemently supported the Tea Party turned on the occupy movement as if they were mangy pit-bulls.  And more Americans began to notice. 

As they were assaulted by overzealous protectors of rights, and evicted from their makeshift homesteads, the movement evolved into Human Red Carpets and Occupy Foreclosures.  They proved they were not just a band of homeless squatters invading private and public domains.  They were truly activists who were willing to fight for the average person, helping down-on-their-luck people to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

In spite of their altruistic deeds, there were many who continue to disparage them.   One particular pundit warned his listeners "they will drag you  out and kill you.."  But it didn't dissuade their supporters.  Presidential candidates painted them as lazy, calling them "ignorant and disrespectful." Michele Bachmann said that they only wanted to have "people pay for their stuff." Newt Gingrich told protesters to "Go get a job" and "Take a bath."  Deposed candidate and former pizza-groping aficionado, Herman Cain, called Occupiers “jealous’ Americans who "play the victim card” and want to “take somebody else’s” Cadillac.

With all the negative attention there were many who expected the movement to dwindle, even fade into obscurity as a lost cause.  And yet, the movement continued to grow.  Why?  Because their message was simple and remains as simple as the day it was conceived: We're angry as hell and we're not gonna take it anymore!  Now I have to say that there has been no official statement as to one clear message of the Occupy movement.  My generality of their cause is only my summary, not theirs.  And yet, I listen to their chants and their pleas to get corporate money out of our politics, stop bailing out the big guys when there are so many of the little guys who are hurting even more, listen to the poor majority not the rich minority, etc... and I'm so reminded of the Shay's Rebellion as I witness this event that will be marked forever in our history.


I find it ingenious that they haven't stated a clear goal nor picked a central leader, although it has been driving the media and naysayers mad.  The truth is, their movement isn't about one person or one political party or even one problem.  It is about all of us and the many problems we now face due to misjudgements and continued pandering to a small group of anointed people.  It is about our changing world and the trials each of us face that are as varied as the cultures within our small nation.  It is about being able to respond to situations as they arise and not brush aside the needy because their circumstances don't fit within the narrowed purpose of a borrowed movement.

My hat is off to all those who have sacrificed for the Occupy protests across the country. Although they have met with incredible adversity they haven't allowed even crummy weather to dampen their spirits.  We all need a little Occupy in our lives to remind us what is really worth fighting for and what rights are worth preserving.  I am the 99% and so are you.  Thank you Occupy!  You are true heroes in this, sometimes, ungrateful nation.