Does anyone remember the 60s? The world was in turmoil, college campuses and public buildings were constantly overrun by young, vibrant, dedicated, and often unruly protesters. Political leaders condemned the protesters as spoiled, unwashed, and uninformed agitators with no direction and no leadership. They were called Anarchists, Communists, children who should take a bath, cut their hair, and get a job. They were said to lack direction and discipline. It has been 50 years, a long time coming, but welcome folks…to the good ole days.
The political commentary and opinion hounds on the conservative talk shows have done their level best to discredit the protesters. I don’t see much difference between them and the gray haired, horn rimmed, curmudgeons of the 1960s. We are now five decades later and the ghosts of protests past have finally had enough. A whole host of dedicated loyal, and fed up Americans are speaking out against the economic injustice.
Occupy America is tired of seeing large corporations that make huge profits, not pay their fair share into the economy we all support. Make no mistake. Occupy America has no problem with someone being rich through hard work and perseverance. What they have a problem with is someone else getting rich on theirs. These people are looking for equality, not superiority. They are looking for representation, not annihilation.
I hear arguments that the protesters lack a clear message. That’s not true, and to say so is intellectual dishonesty. While they often speak with a different voice, we all know exactly what their message is: They want to be able to support their families. They want a roof over their heads. They want jobs. They don’t want to see their opportunities shipped overseas for no more than an uptick in market share. They want an employer that doesn’t look upon them as a liability, but an asset. They want healthcare. They want to know that if they fall ill, they have somewhere to go that will ensure they have a chance at getting better. They want security. They want to make enough, so that when they retire, they don’t have to rely on the government to care for them in their old age. What they want is the American dream.
Pundits and politicians also say that Occupy America lacks leadership. “No one is taking a stand to lead these people. Who are their leaders?” Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but YOU ARE. You, our elected officials are their leaders. We voted for you, we elected you, and we expect you, as leaders of our Representative Republic to actually represent OUR interests.
I have also watched the media attempt to pit the Tea Party and Occupy America against each other. On a limited level it has worked. However, both the Tea Party, and Occupy America are finding out that these institutions, which are both under the thumbs of big business, through lobbyists and advertising dollars, don’t really represent them. Like so many years ago, both sides are coming to the conclusion that, in this battle, they are on the same side. It is in the best interest of corporate America to keep these two camps at odds. They know, as I know, that once they merge forces, all their political power will be instantly gone.
The late 60s and early 70s were times of great upheaval and transformation. An entire generation stood up against war, poverty, racism, and sexism. But it wasn’t until the curmudgeons and the radicals began marching together that change became inevitable. It took both sides to stand up against the oppressive juggernaut of economic, social and political forces which strived to hold them down. They learned that their political leaders had become corrupt, worried more about making the other guy look bad, and ensuring their own political power, than listening to the people they were elected to represent.
So political leaders….when you sit down in front of the camera, when you pontificate at the podium, and when you obfuscate the truth, remember that you are our leaders. We elected you. You represent US. Keep this in mind as well:
WE ARE MANY! WE ARE PISSED! AND WE VOTE!