Why I Support Occupy Wall Street & Thoughts on Money in Politics
There has been A LOT of talk about Occupy Wall Street lately. Its no surprise that “the left” supports this movement while “the right” has come out against it. All this while the middle (independents) has been indifferent just like they have been to the tea party (one can easily make the argument that the Tea Party has worse polling). Jeff Carter from PointsandFigures had an article calling OWS fraud. I have to respectfully disagree with him. Not because of the fact that some might have been paid to protest. But because he is generalizing a whole national movement by what 1 guy might have said. Besides, its not like the Tea Party has NOT done the same thing. They have, and on a grander scale. Anyway, I could care less about who pays how much to whoever to do whatever. My main problem is this.
Here’s what both sides (as a majority) dont understand. The problem is NOT Government or Corporations. Its the fact that the two can MIX because of MONEY in politics. What stops a politician from truly voting for a bill that would benefit America as a whole rather than a concentrated few? HIS FUNDING FOR HIS ELECTION. And as long as those funding him (could also be special interest groups, unions) threaten to pull funds if she/he doesn’t vote a certain way, than that politician is stuck voting in the way that corporation (or union, special interest group) wants.
Look don’t get me wrong. I love unions. I love corporations. They both have important places in our lives. BUT you cannot tell me that anything exclusively beneficial to a union (only 12% of Working force in 2010 was part of union) or corporation is beneficial to the whole country. That is just BS.
@Dinosaur Trader had a great article comparing the Tea Party to OccupyWS. I think he does a real good job in getting the similarities across. Both are pissed groups of people (im talking about the true, non-bought ones) who “Are made as hell and can’t take it anymore”. But both groups miss the main solution to this problem and its Getting money out of politics. Tea partiers say a “smaller government is a better government”. Ya, it also means that there are fewer people to buy, which i am sure corporations would love. As for OWS, i’ve seen a lot of anti-capitalist signs and a lot of socialist demands (although not official). Look, does some socialism belong in our society (ex-Social Security)? Yes. But we are a mainly a capitalist country-the best economic system in the world. You can’t be anti-capitalism, bu you can be anti-corporatism.
Here was a great article that I wish OWS would adopt as their manifesto, with #3 as the main headline. The list of demands included.
1) Making banks safer, and letting them fail. Not only will that stabilize our financial system but it will also get rid of the “We’re going to get bailed out no matter what” scenario that encourages excessive risk-taking.
2) Leveling off Executive pay. Those on top should be getting paid huge, but not to the point where its more than 100X-200X the average workers salary.
3) Freeing legislators from Special Interest Groups. This falls under my main argument of getting money out of politics.
4) Not too crazy for this, because I do not want 7,8,9 political parties in the political system. But would a third or fourth party somehow help balance debate? Not 100% on that but could be. But again, if you get money out of politics, this issue would become less important, since they wont be bought anymore.
Why Get Money Out of Politics?
Here are some stats and thoughts to back up this up.
1) We dont allow money to specific policeman or to specific Judges. Can you imagine HOW CORRUPT our security forces and judicial system would be if that happened (ive seen this firsthand in my parents’ home country of Armenia)? Now replace them with politicians. See?
2) It will actually bring out a true debate and the true solutions. If you truely believe its lower taxes, then eventually that is what will get passed. If you truely believe its more spending, then that will get passed. Whatever. At least like this we can find the true answer to all our problems without outside influences.
3) Here is a GREAT history about Money in politics by @DylanRatigan. Watch it to get an understanding about where wev’e come from and where we need to go. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37560195/#44645552 (Starts 1:26)
4) So, still think money is OK in politics? What about this. The so-called Super PACs recieve more than 80% of their funding from just 58 donors. Yes, that means 58 donors basically DECIDE what our politicians should do… http://politics.salon.com/2011/09/29/2012_gop_money/singleton/
5) If that still didn’t persuade you, then this will. In 2008, the candidate that raised the MOST money, WON 94% of the time. If that does not blow your mind away (and persuade you), then I don’t know what will. That basically says, Money=WIN.
———————————————
So why do I support OccupyWS? Is it because I hate Wall Street and Corporate America? NO. I support the movement (do not agree with everything they believe in) because they are pissed the game is rigged. Nobody would watch a NFL game if they knew one side had paid the refs off. So why would it be different in politics? We need to Enact public campaign financing. I am not sure exactly how that would work, but it would be much better than having the system we have now.
This may sound like a pipe dream, but believe me it is doable. HOW many times has something so radical/fantasy turned into reality in US history? America is one of the most progressive countries the world has seen. So why can’t we be the leaders here, and get the money out.
Look, this is not a Right or Left issue. Its a common sense Issue. You cant be against capatalism, you cant be against corporations, you cant be against government. But you can be against MONEY in POLITICS. Let us repeal the Citizens United case and establish a constitutional AMENDMENT to Get Money out.
Help us #GetMoneyOut of politics by not only supporting the cause but also signing @DylanRatigan’s petition over at:
PS: MY presidential vote will go to Gov. Buddy Roemer (if he is on the ballot), the only true candidate in the election who supports Getting money out (Who has been unfairly shut out of the debates,conversation).
