Are general strikes that shut down cities the way for Occupy Wall Street to get its point across?
From Jack Cafferty, CNN
It's starting to get ugly – when it comes to those Occupy protests going on around the country.
In Oakland, California, violent protests succeeded in shutting down the fifth busiest port in the nation last night.
Officials used tear gas on protesters who refused to leave the port. Hundreds of protesters threw rocks and shot fireworks at the officers who asked them to leave. Dozens were arrested.
The late-night violence in Oakland came after thousands marched in a largely peaceful protest during the day. They effectively shut down the city – calling it the first general strike in the U.S. since the 1940s.
And - the protests aren't only heating up in California:
Seattle police used pepper spray on protesters who disrupted rush-hour traffic. Hundreds of demonstrators surrounded a Seattle hotel where JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was speaking. Protesters clashed with police in riot gear.
As for New York, where it all started, the Occupy Wall Street protesters have been at it for almost 50 days now.
And it looks like Mayor Michael Bloomberg may be getting tired of them. He's using a tougher tone... saying the city may quote "take actions" against protesters who are disrupting the quality of life.
Meanwhile - a growing number of Americans are identifying with the occupy movement as they learn more about it.
A new ORC International poll shows 36% of those surveyed say they agree with the overall positions of the movement - that's more than one-third of Americans.
19% say they don't agree... while 44% are unsure.
Here's my question to you: Are general strikes that shut down cities the way for Occupy Wall Street to get its point across?
Tune in to "The Situation Room" at 5 p.m. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air.
And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Is the point.....being stupid?
All these protests are accomplishing, is the waste of public money on police and city administrations, and waste in damages to both public and private properties.
Nothing else is being accomplished.
The labor unions behind the violence, need to be held accountable for the damages to property, and the cities should sue them for the money.
I think it is a great way to build resentment and disdain for the group. I think it will certainly will provide more support to drive them off if they do not have a valid permit to gather or camp somewhere.
And when the bills for managing the outages comes across then those taxpayers who are told to pony up more cash will see just how little these people care about the working people in this country.
Yes, and until the GOP stops protecting themselves and there rich buddies and the banks this will never go away.
No. General strikes have the downside of hurting small business owners in an already bad economic climate. In addition they would likely alienate many, many of those people whose support is needed in order to achieve the goal of economic fairness and equality. Well organized and peaceful marches will attract more and more participants increasingly attracting those middle class Americans who have been penalized by current economic policies and regulations which favor Wall Street, the super wealthy and corporations. Perhaps the Occupiers could benefit from the wise council of those who helped organize the marches led by Martin Luther King.
Jack: In a word, NO". The occupy group need to sit down explain what they believe, and their overall purpose for demostrating, and what specific changes in Wall Street, Congress, and this culture we call America they want to happen. They might make the nightly news, but no one is taking them seriously, which is ashame. Some of their ideas are good and should be implemented.
General Strikes are probably the only way to get the point across. The OWS complaints are the news every day of the week, year after year, but our highly talented Elected Officials continue with their backwards legislation. There is very little hope for our Elected Officials!
I don't think so Jack. Most of these people can not articulate why they are protesting in the first place. Mostly they are upset because they made poor choices and need someone besides themselves to blame for it. No one told them to invest there money where it was lost. They did that themselves. Now they are upset at others for their own stupid mistakes. Look at Oakland. Yesterday these people turned violent and tore up their own city. Now what good did that do? Their tax dollars will have to be used to rebuild it. You do not cut off your own nose to spite your face.
Right now they've got the cart before the horse. To eventually "seal the deal", yes, it may be necessary to have general strikes. In the recent "Arab spring" and in previous history, that's often the way these things play out. But if it's not clear what the strikers want, there's no deal to seal. These "Occupy" demonstrations need to be a lot clearer about what their point is before they can get it across.
Apparently the answer is yes. What else do we do? Wait for Congress to act?
If these people really wanted to make a point about the abuse from corporate America, they should be marching on Capital Hill where the responsible people for this social unrest work. Corporate America's lobbying in WA DC is approved by Congress and their laws. Congress is responsible because they allow these lobbyist to influence, read $$, government. Wake up people, march on Congress!
Mark from Boulder City NV
Jack, OWS differs in two ways from the Tea Party and must resort to more extreme measures. First the Tea Party has Big Money backers and Organizational Guidance to serve their own interests and second they have taken NO BODIES and turned them into Political Advocates to run for political offices. So far neither of these have happened for the OWS movement and without leadership to maintain it, it is showing that individuals are sick and tired of the same old politics and are out there to better themselves.
It does seem to have caught some attention. Bank of America has reversed its decision on the $5.00 fees, and people are moving their accounts from big banks to local credit unions. Vets have very visibly joined the occupation. I'd say things are looking promising indeed.
No, Jack. Although I generally support the OWS, I think they should refrain from such shutdowns simply because it hurts rhe strained economy. I also wish there were some way they might help police stop violence from anarchists and punks that are riding the coattails of what is a pretty serious social movement to further their ridiculous acts. But, that might result in more people getting injured. Like today's politics, it's a crazy, mixed up situation.
Very good answer, the circumstances will certainly change if the vast majority stand together a demand change. If that general strike came to Canada, I would boycott stores by not buy goods. I trust other retired persons would do the same. In closing, I must state the sooner the better.
It is not to get a point across but to get some relief from the same old do nothing government and private sector.
I would be all for a nation wide total strike, every worker walk out, maybe then these politicians and fat cats will get the message of shut up with the blame crap, stop worrying about your bank account, and get together and get us going again.
It "ain't" that hard, the solutions are there if politicians all were able to listen over their childish whining.
In a general sense, of course not. What ended up happening was people just like them were prevented from getting to their job. But Jack, people out here are angry, very angry. Look at your own column about Congress getting richer, yesterday news was should any bonuses be cancelled for Fanny and Freddy and today the headline is Freddy needs 6 billion! Oakland is one of our poorer cities and violence is never they way to go, but I have some understanding of this incident. I am starting to believe that soon I am going to have to log into Fox to read your column!
No Jack . The way to get their attention is as follows.Pull al your funds out of the stock market en mass. Pul you money out of the banks and keep it at home If you still have one.pay of your credit cards and close them. dont have one .
Live a cash only existance. It wil be a dificult change but an effective one
If it doesn't get the point across to those pointy-heads in Congress, what's the point?
It's not clear what the OWS group wants other than hand outs. I'd be more impressed if more people marched more peacefully on Washington, DC.
Steve
Nashville, In
Hi Jack, Yes, what good is a sign, “We are the 99%,” without action defining that power? Where would we be if the Sons of Liberty never dumped that untaxed and deregulated global corporate cargo into Boston Harbor but only held up signs? Yikes! Corporate aristocracies would have formed controlling all goods sold and America’s wealth would have been siphoned off to a global corporate economy.
This is the only way that some of us have to get the media attention at this time. To me the best way would be to go on a non-buying strike and shut down the companies that sent our jobs to China. In other words hit them where it hurts the most, money. Actually, this should have started when NAFTA started.
By trying to shut down the city and creating what some would call a riot, only gives the people they are protesting against more to use against them. It makes them look radical. What they need is someone like Martin Luther King to lead them in peaceful protest that will encourage others to join them.
It is the most peaceful option. The 1% have NO reason to listen. I fear that the 99% have become the untouchable class. Corporations are given better deals than real breathing humans. Dwight D. Eisenhower was right – we do need to fear the military industrial complex. Who is really in charge? Anybody listening? Yes! Vent time... much better now.
It does have a positive or a negative effect depending on your political persuasion. But it seems to be the only way to get the attention of the leaders of our society and economy that we are fed up and enough is enough. Like a miule you have to hit them along side the head with a 2×4 to get their attention.
But just wait until next August when the Occupiers occupy Tampa during the Republican convention. I predict it will be a replay of the Democratic convention in Chicago in 1968.
Why not? They've been target practice, and that's about it, up until now. Might as well go big, if they want to make an impact.
It's one of the few things available to get the attention of the elected leaders.
The fat cats don't listen any other way but with a throng of people chanting & banging drums outside of your windows distrubing you from making more millions and scheming more ways to screw over the little people then hell ya. People want to be heard. When we vote the ink is not dry and it is back to business as usual and people are gut full of the nonsense that the people who make rules are not following.
If that's what it takes then absofreakinlutly! That seems to be the only way to get our elected representatives to listen to us. Until we get the money (corruption) out of our government we must protest any way we can.
As reported in the Press yesterday, these occupiers in NY city are rich young kids., Most live in $300,00 houses. Some have good jobs and some don't. Some do it for fun and maybe get a little sex in those tents. I don't get it . The press has to report the real truth behind these occupiers. Until then the average citizen is not paying too much attention to these people. They need to define what they want to accomplish??? The Press can do it, but the press also needs to tell the truth and be unbiased.
Probably not Jack but it certainly is one way. My guess is the conversation in the Senate Cloak Room resonates with awareness of what's going on in the streets of America. The same could be said for the corridors of the House and the inner sanctum of the Oval Office. All are aware, unless they're truly as stupid as most people think they are, that there's great anger in the country these days.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
What do YOU think we should do, Jack? Write our congress member? Care of Goldman Sachs? Cy from arlington,va
It needs to have a point before it can make it. It should be calling for a 6 hour day and employee ownership of the workplace (don't tax Wall Street – kill it). This can happen two ways – repeal Taft-Hartley restrictions banning more than 10% pension fund investment in a single firm and personal accounts in Social Security holding voting shares in employer voting stock rather than in index funds. Soon, no company would be public and companies would have the capital to offer financial services to employees (mortgage, educational, consumer line of credit) so that the finanical sector could be eliminated. I dare you put this one on the air, Jack. I double dare you.
Honestly? It's so big a set of issues that I can't see strikes having much of an effect on getting people in the government to do anything, considering how impossible the two parties are finding it to work together right now.
Well Jack, they have been demonstrating for months and the bafoons in Washington still ignore the suffering people are going through! So, yes, shut it down! Maybe when their rich masters are not making any money, they will act!
South Carolina
The govenment won't listen. The rich don't care. And you in the media, Jack? You are spending all day taking a clown like Herman Cain seriously. If the rich are going to take over the institutions, the people should take over the streets. What's the alternative? Should we keep taking it up the wazoo from greedy, rich monsters like the people who sign your paycheck or buy so many of the ads on your network? Get real. Being patient is killing this country. We need to bring down the greedy, selfish people who profit from an unfair status quo by any means necessary. By ANY..... MEANS..... NECESSARY! Cy from arlington, va
Worked well in 1776 I think....
Absolutely not! As a member of the 1% (I have a job and I am paying taxes), I have a right to get to work without being blocked or harassed. These protesters are are making it difficult for street vendors and small store owners to keep their doors open. My support for their plight has changed since I have seen how selfish and disrespectful these people are! If they can't find a job, then join the service or volunteer... .In other words, GET A LIFE!!
seems to be working, Jack. they are getting more press and public support than the so called "Tes Party" EVER got. also seems to be completely "grass roots" with out all the corporate "astroturf" funding of operations like "Tea Party Exprees" which is just really the Koch Brothers.
you also know it's working because Fox News and right wing talkers are going NUTS!!!
No Jack , These people are mostly the Idiots that are un-employed, that's all. If the Bush or Obama did not go for a Bailout, ie : (787 billion when McCain left his campaign temporarily) & when Obama's another 800 Billion Bailout was voted for – That's Why we have those protests . If we did NOT do the 787 & the 800 Billion ( which some of it have been paid back) But, the point I'm making is that IF they had "let the chips fall where they may" we would have had a lot of businesses & companies that would have went bankrupt. That's what should have happened. So what, if they would have filed chapter 11. ( big deal ) They would have been able to start all over, and we would not have been in this mess in the first place. I honestly think that Obama & Geithner & Geithner's buddies are all in the same bedroom. That's why even IF the un-employment rate goes up to 15% the stock market will still be able to hold. (Because they are propping it up) or ( keeping it propped up) Bottom line is : a lot of companies come & go, and go bankrupt, but they eventually start over again. Bailouts were the worst thing for America. That's why we have those people out there, marching.
What ever it takes Jack, to investigate White Collar Crime in this country is necessary. The 99% are the victims and we want investigations, indictments,convictions,jail time for the criminals and protections put in place to insure the American Dream. Big Oil's, Wall Street's, Financial Institutional, Corporate, Lobbyists, Greed; is the problem, it needs to be addressed and dealt with. At least the American People realize it and are taking action.
People who support these "Occupy" whatever movements are myopic in thinking Wall Street is the problem. They have ZERO understanding, like the current administration, of how free enterprise works. They all think corporations are evil and that jobs grow on trees or even more pathetic, that government can create jobs. All government has EVER done is destroy jobs by destroying initiative and ingenuity in America.
Talk about clueless.
OWS hasn't come close to shutting down any Cities, but they have managed a few spirited marches, and sit ins, and they have occupied a few public parks in a lot of the major cities. Some vandalism occured in Oakland last night but both sides claim it was outside groups that were responsible. What is happening with this group in
America is the same thing that has has happened to the protestors in Greece. The demonstrators are becoming more divided between the folks who want to keep the demontrations peacefull, and the ones who want to take a more aggressive approach. There is another faction that thinks all the demonstrations should be happening in Washington DC. Most folks can't afford to strike, even though they may be sypathetic to the quest, for getting rid of corruption in
Government and its big Special Interest group partners. The protestors in Egypt achieved a Pyric victory at best so far, and we are light-years behind them. Darn, I forgot your question again. Doug, Pepperell, MA.
What other way would you suggest? It's obvious that voting doesn't work, since all we ever get are corrupt slaves to lobbyists. As a nation socially engineered to be driven by consumption and not production, the only logical tool is the refusal to participate in the game. Corporate statism eventually leads to tyranny, and tyranny leads to revolution.
Yes Cafferty, gotta hit them where it hurts.
YES its the only way to get the point across to the GOP, there doing it in congress and have been for Obama hole term.
I think we need To shut it all down fire all of congress and try putting working people in and run off the lobbist.
Phil
Can we get them to shut down Washington, DC? Oh wait, the Republicans have already done that. cy from arlington, va
Absolutely, If we,ve learned anything from Wisconsin Jack ,it,s that the American people need to stand up and start fighting for themselves. The people that are getting burned here are the millions that have been out of work the last three years. Now corporations are not hiring people unless they have a job. What,s wrong with that picture? The people at the top of these corporations do not understand these people,s problems that they face. The media say,s they have no certain beef,s that they are protesting but no one is taking them seriously which in itself will make it grow. The revolution is on!
Absolutely! General strikes and the completely shut down of commerce is the way to go. Hit 'em where it hurts. This gets the point across without getting being violent. I feel like this might be the last stop before real violence and no one really wants that. The real Message of OWS is that this country and the rest of the world have reached an impasse. We Must have change now we can not go back but forward is completely uncharted territory. Where we go from here no one knows.
I don't think it will have the effect they expect it to. First they need to get a unified message and then drive it home. For me it is get the money out of politics. Companies are not people, and get the lobbyists out of K Street. There are some good politicians in D.C., but they are vastly out numbered by the bought ones.
OWS should march on Washington D.C. and protest that point. That might make some people wake up and smell what's cooking outside
Reasonable thinking people don't cause chaos and camp out in cities. There should be curfews for Protests .And,
the media needs to stop being politically correct with its coverage for fear of inflaming the left . The Obama
administration created these mobs by the villification of "the rich" , who go to work every day.
Yes, as long as it is legal. this is called freedom!!!!
WoW !! That guy Micheal Bindner from Alexander Va. has some GUTS doesn't he ?? LOL
(he's got a good point)
"It's still the Obama/Teamster's connection! They want him to get back in again next year. No doubt they're even paying old members to join in. They were talking again about the amount of extra government workers again yesterday, but they never mention how much it cost for the extra equipment they must need, plus office space; so Obama can expect to bring wall street to it's knees while still wasting billions beats me??"
Ya ain't seen nothing yet jack.
As i said from DAY 1 Obama will help usher in a Revolution or Civil war in America which will allow him to declaire martial law & their goes OUR Constitution & in comes the Single UNION for all & joining is the only option for survival.
Revelation 13:11-18 is about to happen in this age of electronic control that we live in now which was never before possible to control the masses in every aspect of our lives.
What about that build up of American & British ships in the Middle East Jack for an attack on Iran?
11-11-11 is coming Jack & its a good time for nut jobs to get-r-done, this New Hope to Believe in stuff that Obama promised us all.
Looks like its actually a Hopeless Hope to me, which is all Man has ever been able to promise us.
Jerry in Soldotna, Alaska
Hi Jack,
We have all expressed our opinions about being in the 99% by writing our Congressperson and it has done no good. Everyday Congress wastes time on trivial matters and refuse to consider the problems of the average American. Maybe this is a way to get their attention. I say "more power to the protestors. I wish them success.
as noel silverston – roswell new mexico Said : wailt til next august, at the republican nation convention – he's right – the Government will not only need swat teams there, they will have to end up calling the national guard and the air force – to secure the whole area (my prediction)
This should have been done NATIONWIDE when Raygun fired the airtraffic controllers and repeated annually to make sure the people who THINK they're in power don't forget.
Tell me who benefits from a general strike? NOONE! I do see greater crowds at each convention ala Chicago in the 60s. Want to get exposure? Just get on TV each night of the parties convention and watch the police presence. Striking hurts the strikers and their families, no pay if no work. Time that any of the occupy groups have an agenda not just a walk
This country has reduced itself to protesting, saying NO to everything, throwing tantrums, creating media circuses etc...
We are now incapable of listening, sitting down and working on a problem for the good of the country. The sad thing is that almost all of these people are a product of the US Education system, many with higher degrees. Have we learned nothing ? Apparently not. Meanwhile, the rich get richer.
Jack,
The Occupy crowd has made its point, at least in the abstract. They're upset over Wall Street greed and market manipulation. Most of the country is on board with that. Their protest actions have achieved their goal (i.e. let Wall Street CEOs and other executives KNOW just how upset they are and how many Americans sympathize with them). It's time for them to stop the street protesting and move on to phase two; getting politically organized and articulating their message down to the details.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
Yes. It hits the greedy the only place that would hurt them, their pockets.
If people go back to work and the economy gets moving – the good old middle class Americans – we won't have to talke about this. The debt will decrease and we will all be fine. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money!!!
Actually, I'd have to say that it's just about the ONLY way theyll be able to get their point across!
Oh Paleeze, Jack. Why are you feeding the fearmongers? You certainly know that the US has a Fed that can buy Treasuries, create money, etc., things that Greece can't do. Indeed, something over 70% of US debt is owned by, guess who, us, Americans! Dud!!! As the employment levels rise, more revenue, too–and a draw down of our mostly locally owned national debt. Boy, what would we have done during WWII if we had not gone heavily into debt–greater then than now, in absolute terms. Man, you worry too much. Jay, Stoughton, WI
A general strike would only hurt those who have jobs and are only hanging on by a thread. There should be some detailed investigations into big business practices that are undermining the U.S. economy. Name names and reveal their methods. Vampires hate the light of day.
Paul – NC
Sure, why not? If right wing extremists in Congress can shut down the government and Michelle Bachman and her crazy cohorts think it's no big deak for the U.S. to default on it's debt then what's the problem with shutting down all the cities as well? Hell, just shut down everything. Who needs it? Look how well things are going in Somalia and similar places that don't have to worry about government "interference in their lives. Sounds like Tea Party Nirvana to me.
if they riot, it will be the start of Republican dictatorship in country, because once violence starts it will be difficult to stop. Many precedents for this in other countries
Occupying congress and holding them hostage would have more impact, these people are wasting time on city sidewalks.
While I can't say that I specifically support these types of disruptions, it is definitely a time to prepare for suprises and sadly many of the surprises thrust upon us have been of the unwelcome kind, such as unexpected job loss and a feeling of sinking fortunes and well-being. The Michael Douglas movie "Fear of Falling" was definitely prophetic at the time of its release and has become a stark reality for far too many. Anything that fits into the category of unconvnetional needs to be tried, and for this argument we can say maybe 3 percent are the fortunate few. And that still leaves 97 percent of the rest of us, and most are really hurting. Almost everybody in my circle falls into this category, and I am surprised at times that the malaise has been permitted to fester for as long as it has. Now the malaise has turned to anger, and a measure of unrest was long overdue. And that is also why it is time for restlessness and excitement to pervade the air. Many of the occupiers thinking could be off center, and even may be classified as wacky. But maybe it will force the candidates and policy makers to take care and focus on employment and money issues, which are bedrock for the bottom 97 percent at least. For most if not all of these the relationship between economy and society is anything but certain.
We are supposed to be living in a democracy that guarrantees our right to speak out, assemble, and protest our own government when it goes wrong. The violence is coming from the local govts and police. Does the phrase 'police state' ring a bell? We're not there yet, but give it time. The people protesting would like their democracy back. The polls say tax the rich, Washington ignores the people. The polls say people are fed up with congress, they ignore the polls. And for all their talk of class warfare they're doing a fine job of turning this country into a distictly class driven society; with the super rich running the show and the poor paying the bills. We're Americans, we value our freedom. What else do you suggest we do?
Ask the Egyptians.
Only if it kicks Wall Street where it hurts, I think you know what I mean. I would really hope that Mayor Bloomberg does “take action” against those who are disrupting the quality of life. But he doesn’t have the guts. Instead of arresting protestors he should be going after the real villains, like Wall Street. They are the ones who have not simply disrupted the quality of life of millions of Americans, but completely wrecked it. But no, he will take the politician’s way out, He will leave his buddies, who got obscenely wealthy by manipulation, purchased legislation and favors and flat out theft alone instead of calling them to task.
It may have gotten ugly out there, but it will have to get way more ugly, downright hideous, before anything will change. It will take another revolution and this may be the beginning. Look out crooks (and politicians) we are coming.
The better question is what is their point? Is it to demonize success instead of striving for it? Is it to ask not what they can do for their country but what can the country due for them because it owes them? Is to tear down our capitalistic society and replace it with what? Maybe they would replace it with the Greek system since its working so well for Grease. These mental giants get patronized by that clown in the White House who feeds them their class ware fare kool-aid. None of them have clue. If this is the direction our country is headed then “God Help Us All”.
Yes, Jack, general strikes, boycotts and protests are the most effective ways for OWS and working people to get their point across to the ruling class. History is replete with many examples across the nation and world that document this fact.
When you don't have a personal lobbyist or get to play golf with your congressman, it's good to have the First Amendment around to guarantee ".. the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." As a Vietnam vet and small business capitalist, I applaud the OWS protesters who are making it just a little bit more difficult for the Wall Street and K Street elites to pretend the 99% doesn't matter.
When you want to get someones attention, you hit them in the wallet. For some, it's the only place they can hear anything.
How else can anyone get the attention of the uncaring Congress. Let them continue to protest until the cows come home if that's what it will take. No one should be complaining that OWS is disrupting their lives, because if things don't change for the better in this country we will all be out on the street for a diffferent reason.
Yes, but on a larger note bloomberg is growing "tired" of the OWS (as if he personally owns New York) because they're disrupting the "quality of life". Wall street disrupted the quality of life for every citizen of this country not in the top 1%. Any plans for them bloomy?
These are not the 99% they're the 10% of complainers they've always been here but now they have a voice. They would tear down the very system that for more than 230 years has made this nation tower of strength and hope, the beacon of light and for others around the world. If we can survive this generation of give me now and the rich owe me then we may have a chance
The OWS protestors need to adopt a centrist third party platform, establish a leadership committee, and become effective. Their tremendous energy is being wasted. Term limits and elimination of huge political bribes would be part of the platform.
No! Destruction is not the way for Occupy Wall Street to get their point across.
Destruction was not the way to for the "Anti Vietnam War" movement to get its point across.
"Occupy Wall Street" seems to be developing momentum.
If America goes into a second recession–"Occupy Wall Street" movement could get bigger and more destructive.
Not really, Jack, and I'll tell you why. When people in the Occupy movement start trying to block the entrances to banks, like they're doing in nearby Columbus, Georgia, and preventing people who are simply trying to get by the best way they can from doing that..then it's a recipe for chaos on a national scale. Oakland was the latest example of what will happen if the people in the Occupy movement continue to block the average American from trying to live his or her life the best they can.
Shutting down cities may be the only way those of us in the 99% can be heard.
Absolutely not. These protests which have turned violent just show how radical this movement is.
Can you imagine what the media response to this type of activity (not to mention the sexual assaults, illegal drug usage and selling, theft, etc) would be if this were the Tea Party? I am sure it would not be as sympathetic or tolerant of it as we are seeing now with these OWS types.
I hope the Democratic Party continues to embrace this radical movement.
I joined the Army during a time of war. It didn't pay well at first but that just made me work harder. I have multiple deployments to countries 99% of Americans would never go to who actually know what hardship is. This is my 40k a year occupation. I know what sacrifice is. I am the 1% and proud of it.
Whatever works. My vote doesn't work. I can't afford a lobbyist. I can't afford to buy-off my politicians. How else will they listen? It's sad when workers are laid off, the stock of the company goes up, the management gets bonuses and they pay the shareholders dividends. Who got screwed here and who won?
Jack – if there is violence against American citizens by American citizens then it sounds an awful lot like civil disobedience. This can lead to civil war so Congress better wake up . If the Occupy Wall Street movement wants legitimacy it needs a group of spokespersons to come forward and illustrate their grievances. They have everyones attention. Who is leading.
I think it is, when the cities are shut down it hurts the wealthy in the wallet. this is a great way to let them know that the american people are fed up with the garbage they keep doing to us. the ultra wealthy need to stay out of politics and leave the american people alone. this is the only way that we can make them listen. i would not be surprised if this recesion was crafted to make the workers of the U.S more compliant. will we ever know?
It is a great way. In fact I think Occupy Wall Street should start other legal tactics including opening bank accounts and then withdrawing a dollar at a time in order to clog the bank lobbies and affectively shut them down. Another good idea would be to take mass transit all at once and therefore keep the people who take it to work daily from using it. This country was founded on general strike tactics and even those that are more severe–i.e. the Boston Tea Party. The fat cats have been messing with us for long enough, time to fight back.
The only way the protesters are going to be successful is for millions of them to descend on Washington and shut it down until Congress passes legislation that will get this country moving again in the right direction and that means job bills as well as closing tax loopholes and increasing taxes on the wealthy.
Yes! It's sad it has come to that point for anything to be done but it worked to bring down the, child labor, horrible work conditions, and monopolies of the past, and it will work now. As for those who say these people are just lazy or should stop blaming others hear me. I'm 21, I've been laid off every job I have managed to get. I was forced out of school because I couldn't afford it anymore and still racked up nearly 10,000 in loans. I'm now enlisting in the marines to try and get a stable job, a free education, and the money to pay off my loans. I'm not lazy, I'm working hard, and I'm still the 99%!
The only to get the point across is to hit them where it hurts. Shutting down wall street will hurt like hell.
Jack,
Although it seems that protesters around our nation have no real point or particular interest in any specific organization, the People of the US are fed up with the greedy individuals that are raping us blind of our ability to rebuild this country and move forward.. Worse days are to come. Count on it!
Postal Joe,
Why no marching on the White House by this group?
These protests are our right as American's to free speech. Whether you agree with the point or not or think that it is a waste of cities time, they are expressing a point of view that large corporations would like us to ignore. I can't stand on a street corner, but my feelings are the same as theirs. Their right to free speech is mine. I'm sure people in the Civil Rights movement were inconvenienced as well. There are banks around the other corner where the protestors are not. As long as they remain peaceful, I think they provide a valuable voice to how most of the country is feeling. I'm happy to be inconvenienced in the name of free speech.
The efforts of the Occupy movement are misdirected. They should circle the White House and Congressional buildings. That might "scare" our politicians into making some tough decisions that are right for the country rather than just focusing on getting re-elected.
general strikes might, just might, make the point to our politicians that economic inequity in America is breeding resentment and anger and desperation. when people get desperate, they do desperate things... unfortunately, the rhetoric from the righteous right (i.e., faux news) is very good at creating propaganda that the villains are the 99% instead of the top 1% who have the politicians at their beck and call....
This type of tactic only pisses off people who are trying to make a living and be law abiding citizens. Mob meltality is never the way to anything. How can anyone think this is going to get them a job UNLESS they are being paid to protest. Maybe we should forgo the teargas and start with rubber bullets.
standing around in a public park may not bring any results, but when you take actions that will hit the corporations where it hurts ($$$), such as shutting down a port... then it will only be a matter of time before things begin to happen.... although whatever happens may not be what you intended to accomplish...
These demonstrations ain't goin' away. When people take to the streets in these numbers, something has to happen before it gets any better. Taxes are goin' up. The Haves, W's base, will come to it kickin' and screamin', but it will happen. Let's just hope that's all that it comes to, for their sakes . . .
You can only pull a dogs tail before they eventually bite back, the people have had enough!
Jack, It's the only way to get the "point across"...Otherwise Wall Street and our corrupt government will simply act as if all is well and it's businees as usual. The American people are rising up as they did against the British. If you are not the 99%, you have no idea how bad it is and you don't care.
Of course Jack. The one percent not only need to hear the ninety-nine percent, they need to respond. To get them to respond is to shut down what they own and that is what the strikes will do. Strike is not violence so the strikes must be non-violent and as King and Gandhi demonstrated they can done effectively and be heard. The provocateurs will not be coming from the 99%; the provocateurs will come from the 1% who will buy it. The 99% will sustain though. It is ultimately about the greed, stupid... not you Jack, the folks who ask "what are they doing?"
Bloomberg and his friends should not view peasants as disrupting quality of life, that's close to "if you're poor, blame yourself" We all saw our leaders criticize oppression of assembly and now the shoe is on the other foot, well it's not ugly until the guillotine is involved.
General strikes are a way to get the point across. However, the only way to make the point matter is to carry it all the way to the halls of power. I hope those protestors are chanting "today we march, tomorrow we vote" and mean it.
Does anyone have a better idea how to deal with this mess? We can't fix the problem without cutting the budget and raising taxes. We can't fix it by just raising taxes on the poor. We have to tax the people with money. No one wants to face that.
The occupy wall street group are right on point. How can 3 rating agencies give AAA ratings to companies and commodities that are worthless and not be held accountable? You have people and pension funds who lost everything while hedge fund managers raked in billions. Banks rape us at every turn and the SEC and federal government does nothing. The hedge fund managers who sold toxic loans to us then bet that they would default should have to give those fund back.
Yes, due to the lack of media coverage things will escalate. The protests in Iran and Egypt received more coverage than protests in the US, shows the danger lurking around the corner. These companties and even the US government need to recognize the protestors and their cause, creating an environment for talks. Otherwise expect clashes with police and more intense protests.
I think general strikes are going to be the least violent way, personally. In hoping they work... I feel more physical and forceful actions by the public may be required. If any of us had stolen money through where we worked, we'd be fired... so why haven't we fired our government and the banks, who are clearly in bed together.
Absolutely. Anything that interrupts the unsustainable cycle of consumer culture in America is a valid tactic. The occupy movement is creating a new language. The general strike in Oakland was a voice that was heard around the world. Also, it was not a "violent" protest that closed the port. Please be accurate in your reporting.
The OWS protestors and the 100 members of the house have a great deal in common: they all agree that our Congress is disfunctional and that moderate Americans recognize the need for systemic changes. I have written a 13 point platform aht should be adopted; it would bread the ideologue gridlock that infects our current political system. Term limits and eliminating the rediculous Supreme Court ruling that corporatins are two important planks. Other have to do with having Congress be subject to same laws and retirement and medical plans that everyone else is subject to.
Robert Gallant Brooklin Maine
Absolutely! We have been complaining, debating, voting, and stressed out for decades regarding what big business/banks/Wall Street is really doing to the citizens of America. And everything has gone unheard!! These people don't get it until people really lose it and that is what is happening now. People are fed up and no longer afraid to be heard. They are also no longer afraid to be arrested, tear gased, pepper sprayed, and beaten. The only way to make Wall Street and government change is to get them in their pockets since their one and only love is money. That is why boycotting, shut downs, strikes, and protests that affect profits are the only way to make the get the point. American citizens are not be abused by the corporations and government that are supposed to have a symbiotic relationship with them. What is happening in the Middle East and Europe is also happening here b/c this is a world wide problem and people are people the world over. At the root of it all Americans are humans just the same as Egyptians, Syrians, Iranians, Greeks, and Italians.
Right after you posed this question, the news anchor went on to announce 1. that major corporations are not paying income tax (while working Americans need jobs and see jobs shipped overseas, many lack basic health care, and watch the top 1% thrive while the 99% watch their incomes go down) and 2. that it is unclear if the Afghanistan is really our ally (while Americans are dying there and our tax money is eaten up there). The traditional political process is broken (and subservient to the top 1%) and not serving the needs of the 99%. What recourse do the people have but to band together, form a coalition, and take their voice to the streets in "direct democracy." I do not condone violence, but have you ever heard of something called The Boston Tea Party?
Yes it is. As experience and recent history has shown, this is, unfortunately, the only way to get the attention of our government. Tweets, e-mails, Facebook has shown ineffective when it come to a technique to make those in power we Americans, the 99%, are sick and tired of watching the Wall Street Crooks go free, getting FREE bailouts while we get our homes and jobs stolen away from us. It's time is way overdue for things to change, and it will happen. Michael Butler, Benicia, CA
Sometimes dramatic action is a last effort to be heard. What might have not happened if there had been no Boston Tea Party or March to Montgomery? In yhis case less dramatic efforts have had no effect. However, I think that even these protests will have little or no effect on Wall street or Congress. They have been too close for too long.
What's the old saying – "Sqeaky wheel gets the grease"
I am proud of the Occupy protestors. They are brave enough to speak up about what changes we need to see in this country. It takes a lot of courage to speak out and protest and try to exercise one's First Amendment rights when you know you might be intimidated, pepper sprayed, punched, tear gassed, or even worse by the very people who are supposed to protect you. Unfortunately, there were a few protestors that got out of hand last night and of course the corporate owned media focuses on that instead of the the thousands of peaceful protestors. I have been watching the live feed since Day 1 of the movement and the only people I have seen get out of hand up until now were the police. I know many of the people involved in the movement and they are all hard working individuals who love our country but also know that our country is now an oligarchy. We need to get money out of politics and we, the 99%, need to have a voice in how our country is run. I will be visiting NYC next week and hope to be able to attend a general assembly meeting and also participate in any marches they may have. The corporate media can spin this any way they want but the movement isn't going away. Occupy is "right" about what has happened in this country and the oligarchs know it.
General strikes or general revolution?
It seems that the only way to make a change in this country is thru this efort
We (Americans) cannot expect Congress or Senate to do what benefits us.. and not greedy corrupt 1%
who pay little taxes live by their own set of rules that have been bought and paid for .
This effort will only get bigger, because their is no leader to be jailed or bribed but everday Americans who have a common cause...
It is one of the many ways. We've become a country of "have" and "have nots". We're beginning to see more acceptance of the movement. Actions are louder than words. There is a general sense we need to modify our society – and that means changing our government and its policies. This is only the beginning.
If this protest originally had a point, it's been buried by the anarchists, socialists, and the opportunists. Everyone should now just "get a life" and go home. Try to do something productive. To the Democrats: Watch out what you encourage. Independents like my husband and me will not vote for a party that encourages this kind of destruction.
No, but The Occupy Wall Street crowd has got more staying power than I thought. I believe they would be better served to follow Martin King Jr methods. Peacfull protest in front of companies like WalMart which are selling this country out (like others) to China!
No, this strategy is completely counter-productive to the cause of the movement. How does shutting down an entire city help promote and establish the wealth and success of the individual and small businesses? Instead, protesters should use their energy to put forth a plan of action to actually solve these problems.
Logistically, this might make sense on the surface of it. The protesters reside there, so it's easy for them to shut down certain cities. It would probably makes more sense to shut down corporate offices of the companies that off-shore or out-source jobs that used to be held by citizens of those cities. It would put the focus where it should be and be positive with those residents who've lost their jobs to the decisions of those companies.
Jack-
It may not be the most constructive way to make a point, but these people are extremely frustrated. There's high unemployment, the people responsible for the meltdown have not been held accountable, and Washington is fiddling while Rome burns.
The OWS protesters might have the 99% in mind, but its showing more and more that they are just a very small and selfish part of the people they claim to represent. While they waste the time of police and the resources they need to keep the protests under control, there are many, many people (the true 99%) that work 3 jobs to support a family, and don't have the time or energy to go out and protest the 1%. They might have problems with the super rich, but they can't solve it by causing problems for everybody else. The OWS movement needs to stop until they have a logical, and organized way of getting the point across. I am starting to be reminded of the London riots: "They have, I want. Gimme!"
We need the Occupy movement to point the spotlight on municipal excesses. As a homeowner, I've seen my taxes skyrocket due to the previous mayor's crazy spending to build sports stadiums and other venues that would bring more money to himself and the other politicians. Unfortunately, due to the economic downfall, these ventures never really brought the money into the city that the politicians wanted. So their solution was to tax the homeowners to death, thinking in their mania that by taxing the lower income people out of the city that they could gain residents in higher income brackets even though the businesses were not available in the local area that would pay the higher wages that they (the politicians) were dreaming of. The Occupy movement is a spotlight into the dirty little recesses where evil people tryi to suck the life out of the residents. The Occupy movement should continue until all the evil vampiric politicians are gone.
They should be "Occupying Washington"! If Washington would stop "selling" than Wall Street would have to stop "buying"!
I am a firm believer in the movement, as I watch this movement, that we as Americans seem so clueless about, is a movement that is happening all over the world, people are finally exausted with governments all over the world. However in this day in age people join any movement that they can conduct in a negative fashion. I am so tired of current government myself, pure greed, and a lack of prosperity will destroy mankind.
Corporate America is taking over this country. Large corporations amass so much money they can do anything they want; Buy politicians, force out small business, get rid of unions. They pollute, they rape the land, and take advantage of all Americans. Wall Street gets the tax breaks and the bailouts but sends jobs overseas. The average CEO makes up to 700 times of what they pay their employees. I have worked for a Fortune 500 corporation for almost twenty years. It’s like living in a Monarchy, if you don’t like it quit. The last five years my benefits have been slowly taken away. These protesters are doing us all a favor and should be supported, and if we all protested there would be some real change.
What other way will get the attention of wall street and the GOP. There is a difference between demonstrations and mobs. Mobs happen when demonstrations are ignored.
Anyone making forty thousand a year is not in the top 1%. And doesn't have a clue what is going on in the U.S. today.
Jack,
Media coverage is absolutely necessary for a movement to succeed. Tell me which action would be most likely to attract CNN and their cameras--1. A quiet peaceful march to a knitting circle, or 2. Shutting down a city-–and you will have answered your own question.
I'm not usually in favor of what the OWS movement is doing BUT I think little folks like me are really fed up with BIG MONEY. We bailed them out but all we get are more fees, more fees, more fees!! Just because banks are letting go of the debit card fee, some high-priced someone or other, will figure out how to stick it to us some other way. If nothing else maybe, just maybe, people in Washington will take a listen..We have already moved what little money we have to our local credit union and away from a big bank>>> At least, it seems like little folks are starting to really care and show America how mad everyone is.. Just saying...
There has to be some way to do it, and the Occupy movements are now just beginning to get attention. The violence has come mostly from police toward those attempting to exercise their Constitutional rights, as ordered by politicians who have their orders from their corporate masters. The 99% can't do it by petitioning their Congress, because it is clear that money is not just free speech, but the only speech they listen to. Don't like it? Democracy can be messy, Let's get the money out, and maybe it can be cleaned up. if it not too late.
The people have every right to exercise their beliefs even if it means shutting down a city or a port. The bankers and Wall Street have brought this country to the brink of disaster and some of those same bankers, con- men, outsmarted our president. Hope he's getting the picture.
Anything non violence that will cause the congress discomfort is a good thing. Company's cannot fire everybody in the county. We need more of this kind of thing.
They have no cohesive point that I can tell. I grew up in Boulder and watched Vietnam protests get out of hand and "protesters" vandalized and looted small businesses. Many of businesses never recovered. I was very liberal but watching those angry people made me dislike liberal thought. They act and demand like spoiled children and I think their poor behavior will hurt their cause.
Absolutely, this is the American people finally being heard, finally standing up, after being asked over and over by the left AND THE RIGHT, they say what they feel and all they get in return is called "mobs" or unruly or lawbreakers, these are people just like everyone else trying to get by, trying to work, go to school, and make a decent living. Ive been looking for a Job for ages and there just aren't any out there. those with the money and power can't stop the people, and the blood sucking politicialns are in for a very rude awakening.
I don't agree with violence but I support the occupy wallstreet movement.I see on the news that some police chiefs are trying to intimidate the mayors of thier cities because they have prevented the police from using unnecessary force against the protesters.
After nearly 2 months of non-violent civil protests being largely ignored, mocked and misrepresented by most of the Mainstream Media, actions such as General Strikes are absolutely necessary. They are necessary in order to get the point across that much of what they are protesting directly pertains to the well being of ALL working Americans. Maybe if they had been given the same respect as the Tea Party/Americans for Prosperity/Koch Brother lobbyists, General Strikes wouldn't be necessary. But, I digress, General Strikes have been necessary in this country well before OWS ever existed. OWS has merely managed to wake up a large swath of Middle Class Americans to the fact that until they take action they will continue to be left behind economically and politically.
Jack, the sad truth is that we are paying enormous sums, including here in NYC, for the police and fire departments to keep the public safe from OWS. I am a 53%er, which means I am one of the 53% of americans who works hard, pays my taxes, and therefore supports those in need of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Unemployment Benefits, Welfare and Food Stamps. And we don't mind doing it. Working jobs I hated? Did that. Pay off student loans? Did that. Saved money instead of keeping up with the Jones's? Did that. And there was enough left over to help pay others' entitlements. Moral of the story? In America, even under huge financial stress(I started working in NYC in 1975 when it was nearly bankrupt and we underwent the oil embargo, The Iran hostages, etc) you can find a job, work hard, pay off your student loans, and succeed. The hard part for many in OWS? WORK HARD!!
Unfortunately, when those in power, governments and corporations, refuse to respond over a period of years to the 99% of the population, extreme measures have to be taken in order to try to change the system. And, within the general strike, there were some marchers who became violent. I hope the occupy wall street movement continues and is able to affect changes that are fairer to middle and working class people. It seems that the G.O.P. & their ultra-rich corporate pals who pad their pockets want to heartlessly steal everything from those who are less fortunate – those making less than 100K a year. The U.S. is turning into a 3rd world country. It's time to take to the streets to get the point across. How else can regular citizens who have been ignored for years get any attention.
I totally support OWS. It is clear that the Oligarchs plan to take us back to slavery. The masses have to do something to save those who are not rich. Americans are no better off than people in the Arab nations. There will probably be a class war because the people are late awakening to what the Oligarchs have been up to for many, many years. The Oligarchs already have our government, thus our military. But, one thing the Republicrooks always insisted on, was the right to bear Arms, however; I never perceived Americans would have to be afraid of their government to the point of having to overthrow it.
The banks, mortgage lenders and servicing company's have abuse on foreclosure, the new government rules on financing which which has kill the American dream of home ownership and jobs, have pisses off people and then you add some radicals and its bad, why they do not blame the do nothing GOP congress, who only fight for the 2% Rich of America that really make sense.
Yes a million people in the street exercicising their right to assemble and shut down a city one at at time. Washington DC your next. Congress give up your free benefits and gym or else. I am so sick of Congress I hope a meteorite destroys that worthless institution.
You bet it is Jack – and judging by the increasing numbers taking to the streets and I'd say it's beginning to work. We have some major problems in this country that neither our government nor business leaders are willing to address. The result is beginning to be played out in the streets by thousands of patriots and will continue to gain momentum as long as the issues are ignored. Civil disobedience is civil defense.
Mr. Cafferty:
Writing, calling, and texting representatives does not work , voting is controlled by jerrymandering and other schemes, the politicians are controlled by lobbyists for big business et. al. does not work to put in ethical, competant people for a productive national coogovernment. So sad about the arrests, but who's quality of life is Bloomberg referring to ?
It's unfortunately not the best way to do it but how else are the people going to make our leaders pay attention to the message. They do not have the money that has been stolen from them to fight back any other way. Corporate and political greed are destroying our country. The world financial problems also are a direct result of this greed. The 99% is trying to convey in the only way they can that the crooked politicians and corporate money grabbers have to go. It's very simple, we want our country back.
Occupy is losing credibility by embracing too many people who are participating purely for entertainment value or a potential moment of fame. They need to follow laws, be clean, and emphasize the need to be peaceful. They also need to chose their targets more wisely by researching the cities have the largest gap between wealthy and poor as well as the politicians who have voting records that have benefited primarily the richest 1%. They just need to be careful not to step on regular folks toes. We're working hard just to make ends meet.
The French had Bastile Day. Remember the history that followed? If our elected officails doen't start listening......
GE Taxes – HELP JACK. Wolf Blitzer is screaming that GE paid no taxes for the past three years. Guess who Pres Obama's Job Czar is----the chairman of GE. That's the reward and the reason these demonstrators should be at the White House!
They are protesting the wrong place. Who started the mess? Some congressmen from athe East with backing from some from the West. These govn't elected officials started the problem in the 90's and others supported it during the last 10 years. Don't we all feel that Washington is where the protests should take place? The right to protest is OK but in this case the mob is at athe wrong place and we can only wonder, Why?
Jack,
I don't think there's anything wrong with the OWS movement. Many of us are sick and tired of being used and abused then thrown away like trash and watching big business and big money get into bed with Congress to screw the working people. Congress doesn't listen to those of us who have written letters, sent emails, called our representatives' offices, and in the case of Scott Brown, he ran away from a public meeting when he didn't like the questions the non-wealthy were asking him. The only way to get their attention is to hit them where it hurts–their bottom line, their profits.
Oh, and I disagree with the posters who think OWS is wrong to protest, wrong to demonstrate anywhere but outside of Congress. The first amendment guarantees our right to assembly and to speak our mind. And I think OWS protesting at Wall Street is correct too. Wall Street and big corporations own Congress, so OWS is dead-on target.
We'd be part of the British empire (like Canada and Australia) if some gutsy colonists in Boston didn't have the courage to protest the Stamp Act and other taxes the King imposed on the colonies. The King and Parliament refused to listen, but rather than cower and go home like good obedient children, they continued to protest and years later threw the tea in Boston Harbor, and eventually went to war. The Republicans are like King George III–time for everyone else to stand up and fight.