OWS- a global syndrome or U.S. centric
So much of what has been written and opined upon on this issue that this blog has been stymied from any comment. So here's some recognition of the issue from this perspective, perhaps dated or already commented on by others.
Overall, this seems to be an anarchist movement or at at times a libertarian movement that is spontaneous but driven by real but uncoordintated issues. It seems real for certain and not just a passing moment. Unlike the civil rights movement of the early and mid-60's or the anti-war movement of the mid-60's to the early 70's there is no one goal that makes for a cohesive cause. We are the 99% is a phrase that means little but resonates with some(Paul Krugman notes that the phrase could more aptly be we are the 99.9% as only a small sliver of our society has these almost absurd level of assets that are being protected by conservative interests and resented by almost all citizens). Unlike the demonstrations and encampments of the Great Depression, those protesting today do not look poor or malnourished, in fact they look relatively healthy and prosperous generally speaking. That's
said with the exception of some homeless who have joined the group for food and shelter, some mentally challenged, and then some predators who have latched onto the group for criminal activity and sexual assaults.
The current precedents are the persistent unfocused anarchist protests at various world economic summits and to some extent the long overdue uprisings against the long established middle eastern regimes.
What is missing from OWS is an Occupy Congress event. Congress and the executive branch were the regulators of the financial markets, and Bush II and Clinton pushed Fannie and Freddie into the low credit markets. They also benefitted handsomely from the taxes generated by lightly regulated companies across all industries, camapaign contributions, and the revolving door that benefitted those who worked for them and then went on to high paying jobs in the industries that they supposedly regulated. Obama is simply missing in action on all of this, highlighting his oratory, social, and basketball skills.
The highjacking of the Republican Party by the tea party and by Grover Norquist is a complete roadblock to any compromise. The arrogant orthodoxy of Pelosi, Levin, and other members of Congress during the Democrats four years of opportunity ruined Obama's goal of all for one action that President Bush and Secretary Paulson has already started. And now here we are.
The frightening precedents, if this grows exponentially, are the Paris Commune of 1870 and the Russian uprisings of 1905 and 1917(the populist U.S. uprisings of 1893 drew much attention but were really minor in scope, an analogy that should not be ignored), and then the collapse of the monetary system in post world war 1 Germany that led to what we all know. Those thoughts are extremely remote, but the world is unpredictable in nanoseconds these days and previous events were led by anarchists with no real plans but to overthrow an existing world order that was facilited by inept and corrupt bureaucrats, bad decisions by family anointed leaders, and by so-called economists and market pundits who had no basis for their commentary - sound familiar.
The motivating fact of OWS is that the establishment is moribund and so completely insitutionalized that any change of supposed consequence is really miniscule. While technology and globalization have roared ahead leaving U.S. job losses in their wake, other aspects of U.S. society have not materially changed in 30 years or much more - infrastrusture, education systems except for the most advantaged, methods of healthcare, penal systems once that called for rehablilation and are now highlighed on popular televison shows as places for young people to get raped, immigration reform and an acceptance that that this is a historic aspect of America's growth and prosperity, and the functioning of a political system that has stagnated. It really started with the Supreme Court's completely contrarian validation of the Bush win in Florida. It went against all precedent of that court - not that Gore was any solution or even really sane.
The establishment is no longer functioning in a way that points to a better future either for near term future generations or for the majority of the current populace. That may be the OWS underarticuladed thesis and it seems to be an anti-intellecutual television generation point of view.
In the non-urban areas of this great country much of this brohaha may seem like a sideshow. Close down their local post office/ meeting places/ and gossip clubs and that may change. Let Alabama's draconian profiling rules become widespread and expect urban gangs, older people, and former middle aged office workers to harvest crops and mow lawns and then the whole order may break down, tea party or OWS or both.
There is no question that the U.S. economy is anemic. On the positive side, corporate profits are still strong, technology and globalization roar ahead, creating growth and dividends but leaving job creation stagnant or worse. Add to that the unmitatging attacks on the financial industry through regulation, litigation, and presidential distate and there is not an environment for growth. How can you have a growing economy of this scale without financial intermediries(the Mafia revived maybe). The contructive aspects of the financial industry are being undermined by Obama, and if by fiat he can tell them what to do he is simple minded and inexperienced.
All that said, OWS could become a positive catalyst if the anarchists and old hippies are thrown aside, and the young people realize that getting back to their books, their innovative thoughts, and their opportunies for entrepreneurship, all almost unique to this country, are more important than this mindless lark with no cohesive center.
There is a serious unemployment problem in this country due to many factors - industrial dislocation, underwater housing disincentives, technology advances, and government incentives to not work that are being scammed. For the youth that participate in these OWS events, there are endless opportunties. From our 17 year old with a steady job to our 24 year old with a real company in her interests, it simply requires a willingness to get off the couch. My 17 year old and 24 year old have jobs, with possible long term opportunity. They want to work, and are not in a postion to need immediate financial assistance.
For the middle aged with family obligations that is not so simple, as for the elderly who saved their entire lives and now have no interest to live on. These are not easy times, and with no real serious leadership there is no end in sight. President Obama reminds me of Bush number 1, an effective leader in foreign policy but an ineffective leader in his home country.
Overall, this seems to be an anarchist movement or at at times a libertarian movement that is spontaneous but driven by real but uncoordintated issues. It seems real for certain and not just a passing moment. Unlike the civil rights movement of the early and mid-60's or the anti-war movement of the mid-60's to the early 70's there is no one goal that makes for a cohesive cause. We are the 99% is a phrase that means little but resonates with some(Paul Krugman notes that the phrase could more aptly be we are the 99.9% as only a small sliver of our society has these almost absurd level of assets that are being protected by conservative interests and resented by almost all citizens). Unlike the demonstrations and encampments of the Great Depression, those protesting today do not look poor or malnourished, in fact they look relatively healthy and prosperous generally speaking. That's
said with the exception of some homeless who have joined the group for food and shelter, some mentally challenged, and then some predators who have latched onto the group for criminal activity and sexual assaults.
The current precedents are the persistent unfocused anarchist protests at various world economic summits and to some extent the long overdue uprisings against the long established middle eastern regimes.
What is missing from OWS is an Occupy Congress event. Congress and the executive branch were the regulators of the financial markets, and Bush II and Clinton pushed Fannie and Freddie into the low credit markets. They also benefitted handsomely from the taxes generated by lightly regulated companies across all industries, camapaign contributions, and the revolving door that benefitted those who worked for them and then went on to high paying jobs in the industries that they supposedly regulated. Obama is simply missing in action on all of this, highlighting his oratory, social, and basketball skills.
The highjacking of the Republican Party by the tea party and by Grover Norquist is a complete roadblock to any compromise. The arrogant orthodoxy of Pelosi, Levin, and other members of Congress during the Democrats four years of opportunity ruined Obama's goal of all for one action that President Bush and Secretary Paulson has already started. And now here we are.
The frightening precedents, if this grows exponentially, are the Paris Commune of 1870 and the Russian uprisings of 1905 and 1917(the populist U.S. uprisings of 1893 drew much attention but were really minor in scope, an analogy that should not be ignored), and then the collapse of the monetary system in post world war 1 Germany that led to what we all know. Those thoughts are extremely remote, but the world is unpredictable in nanoseconds these days and previous events were led by anarchists with no real plans but to overthrow an existing world order that was facilited by inept and corrupt bureaucrats, bad decisions by family anointed leaders, and by so-called economists and market pundits who had no basis for their commentary - sound familiar.
The motivating fact of OWS is that the establishment is moribund and so completely insitutionalized that any change of supposed consequence is really miniscule. While technology and globalization have roared ahead leaving U.S. job losses in their wake, other aspects of U.S. society have not materially changed in 30 years or much more - infrastrusture, education systems except for the most advantaged, methods of healthcare, penal systems once that called for rehablilation and are now highlighed on popular televison shows as places for young people to get raped, immigration reform and an acceptance that that this is a historic aspect of America's growth and prosperity, and the functioning of a political system that has stagnated. It really started with the Supreme Court's completely contrarian validation of the Bush win in Florida. It went against all precedent of that court - not that Gore was any solution or even really sane.
The establishment is no longer functioning in a way that points to a better future either for near term future generations or for the majority of the current populace. That may be the OWS underarticuladed thesis and it seems to be an anti-intellecutual television generation point of view.
In the non-urban areas of this great country much of this brohaha may seem like a sideshow. Close down their local post office/ meeting places/ and gossip clubs and that may change. Let Alabama's draconian profiling rules become widespread and expect urban gangs, older people, and former middle aged office workers to harvest crops and mow lawns and then the whole order may break down, tea party or OWS or both.
There is no question that the U.S. economy is anemic. On the positive side, corporate profits are still strong, technology and globalization roar ahead, creating growth and dividends but leaving job creation stagnant or worse. Add to that the unmitatging attacks on the financial industry through regulation, litigation, and presidential distate and there is not an environment for growth. How can you have a growing economy of this scale without financial intermediries(the Mafia revived maybe). The contructive aspects of the financial industry are being undermined by Obama, and if by fiat he can tell them what to do he is simple minded and inexperienced.
All that said, OWS could become a positive catalyst if the anarchists and old hippies are thrown aside, and the young people realize that getting back to their books, their innovative thoughts, and their opportunies for entrepreneurship, all almost unique to this country, are more important than this mindless lark with no cohesive center.
There is a serious unemployment problem in this country due to many factors - industrial dislocation, underwater housing disincentives, technology advances, and government incentives to not work that are being scammed. For the youth that participate in these OWS events, there are endless opportunties. From our 17 year old with a steady job to our 24 year old with a real company in her interests, it simply requires a willingness to get off the couch. My 17 year old and 24 year old have jobs, with possible long term opportunity. They want to work, and are not in a postion to need immediate financial assistance.
For the middle aged with family obligations that is not so simple, as for the elderly who saved their entire lives and now have no interest to live on. These are not easy times, and with no real serious leadership there is no end in sight. President Obama reminds me of Bush number 1, an effective leader in foreign policy but an ineffective leader in his home country.
posted by John Borden at 11:18 PM
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