Several people have asked my opinion of the Occupy Wall Street protests and I feel it’s time to articulate my thoughts in a meaningful way. My initial reaction was based on past observations of similar movements and, honestly, stereotypes. Sure, I have a tendency—as all people do—to make rash judgments where hackneyed folk are involved (i.e. dirty hippies, smelly anarchists, etc.).At first, I was unimpressed with what I saw. It was just another gathering of 20-somethings and hippie-rejects looking for an opportunity to lash-out at their wealthy parents for not “being there” when they were children, for not buying the car they wanted at 16, or for not sending them their first college of choice. It’s easy to assume these people are just looking for the next trendy social movement so they can feel part of something bigger than their tiny, enclosed world of iPads and Gears of War. It’s understandable. I was a rebellious 20-something myself once. It’s too easy to make these assumptions when the usual suspects are involved.
It’s tempting to think this entire movement is manufactured and orchestrated from plush conference rooms of organized labor and other special interest groups. It’s tempting to think the left-leaning groups supporting the protests are hoping for violence so they can swoop in to save the day and protect us from evil corporations. It’s easy to classify these protests as left-leaning events when Cornel West, Van Jones, Harry Belafonte, Al Sharpton, unions, socialist groups, and others are praising it.
It is too easy to point out that these same people were silent when the bail-outs were distributed in 2008 and 2009. It’s easy to point out that these same people were silent when Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac were making fraudulent loans to families who couldn’t afford the mortgage notes. It’s easy to point out that in interview after interview the protesters are having difficulty articulating a clear and concise purpose and solution. It’s easy to think the protesters are provoking the police in hopes of capturing brutality on their iPhones to broadcast instantly across the world and cry foul. I won’t spend any more time stating the obvious.Many average folks are unwittingly taking to the web to show solidarity. The sense of entitlement coming from these average Joes and Janes is what irks me most. Many of the “99%” are posting pictures of themselves stating their education level or qualifications followed by “I am the 99%.” For example, one I saw this morning stated, “I served in the US Army. Served 16 months in Iraq. Now I deliver pizza. I am the 99%.” Did he expect to come back from Iraq and have a cushy office job?
The only message I’ve been able to glean from the entire event is “Hate Wall Street.” That’s all fine and good. Now, what do you intend to DO about Wall Street between tokes of marijuana? Is this an “awareness” campaign, photo-op, or a precursor to revolution? Revolutions have agendas and goals—not vaguely worded “demands”.
The protesters are demanding free education for all and a $20 per hour minimum wage among other things. Education and jobs are privileges and not rights. Rights are inherent and do not require the infringement on others (Read: excess taxes) to institute. Rights are inherent and not granted by an all-powerful State. Privileges are perks.Needless to say, I’m still unimpressed with the protests. Do these protesters think “change” will magically occur like everything else in their cushy lives? Do they think sitting around in one spot for an extended period of time accomplishes anything other making them look like lazy, trust-fund babies? I don’t exactly understand what the protesters are hoping to accomplish other than bitching and moaning and I don’t think they do either.
Hey, protesters, if I'm wrong, show me.
