The "Occupy" Protests

[BRS]

Are you all aware of the "Occupy" protests that are happening in the UK - "Occupy Newcastle" - "Occupy London Stock Exchange" etc in the UK and the parent protest in the USA "Occupy Wall Street" and the rest of the world?

What are your views on these combined protests against the "Bail Outs" - "Greed" and "Corruption" of the "Bankers - Financiers - Wealthy Elite/Shareholders - and most importantly Governments - that are bought by them and serve and support them by introducing Laws to protect this 1% as they are referred to who own 46% of the world’s wealth?

Collectively known as Capitalism.

This 1%, demand governments - through Lobbying - enforce their greed and corruption on the peoples of their respective countries with restrictive laws and acts of violence against those peoples as demonstrated in Greece - NY etc by their Police Forces/Law enforcement agencies who dare to oppose them!

The protesters – the populations of the world - referred to as the 99% - us - have demanded, and agreed, that the demonstrations are to be held peacefully and without violence against authority. Which they have, and the police and media don’t know how to handle it. The mainstream media are dumbfounded which is obvious by their lack of coverage. Generally can’t say the same about the authorities tho’.

Isn’t it about time WE – the 99% - of the populations of the world had our fair share of the pie?

To do that there needs to be a shift of policies at government level to ensure Greedy Corporations and the Wealthy Elite paid their fair share of taxes, the destruction of “Off-shore banking” etc, but most of all “Get money out of Politics” .

The message is simple. Take the power of money and wealth out of politics and government policies. Give us back our democracy.
What you think?

The link below is instructive.

liberalconspiracy.org/2011/10/18/amazing-video-of-us-marine-taking-on-nypd/

[Ann1]

The trouble is though, those in government are the ones with the power and wealth!! They are not going to do anything about it, it'd be like turkeys voting for Xmas!! Maybe they should have a sort of reverse thing, that all those who stand for gov are not allowed to have more than, say £25,000 of personal wealth!! That way we might get real people, who know the score, to stand. And all election campaigning etc, to be paid for out of taxation, that way no one will be beholden to large contributors or corporations.

Loath as I am to say it, Labour are just as bad as the Tories, they have seriously lost their way over the years!! You cannot put a tab paper between the parties now, and I think that is partly why people have got so apathetic about politics and voting. As for the Lib Dems, "power at all costs", and "Tory puppets" are the more polite phrases that come to mind!!!

[Deleted]

Hi BRS,
It sound fine in principle, but sad sadly greed is a natural trait and in most people there nature.
We are quite rightly quick to criticize bankers and MP's for their greed, but how many would do the same given the opportunity act the same way?
What you describe is the society we all would all love to belong to, but do we? It is to all intents and purposes "communism" which in theory is ideal but in practice against human nature and for it can only continue by the control and suppression of the people. The results of which can be seen world wide.
The CEO of Goldman Sach (sorry forgot his name) said "Inequality is the only way to ensure prosperity for all" Sound smug and patronising, but is it to a certain extent true?

[BRS]

Hi - Milkhope & Ann.

With respect I think you both have missed the point of the thread.

To understand what is going on in the world right now with these protests, you must clear your mind of everything you have been conditioned to believe where politics and the economy is concerned.

Forget the education system.
Forget what the media - television - trash television - movies - has led you to believe throughout your lifetime.
Forget what you have been led to believe by the PR and advertising companies.
Forget all the old prejudices that others have formulated in your mind.
Forget what banks have promised you.
Most importantly:
Forget - and I hope you will - what politicians have preached and promised you. They are - as you know - liars.

Instead free your mind from the Bull sh*t you have been conditioned to believe.

Look in one of the "Occupy" sites and learn the truth. Look in and see how the ordinary person - and there are millions of them - intends to fight against the inequalities of the worlds populations.

What we are witnessing at present is a chance in a lifetime to change the status quo.
Governments and their capitalist sponsors are bricking it. Greece are leading the way in making them cr*p. Why else would the president of the US be in Europe??? Don't say to attend the G20. Not so or else he wouldn't be so concerned as to comment on the Greek situation.
He and his sponsors are afraid democracy may exist.
Don't believe me? Research it.

[Ann1]

TBH, BRS, I haven't believed what politicians have said for years!! They are all the same, after feathering their own, and their cronies, nests! As you know, I'm a "conspiracy nut" and I'm convinced all these problems are contrived, and "they" are just waiting for things to get worse, then they'll "swoop"!! Maybe I just need a good lie down ;D I must say I was surprised to see Obama there, I thought it was just a meeting for the EU!!

[Jazz]

I am of the opinion that we need, if we want to, to get back to the more "primitive" societies....the Eskimos, North American Indians, Aborigines etc, etc. They seem to have the right values....respect the Earth and its resources.......they are not greedy and take just what they need. However our "society" has thousands of years of "ups and downs".....revolutions, wars, communism, capitalism, prophets, reformers, leaders, followers......new religions, old religions.....hippies....students with ideas! If wealth can be distributed more fairly I'm all for it and will support these "Occupy" protests but somehow..... somehow, I've a feeling that it will go wrong again somewhere along the line. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

[Ann1]

Citizen Smith is alive and kicking!!!!! ;D Must agree with Jazz though, we need to get away from the "wanting" society. But I fear it's too late, the Genie is well and truly out of the bottle! It's people wanting the latest "must have", car, bigger house, "better lifestyle", then can't afford to pay for it, that's got us in this mess in the first place!! It's greed from the top down, encouraged by those in power, to make us even more beholden to them!!

I remember a few years ago, getting inundated with junk mail, offering loans, buy now pay whenever, credit cars, store cards etc. The whole lot went into the bin!! But obviously enough people bought into the "dream" and overextended themselves, and for what??? The latest ipad, ipod, or whatever the dammed things are called, "I want and I want it now" more like!!! I'm just having a rant now, so I'm off to that palace of consumerism - Tescos!! ;D

[Jazz]

This is controversial but Maggie Thatcher's idea of allowing people "the right to buy their council house" and so establishing more of the population in that "middle England" bracket I think was questionable. Especially as there are so many homeless and very little "social housing" being built. An example, in my opinion, of how well meaning ideas can go wrong?

[wateroftyne]

How about world war 3?

Destroy everything and rebuild, similair to the 1930's

They are talking about attacking Iran, then China comes to help

Sorry I dont really believe it

[BRS]

:)G'Day

Sorry peeps you need to move out of the Educational conditioning imposed on you by government - PR - Advertising - mainstream Media etc.

Try this link:

occupylsx.org/?page_id=172

Whatya think?

[Ann1]

I'm sorry BRS, I'm not sure what point you're making?? I think we all know that the banks, investment banking, the EU, and large corporations etc are calling the shots. Like it or loath it, we have a capitalist system, as does most of the world. There is no doubt that we need a "fairer" system, but what? Personally, I'd get away from "the market" driving everything, but we all know that is not going to happen!!

Everyone at the G20 is busting a gut to get things back to "normal"!! There is no talk of scrapping the capitalist system and trying something different. None of the "fat cats" are going to do anything that jeopardises their position at the top of the heap are they? And the "people" have no power to do anything! I'm all in favour of protests, but they don't really make any difference. The march against the Iraq War showed that!!! I million people and they still took no bloody notice!!

[BRS]

I'm in terrible danger of repeating myself here - but.

Ann - the Capitalist system collapsed in 2008/9.

The very people I've highlighted are perpetuating the "Myth" that nothing has changed. Problem is people are realising that is has changed no matter what the "Fat-cats" and their Government mouthpieces spew out to the electorate via the "Corproate Media".

Take a look at Greece. They realise and aren't going to put up with it any longer.

Take a look at any of the "Occupy" sites worldwide. Google it.

They know there if a fairer alternative and it's workable. Why do you think the "Corporate owned media" are ignoring the protests.

What do you think would happen if it were broadcast the fact every
day? Ever heard the expression "A Crisis of Democracy".

Forget Thatcher and every leader and economist since who say "There is no alternative" - to capitalism that is - there is.

But. It would involve a fairer distribution of wealth form the rich to the poorer through more regulation of the banks and financial institutions. That would involve changing laws and taking their sponsor money out of political decisions.

That is exactly what the "Fat-Cats" do not want and will spend £Billions worldwide to prevent it. As they are at present.

Strange how the Greeks realise it and are voicing and acting against the enslavement of their population through Austerity measures that the "Fat-Cats" are trying to impose on them.

Austerity measures that are not necessary in any country if we oppose our governments.

The people own their respective countries NOT governments or "Fat-Cat" bankers - financiers or Super rich shareholders.
If they paid the dues we wouldn't be in this mess today.

Thats why all the protests which incidently are backed by many notable academics - economists - journalists - retired politicians oh the list is to long.

Hope this has gone some way to explain my point.

Now I know there are some veteran protesters on the Cron. Ren. board.
Now get out and support your local protest group.

[Ann1]

I think most of us know that capitalism isn't working, and hasn't done for a while, but what can we, the "man in the street" do about it though? The "fat cats" hold all the cards!! Look at the draconian laws that are on their way, to stop people protesting, the G8 protests showed what happens - cops beating protesters, kettelling protesters, and if this dammed gov have their way they'll ban protests altogether!! I'm all for revolution, but we all know that is not going to happen.

Unfortunately, the gov give just enough, to just enough people to keep them happy!!! Those with mortgages and bills to pay are not going to rock the boat, god almighty, they won't even bloody strike, as they won't get paid!!! If they won't strike in their own interests, then they sure as hell won't revolt for a fairer society!! I'm afraid "self interest" holds sway these days, no one gives a damn so long as they are alright!!

Look at this myth that is peddled, that the jobless are all feckless wasters, no mention of the fact that there are only 500,000 "proper" jobs, and 2 million unemployed, that's registered unemployed. God knows how much the figure really is, probably more like 5/6 mill!! It's in the interests of big business and corporations to have a vast pool of unemployed, it keeps people in "their place" and wages low!

[Jazz]

Well, I like the idea BRS but, like Ann1 says, how would it work.....would it be possible to "sell" this idea without a revolution.....would some of these academics, economic experts etc form some kind of "organization" to try to somehow put their ideas into practice?
Maybe the continuous pressure of these groups might make a bit of a dent in the present ways of political thinking but, like Milkhope says, look what happened to the Communist system in Russia. Is there another way.......the "Robin Hood" tax might help?

[BRS]

Ann - Jazz - your concerns and resolutions to capitalism have and are shared by millions of people.

All I can suggest to gain a better understanding of the protests and why they are happening is to visit any Occupy websites. In the UK the main site is Occupylsx - occupy London Stock Exchange.
Don't read to much into the titles ie occupylsx as they are camped at St Paul's Cath. it's the financial institutions that are the target of protest if you know what I mean.
But visit their websites - read their statements and news updates - watch their livestreams of the meetings to get a true feel and understanding of the protests.
BTW the beauty of the protest are that they are peaceful - not affiliated to any mainstream political parties - race - creed - colour is of no consequence.
They are united as one in pursuit of a common goal.

Please visit a website.

And BTW dust off your old protest clobber and tent and get out there and join them. You too - Shads - Bansh.

Jeez I'll get this right in a minute

There are also - No Leaders of the protest. Everyone is a leader IYKWIM?