I am doing a speech on the Occupy protests, mainly Occupy Wall Street. I would like some intelligent opinions. No 'HURRDURR PROTESTS ARZ DUM' stuff, some intelligent opinions that can be justified. It is for a school assignment, after all.
Opinions on Occupy Wall Street or other Occupy (insert city name here) protests?
- Thread starter TheBritishAreComing
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A very, very small amount officers handling the protests are doing a shit job. They're just the ones getting the publicity. Just like a small amount of the protesters are douches who really need to be pepper sprayed.Radeonx said:
But I'm kinda on board with the whole thing. It won't change anything, but it's a bit refreshing.
OK, Ill fire.
The "Occupy" protests represent the culmination of all liberal anger towards the recent decade of grievances (mostly economic). Although somewhat related to the "tea party protests" of the conservative side, the "Occupy" protests and protesters consist mostly of young people (aka 30 and under) in complete protest against Big Business and corruption within the corporate world.
These prostests are founded in reality and are not radicalized like others. The separation between the ultra wealthy and everyone else has increased majorly over the years. The average person can barely afford food and rent, let alone have almost any luxury goods. This has been years coming, and was only postponed because of the election of Barak Obama which let off some anger (and ended up getting him elected in a huge victory).
The "Occupy" protests represent the culmination of all liberal anger towards the recent decade of grievances (mostly economic). Although somewhat related to the "tea party protests" of the conservative side, the "Occupy" protests and protesters consist mostly of young people (aka 30 and under) in complete protest against Big Business and corruption within the corporate world.
These prostests are founded in reality and are not radicalized like others. The separation between the ultra wealthy and everyone else has increased majorly over the years. The average person can barely afford food and rent, let alone have almost any luxury goods. This has been years coming, and was only postponed because of the election of Barak Obama which let off some anger (and ended up getting him elected in a huge victory).
Depends on the city.
You have other nations with very different economic issues and social concerns copying the US protests, which isn't terrible wise.
Australia doesn't have the problems with the economy, unemployment and student loans that the US has. The Australian government squabbles amongst itself over where refugees should be processed, not whether or not to try fixing the economy. Nor can Australian government or industry be blamed for the GFC.
Protesting these things here makes no sense, unless it's to show support for people in the US, which is not terribly useful. Now, protests about, say, gay marriage or Aboriginal welfare, things that actually are pressing concerns here, fine, but it seems that copying the US style is more popular.
You have other nations with very different economic issues and social concerns copying the US protests, which isn't terrible wise.
Australia doesn't have the problems with the economy, unemployment and student loans that the US has. The Australian government squabbles amongst itself over where refugees should be processed, not whether or not to try fixing the economy. Nor can Australian government or industry be blamed for the GFC.
Protesting these things here makes no sense, unless it's to show support for people in the US, which is not terribly useful. Now, protests about, say, gay marriage or Aboriginal welfare, things that actually are pressing concerns here, fine, but it seems that copying the US style is more popular.
True, but I'd wager that there are far more police officers overreacting and abusing their power than protesters deserving what some are getting.Phlakes said:
Although since I have zero facts to back it up, I'm just speculating, so I could be completely wrong.
Well the fact that the particular police commiting the brutality arent being held accountable by their superiors kind of disgusts me. Poor Discipline. Shameful for the NYPD, not just the action, but the lack of disciplinary action in response.
As for the protestors:
Personally I think they are wasting their breath. ITs great that they are standing up for what they believe, and I fully support the right they have to do so, but Im 99% sure the big-wigs on walstreet will be some of the last humans who will care about them.
Great motives, poor execution.
As for the protestors:
Personally I think they are wasting their breath. ITs great that they are standing up for what they believe, and I fully support the right they have to do so, but Im 99% sure the big-wigs on walstreet will be some of the last humans who will care about them.
Great motives, poor execution.
Big business is dominated by older people with large amounts of experience. It takes a long time to reach the top and people these days just cant accept that.
The past few decades people have been brought up being told that they are special and can do anything. This continues to the point they get out into the work industry and discover that they apparently can't do everything and in order to be the highly paid highly respected individual they would like to be they have to wade through many years of low paid thankless tedium. And at the end they might not even be able to become one of the rich people.
Decades of social positioning to young children as they grow up has left people unable to cope with the way the world is. So instead of trying to fit in to the world, they have collectively decided to try and change the world to fit them.
Which is a fucking terrible idea.
The past few decades people have been brought up being told that they are special and can do anything. This continues to the point they get out into the work industry and discover that they apparently can't do everything and in order to be the highly paid highly respected individual they would like to be they have to wade through many years of low paid thankless tedium. And at the end they might not even be able to become one of the rich people.
Decades of social positioning to young children as they grow up has left people unable to cope with the way the world is. So instead of trying to fit in to the world, they have collectively decided to try and change the world to fit them.
Which is a fucking terrible idea.
A bunch of spoiled college kids who are basically crying about how they hate capitalism just because they have debt. Parents couldn't afford a new BMW for me and had to get a used one, I am the 99%.
I've never actually heard anything about dumb cops pepper spraying dumb protesters. Can anyone tell me about this?Phlakes said:
There's a difference between being a spoiled wank and barely being able to earn enough to put food on your table and live under a roof.Custard_Angel said:
I think it's a step in the right direction. Could use some better leadership and a clearer, more concise message, but it's a start. And, honestly, I think that the people belittling the movement as "spoiled people that hate capitalism/need to get a job" are part of the problem.
Protesting's not going to change anything, and the schism they're trying to make that it's 99 to 1% isn't really correct (if I recall correctly, the top 1% has as much wealth than the bottom 50% or something) but I don't think the cause is completely incorrect. There is a lot of corruption in big business, and corporations do have far too much influence on politics.
One of the biggest problems is America's belief in its capitalistic market creating a "meritocracy". AKA Those who work the hardest will be justly rewarded, and that where you end up when it comes to social class and income is a result of your effort. It makes those who DO succeed assume it's solely because of their effort, and that others can't because they are lazy or inept.
The fact is, upwards social mobility, especially the kind publicized ("rags to riches", the American dream) is absurdly rare. Most people stay in the same income bracket their entire life, and situations like the recession cause a ton to go down.
In addition, the very idea that you end up where your effort pays off is flawed because people start in different social classes to begin with. A person who starts in poverty and achieves insane social mobility to become middle class will still be worse off than a person from a wealthy family who fails at everything he does, because he has the social connections, privileged education, and familial wealth to fall back on.
I'm not saying that these people should get a free pass to success (and admittedly a chunk of them probably are simply acting on feelings of entitlement), but there are fundamental flaws in the American social system and market that need to be addressed. Doing so would help the nation as a whole, as well as those who simply can't get ahead despite how hard they work because of the flawed "meritocracy" perspective.
One of the biggest problems is America's belief in its capitalistic market creating a "meritocracy". AKA Those who work the hardest will be justly rewarded, and that where you end up when it comes to social class and income is a result of your effort. It makes those who DO succeed assume it's solely because of their effort, and that others can't because they are lazy or inept.
The fact is, upwards social mobility, especially the kind publicized ("rags to riches", the American dream) is absurdly rare. Most people stay in the same income bracket their entire life, and situations like the recession cause a ton to go down.
In addition, the very idea that you end up where your effort pays off is flawed because people start in different social classes to begin with. A person who starts in poverty and achieves insane social mobility to become middle class will still be worse off than a person from a wealthy family who fails at everything he does, because he has the social connections, privileged education, and familial wealth to fall back on.
I'm not saying that these people should get a free pass to success (and admittedly a chunk of them probably are simply acting on feelings of entitlement), but there are fundamental flaws in the American social system and market that need to be addressed. Doing so would help the nation as a whole, as well as those who simply can't get ahead despite how hard they work because of the flawed "meritocracy" perspective.
Our governments supported the protestors in other countries when they wanted to make a point, we cannot simply then say "different rule for us, because we're different".
I personally believe it is a bunch of crap. Most of the people in the protests are young adults without jobs who are tired of seeing other people with money. The same kind of people who will praise capitalism whenever it benefits them.
I find it very hypocritical. The people at the 1% with all the money got there somehow, doing whatever it takes, the American Dream.
Now for the Occupy (other countries) I've noticed it is more concerned with bad banking practices, which I support.
I find it very hypocritical. The people at the 1% with all the money got there somehow, doing whatever it takes, the American Dream.
Now for the Occupy (other countries) I've noticed it is more concerned with bad banking practices, which I support.