- James DeWeaver
- Byron Bay Nsw
- Australia
Professional Contemporary Artist/Pastellist, James DeWeaver Pastels
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What happened to the 99%?
From Zuccotti Park N.Y.C.2010 to the rest of the world almost instantaneously, OWS Movement spread like wildfire. Now in late 2012 the marginalization by the 1% and their "Power networks" over the 99% has won!
Will the people who believe in the ideals of the OWS movement always fail against a stronger, better financed and organized minority of the Political and financial "Elites" around the world? If not, why? when? or how?
Same AsIs
Same AsIs
So on the scale of greed running from 0 to infinity we all stand at our locations, all saying those behind need more, those ahead need less and if I could just get a little more life would be great...so wisdom told us we are all the same (the pie of one)...unfortunately we see things differently (we cut the pie up and average)...why listen to wisdom, better to deny and argue simple things...
James DeWeaver
Theodore A. Hoppe 200+
http://www.thersa.org/events/video/vision-videos/prospects-for-a-new-progressivism
Robert Winner 50+
The administrations effort to re-distribute the wealth in the United Staes and to firmly entrench socialism inspired the OWC and the anarchists. This has created class warfare which the militants have encouraged and spread in hopes of bringing the corporations and politicians into line.
Those who truely believed in the initial movement goals were now a part of a much greater scheme without their consent or knowledge.
The 1% did not kill off the movement. The Wall Street Journal, pollster Douglas Schoen wrote that polling of the protesters revealed "a deep commitment to left-wing policies: opposition to free-market capitalism and support for radical redistribution of wealth, intense regulation of the private sector. In short Socialism/Communism/Markism.
The movement is in the hands of radicals. Join if you wish but be aware of what you seek ... you may find it.
Recall that Cuba was once a prosperous nation until a man named Castro invoked these same principals. Good Luck.
W. Ying 10+
The problem is easy to solve if both 1% and 99% understand what INVALID HAPPINESS is.
Wrong?
James DeWeaver
Not like that in Cuba, i've been there three times since 2002.
Robert Winner 50+
And perhaps the election will will resolve the radicals in charge in the US.
You really are on my side after all. Thanks.
Bob.
James DeWeaver
John Frum 30+
On the whole, I agree with your conclusion.
Robert Winner 50+
By this measure anarchists would not be without government ... they would replace the current form with their acceptable form.
Thanks for your reply. Bob.
edward long 100+
James DeWeaver
W. Ying 10+
The real reason is our instincts of equality, which is essential for our evolution.
However, the problem is easy to solve if both 1% and 99% understand what INVALID HAPPINESS is.
Wrong?
edward long 100+
Random Chance 30+
because they have lost their homes, been put out of work, have nowhere to go and were deemed
illegal just because they were gathered, talking and wondering what to do.
It's illegal to be homeless. Another law and another way to help the private business
sector of prisons, gain more customers. Profit is important to business and needs lots of customers,
i.e. foot-traffic. New laws help because they simply make more citizens into criminals.
Next up: you too, you two, could go to jail if you sit too long at Starbucks!
James DeWeaver
Alan Stanford, Bernie Madoff, Richard Marin Scrushy are a few that have seen major jail time, but they are the minority for sure!
In the U.K, from the 1997-2011,the then Labour Government had introduced 4,289 "NEW" Criminal Offences!
SOURCE: Guiness Book of World Records 2011!(Australian Version)
Krisztián Pintér 200+
the exact same thing, namely one person having much more than another is an injustice if you happen to be the poor one, but not a problem at all if you happen to be the rich one. what about being taxed up to 50% or more, and use this money to support people in congo? sounds like a good idea to you? why not? it is the same thing what you want.
John Smith 30+
There are two ways to make this consistent: 1) join the rich in opposing any taxation and responsibility for the less fortunate, or 2) demand that the rich pay up just like I do.
P.S. income inequality is also very much about power. You may think that someone else having a billion dollar is none of my business, but then he starts buying politicians and gambling with large amounts of resources. Wealth equals power and I don't think we should let a small number of people have an ever increasing share of the power just because they are shrewd or outright ruthless (though most of all just damn lucky) business people whom nobody ever elected, worse they'll pass on their power to their children.
Krisztián Pintér 200+
it is all about power, as you have said, and you aspire to have more of it. it should not be about power though. we could simply respect property rights, and admit that we just as much entitled to our own as the rich to theirs. and though giving is nice, taking by force is not nice.
James DeWeaver
Do you think Henry that the Types of Presidents American have elected since Carter, the Conservative, Fundamentalist with regards to their Religion, non-progressive socially as in regards to programs for minorities and the disadvantaged which have been eviscerated from Government over this time period, and could this be the long term impact or effect of Reagan's first dismantling of these social structures in America?
James DeWeaver
The Non-1% or The Occupy Movement i'm more referring too, the YOUTH, not the old fully complient and indoctrinated sheep, 99% people are ones who've never been able to find appropriate employment, disenfranchised even with stellar grades from top notch Universities!
So they don't even appear on the statistics you cite.The one's who were on the streets everywhere there was an oppurtunity to do so before getting beaten up and assulted by public servant Police, NOT the pin-headed anarchist hell bent on raising hell at what or whoever's cost!
Does this provide an adaquate response on which 99% i'm talking about?
Casey Christofaris 10+
Casey Christofaris 10+
You needed an adjusted gross income of $343,927 to make it into the top 1% of U.S. taxpayers in 2009, the latest year for which Internal Revenue Service statistics are available. On the other hand, the U.S. median household income of $51,914 would put you in the top 1% worldwide. (IRS, GlobalRichList.com)
http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/what-it-means-to-be-rich
John Smith 30+
Well, James is right to point out that young households don't make anywhere near $54k anywhere in the developed world and you have to be careful to not mix statistics for households and individuals. People in developed countries also get screwed over by high housing prices.
It's just not a fair comparison because many people in the world are being oppressed and/or never had opportunities, it's not that we have it so good, it's that they have it so bad, it's like beating someone up for no good reason and then telling him to be grateful because some people in the world get murdered for no good reason.
Casey Christofaris 10+
John Smith 30+
Casey Christofaris 10+
Really what needs to happen is we need to get rid of money .... but this problem I have not figured out yet. :) There is no difference between the money thats in your pocket and the money in a game of monopoly! They are both printed
Henry Woeltjen 10+
"In 2005, the high school dropout rate of Latinos was highest, followed by those of African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives" (National Center for Education Statistics, 2007). Many studies also indicate minorities are not taking care of themselves. They are not getting preventative treatments and that leads to more serious illnesses. I think the 99% are just a little lost right now.
James DeWeaver
How do you put numbers or Economic theory to a tree or forest, yet they try and horribly fail, deforestation, loss of species, How can a rational, intelligent, socially progressive individual fathom that thought!
If there's money, then the rational Economist come and do their pseudo-science and plunder everything, leaving nothing.This is not Economics based on either David Riccardo or Adam Smith, this is just economics based and focused on the ruling elites around the globe and what works best for them, not everyone!
"All animals are created equal, except some animals are more equal than others"! George Orwell, -Animal Farm
.
Krisztián Pintér 200+
i can only repeat myself: choose the school of economics carefully. i'm glad that you know all schools of economics inside out, and you know that none of them are based on reality. i would be glad at least, if i believed you. but i suspect that your knowledge of economics is ... let say limited.
Mitch SMith 50+
You will probably get a lot from this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f9R9MtkpqM
Human motivation comes in a few forms, but by and large, it all depends on the proto-self:
http://www.ted.com/talks/antonio_damasio_the_quest_to_understand_consciousness.html
Since Debono and others demonstrated the supremacy of perception over truth, all of media, politics and power has abandoned the old search for truth and, instead, refined the arts of perception.
Those on the left did not notice this and are still clamoring for truth - while the right has gotten the hint and now talk about "values" which make far more motivational sound-bytes.
You see, if you try to demonstrate truth, it makes people uncomfortable. No one really wants to spend a lot of time properly understanding anything. Specially if they are sufficiently comfortable. They will be more inclined to dismiss the "troublemaker" - no matter how dire the outcomes of their ignorance may be.
If you want to have change, you need to make people very uncomfortable. Otherwise the "truth" has no value to them.
A human needs a certain degree of "comfort" or they die. However, in the long-run, comfort is not our friend.
James DeWeaver
John Frum 30+
James DeWeaver
It was about Ben & Jerry and how they are philanthropic with some of their money and i was replying on how i was unaware of this philanthropy.
Second time i've used TED.
To err is human bud, the respondent did get this message, and i got another response, so i believe your needing to read it was superfluous!
James DeWeaver
James DeWeaver
They're just a way for the 1 % to take advantage , manipulate and manage the 99% from the cradle to the grave!
Krisztián Pintér 200+
James DeWeaver
James DeWeaver
David Hamilton 50+
The problem with the Occupy movement, is the problem with almost all modern movements... They're against everything... but they aren't "for" anything.
If OWS held the line, and stayed focused, on drone strikes, surveillance, the drug war, the bank bailouts, and corporate socialism, they would realize 60% of the people are with them. The problem is, as is usually the case... Everyone wants redistribution... From someone else, to them. That doesn't work, that's not the governments role.
You can't be against the Wall Street bailout, and for a pension bailout... You're either for the government bailing out people when they make mistakes... Or you're against the government bailing out people when they make mistakes. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
If OWS had a clear message, of imprisoning the people who were bailed out due to fraud, and using that money to pay down the debt... The left and right would both be with them. The Tea Party would love that... but "Take their money, and give it to me, or people who took out loans they knew they couldn't pay back"... That's not as popular. The truth is, real capitalism... Is popular. Getting the government to stop supporting major corporations, and stop propping up wars for profit... Most of the people want that.
Letting non violent criminals out of jail, and focusing on people doing real damage... Most people want that. Ending the drone strikes/flying killer robots. Ending domestic surveillance... The only people not for those things, are the 1%. When you expand beyond the simple messages, of "Stop using the government as an institution of destruction"... you lose people. OWS got attacked by a bunch of special interests, which wanted the government to "Start being an institution of creation"... That doesn't work, you don't create by force.
John Smith 30+
Says who? There's a difference between helping out the most vulnerable who are victims of a predatory system and giving free money to already filthy rich people who are the driving force behind the predatory system. Not that all people who lost pension money were helpless victims but the way you put it can be construed to include people who are down on their luck.
David Hamilton 50+
Also, your point would make more sense if we weren't 16 trillion dollars in debt. If we had a balanced budget, and successfully prosecuted criminals... Suddenly, we would have money we could invest. That money could be invested backing pensions... When you're 16 trillion dollars in debt and you seize assets... You pay back the debt, in my humble opinion.
John Smith 30+
Those job, education and treatment opportunities cost money too and are probably what most of the OWSers wanted anyway instead of dependency on a few trinkets of welfare.
"Also, your point would make more sense if we weren't 16 trillion dollars in debt. If we had a balanced budget, and successfully prosecuted criminals... Suddenly, we would have money we could invest. That money could be invested backing pensions... When you're 16 trillion dollars in debt and you seize assets... You pay back the debt, in my humble opinion."
Everyone has to pay, but when you see your $20k/year pension cut in half while some billionaire who was complicit in the crisis walks away with hundreds of millions you understandably become angry.
The number of people killed by lightning in New York City since 2008 is higher than the number of bankers and other financial thugs sent to jail in the entire United States over the same time.
Lejan . 30+
In many countries middle class may have seen the 'impact' of the 'system failure meteor', but the shock wave still has not crossed the daily walk path for most of them.
Only as more and more of them get blown away in the near future, the true meaning of what is actually happening right now, is able to settle within many more minds. The painful transition in between being an onlooker and becoming a real victim of this global fraud is the only motivation to the spoiled generations to take action and - even more important - to get united...
In this I am very optimistic that this time will come, as I see already many signs of unhappiness in many peoples lifes ...
It is a matter of time and 'ability to suffer' only!
David Hamilton 50+
Lejan . 30+
David Hamilton 50+
Lejan . 30+
Hmm, I see, many of you just can't because of what you said... :o)
But, seriously, what at times shocks me is, that those scenarios would not shock me to be proven for this purpose...
So we may look closer into filter-systems and rain water supply.
James DeWeaver
Krisztián Pintér 200+
John Frum 30+
Krisztián Pintér 200+
Jedrek Stepien 10+
Rhona Pavis 50+
Theodore A. Hoppe 200+
Most of those that identified with the 99% were working in a direction that would have had the Democratic Party take notice of the their dissatisfaction with the gridlock in Washington.
Former Clinton pollster, Doug Schoen had produced poll showing that only 4 percent of protestors want the movement to achieve “radical redistribution of wealth", while 35 percent want it to emulate the Tea Party by exerting more influence on the Democratic Party.
The legacy of OWS might be a tax hikes on the rich "if" Democrats win in November.
John Smith 30+
Actually there was a study that showed most Americans, even a majority of republicans favored an income inequality level that was lower than Sweden's, just as there are studies that show the vast majority of Americans support the provisions of the ACA act and agree with progressives concepts. The trick is to not tell people that the thing they're being questioned about is a progressive idea, that way you overcome the tribalism of left/right division.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/americans-want-to-live-in-a-much-more-equal-country-they-just-dont-realize-it/260639/
Theodore A. Hoppe 200+
But its not so much the Left/Right division at this point much as it is the Left/ Progressive divide. Thisis a point made by Michael Kazin in his book "American Dreamer."
One reviewer put in this way, "" Kazin concedes that radical leftists have often been out of touch with prevailing values, including those of the people they wish to liberate. He concludes that American radicals have done more to change what he calls the nation’s “moral culture” than to change its politics."
The Tea Party's call for a return to states rights has merit, and I wish the Left would embrace this idea as well. This would in small ways limit a movement toward central control.
John Smith 30+
Theodore A. Hoppe 200+
OWS R.I.P.
The Occupy Wall St. movement died last week. It was first reported in the New York Times in an article that read, "A group of business leaders—including Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and former Nirvana manager Danny Goldberg—are planning to pour substantial funds into the Occupy Wall Street movement in hopes of sustaining the protests and fostering political change." One had to dig further than into the story in the New York Times to get "All the News..." however. In another report the headlines read, "Ben & Jerry raise cool ‘Occupy’ cash, get activists’ cold shoulder."
The twist in the story is that neither Occupy Wall St., or it's General Assemble, will not be directing these new funds. "Movement Resources Group" will be in charge of the purse strings. While the website could not assessed the at the time of this writing, "Movement Resources Group" whose $1.745 million budget for 2012 defines the group as "InterOccupy-National Coordination," it was possible to glean this much from the search: "Due to the horizontal structure of Occupy, it is difficult for funders to connect with this nascent movement. The purpose of MRG is to act as a liaison..."
In business terms this would be called a hostile takeover perhaps, but can't we all just call it was it is, "a hi-jacking"?
Whatever became of the money or Ben & Jerry's interest in the protest I cannot say.
James DeWeaver
I remember Ben and Jerry's ice cream very well, When i lived in America, my brother went to the University of Vermont in Burlington VT in 1984. "The Home of Ben and Jerry's" then, these guys were suppose to be anti-Corporate, anti "Big" business at the time. I see now that this idealism of their beginnings has evaporated with them becoming 1%er's, too bad eh!
Cheers Theodore, much appreciate your time and thoughts on this subject!
Theodore A. Hoppe 200+
To be fair to them both, they do support many good causes with their foundation.
http://www.benandjerrysfoundation.org/
I last saw them at Vermont Senentor Bernie Sanders's, Town Hall event trying to rally support for a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/savingdemocracy/
I just think they didn't realize what they were getting into with OWS.
Barry Palmer 50+
1. The masses get so unhappy that they get violent. This is very unlikely in the rich countries because the masses themselves are economically comfortable, and very well indoctrinated in the evil of violence.
2. The masses become more involved in the election process. This is also unlikely, for a number of reasons, but particularly because the masses are primarily concerned with economic activity.
3. The masses become more intelligent. This is not completely impossible. It seems to me that children are becoming much more intelligent and they seem to lose it as they approach adulthood. If we stop burning coal and get the mercury out of the air, we might see an amazing change. Another possibility is education reform. I suppose junk food might be another explanation.
4. The terrorists (or possibly the 1%) do something that interferes with the National Football League. This would not be tolerated and could result in violent revolution. The recent lockout of the referees offered hope, but it was settled too soon.
Basically, the masses are content enough to tolerate the machinations of the one percent. If the one percent are careful and do not get too arrogant, they can maintain this situation indefinitely. And they know it.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Your second point that struck me is that "children are becoming much more intelligent and they seem to lose that as they approach adulthood." Measurements support the claim that children's intelligence is increasing and I believe children are becoming more active in advancing their own ideas as well.
I think a lot of effort during schooling goes into developing critical thinking and identifying logical fallacies, but that focus does not continue into adulthood when biases often seem to take an increasingly strong hold.
These are simply my impressions based on a lot of work with children and adults and a lot of interaction outside of a school setting with both.
Barry Palmer 50+
The part about the kids losing it as they get older is not a joke. I have observed some extremely bone headed decisions in recent times that seem completely inexplicable, unless it was the influence of mercury or some other similar agent. An example is connecting top secret computer systems to the public internet. This seems so absurd that I wonder whether it is part of a misinformation campaign. The Strategic Defense Initiative was another example. I can understand that Dr. Teller could convince Reagan that it might be plausible, but I cannot understand how the Soviets could take it seriously.
Some historians seriously think that lead poisoning caused the downfall of Rome. For us, it could be mercury.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I am not saying this phenomenon is universal, but kids don't generally have as much of a bias toward being considered right, I think, as many adults do and therefore are more open to considering different points of view and learning from that.
Sorry, James, to veer a little off your track.
Mitch SMith 50+
During puberty there is a massive synaptic cull that is precipitated by fertility hormones.
This has the effect of shifting intellectual focus to the groin.
From that point, adolescents have to re-build their world views to incorporate sexual behaviour.
James DeWeaver