The Occupy Movement

I get it, you're activists, and you've found a two-bit cause based on information that has been around for years. It's funny, when I was in high school, it wasn't a secret that 1% of the population held the wealth. It was no secret that 'normal' citizens all accepted that, moved on, said things like "well those people donate to charities". I was always skeptical of this. I didn't think that top 1% did enough and people said it didn't matter, the economy was booming and we were a wealthy country.

Now the economy is different. We haughtily stood by, proud, allowing for corporate interests to stand inside the foundation. Again, we're aware of the inequality, but the tactics being taken are ridiculous and in some cases irresponsible.

A lot more people are struggling now, looking for jobs, hoping for better, and the best idea people have is to occupy an area to make Wall Street aware of the fact we're upset? Newsflash. They've known it a long time and aren't likely to care anytime soon.

I see pictures of parents giving up a job search to "occupy". I don't respect them. Some political protest is not a good reason to turn on responsibility and give up fighting. All they're doing is allowing for whatever available jobs coming up to go to someone else, and with the guidelines for food stamps or other assistance received, I'm pretty sure being a part of the occupy movement does not count toward the community service and job search requirements to receive those benefits.

When you're single and don't have someone depending on you, you can choose to ideally sit somewhere thinking it will make a difference when you get arrested for sleeping in the park or staying past your permit. But what are you really asking for?

I see a bunch of sad, angry people reacting to a situation way too late. I see hope for a movement that has no strength because it's only fact is a statistic that has been present. It's not as if anyone was truly aware of the distance between the 1% and the 99%.

Tell me when you truly believe in something and have a plan to change it. I've never had much sympathy for people that are willing to complain to get other people to complain with them.

Am I part of the 99%? No shit. Of course I am, but I have kids to take care of. I do not sit idly by, I work and work trying to do the best I can.

You want to make a difference? Stop buying products from large corporations. Buy local. Talk to your neighbors. Develop your community. The people in those buildings aren't going to do anything for you--that's not where any kind of difference can be made. It's not your protest that speaks but what you choose to do with your dollars. In this consumer economy, our spending power and our voting power are often not very far removed.