Why I Occupy.

[Rabblevox]

I Occupy because there is no other decent choice.

I Occupy because our system is broken beyond the point where electing a candidate, or passing a ballot measure, makes any real meaningful difference.

I Occupy because I "threw my body into the gears" (Mario Rubio semi-quote)in the 70's and 80's, and my body has at least one more throw.

I Occupy because my generation (Boomer, if you must know) did so many fucking things wrong, that even if I did not consent, I must do my part to set things right.

I Occupy because the Democratic party has failed me. What was supposed to be the party of the people has become "Corporate-Lite".

I Occupy because I have cancer, and will probably die in the next few years, I would like to leave a legacy, and I think we can plant a seed for the next generation.

I Occupy because I want to demonstrate that truth and love are more powerful than weapons and money.

I Occupy because if there are grandparents and Clergy on the front lines, I would be ashamed to do less.

I Occupy because it is joyous, and fun, and empowering.

I Occupy because each Occupier represents hundreds who are in support.

I Occupy because it is simply the right thing to do.

(Portland's General Assembly in 3 hrs, 7pm Pioneer Square)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Perfectly and beautifully said!

I am proud you Occupy!

:kick:

[TheWraith]

2. "our system is broken beyond the point where electing a candidate" --No.

In fact, it's the ONLY thing which ever makes a difference. Don't believe me? Read the history of the American Anti-Slavery Society. A popular movement with 250,000 members--equivalent to six and a half million today--which failed utterly and went in the dustbin of history because they chose to reject politics as being fundamentally corrupt.

The history of activism in this country is that those who get people elected get their goals accomplished.

[Rabblevox]

5. You have a very superficial reading of history, my friend...

It is largely the A-political movements in this country that have gotten anything done.

Women did not run candidates to secure voting rights, nor did African-Americans.

The Vietnam war was not ended because of a majority in congress, but because the majority of congress was terrified.

Most union rights were won, not because the AFL-CIO backed candidates, but because they terrified the PTB with their ability to shut things down.

Back to school for you, I rec Howard Zinn, Naomi Klein, and Noam Chomsky.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Go and REPRESENT, Rabblevox!

I'm there, we're there, with you, in spirit!

And I am dreadfully sorry to hear about your condition, may it go into remission completely.

:hug:

[girl gone mad]

4. k & r

[demigoddess]

6. thanks to all the occupiers. I really believe that if you stick

to it you will win so much for the US. wish I could join you, but I am stuck at home caregiving, etc. But I really believe you will win big changes for your effort.

[Rabblevox]

8. You may be stuck at home, you still have a phone and internet. Educate friends and family. /nt

[DocMac]

7. This one is worth discussing.

"I Occupy because my generation (Boomer, if you must know) did so many fucking things wrong, that even if I did not consent, I must do my part to set things right."

We were complacent. Even then the media made sure that we fight Communism to hell. We are being lied to on a daily basis, so yes, the boomers could/should do everything we can to see change in inequaility and fight fraud and corruption as best we can.

[Rabblevox]

11. All those years ago, I thought I was doing the right thing...

anti-Nixon
anti-War
anti-nuke
anti-Reagan

Should not that be e-fucking-nough for one generation?

I guess not.

[DocMac]

14. We allowed some of this.

You don't have to agree. We should have never stopped pushing.

[Stuart G]

9. k and r

[pacalo]

10. "I Occupy because each Occupier represents hundreds who are in support."

I'm thinking it's more like thousands of people who are represented by each Occupier.

[Generic Other]

12. The Occupiers have made it clear which side they are on

We have yet to hear from the politicians.

[pacalo]

13. I think right now the police batons, chemical agents, rubber bullets, & vandalism of the camps

are the politicians' message. It's not going to work. The police can clear areas some of the time, but it won't change the fed-up-to-here consensus of the 99% & make it go away.