OCCUPY WALL STREET

[dreadgeek]

Originally Posted by Silvy

I am from the UK and I've never watched the news when reporting about demonstrations of US citizens against banks, hedge fonds, sharks and monsters. Thank you all for your courage and conviction to show us how we globally have to stand together, reaching out for more ethical values and moral consciousness in capitalism and business.

Silvy:

Actually, I think it is we Americans who need to think the rest of you lot for showing US the way. Years ago (during the time of Bush the Younger) I was wondering what it was going to take for Americans to turn out into the streets. After the election of Obama I still watched with, well, envy isn't too strong a word as people poured into the streets in France, Greece, Spain and the UK over attempts to Americanize the social safety net (in other words to make it threadbare) and various 'austerity' programs including hiking tuition at universities. Each news story I wondered what it would take or if we, as a people were so disarmed as political body that no one in elected office even had to lose sleep at the thought of our wrath. I started to fear that so many Americans were either so dispirited or so distracted that there was pretty much nothing that could piss them off enough to make them pour into the streets.

So a hearty thank you to all of you on your side of the Pond and on the Continent for reminding Americans that nations only work if the people do more than sit back and watch reality TV.

Cheers
Aj