By: Daniel Nardini
Up to now I have simply observed what is going on with this whole movement called Occupy Wall Street. Based on the uprisings by people all across the Arab world known as the “Arab Spring,” the goals of the Occupy Wall Street movement are curbing the power of the banks and multinational corporations, fighting corruption in government, and restoring the rights of the individual. These three themes are resonating with tens of millions of Americans all through the United States—even those who are not participating in any of the Occupy Wall Street campaigns. It most certainly has struck a chord with most people in this country and in a growing number of other countries. Most certainly leftwing groups are part of the movement. Also unions, civil and human rights groups and even religious associations. It is a fairly broad-based movement, but the main complaint that all of the people participating in this movement seems to be that the power structure of the government can no longer deal with the day-to-day problems of ordinary citizens.
On that level the movement has a point. Washington, D.C. seems to be too high up and too far away for all of the problems we are facing now. I have seen more homeless than ever before. Even in upper-middle class suburban towns I am seeing more homes for sale than ever before. A record number of small businesses have closed, and those still in existence are barely getting by (although to be fair many food stores and restaurants are not doing too badly. Even in a bad economy food sells). And if these things are happening in towns that usually do well, I can only imagine what the Great Recession is doing to the poorer sections of our cities and suburban towns. What distresses people is that we are seeing more inequality than ever before since the Great Depression (1929-1940). And the average American understandably resents how the banks took all of the bail out money but will not make loans to homeowners with underwater mortgages, and the corporations who left this country and took away good paying jobs.
But what to do about it? I believe that one important solution is to pull the comfortable rug from under the feet of the banks and multinationals. I believe that those banks that are failing should be left to fail. It will hurt in the short-term but will mean that those banks left will realize they have to play ball with ordinary Americans if they wish to stay afloat. I believe that corporations should receive no tax breaks, no benefits, and certainly no preferences from the U.S. government of any kind if they do not keep their factories, their investments (well more than half) here, and do not employ Americans. I believe that our politicians—especially in the U.S. Congress hut also the states—should have strict terms limits, have no benefits paid for by corporate business, and should not be guaranteed lifetime benefits, health care or pensions. Almost no American is receiving any of this, so in my book the politicians should not either. Oh yes, before I forget I believe that there should be serious limitations put back into place on the amount of donations made to politicians if and when they run for office. This is all a way of keeping them honest.
But above all I believe that it is possible to create a system that fosters a positive atmosphere for small enterprise capitalism. I still feel that capitalism, once the corporate element has been taken out or greatly curtailed, will provide a level playing field for small businesses—the economic backbone of our economy. If we curtail the power of the multinational corporations, their lobbyists and the laws they help enact to put small businesses at a serious disadvantage then this will help unleash the potential that small enterprises—which helped to build up this country—can do again. Also, the labor unions should be strengthened so that the rights of workers can again be protected like they were 50 years ago. This is my vision of what America should be. Regardless of what mine or anyone elses vision of America should be, there is no question that the status quo cannot in my view remain the same.
About Occupy Wall Street
By: Daniel Nardini
Up to now I have simply observed what is going on with this whole movement called Occupy Wall Street. Based on the uprisings by people all across the Arab world known as the “Arab Spring,” the goals of the Occupy Wall Street movement are curbing the power of the banks and multinational corporations, fighting corruption in government, and restoring the rights of the individual. These three themes are resonating with tens of millions of Americans all through the United States—even those who are not participating in any of the Occupy Wall Street campaigns. It most certainly has struck a chord with most people in this country and in a growing number of other countries. Most certainly leftwing groups are part of the movement. Also unions, civil and human rights groups and even religious associations. It is a fairly broad-based movement, but the main complaint that all of the people participating in this movement seems to be that the power structure of the government can no longer deal with the day-to-day problems of ordinary citizens.
On that level the movement has a point. Washington, D.C. seems to be too high up and too far away for all of the problems we are facing now. I have seen more homeless than ever before. Even in upper-middle class suburban towns I am seeing more homes for sale than ever before. A record number of small businesses have closed, and those still in existence are barely getting by (although to be fair many food stores and restaurants are not doing too badly. Even in a bad economy food sells). And if these things are happening in towns that usually do well, I can only imagine what the Great Recession is doing to the poorer sections of our cities and suburban towns. What distresses people is that we are seeing more inequality than ever before since the Great Depression (1929-1940). And the average American understandably resents how the banks took all of the bail out money but will not make loans to homeowners with underwater mortgages, and the corporations who left this country and took away good paying jobs.
But what to do about it? I believe that one important solution is to pull the comfortable rug from under the feet of the banks and multinationals. I believe that those banks that are failing should be left to fail. It will hurt in the short-term but will mean that those banks left will realize they have to play ball with ordinary Americans if they wish to stay afloat. I believe that corporations should receive no tax breaks, no benefits, and certainly no preferences from the U.S. government of any kind if they do not keep their factories, their investments (well more than half) here, and do not employ Americans. I believe that our politicians—especially in the U.S. Congress hut also the states—should have strict terms limits, have no benefits paid for by corporate business, and should not be guaranteed lifetime benefits, health care or pensions. Almost no American is receiving any of this, so in my book the politicians should not either. Oh yes, before I forget I believe that there should be serious limitations put back into place on the amount of donations made to politicians if and when they run for office. This is all a way of keeping them honest.
But above all I believe that it is possible to create a system that fosters a positive atmosphere for small enterprise capitalism. I still feel that capitalism, once the corporate element has been taken out or greatly curtailed, will provide a level playing field for small businesses—the economic backbone of our economy. If we curtail the power of the multinational corporations, their lobbyists and the laws they help enact to put small businesses at a serious disadvantage then this will help unleash the potential that small enterprises—which helped to build up this country—can do again. Also, the labor unions should be strengthened so that the rights of workers can again be protected like they were 50 years ago. This is my vision of what America should be. Regardless of what mine or anyone elses vision of America should be, there is no question that the status quo cannot in my view remain the same.