I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Sometimes, I find myself shaking my head and chuckling at what appear to be mere antics of what surely must be just a few, confused, ignorant individuals. Then, I worry that these may really be well-meaning, otherwise intelligent people who sincerely believe in what they are doing.
As a rule, we don’t include much that is controversial in ALIVE, but what I see happening today troubles me to where I am compelled to share my point of view.
I fear that, as a nation, we are on the verge of major trouble, not so much for my generation, but for our children and the generations to come. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement is a foreshadowing of this trouble, as it demonstrates an attitude and way of thinking that is destructive to the very fabric and fiber of our nation.
We face tremendous economic and geo-political challenges today, but underlying these are social and cultural issues that many seem content to ignore, for fear of being cast as “intolerant,” or “politically incorrect.” And the fact that many self-serving, egomaniacal politicians are willing to pander to what they apparently have calculated to be blocks of voters, fanning flames of discontent by pitting groups against one another, is nothing less than shameful. Division, dependency and weakness are being encouraged, rather than resolve, strength and self-reliance. Our citizens are being led to believe that the people are to depend upon and serve the government, when it is the other way around.
The apparent widespread acceptance of the notion that when some people achieve success others have somehow been denied, should be soundly condemned as the fallacy it is. But that is not the case. The fact that Steve Jobs worked to accumulate tremendous wealth over his lifetime, in no way caused others to live in doorways throughout American cities. In fact, it is only by the efforts of wealth creators, like Jobs, that the so called “ninety-nine percent” have any hope at all of changing their material condition. If Warren Buffet, Ted Turner and Bill Gates want to be considered for sainthood, they’ve always had the choice to give their capital to the needy. But the fact is, as anyone who understands how capitalism works knows, they could probably help far greater numbers of people by using their resources to create new business ventures.
When I was about twelve years old, my uncle, Wayne, said something that has stayed with me. He said, “Someday there is going to be a revolution in this country, but it won’t be the kind of revolution we are used to reading about in history books. Someday, the producers of the world will revolt against the non-producers.” Kill the goose that lays the golden egg and all you have is no more eggs.
The Occupy Wall Street movement is an embarrassing display that serves no purpose toward making our citizens or economy stronger. Each one of the self-proclaimed “99%” should consider what life would be like if the one percent decided that camping in the public square was the best use of their time.
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I live in Jack London Square and I am not too happy about the protesters and the destruction they have done to two parks in the downtown. I am not happy about the businesses that have suffered, and I am not on board with most of what they say. In fact I am pissed.
And then there is an article in the SF Chronicle dated Nov. 29, 2011 stating that the Banks that were lent TARP money made 13 billion dollars. Last time I looked I believe that banks are either owned privately or are corporations created by stock holders to make money. But the fact that they made 13 billion in profits from a loan by the Govt. to make them survive a terrible economic catastrophy is just plain wrong and I think they should pay it back. But we don’t hear about this do we? Remember, capitalism working like it should is a monopoly. Control of the means of production, resources, labor, and pricing. Wecome to 2011 banking practices.
So when, your trashing the demonstrators, remember that they have a point. Wall Street needs to be reeled in and yes controlled, because they are out of control with billions of dollars of government money, individual savings, pensions, and retirement funds. The housing crises was brought to you by terrible loan practices…Banks and Wall Street selling derivitives to foregin banks and corporations. Ingore it if you want. But sound economics is not being put forth. I don’t mind banks, individuals, and corporations profiting, but 13 billion is obtuse.
As for the demonstrators.. they have a point. The small individual, like me, who works hard, uses his resources as best as he can, is getting the short end of the stick. Sometimes, you need to control corporations. Believe me, they do not have your best interests in mind, they have their own in mind and 13 billion bucks says I’m correct.
Watch out for what you ask for Mr. Johnson, because the private sector cannot invest huge dollars for roads, bridges, schools, ports, sewer systems. They don’t have the means. Look at Mr. Bill Gates, when did he finance a freeway project so commerce could move from one state to another. When did Warren Buffet fund a State School System? When did Larry Ellison fund anything except his boats? OOPs I forgot about the Koch Brothers and the Tea Party. When did they fund a reforestation project so the forest could grow back for the next generation? Hmm? These types of investment into our infrastructure is critical to business and only the government can fund it. This stuff is hard to admit but the next time you go to the bathroom… think about what it takes to flush, to wash your hands. Don’t be narrow, be expansive. look listen, research, think for yourself and not a bunch of sound bites from those who would like you to remain passive.
Oh, by the way, you have a point too. I respect the business man who risks his neck to get ahead. I respect the developer who provides housing at great risk so people can live in nice housing. I respect and admire those who contribute to society more than they complain. But a free society has to deal with unpopular polical opinions. Vietnam, Iraq, Afganistan..I am not in support of these wars.
But I respect and admire the troops, the men and women who put their lives on the line. I believe there is a place for everyone and everyone’s opinion, when its based on facts and research and different opinions.
Respectively,
William Schnitzer
Dear Eric:
I loved your column, “A Call for Revolution?” in the November issue. In fact I read it to my husband. It was a huge relief to hear someone else say what I’ve been thinking. I’ve been very upset this weekend with the failure of congress to pass the proposed balanced budget amendment, and the anticipated failure of the super committee to find a way to trim even one trillion dollars from our national debt over ten years.
I’m a middle aged person who has worked for over thirty years. I’ve lived within my means and saved some money for retirement. I’m not thrilled with the way things are going right now and believe that the government needs to make some changes. I think that starts with prioritizing what government needs to provide to the citizens of America. We need to put everything out on the table and make some hard choices.
You articulated what is possibly at the heart of the problem; that we seem to have become a nation of entitlement seekers instead of privilege earners. And that mindset has tipped us over the edge and made “entitlement programs” sacrosanct. Social Security and Medicare are the most frequently touted entitlement programs. Maybe they make up the lion’s share of the cost, but the last time I looked at a pay stub, I was paying into Social Security and Medicare. What about all of the other social programs people collect from? How come they’re not up for discussion? Is it because so many people are taking advantage of them they’ve become that voting block you referenced?
I’m so tired of all of these one-sided stories in the news. A family from the Peninsula was recently portrayed as victims because the bank foreclosed on the family home that had been built by their father fifty years ago. Yet there was no discussion about how it was that the family hadn’t managed to pay off the house in fifty years. And when we see families of three or more children without adequate means to support the family, no one is ever asked why they continue to give birth to children they clearly can’t afford to feed and raise.
I sometimes wonder what’s wrong with me that I seem to be the only one who doesn’t see the “downtrodden” as helpless victims of a rigged system. I keep my opinions to myself and a very close circle of like minded individuals. And I go about my business, working day in and day out, continuing to hope that one day soon America is going to return to our roots of “resolve, strength and self-reliance” as you so succinctly put it. Thank you for fanning the flames of my hope.
Sincerely,
Terry Burke