Progression of the Occupy Movement

The occupy movement in my eyes pulled off a successful day of action on May 1 2012. The rallies across the nation, as well as, the globe showed an enormous turn out. Whether it was the group for students, immigrant workers, or unions the cause was freedom–and freedom was sought. Through the free universities held at Bryant Park or the marches in Seattle, people finally regained their voice and that was heard. Now that there is a concerted effort to keep the movement going, there must be a consensus of nonviolent disobedience no matter what the cause. If the movement reverts to violent outburst, all is lost, because it will destroy the true essence of the true revolution. I would also, be weary of government intervention, due to past actions on “radical” organizations….ie: the black panther party and other social movements of the mid-sixties till now, have infiltrated or try to use media to destroy organizational relations. We must steadfast in times of trouble and despair, because the product will be truly a democratic country where the people will regain their voice in how the country is to be operated.

Social media is going to be the most influencing way to reach new participators, as well as, organize rallies and new projects. First, let’s begin with the rally it needs to be have a specific purpose. Now this may seem a tad bit odd; however, to rally without a purpose is simple a large social gathering that turns into an angry mob. By establishing a concise means of action, we must consider the meaning or such actions as a completely United movement, rather than numerous factions. It are the factions of the movement that actually end up becoming more radical and extreme, however I use the words radical and extreme very loosely in these terms. Due to the negative connotations that are regarded with these words, I unfortunately will continue this language lock by defining radical and extreme in a negative light. The pure essence of having these negative factions will cause an overall negative view of the movement within it self- which will create doubt within the movement creating even more separate factions. The determination of today reflects tomorrow, so with that I will now discuss ideologies that must be considered.

I believe a revolution can be successfully accomplished if a concrete set of ideologies are determined which a constituency can be formed out of. Some may be wondering why must we conform to the current state of political “foreplay”, and this is why. To beat the politicians at their own game we must take their power and voice away just as they have with ours. By destroying the political machine that has been created, we will be able to accomplish major strides in our campaign for a more just democratic society. We must step out of our comfort zones and establish legitimate political parties throughout the United States in order to eliminate the two party dictatorship that has eradicated its’ peoples voice. The question of the general population is “what is this movement all about?” I have pondered this question for quite some time now and there are Thirteen points. (A) fair and equal representation in government, (B) the elimination of lobbyist from Washington and political forums, (C) salary limitations for corporations and inflated wages comparative in nature to prices, (D) amending the constitution to provide environmental provisions protecting the globe, (E) penalties to corporations that outsource laborious to other countries, (F) a comprehensive college bailout (G) The pay back of American Tax payer money by the auto industry, (H) immigration reform granting citizenship to individuals who have to register in order to be taxed appropriately, and are not eligible for economic help unless employed,(I) the dissolution of the CIA, FBI, NSA, into one specific branch of the government, and the reestablishment of the space program, (J) the reinvestment of the American government in education, (K) the reform of the American health care system creating generic prescription drug plans for all citizens, (L) A reform in patent law allowing beneficial technologies or drugs to be produced instead of being hidden under the protection of the law, (M) the taxation of off shore corporate accounts and retroactive tax evasion legislation.

Leadership

What can we learn from our past? Is it the mistakes our fellow human beings have made throughout History? Or could it possibly be the lack of empathy we feel for our fellow humans? The 60s and 70s have taught anyone who is familiar with History, numerous things the first being that organized groups can inflicted change. The movement that began change during this period of twenty or so years began in 1954–the Civil Rights movement generated and captivated people of all color, race, and ethnicity because of the absolute truth of Equality.  James Framer, Angela Davis, Roy Wilkins, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr, Stokley Carmichael, Eldridge Cleaver, Allard Lowenstein, and Bob Moses; all have one important commonality- their ability to lead others, as well as, empower those of other communities. I intend to focus on two individuals as of right now Lowenstein and Moses, because of the 1963 “freedom”. Bob Moses coined the name “freedom summer” because his intentions were to bring educated whites and blacks together in racist and segregated southern cities to educate blacks about their rights under the constitution and how they could change their current situation.  By empowering locals within the community, individuals would take stake within the movement adding their own flare and ideas towards the call for equal rights. In addition to the “freedom summer,”  The idea for the MDFP (Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party) was born. This was an attempt to infiltrate the political machine in order to pass legislation that coincided with Civil rights activists ideals.  These are the types of  ideals that paved the way for the 1964 Civil Rights Bill  or the 1965 Voting Rights Acts. Then in the latter months during 1965 the Civil Rights movement took a drastic turn from a nonviolent protest type towards a more radical violent protest type of movement because of the leadership of the new director of SNCC- Stokley Carmichael.

My question is how can the social revolutions of today create a hierarchical leadership structure, which is not influenced by outside political forces? In theory creating one social organization that encompasses all current social movements may be the factor that current Organizations need to finally United and strengthen the overall call for Social Change. This main umbrella group, which I have coined ” TCSM” The Coalition of Social Movements that would represent each group by electing one member, who then act as a committee. This committee then will determine the best way to protest as a whole spearheading numerous problems with an army of peaceful non violent protesters. The idea of figuratively attacking numerous problem was derived from the CCCO during the Chicago Freedom Movement. Although, the next idea I had was generated from the Free Speech Movement that began in Berkeley, California. The coalition needs to be prevalent on each college campus in the United States and each campus needs their own Mark Rudd. The main determination for leadership within each organization can be inferred by the idea that organizations without leadership are not organizations at all, they are more like rallies of individuals with common ideologies. Organizations need leadership to organize ideas and statements regarding wants, needs, and demands; with these ideas are used with good intentions leaders are developed and movements become revolutions.

 

 

 

 

http://howtooccupy.org/

http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org/

http://www.newsds.org/

 
I do all my Blogging from my Kindle Fire, which is a useful tool that has given me the ability to get my voice heard.

Suggested Readings:

Profit Over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order

Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy

Covering: The Hidden assault on American Civil Rights

Activism, Inc.: How the Outsourcing of Grassroots Campaigns Is Strangling Progressive Politics in America

America First: Why Americans Must End Free Trade, Stop Outsourcing and Close Our Open Borders

Ayn Rand

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=coalitionfors-20&o=1&p=48&l=ur1&category=kindlerotating&f=ifr

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=coalitionfors-20&o=1&p=10&l=st1&mode=books&search=politics,socialmovements,Occupy&fc1=000000&lt1=_blank&lc1=3366FF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

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Socialism is not the Answer

Moral and Ethical Reformation 

         The one absolute truth I know is that socialism cannot exist because of the motivation and ambition factor that capitalism creates; therefore, a moral and ethical reformation needs to take place. My theory is radical, yet practical in implementing due to the repercussion of the definitive nature in how humans react to drastic change. By creating new social contracts between citizens and government that benefit the nation, as, “we the people” see fit.

 

        The first order that needs to be established is the redistribution of wealth, and I do not mean the “robin hood” effect, I simply mean moral and ethical standards that many professions have-for corporations and politicians. To accomplish the means, extremes must be taken into consideration, to establish a new social code that refutes the idea of profiting, while millions live paycheck to paycheck due to blatant exploitation of the immigrant and working class. Examples of exploitation can heel seen in the migrant worker population, which is modern day slavery and the retail industry who value profit over the well-being of their employee, not allowing many employees to obtain benefits by overstaffing to dilute the fulltime staff. In addition to these outsourcing must be involved influx this category. Companies and corporations who participate in this “Un-American” practice of exploiting third world societies for cheap slave like labor, must be taxed half of their profits and can only establish a 30% markup value to reappropriate the monies lost in the American economy due to corporate greed.

 

        The next reform would have to be in the government and the officials who hold office in order to recreate the government based on the 99%s needs rather those corporations and the disgustingly wealthy. The establishment of a Congress led by intellectuals is needed, rather than politicians whose interests are not for the common American, but rather for their own benefit. The politicians who have abused their power for monetary gain should be considered traitors to the union and have the just sentence so that these acts never are repeated. Once these new moral and ethical standards are put in place democracy and equalitism (eqaulity+capitalism) can flourish. Even though many believe capitalistic forces destroy individuality, it is not capitalism, but the people who use it to exploit the weak and poor- who have made this machine into a monster. The change starts with the taming of the monster; to have it work alongside of everyone rather just for a few individuals. Within the constitution all people have certain inalienable rights; which have been taken away for quite some time now- so I ask who is willing to take them back-because time waits for no man or woman, let us become one force for a new moral and ethical standard in the United States and the world.