The Occupy Wall Street movement protests really frighten the establishment. They frighten big corporations, high-level banking executives, basically the rich and powerful. Try to inform yourself before bashing the movement. You probably are someone who may benefit from some progress...
There are five reasons why the Rich are frightened by this Occupy Wall Street movement. None of them have to do with physical violence -- they have to do with politics. They are not really worried about ending up poor. But they are very worried that their PAID-FOR Republican Senators and Congressmen (and a few Democrats) may get voted out. They are afraid of progressive, productive, fundamental changes, that may actually benefit regular Americans. These protests are huge news across the world. Lots of these large protests are happening around the globe, and are big news. But not here. Why?
All elections are decided by two groups of people:
Persuadable voters who always vote, but are undecided switch hitters. This group includes lots of political independents.
Staunch voters who would vote for one Party or the other, but have to be motivated to vote.
The Occupy Wall Street Movement is so frightening to the Right and its media machine, because it may directly affect the behavior of those two groups of voters in the upcoming election. (The wealthy are obviously a known Republican voting-bloc.)
1). The narrative. People in America are very unhappy with their economic circumstances. As a result the outcome of the 2012 election will hinge heavily on who gets the blame for the horrible economy -- and who the public believes, or hopes -- can lead them into better economic times.
Political narratives are the stories people use to understand the political world. Like all stories, they define a protagonist and antagonist. And political narratives generally ascribe to those central characters moral qualities -- right and wrong.
For several years, the Tea Party-driven narrative has been in the ascendance to explain America's economic woes. Its vision of the elites in government versus hard-working freedom-loving people has heavily defined the national political debate.
Of course at first glance it's an easy case for them to make. The President, who is the head of the over-powerful, "dysfunctional" government, is in charge. Things aren't going well -- so he, and the government he runs, must be at fault.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has helped force the alternative narrative into the media and public consciousness. The recklessness and greed of the big Wall Street banks, CEO's and top one percent -- those are the culprits who sunk the economy and who have siphoned off all of the economic growth from the middle class. They and their enablers in Congress -- largely Republicans -- are the problem. To address the underlying economic crisis facing everyday Americans we must rein in their power.
This narrative is very compelling and, of course, it is true. It's not that many voices haven't framed the debate in these terms for years. But by creating a must- cover story, the Occupy Wall Street movement has forced it onto the daily media agenda. That is great news for Progressives. The longer it continues, the better- I say...
Right Wing pundits have disparaged the Occupy Wall Street movement for not having specific "policy proposals" -- but the Right knows better. The Occupy Wall Street movement is advocating something much more fundamental. It is demanding a change in the relations of power -- reining in the power of Wall Street, millionaires and billionaires - the CEO class as a whole. It is demanding that everyday Americans -- the 99% -- (YOU !!)share in the increases in their productivity and have more real control of their futures -- both individually and as a society. Now that's something for the Right to worry about.
Don't forget that unemployment is high. Wage desparity, at an all time high. And the Tea-Party was founded well before President Obama was in office. The blame for the economic woes we enjoy, rest SQUARELY upon the shoulders of the previous administration. The Occupy Wal Street opponents, of course, want you (the now INFORMED) to forget this.
Keepin it real, (again)
Frank