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Occupy Wallstreet: Discuss


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Ray, a lot of these people are frustrated because they have completed college and there's no jobs out there. It's something I myself am worried about when I graduate this December. I've met several graduates who told me there's just nothing out there, no matter how hard you try.

They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.

My take on it anyway...
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[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318453853' post='527545']
They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.[/quote]

That is understandable, but life isn't fair, and quite frankly if we are evenly distributing wealth, but if that is what these people want they should probably be calling it the communist movement. We live in a capitalist society and that is no secret. If it takes money to make money, the people who have it will continue to get more while those who don't continue to lose it. We cannot evenly distribute the wealth and continue to be consumerists and capitalists.
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[quote name='angekfire' timestamp='1318513992' post='527602']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318453853' post='527545']
They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.[/quote]

That is understandable, but life isn't fair, and quite frankly if we are evenly distributing wealth, but if that is what these people want they should probably be calling it the communist movement. We live in a capitalist society and that is no secret. If it takes money to make money, the people who have it will continue to get more while those who don't continue to lose it. We cannot evenly distribute the wealth and continue to be consumerists and capitalists.
[/quote]

I'm not suggesting money should be evenly distributed among everyone. Just that it should be a *bit* more fair to the people doing all the work on lower levels. Believe it or not, this is possible within our capitalist system. It just isn't practiced as much as it should be, obviously.

Socialism is a novelty thought- it doesn't work. People are too greedy to allow socialism to work- it's just human nature, and it's exactly what's happening here in the U.S. now- the big guys on top are being greedy, in our capitalist system. Greed is why socialism and communism are often tied together (because when a gov is set up as socialist, it just turns communist), even though *ideally* they are different. I was always ignorant and thought socialism and communism were interchangeable until I took my first sociology class... The more you know.
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the "big CEO" is a result of a board of directors and/or shareholder elections. Why would you want to destroy an effect of a true deomcratic act? Is there anything more democratic than being able to hire someone, or fire someone on the basis of a majority vote of the people that own that business? They then negotiate a freely entered contract for services in which both sides seek to get the best "bang or the buck". How can you say you are for democracy, then turn around and say [u]any[/u] worker is not able to negotiate the best possible compensation for services? Isn't that what a UNION does every time they strike? Duh, people, quite being hypocrites

Don't like something the company does, don't buy their junk - simple as that. It doesn't take crapping in the streets, and camping under a tarp, just informed, selective shopping. Your $ say more than all the freaks out there.

As an example - Olive garden throws the Kiwanis' US Flag out of the store... and as a result everyone in my VFW vows we will never walk into a dead-hamster, or Olive garden again. No destroying stuff, no signs, and VFW colour guards crapping in the street... just all of our money going someplace else-we will see which is more effective.

Speaking of freaks, and wall street protesters - If it's about CEO compensation packages, just why destroy the public's ability to go enjoy an exhibit at a museum? The actions don't match your words. I think they are just a mob of frustrated, JEALOUS young dipshits that have had everything come to them too easy, and now they are at the end of the gravy train, and pissed about it. Just like Greece, Too damn bad, go flip a burger, and make a dollar so your daddy doesn't have to keep paying the rent, and cell phone plan. No sympathy for them


Strangely, I think CEO's are overpaid useless items in most cases. Some (very very few) are worth the $$, Ones that started the company they CEO have a given right to that position, and big $$ - but most are just another money-sponge.
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[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318516588' post='527605']
[quote name='angekfire' timestamp='1318513992' post='527602']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318453853' post='527545']
They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.[/quote]

That is understandable, but life isn't fair, and quite frankly if we are evenly distributing wealth, but if that is what these people want they should probably be calling it the communist movement. We live in a capitalist society and that is no secret. If it takes money to make money, the people who have it will continue to get more while those who don't continue to lose it. We cannot evenly distribute the wealth and continue to be consumerists and capitalists.
[/quote]

I'm not suggesting money should be evenly distributed among everyone. Just that it should be a *bit* more fair to the people doing all the work on lower levels. Believe it or not, this is possible within our capitalist system. It just isn't practiced as much as it should be, obviously.

Socialism is a novelty thought- it doesn't work. People are too greedy to allow socialism to work- it's just human nature, and it's exactly what's happening here in the U.S. now- the big guys on top are being greedy, in our capitalist system. Greed is why socialism and communism are often tied together (because when a gov is set up as socialist, it just turns communist), even though *ideally* they are different. I was always ignorant and thought socialism and communism were interchangeable until I took my first sociology class... The more you know.
[/quote]

You do realize that the US military is a near textbook perfect example of socialism in action, right? It's not considered ideal by any capitalist standard but it works pretty well last time I checked.

'Rani
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[quote name='angekfire' timestamp='1318513992' post='527602']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318453853' post='527545']
They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.[/quote]

That is understandable, but life isn't fair, and quite frankly if we are evenly distributing wealth, but if that is what these people want they should probably be calling it the communist movement. We live in a capitalist society and that is no secret. If it takes money to make money, the people who have it will continue to get more while those who don't continue to lose it. We cannot evenly distribute the wealth and continue to be consumerists and capitalists.
[/quote]

Honestly, I don't think it's about fair distribution of currently earned wealth. The environment has dramatically changed where the opportunity to advance has been increasingly narrowed and appears to be on the way to being closed completely to those not already entrenched in it. Sure, there are some blatantly jealous people out there, but the majority of people don't really have a problem with "you" being a multi-millionaire. They simply want the same opportunity "you" had to build wealth, but for the middle class (the step considered directly below wealthy), those doors have closed almost completely. Most are looking for fair opportunity, not taking from what someone else has earned but the chance to earn for themselves.

Our economic environment is almost systematically destroying the middle class. Our legislators are helping with their "incentives" like tax breaks benefiting giant global corporation while taxing small business and entrepreneurs. There is this idea put forward by the media, (and I think the GOP), that the argument is between the welfare mother who would rather have another child than find another job, and the CEO who is earning a good living of a couple hundred thousand a year. And that's NOT the case. The issue is actually between anyone and everyone who is earning and living below their capabilities because of the system currently in place that gives all the advantages to the uber wealthy, and give corporations better standing than citizens. There's just plain something wrong with that. Corporations are not people.

'Rani
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[quote name='TheScotsman' timestamp='1318519115' post='527609']
the "big CEO" is a result of a board of directors and/or shareholder elections. Why would you want to destroy an effect of a true deomcratic act? Is there anything more democratic than being able to hire someone, or fire someone on the basis of a majority vote of the people that own that business? They then negotiate a freely entered contract for services in which both sides seek to get the best "bang or the buck". How can you say you are for democracy, then turn around and say [u]any[/u] worker is not able to negotiate the best possible compensation for services? Isn't that what a UNION does every time they strike? Duh, people, quite being hypocrites

Don't like something the company does, don't buy their junk - simple as that. It doesn't take crapping in the streets, and camping under a tarp, just informed, selective shopping. Your $ say more than all the freaks out there.

As an example - Olive garden throws the Kiwanis' US Flag out of the store... and as a result everyone in my VFW vows we will never walk into a dead-hamster, or Olive garden again. No destroying stuff, no signs, and VFW colour guards crapping in the street... just all of our money going someplace else-we will see which is more effective.

Speaking of freaks, and wall street protesters - If it's about CEO compensation packages, just why destroy the public's ability to go enjoy an exhibit at a museum? The actions don't match your words. I think they are just a mob of frustrated, JEALOUS young dipshits that have had everything come to them too easy, and now they are at the end of the gravy train, and pissed about it. Just like Greece, Too damn bad, go flip a burger, and make a dollar so your daddy doesn't have to keep paying the rent, and cell phone plan. No sympathy for them


Strangely, I think CEO's are overpaid useless items in most cases. Some (very very few) are worth the $$, Ones that started the company they CEO have a given right to that position, and big $$ - but most are just another money-sponge.
[/quote]

You sure are quick to throw all of the protestors into the same boat. I'm sure a lot of them out there really are suffering with no help from their parents now they are out of college. Hell, not even all of them are young and just out of college...

What it boils down to is this: Big money (Wall Street, hence why they are occupying it and not Washington) controls our government now, whether we like it or not. We have allowed this to happen. Now it's time to do something about it. This, to them, is doing what they can.

I do agree with you that its pointless to occupy a museum... That's just them being misguided and getting off track. That's really the only problem with this whole thing- they keep getting sidetracked, and they can't seem to stick with one clear message of what they want done. It is good to see that some sort of a message has developed, however. It seems to be getting more and more defined as they go.

[quote name='Rani' timestamp='1318543216' post='527685']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318516588' post='527605']
[quote name='angekfire' timestamp='1318513992' post='527602']
[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1318453853' post='527545']
They're upset at the big CEOs because they simply make a ridiculous amount of money, while the lowly workers make barely anything. The revenue earned *could* be more evenly distributed among the workers so that it is not so hard to get by, with the CEO still making a substantial amount.[/quote]

That is understandable, but life isn't fair, and quite frankly if we are evenly distributing wealth, but if that is what these people want they should probably be calling it the communist movement. We live in a capitalist society and that is no secret. If it takes money to make money, the people who have it will continue to get more while those who don't continue to lose it. We cannot evenly distribute the wealth and continue to be consumerists and capitalists.
[/quote]

I'm not suggesting money should be evenly distributed among everyone. Just that it should be a *bit* more fair to the people doing all the work on lower levels. Believe it or not, this is possible within our capitalist system. It just isn't practiced as much as it should be, obviously.

Socialism is a novelty thought- it doesn't work. People are too greedy to allow socialism to work- it's just human nature, and it's exactly what's happening here in the U.S. now- the big guys on top are being greedy, in our capitalist system. Greed is why socialism and communism are often tied together (because when a gov is set up as socialist, it just turns communist), even though *ideally* they are different. I was always ignorant and thought socialism and communism were interchangeable until I took my first sociology class... The more you know.
[/quote]

You do realize that the US military is a near textbook perfect example of socialism in action, right? It's not considered ideal by any capitalist standard but it works pretty well last time I checked.

'Rani
[/quote]

Yeah, but try telling that to most Americans and they will scream at you like a child.
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[quote name='TheScotsman' timestamp='1318560205' post='527720']
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ssjEmsPlaY[/media]


ya, those are some real fine example of clarity in thought.
[/quote]

Glenn Beck? Figures... They managed to show all of the idiots that were interviewed (which serves their biased view they wish to share). Find another source and you will find the smarter ones...
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Speaking of real fine examples of clarity in thought, I didn't know Glenn Beck was back in front of a camera! Finally something to pull me out of this funk after Sarah let the nation down.

It is pretty stupid how these protesters get sidetracked and do things like block traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge or try to take over the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. They are releasing more press releases both condemning the actions I've mentioned and like Chris said, finally making their demands somewhat more clear as time has been going on. I spoke with a cousin over the weekend who has been participating in the protest on Wall Street and it sounds incredible, I wish I could be there to see the strange makeshift village they've made, and it sounds like there's a ton of financial support. They've had tons of donations that cover everything from sleeping bags, to showers, to food and drinks, to coffee and cigarettes, and more. Good ol' Koch brothers at it again I'm sure.

Their lack of organization is their biggest weakness, but the fact so many people are out there on Wall Street and across the country joining in protest in their own cities speaks volumes that there is change that the people want to come and that's what democracy is all about, just like when the Tea Party first started and protested after Wall Street got their bailouts. Thankfully, Occupy Wall Street hasn't yet become as distractible, they're only horribly disorganized. These are people with demands that millions who share them need a voice to represent them -- like those in foreclosure (the number of which has risen for the first time in over 4 years this quarter), those without jobs (also really high numbers), or have lost their health insurance or haven't had any in years (more numbers that are too high). These are the people who are clearly frustrated and have had enough, or have no other option.

They seem to have very personal reasons for their frustrations and a lot of demands as seen in the photos, and it's going to be hard to have them all represented. The common theme I see here is they are fed up with the lack of employment, losing their homes, the lack of living wages and disparity of income, greed, and much more. I wish our politicians would come together and run with these issues while they're hot, at least speak up more and address their demands, or draft legislation even if it won't pass; that's how you get your foot in the door in making changes.

Obama failed to deliver on promises he made while campaigning that addressed some of these and related issues, I personally think that democrats need to grow a spine and I don't care if it took a signing statement, he should have at least pushed his unfiltered health reform through, and he completely lost me when he extended the tax breaks he said he wouldn't last year. I didn't vote for him (or at all) because I was a dumb jaded idiot, but I resent him for validating that :rolleyes:

I'll give him credit for finally addressing this movement now that he's really in campaign mode, I just don't know if I can trust him again as he begins recycling his 2007 campaign persona.. but who else am I going to vote for? Gosh darn you Sarah!

[size=1]Disclaimer: The preceding big wall of text and this disclaimer (which may or may not be true) only reflects the opinions of me, a representative of Fusion, and not the company or owners, who are OT-9 Scientologists who support returning to an anarchistic, agrarian based society using the bartering system.[/size]
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It's going to hurt dems in the election :D :D :D :D :D :D :P :P .

Here in liberalsota the consensus, from what I have heard, is blaming the dems. Old people are frightened over it's spread (or at least that is what my breakfast eavesdropping at the local cafe shows me) Especially since leading dems are on record in support of it. I love it when a liberal plan backfires.

Speaking of a protesting big money in politics, and the gov't being "owned" by the big money...
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php take a look at the totals, and explain your stance that it's all conservatives owned by industry that are the problem. I see big money from unions owning liberals to a far, far greater degree.... Ooooppppss we aren't supposed to know that. sorry to burst your liberal-progressive bubble. The spending probs with the gov't that is putting you in the burger-flipping line after college is a result of lib-prog-dems owing a payback to their union masters. So get on your knees and pay homage to the liberal policies brought to you by unions, it's what you wanted.

And I want extra pickles or I am going to raise hell with the manager and get you canned.
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Can I get a list of all the protestors Places of Employment and Job Titles.

I found a solution for those people really looking for jobs.

Fixed a problem and I didn't even need Congress!!!!

(you aren't counted in the unemployment figures if you don't have a job and you aren't looking i.e. protestors)
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My thoughts.... I don't think just because people are rich means that they have tax increases. Higher taxes means they just need a little better accounting practices to be right back at the same tax bracket that they were. Instead close up all the loop holes that let them get these ridiculous breaks.

I think the real problem is with D.C. and not on wall street (although partially). I think many of the govt programs need to be reworked because they are very inefficient and lead to a unproductive environment. (welfare / Unemployment )

I do like the fact that so many people are showing up to these events and voicing their opinions. This shows how people are unafraid to stand up for what they believe in, but it seems that many lack common sense and are out protesting because "it's the cool thing to do."
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[quote name='Rani' timestamp='1318543216' post='527685']
You do realize that the US military is a near textbook perfect example of socialism in action, right? It's not considered ideal by any capitalist standard but it works pretty well last time I checked.

'Rani
[/quote]

Came here to say this. Also, the NEA, AICPA, AMA, US BAR, and other professional organizations comprise participating professionals defending their ownership interests and the value of their labor.
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[quote name='Stuie' timestamp='1318611885' post='527773']
Can I get a list of all the protestors Places of Employment and Job Titles.

I found a solution for those people really looking for jobs.

Fixed a problem and I didn't even need Congress!!!!

(you aren't counted in the unemployment figures if you don't have a job and you aren't looking i.e. protestors)
[/quote]


I like your logic.

Can you imagine employing this guy?

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSo-MEiMbac&feature=player_embedded[/media]

WTF????
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YecDHJw0NI&feature=player_detailpage[/media]


Yep, just a bunch of sub-30 year old koolaid swillers with no minds.
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I like your logic, that settles that. Literally all of the people involved in the protests are exactly like these people.

I'm sure whatever news sources have propagated this footage included the coherent majority that they had to sift through before finding these crazy diamonds to reinforce their viewers perceptions. It's the same deal with the Tea Party, the trainwrecks are made a spectacle of but it's thoughtless to be dismissive of the whole group because of their outliers.
  • Upvote 2
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[quote name='Fusion ' timestamp='1318640272' post='527807']
I like your logic, that settles that. Literally all of the people involved in the protests are exactly like these people.

I'm sure whatever news sources have propagated this footage included the coherent majority that they had to sift through before finding these crazy diamonds to reinforce their viewers perceptions. It's the same deal with the Tea Party, the trainwrecks are made a spectacle of but it's thoughtless to be dismissive of the whole group because of their outliers.
[/quote]

This. Why not post the non-crazies, Scotsman? Or are they all just crazies to you because they're involved in this in any way?
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[quote name='TheScotsman' timestamp='1318607756' post='527762']
It's going to hurt dems in the election :D :D :D :D :D :D :P :P .

Here in liberalsota the consensus, from what I have heard, is blaming the dems. Old people are frightened over it's spread (or at least that is what my breakfast eavesdropping at the local cafe shows me) Especially since leading dems are on record in support of it. I love it when a liberal plan backfires.

Speaking of a protesting big money in politics, and the gov't being "owned" by the big money...
[url="http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php"]http://www.opensecre...g/orgs/list.php[/url] take a look at the totals, and explain your stance that it's all conservatives owned by industry that are the problem. I see big money from unions owning liberals to a far, far greater degree.... Ooooppppss we aren't supposed to know that. sorry to burst your liberal-progressive bubble. The spending probs with the gov't that is putting you in the burger-flipping line after college is a result of lib-prog-dems owing a payback to their union masters. So get on your knees and pay homage to the liberal policies brought to you by unions, it's what you wanted.

And I want extra pickles or I am going to raise hell with the manager and get you canned.
[/quote]

Oh, look at this little gem of a post you left me on page 2... At least I think this is directed toward me, since I mentioned money needed to be taken out of politics.

1. I commend you for linking to a nonpartisan site for once. It brought about a nice fresh air to this whole thing.

2. I never said all the money goes to conservatives... did I? The money goes to both parties. How do you think Obama won the 2008 election? He didn't win just by all of the hope and change talk. He won because of campaign contributions. And it has gotten even worse with the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case. Money is too involved in politics. At this point, I don't see it getting any better. I doubt they will reverse any of these decisions. Fact is, if you want an honest(er) government, it must be one where decisions don't hang on who gets paid or who must be repaid for what they contributed. I don't see this happening, so expect things to get worse. Blame the Democrats or blame the Republicans all you want, fact is they're both corrupt parties.

And sorry buddy, I'm finishing college this semester and plan on leaving my hotel job and finding something with my degree first chance I get. I'm not going to give up, and will continue working my current job until a better opportunity presents itself. I know I will have to actively seek out that opportunity, though. So someone else can flip you your damn burgers... Maybe one of those crazies you posted in your videos. :rolleyes:
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I agree that we can pick out all these crazies and have some lulz, and that this isn't representative of everyone in the group. However, they don't have a leader, it took them quite some time to come up with their list (their "one demand"), which includes some crazy-ass things like forgiving all debt. I don't think most of the people out there have a good enough grasp of economics in general or in the U.S.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrPGoPFRUdc
This guy isn't crazy (at least not in a way that's as apparent as Mr. Maoist up there), but he is ill-informed and can't back up any of his demands. "Pay for my college debt because that is what I want and I don't think there's anything wrong with that"...?
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My local chapter (Detroit) just kicked off yesterday. I had to work but am involved in the movement. I guess I have nothing to say really. I'm just another unintelligent hippie slacker with no real motivation in life or respect for the WAY THINGS ARE.

I'm not going into too much detail. I would be wasting my time as pertains to those who view this as a bunch of whiny kids protesting because they haven't worked hard enough to be successful in life. You're incredibly narrow-minded for thinking so.

The information is all out there. Find it. The world is not a nice place. I started to type out some venomous responses to some of the bullshit I've read (yes we are all free to have our opinions) and erased it all because I have no interest typing reactively.

Open your eyes. The world is a shitty place and we are all slaves to systems that WE put in place. I think we all need to take responsibility for what we've become and where we are. The world is dying. People are dying. I am not being mother-fucking melodramatic. I am not "just some hippie tree-hugger". Sure I'm an artist. Sure I'm fairly liberal in thought.

I'm also one of the best Goddamn fathers you will ever meet. I'm somebody who enjoys spreading happiness. I've held down a steady job for my entire adult life, this current one for 6 years now. I contribute to my community. I am kind to people, even GASP, strangers. Even strangers on the internet where we can easily hide behind distance and anonymity. WHY? Because people deserve to be happy. Because every single one of you, even those who I'd like to slap with a blunt heavy object, have a right to be happy. And a responsibility to take care of eachother.

Dog eat dog is becoming a way of the past. Sorry bout it. You don't have to earn a living to the detriment of others, in a competitive market. There are better ways. I will never apologize for my idealism. Who the fuck doesn't want to be happy? I am not a corporation. I am not a number. I am a human being. And will be respected as such. And as my government is bought, which is INARGUABLE, I refuse to sit here in my home which I am lucky to have considering I live well below the poverty line with two kids, I'm gonna run with this in hopes that maybe, just maybe, some truth can be brought to light, the government will be held accountable for it's bullshit, money will be yanked out of politics for good, and that there just might be something in here that will echo to the betterment of people planet-wide. Feel free to debate anything I have to say, I probably wont respond. I'll be too busy trying to make a change for the better.

I might add: This is global. Stop addressing it as some silly lazy American leftist garbage please. Unless you also wish to decry Spain, Canada, the UK, Egypt, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Russia, Kenya, Hong Kong....you want me to continue? By all means continue the ignorant bashing of people who are actually trying to make this planet better for everyone, not just those who eschew compassion and basic kindness for their own personal gain. You want a ferrari? Fine! Earn that paper and buy one! But nobody deserves starvation, homelessness, nakedness, illness or death because the systems in place dictate so. NOBODY. These are and should be publicly honored as basic human rights.

END RANT.

"Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those doing it" - Chinese proverb
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I'll add, I believe this is happening because money is a linchpin for many other major issues. Education is terrible. Our food is contaminated by GMOs, HFCS, palm oil, chemicals, etc. Most of what we consume is made in destitute places for little to nothing (but that's out of sight so I guess we can put it out of mind). ETC. There's alot that needs to improve and our governments are so busy arguing amongst themselves that they've lost sight of who they are meant to serve. Yeah. That's right. Government is supposed to be OF the people, FOR the people. Is it not? So when the people have had enough? I'm not asking for a "handout" I'm asking for a better world for everyone. That includes "the elite".
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