100 Words – The Soap Box Edition
2011
If you follow me on the Twitterz, you’ll have noticed I’ve been tweeting and retweeting about the occupation of Wall Street by a group of young protestors. It’s not enough, not yet, but it’s about time. Ever since the big bank/big biz bail-out, followed by unconscionable fat bonuses for CEO’s of said banks/businesses, I’ve been wondering where the protests were.
Yes, I’ve got a soap box, and I’m not afraid to use it.
The news from the front-lines, which you still won’t find as a feature story on the major news networks, is that more people are coming, and they’re not planning on leaving for months. The one failing is that there isn’t a clear “call-to-action”, but the general consensus is one of being fed up with corporate money being involved in government, from campaigns to elections to policy-making. This being at the core of the ever-widening income gap in this country. A chasm that is unsustainable, and now folks are showing up to say as much.
So, if you’re inclined, start here. By inclined, I mean curious. If you’re more inclined you’ll find where you can donate or you’ll get in the car or board a bus/plane/train and get there. I’m figuring out the logistics of getting there myself. So, you know, let me know if I’ll see you.
I chose Lance’s piece, Times Like These because even though it’s nothing to do with revolution, it’s about a rebel — it captures a mood.
Helene stepped off the C Train in Hell’s Kitchen feeling nauseous. The late morning summer air was so thick, it inhibited any breeze. She put her hands on her thighs, feeling the five dollar bill in her left pocket. She had drunk earlier, for free. Helene walked into a corner bodega. She bought a plain bagel and a Coke.
She saw two pre-teen girls, one with long brown hair and attitude, strumming guitars. Helene approached.
“You girls rock. Can I play with you?”
Helene showed them how to use their fingers, change chords, and lose themselves in the moment.
It’s how I imagine some of the interactions within the Wall Street encampment. Some stray walking by, getting curious, and sitting down to stay for a while. After that, who knows what magic will happen.
In solidarity, this week’s word is:
OCCUPY
For the regular word-nerd crew, feel free to use the word as you like. For anyone visiting from #occupywallstreet, #takewallstreet, if you’re there at Liberty Park, or on your way, or back at home after a few rounds, this is a personal invitation to join the 100 Word Challenge and tell your story from the ground in 100 words.
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Thankyou, I’m hornored. Helene Troy is very much the rebel. The kind of person who wants to change things with her art and her attitude. More revolutionary than hero. There is a difference. Thanks for “getting” that.
I agree with you about the Wall St protestors. I wish rage against the machine would show up and blaze.
Lance recently posted..Twenty Four Hours To Go
You’re welcome.
And yeah, some music down there would be cool.
Yes!! I love this! This is one of the ideas/points from this open letter to protesters: http://openletters2you.blogspot.com/2011/09/open-letter-to-occupywallstreet.html
Thanks for the link.
150% with you, VV! Sick and tired of the thieves getting all the gold. Down with the malefactors of great wealth!
“Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul.”
-Bob Dylan,
“Masters of War”
Michael recently posted..Indie Ink Writing Challenge: Hanging Curve
My main concern is how we’ve been so convinced that we have to protect the wealthy because they create all the jobs. But there are two fundamental problems with holding to that theory. 1. Most of the wealthy are not creating jobs. They’re trading on speculations and futures with printed paper money that is no longer tied to the gold standard. 2. I think it’s both healthy and moral for certain people to make more than others based on how much education/training was needed, demand and scarcity, and/or risk involved. What is not healthy for a nation is when a very small percent of the population controls the majority of the wealth, because it means they are being paid far beyond their actual worth based on the above criteria. A healthy system naturally keeps this in balance.
Anyway, I didn’t create this as a channel for my politics so I’ll try to keep myself in check here, except to say that I do feel quite strongly we’ve come to a very troublesome point.
Not all of us have been so convinced – it’s just been the mantra of the Conservative Right for so long – been repeated so many times – that they, themselves, believe it, much less their constituents. No Rich person ever went poor paying their proper taxes – not even right after WWII, when the maximum tax rate was 90%. NINETY PER CENT!! Nor during the 50′s and 60′s, when I was growing up, and the tax rate was 70%. And neither did any Corporation go under from paying their proper taxes – after all, the taxes are on Profits – and if you’re making a profit, you’re not going under.
In 1955, Corporate taxes were 27.3% of Federal Revenue. In 2010, they were 8.9%. In 1955, Individual Income/Payroll Taxes were 58% of Federal revenue. In 2010, they were 81.5%.
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?
lceel recently posted..Slightly Wordy Wednesday – A Slap in the Face
When I said “we” I meant the fear that has gripped the nation generally. The apathy as well.
Good information, thanks for sharing it.
I resent the gov’t taking my hard earned $ and bailing out anyone, including the yahoos who sold my daughter a car she couldn’t afford. Yes, I’m bitter.
Meanwhile, I’m tickled that I *finally* am in sync with a word prompt! Hurray!
Fran recently posted..Nothing left to talk about
Precisely, and that’s the thing. There is virtually no “that side of the fence” on these issues. At least as far as I can tell. Almost everyone I talk to, politically involved or not, Dem or Rep, is ticked off in one way or another about the concentration of wealth and power to only a few. I’m sad when I see that some people are interpreting the movement as “Marxist” or “socialist”, because it’s not.
Glad to see you got your groove back.
Missed last week only because I was a slacker. Back on the ball now! and just in time!
AuroraLee recently posted..Occupied