I've had many friends ask me... what is it all accomplishing anyway? What's the real message behind it? For those of you wondering...here it is! I am an OLA Supporter.. I am not a politician... do not lean right nor left... democrat nor republican. As such I refuse to label myself by any political party... Nor do I believe myself a socialist. The Occupy Movement is not a political movement, rather a movement of the people, by the people, and yes for the people. Occupiers are out there making their voices heard for you the 99% of Americans that are subjected to comply to the 1% calling the shots for our government's economy. Many of the occupiers are fresh out of college students who are indebted up to their eyeballs in student loans... some are hard working middle class families who have lost their homes due to the plummeting decline of the housing market. Contrary to what others may be portraying ... the majority are not hippies who chose not to bathe. I have been in the trenches with the OLA occupiers and stood in solidarity and these are average everyday people who are tired of watching corruption destroy this nation.
I realize that the message however noble and honorable, is getting lost by what appears to be chaos. Many of you Angelinos who've driven through downtown every morning and passed by the tents may have honked your horns and waived in support early on...but have since become weary of the traffic congestion and less than attractive appearance of City Hall Park (now unofficially renamed Solidarity Park). I understand your frustration. There needs to be a more cohesive and organized agenda for The Movement. Which is why we cannot give up the fight. While the OLA may have been evicted from Solidarity Park Headquarters... OLA must remain strong. "A people united will never be defeated!"
Our government is basically run by these major financial corporations such as Goldman Sachs' who put money into the political campaigns of those serving in office. Even the former Secretary of Treasury, Hank Paulson so conveniently happened to be former CEO of Goldman Sachs.. (coincidence... nope). Not surprisingly when bailouts were being handed out left and right to the criminals on Wall Street, Goldman Sachs was one of the only financial institutions to remain up top in the aftermath. Bernanke, chairman of the FED is no better... also behind the bailouts... pumping 600 BILLION dollars into the banking institutions for a "slow recovery" all the while... NONE of which is regulated. Meanwhile more Americans continue to lose jobs, homes, life savings... etc.
What the cohesive objective of the Occupy Movement is .... to reform our economy... to change and give the power from those in Wall Street back to the hands of the people. Asking for the government to have more oversight and regulation over financial institutions... reform capitalism. To prevent corporate greed and banks from foreclosing peoples homes. I realize that the message can be lost along the way. I also realize that it seems easier to let others carry the torch and shrug one's shoulders and not become involved. However please keep in mind that the larger the number of people that stand up and unite the more effective we can be to bring about change. After all there is strength in numbers.
I hope this helps to clarify for some of you why I support this Movement and I sincerely hope that you also join in to stand in solidarity with me!
Thanks for reading! ~ Arie
