BLOG: The 'Occupy Movement'

You might have heard about this wave of protests that are going from New York City to San Francisco and have finally arrived in Baltimore. It is the "Occupy Movement" where people are searching for change because apparently people did not get enough of it with the last election. I'll be the first to say that I'm happy to see people trying to make a difference, but I'm not sure it is the right change that our society really needs.

A photo posted on the City Paper Blog shows a woman holding a sign that says "A conservative is Just a Liberal Who Hasn't Gotten Sick Yet! Medicare for All." Another report shows a woman and a man in Santa Barbara holding signs that read "Greed is Not Good" and "End this Highway Robbery."

The foundation of the movement is to stop big money from hurting the little guy. Why should we allow Wall Street to perform speculative trading on commodities that traders never have any intention of taking possession let alone know where the commodities are being shipped to? Why should the CEO of a company make millions of dollars? Why can't those that work hard for a living support those that choose to not have a job? Some of the protesters are also upset with the Federal Reserve, bankers, politicians, and the rich being able to buy their way out of crimes or even paying taxes.

The core foundation of this movement is something very American, the right to the freedom of speech and the right to protest. What I worry about are the socialistic aspects of the "Occupy Movement" that seems to have spun up. People are fighting the core values of capitalism and pushing for more social programs. What happened to the day when people determined a business' success with the dollar in their pocket? I'm sure you will find people in the crowd that are anti-Bank of America, but when they go buy their next car and Bank of America offers the lowest interest rate will that person pass on that rate? Social programs should be reserved for education, police, and fire. Social programs should not run our banks, our health care, or the auto industry. There is a place for Socialism within a Capitalist society but Americans must be very careful as to how much of the Socialist agenda we allow in our society.  

I see nothing wrong with people making money, however, I do find it wrong when big businesses are able to persuade government into tax breaks in order to put a strangle hold on jobs. Government needs to take a very careful look at these agreements they enter into and we, the people, need to hold government accountable for their actions on Election Day. When we continue to elect the same people into office year after year that alone proves that we are happy with the way things are and that the "Occupy Movement" has already lost.