Occupy Main Street

The Occupy Wall Street guys have made enough noise to fill the main street or city hall of over 60 (+ or -) cities.  I have read commentary on both sides.  I have read their blog http://occupywallst.org/ and it's a little weird.  I think their organizers are a bit ambitious with regard to the socialist tendencies.  But I think the 1% need to realize it isn't just a bunch of college students looking for an excuse to get out of class for a few weeks.  There are WWII vets, a Nobel peace prize winner for economics, Joseph Stiglitz was there, and there also hipster college students.

This clip is a bit difficult to follow, but well worth it.

I told my boss a few months ago, while discussing Congressman Weiner that I was disappointed because he was a progressive Democrat.  I expressed the idea that even if we cannot get the progressive liberal agenda passed in congress or the senate, someone needs to say what that agenda is.  Very few people lean all the way left or all the way right.  There is a small percentage of the population that is unwilling to listen to the other side.  But most people will listen to either argument and make their own decision.

From the look of their blog I started looking for words like "comrade" and "soviet" or "Marx."  After listening to the YouTube video for Joseph Stiglitz I realized it is more about accountability.

Are we asking too much to have the rich pay as they are able?  Are we asking too much to have the corporations pay taxes?  I don't want to inhibit the deserving from any of their wealth, but all income should be taxed.  Liberals are not picking on the rich when we say they should pay more taxes.  I think we should reword it to say we would like the rich to be taxed at the same rate we are. Does that imply I am in favor of a flat tax?  I don't think a flat tax would solve all the problems, but I think a tax reflective of your ability to pay it would certainly be appropriate.

I suggest a few things:

• Bring the troops home.  I honestly think the Taliban needs to be wiped off the face of the earth, but it is not our responsibility to do it.  Colin Powell admitted he was too much of a coward to say that he wouldn't lie to the United Nations, after thousands of troops were sent to slaughter.  Congress should have pulled the plug right then on the Iraq war.  But it's too late.  Today, we should pack our bags and go home.  That's exactly what Iraq and Afghanistan want.  If we are participating in a conflict because of the auspices of NATO we should consider editing our involvement, but until then, stay within the scope of those auspices.
• Bring all the troops home.  Why are we in Germany, Okinawa, South Korea and the Philippines.  Their economies will not crumble if we back out.  Shut it down and come home. 
• Why do we have so many aircraft carriers? The US has the biggest fist of the planet.  Rather than beating our proverbial chests and developing new cities to float on the sea, let's give a new job to those engineers.  Replace Fossil Fuel.  Figure out a way to cover the south with solar cells.  Figure out a way to fill the midwest with wind generators.  Subsidize everyone who can justify the development AND implementation of this technology.
• Spend more money on education.  The military should be selling that crap we buy so your kid can play the French horn.  If you educate the next generation you've increased the earning capability and the tax base.  (That way we can leave the rich alone.)
• Encourage babies.  There are fewer babies born than there are surviving baby boomers.  You'll need the staff.
• The 1% should be looking into ways to keep the baby boomers happy.  Geriatrics are the next big thing in medicine.
• Subsidize anyone looking to be a nurse, respiratory therapist, nutritionist or social worker.  They will pay for their education.

Am I being unreasonable?  I am willing to listen to arguments.  I am willing to discuss it all.  Maybe we could come up with a plan.  I think the American Dream is a myth.  But maybe we could get the lives we deserve after all.