Occupy

"The seed of revolution is repression." Woodrow Wilson

I may be late in digging my teeth into the "Occupy" movement, but I have finally had time to do some reading up on the whole thing. There are plenty of times when people get upset about something, they strike, and then it gets resolved (Thank you Wisconsin for the exemplary example). I don't think this movement is one that will end that easily or that quickly. The basic premise is this: 1% of the population owns and controls virtually everything. The rest of the 99% of us, screwed. We have no say. Yes, we vote, but in reality, the politicians we vote for are just pawns being moved my the corporations we don't see. It doesn't actually matter who is sitting in the chair. The larger question is: Who is pumping the money? I realize that this may be showing my somewhat negative feelings towards our country, but I think we can all admit that there is a problem.

My aunt is a prime example. A few years ago she got a brain tumor because a company was dumping toxic chemicals into a local lake. Dozens of tumors began breaking out in their county. She got her tumor removed successfully and has been in perpetual debt because of it. She still struggles physically from the after-effects. She was in a large lawsuit against the company along with the others effected. The case was temporarily postponed. They company continues to put off the trial. As they do, those suing have to continue to pay their lawyers. The outcome is clear: the prosecutors will run out of money eventually and the case will be dismissed. Justice? Not one bit.

The same aunt has made numerous payments toward her mortgage. These payments have somehow been lost by the band holding it. Her home has neared foreclosure numerous times because these payments have not been recorded. Illegal foreclosures are common. Nothing is being done.

When I look at pictures and watch videos of the movement I cannot help but think of Across the Universe. There is a scene in the film when they walk down a street with signs, chanting funny things. I digress...

I don't think I will ever be one of those people who quit their job to 'fight for the cause.' I'm not moving to Wall Street. I do, however, support their cause. I am proud to live in a country with people who do not want to sit around while injustice rules. I am thankful that people are choosing to exercise their Constitutional rights. Pushing them to their limits will reveal the extent to which we actually hold these rights. I believe that the police, the government, the corporations, will fight back, exposing the true state of our country. The system is corrupt. We don't need another law. We need democracy. A true democracy, not a puppet one.

What if your mother developed cancer from drinking the water from her sink? Your little brother? What if your family paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills while the company just paid the trial off, leaving you bankrupt? You would probably feel a little bit angry. It has been hard to watch my own family members experience the aftereffects of corporate greed.

Get informed. Read up on what is going on in the world. Please. Believe that you can have a voice. http://occupychi.org/about-us