Opinion

The One and the Many: A Call for Concise Change

“You want class war? We’ll give you what you ask for!” was just one of the many chants that were thunderously echoed through the streets of Pittsburgh this past Saturday, October 15.

Occupy Pittsburgh, an offshoot of the ever-growing Occupy Wall Street protests that have been occurring since September 17, began its march for change, social justice and an end to corporate greed. At least that is what the message seems to be.

If one was to take a quick glance across the eclectic crew of teenagers, college students, parents and yes, little tots in strollers, they would quickly gather the Occupy movement that has grasped the American populace by storm seems to lack a clear and concise message. From Ron Paul “Revolution” signs to quixotic students calling for utopian socialist societies, the Pittsburgh variant along with most of the protests across the country and now globe seem to be scattered across the political stratosphere.

This has been a crucial attacking point for many conservative leaning media sources. Glenn Beck even went as far as drawing parallels between these protests and the infamous Reign of Terror, when Maximilien Robespierre encouraged guillotines to drop and heads to roll during the French Revolution. This was one of the more puerile political stratagems to occur over the past week.

It only merely beats out Michele Bachmann’s incredulous bashing of Herman Cain’s “9-9-9″ tax reform plan by stating, “When you take the ’9-9-9′ plan and you turn it upside down, I think the devil is in the details.” A message to Mrs. Bachmann: Do you really think a majority of your conservative base is uneducated and delusional enough to buy the machinations you’re throwing out there?

Alas, if Republicans want a true competitor to the incumbent Barack Obama come next year, they are going to need someone that appeals to a wider population of voters and actually offers a solid plan opposed to simply bashing the other opponents. This is in large part why Cain has landed on top of many polls of late.

But let’s not get too off-track here. I would agree there is some merit in criticizing the Occupy movement for its lack of a solid message. If we examine it from a dilettante’s perspective, we can obviously see they are upset with the corruption that lies in big banking and business; hence the presence at Wall Street.

To use some sagacity, we can see there are those calling for a complete overhaul and removal of economic institutions such as Wall Street and ultimately asking for a socialist society. While others seem to be merely upset with how Washington can be so easily bought out by money through campaign laws and lobbying.

This brings up a far greater issue. Some feel that if we implement a government for the people, ruled by the people we can truly obtain an ideal utopian society here on Earth. As a skeptic and student of history I will succinctly say the key word here is “ideal.”

While I am by no means some rich, snobby child from a well-off family, and in many ways I have benefited from our welfare state I do believe there is usually a sound reason for some to earn more than others based on their skill or work. I don’t think this is unfair. In fact, in many societies where reciprocity-based economic systems exist (societies that socialists are apt to use as case studies for their cause) some acts or items have considerately more value than others.

To go the other way though, I do not think there is anything wrong with paying your fair share through taxes. While someone is entitled to a greater income based on their skill, there should be an understanding that their wealth does not purely come from their own actions.
Yes, in large part it does stem from their will or hard work. But in many ways they would have no profit to enjoy if it wasn’t for us, the consumer base, to buy their products or services. They would have no roadside to build their store on if it wasn’t for the social contract that put that infrastructure there in the first place. The movie “Pay It Forward,” comes to mind here.

Ultimately, the more sustainable policies that are put in place to run our country and fuel the actions of private industry will only further the welfare of all. To bring this full circle, what on earth could emerge from this Occupy movement to instill such a future for our country?

Well, I believe some folks already have the message. When special interests are able to influence policy for the many, the corrupt and myopic desires of the few are able to destroy the prosperity and stability of a country, and thus the world.

One should realize both political parties are guilty of being involved with these actions. Democrats and Republicans alike have funded their campaigns and made crucial policy decisions based on the money and backings of Wall Street, global industry and big market pharmaceutical companies. And there is a large push by the Democratic Party to capitalize on this movement and make it mainstream just like the Republican Party absorbed the Tea Party movement. I offer caution to this occurrence.

Alas, in the end, merit is due to the Occupy movement specifically for its lack of a unanimous message. For in the grand scheme of things this is an image of America’s youth forcibly emerging onto the precipice of the future. It appears today they have started to push back against corporate greed and the pointless political status quo that only continues to exacerbate the woes of our world.

Hopefully a large enough push to eliminate the role of money in campaigns and lobbying does occur, perhaps a new “American Century” will come about us; a century of sustainability for our children, our neighbors and ourselves.