Occupy Wall St. - Right to be Unhappy, Wrong about Everything Else

[sugarkang]

I sympathize with OWS. I really do. If a political and economic system doesn't work for the benefit of most people, then it is broken. If any Democrat or Republican disagrees with this, I'd like to know why.

OWS people are largely liberal. There are a handful of anarchists and libertarians, but for the most part it's left leaning. Nothing controversial about that, I hope. But they're doing it wrong. Maybe that's how these things start. Maybe inchoate movements refine and define themselves over time. Maybe. I hope so. I doubt it.

But if you're going to claim legitimacy, you have to address the critics. Krauthammer is one of them and he makes a convincing case to the people in power.

To the villainy-of-the-rich theme emanating from Washington, a child is born: Occupy Wall Street. Starbucks-sipping, Levi’s-clad, iPhone-clutching protesters denounce corporate America even as they weep for Steve Jobs, corporate titan, billionaire eight times over.

These indignant indolents saddled with their $50,000 student loans and English degrees have decided that their lack of gainful employment is rooted in the malice of the millionaires on whose homes they are now marching — to the applause of Democrats suffering acute Tea Party envy and now salivating at the energy these big-government anarchists will presumably give their cause.

Except that the real Tea Party actually had a program — less government, less regulation, less taxation, less debt. What’s the Occupy Wall Street program? Eat the rich.

This captures the essence of what's wrong with OWS. Treat Steve Jobs like God, but Bill Gates is evil incarnate? Steve Jobs gave nothing to philanthropy. Bill Gates devotes all his wealth and time to philanthropy. Bill Gates actively seeks money from other billionaires.

OWS isn't about opposing evil corporations?



It's not about class warfare?



It's not socialist?



Really. Grow up.

The Civil Rights Movement was effective because the issues were clear. The protesters made it clear. They made it clear that segregationists were immoral. And the protesters did it by showing themselves to be law abiding, decent citizens dressed in respectful attire.



By comparison, is OWS just full of bongo drumming hippies unworthy of respect? Maybe. Maybe not. But it sure looks that way. The first thing they might want to do is dress up for their interview (the media cameras).