Kseniya Nadtochiy
I’m not saying that every OWS protestor is an idiot. There are people who cannot retire because their 401ks have been wiped out; there are people who are without insurance and desperately need it, and there are those need who government assistance. I deeply sympathize with those people, truly. However, I do not sympathize with the socialist, counterproductive and overall destructive imbeciles who vandalize streets, and pollute it with their dirt. The idea behind the “Occupy” movement is great: punish the amoral CEO’s and the “too big to fail” corporations who took irresponsible risks that ultimately drove our economy to the ground. However, the actions of the movement have not been so great. In fact, the movement has been just stagnant.
The movement has appealed to the younger set, namely college graduates who are unable to find a job, and have plenty of time to kill. Time to camp out, yell profanities, take shits on cop cars, and prevent actual working people from getting to their jobs. Getting into fights with the NYPD isn’t accomplishing anything, neither is writing out those 13 ridiculous demands. Take this one for example: “Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment.” Where is the government going to get this money from? By increasing taxes even higher? Or maybe by printing more money, which will in turn increase prices, and create hyperinflation. Which, by the way, is also bad for the economy. How about this one: “free college education.” College is a money making corporation, and not an entitlement.
Some of these protestors think they’re entitled to debt relief because they were financially irresponsible, took out private loans with high interest rates, and cannot find a job to pay back those loans. Maybe it’s because you majored in basket weaving. There is no such a thing as free money, especially in a capitalist system. Change will not happen with these protests, no matter how many people join in. Change will only happen if we hit these corporations where it hurts most: their wallets. Take Chase Bank for example. It is one of six banks that control 60 percent of the US’s gross national product. That’s a lot of power for just one bank. It’s also one of four banks that control 70 percent of the oil commodity. Investing in a local bank, instead of JPMorgan Chase, would shift the power hold and at least lighten executive pay. Also, in the long run, it would allow for less oil speculation, and more stable and affordable gas prices. Decrying corporations and Wall Street will accomplish absolutely nothing; being financially educated and responsible will. So toss those communist demands in the trash, and remember: money makes the world go round.