The protests being held in Manhattan's Zuccotti Park will have reached the two week mark this Saturday, October 1st and are expected to continue indefinitely. News outlets estimated a few thousand joining together near Wall Street, but Time.com's Nate Rawlings reports if you exclude tourists and those temporarily marching, those in it for the "long haul" are roughly 200 people.While the initial demonstrations on September 17th were driven primarily by resentment towards bankers and corporate executives, (who many feel are guilty of malfeasance in collusion with the government) the movement can hardly be defined by a single issue. Though the vast majority of participants have expressed their desire to see some form of legal action against those they feel contributed to the recession, those in attendance represent various groups.
From war, unemployment, economic inequality, union members, campaign finance reform, and even some angered over the recent execution of Troy Davis, the wide range of concerns being addressed has left the public a bit confused. Much of this is attributed to the nature of the protests. Most of the eclectic group have no desire for a leader or any central organization. This decentralization has resulted in a very slow process of evaluating and delivering a clear message. Writes the Huffington Post,
"The lack of clear direction may eventually prove a stumbling block to the occupiers, but the mood in lower Manhattan this week was one of cheerful energy. A sign -- one of perhaps 100 strewn about the square, or being waved to and fro by demonstrators -- read, 'DEMOCRACY MAY BE HARD BUT AT LEAST WE ARE DOING IT.'"
As of now there have been no specific demands or intentions made known to the public but committees have been spontaneously created to narrow down and select precise goals for the occupation. Because they are not allowed a microphone or bullhorn, the mostly twenty-somethings and a few Baby Boomers are using a method of mass repetition to spread the message throughout the park. Whenever someone has something to discuss, they speak very slowly, stopping every few words so that the crowd can repeat those words in unison; thereby magnifying the report as liberal film maker Michael Moore demonstrates here.
Among the committees created, one has been organized to take donations for food, water and personal items to help care for those camping in Manhattan's financial district. Supplied with blankets, sleeping bags, cardboard boxes and the occasional mattress, Zuccotti Park's latest visitors have tried their best to make themselves at home. Many in the community have assisted in this effort by opening up their homes for the use of showers and even some restaurants from McDonald's to several pizzerias have donated food to accommodate the growing swarm of people.
While the past two weeks have been peaceful for the most part, this past weekend resulted in the NYPD arresting of at least 80 people and using pepper spray on five young women in what many are calling a blatant case of police brutality. According to one young journalist, John Farley, he and dozens of others were arrested during one of the planned marches to Union Square for disrupting traffic and disorderly conduct.
Writes Farley,
"As more people spilled into the street, police started to demand that protesters stay on the sidewalk. But as people seemed to be retreating from harm's way, police began pushing the protesters. I saw police use large nets to corral people en masse. I watched as police pepper sprayed several young women in the face. (An NYPD spokesperson confirmed the use of pepper spray to MetroFocus.) I saw senior citizens and teenagers get arrested. I saw about 20 or 30 police officers tackle people and prod them roughly with police batons."
The NYPD commissioner is said to be investigating the incident.
The footage and photos of the mass arrests and demonstrations have gone viral online, as many protestors and bystanders took it upon themselves to become citizen journalists; streaming much of the events live and giving daily reports on numerous social networks and blogs.
Despite what many feel has been an intentional blackout or lack of sufficient coverage by the mainstream media, news of the protests seem to be spreading as there are plans to stage similar occupations in Washington, D.C. and other cities throughout the U.S. The political and economic impact of these events remains to be seen as there are no indications of any explicit demands thus far; but the current lack of organization notwithstanding, grassroots movements such as these are sure to be more common in the coming months, should the current discontent among average Americans continue.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Who is Serving You?
While it’s often argued by many that the State must help to provide for the needs of the people; what is not discussed is what the people actually want. While visiting family in Atlanta recently, it occurred to me that most Americans simply do not recognize the differences between the nature of the State and the nature of the market.
When it came time to eat lunch we stopped in a small restaurant in Atlantic Station. As we found our seats, the server cordially gave us menus, asked what we’d like to drink and said to simply let him know if we had any questions. Though the cuisine and atmosphere was very impressive, after a brief look at the menu we decided the prices were too expensive.
As the waiter returned to the table, we thanked him for his service but told him we weren’t looking to spend that much money and had decided to find lunch elsewhere. With a smile he politely thanked us for coming in and wished us a nice rest of the day. There were no guns, no threats of arrest, and no men with badges forcing us to give up our money.
While most encounter this at least once a day, rarely do Americans take the time to appreciate what’s actually taking place. How often do we go into a department store or restaurant with the understanding that these businesses have spent hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in advance to provide a good or service without any guarantees of a return on their investment? There are no demands or obligations to purchase any product; indeed the demand comes from us that these products be available. Should a business fail to produce what is demanded by consumers, it will soon file bankruptcy and cease to exist.
This is the nature of the market. Every entrepreneur must take massive risks and invest large sums of money to create production, innovation, distribution and let’s not forget paying the wages of the servers who welcome you when you enter and thank you as you leave; all to give you what you want.
When it came time to eat lunch we stopped in a small restaurant in Atlantic Station. As we found our seats, the server cordially gave us menus, asked what we’d like to drink and said to simply let him know if we had any questions. Though the cuisine and atmosphere was very impressive, after a brief look at the menu we decided the prices were too expensive.
As the waiter returned to the table, we thanked him for his service but told him we weren’t looking to spend that much money and had decided to find lunch elsewhere. With a smile he politely thanked us for coming in and wished us a nice rest of the day. There were no guns, no threats of arrest, and no men with badges forcing us to give up our money.
While most encounter this at least once a day, rarely do Americans take the time to appreciate what’s actually taking place. How often do we go into a department store or restaurant with the understanding that these businesses have spent hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in advance to provide a good or service without any guarantees of a return on their investment? There are no demands or obligations to purchase any product; indeed the demand comes from us that these products be available. Should a business fail to produce what is demanded by consumers, it will soon file bankruptcy and cease to exist.
This is the nature of the market. Every entrepreneur must take massive risks and invest large sums of money to create production, innovation, distribution and let’s not forget paying the wages of the servers who welcome you when you enter and thank you as you leave; all to give you what you want.
The functions of government are diametrically opposed to the nature of the market. How many times have you been given the option to pay or not to pay taxes? Were you ever given an opportunity to not pay for the welfare state, endless wars or bailouts to corporations? Though many view the State as our protector, what happens if you refuse? Can you picture an IRS agent simply thanking you for your time and wishing you a nice day if you withhold your income? People do not pay taxes out of consent or compassion, but out of fear and submission.
As author and editorial Vice President of the Mises Institute, Jeffrey Tucker has pointed out before; even government institutions invoke a sense of submission upon your entering. As Tucker explained, imagine walking into a department or grocery store. How many people are waiting to assist you? If you purchase a product but decide you no longer desire it or it’s defective, you simply take the item to the exchange desk and are either reimbursed or given the opportunity to choose another item. No questions asked.
Tucker then asks you to imagine entering the DMV. How many people are there to welcome you? Do any of the employees, (who are paid with your tax dollars) seem to have any urgency in helping you? Do these institutions ever seem to be efficient? If you have a complaint how eager do they appear to be to resolve the issue?
Tucker then asks you to imagine entering the DMV. How many people are there to welcome you? Do any of the employees, (who are paid with your tax dollars) seem to have any urgency in helping you? Do these institutions ever seem to be efficient? If you have a complaint how eager do they appear to be to resolve the issue?
The circumstances are even worse at the airport. If you’ve purchased tickets in advance online, you expect them to be available and to save some time before the flight. Should the airline fail to provide efficient services, you have the ability to seek out a competitor. It is not the owners of companies who hold the power in the market, but the consumer. Whether you’re wrong or right the business must cater to your interests or suffer a loss in sales.
But once you go through security, your demeanor changes entirely. There is no sense of control on your part. You walk with intimidation, hoping you’re not selected for the extensive security measures. No TSA agent seeks to make you feel safe or welcome. There is no greeting or sense of service, but a look of suspicion, of accusation and an implicit threat of force.
Behind the very notion of every government program is the assertion that the State is doing what’s best for the country; that our wise leaders are simply acting on behalf of the interests of their constituents. But at what point did politicians ask the people what they wanted? Was there not an overwhelming rejection of ObamaCare throughout the country? How many Americans asked to be subjected to the TSA’s strip searches? Were you ever asked how your money should be spent, or if it should be taken from you at all?
Politicians and bureaucrats have long fashioned themselves as benevolent leaders acting upon the will of the people, but broken promises and the increasingly violent disposition of the State has revealed them to be the direct opposite and has proven the State to be an abysmal failure. The voluntary sector of society, the peaceful cooperative nature of individuals within their communities and throughout the world that provide for society have demonstrated it is not government that produces the greatest public-servants, but the market.
But once you go through security, your demeanor changes entirely. There is no sense of control on your part. You walk with intimidation, hoping you’re not selected for the extensive security measures. No TSA agent seeks to make you feel safe or welcome. There is no greeting or sense of service, but a look of suspicion, of accusation and an implicit threat of force.
Behind the very notion of every government program is the assertion that the State is doing what’s best for the country; that our wise leaders are simply acting on behalf of the interests of their constituents. But at what point did politicians ask the people what they wanted? Was there not an overwhelming rejection of ObamaCare throughout the country? How many Americans asked to be subjected to the TSA’s strip searches? Were you ever asked how your money should be spent, or if it should be taken from you at all?
Politicians and bureaucrats have long fashioned themselves as benevolent leaders acting upon the will of the people, but broken promises and the increasingly violent disposition of the State has revealed them to be the direct opposite and has proven the State to be an abysmal failure. The voluntary sector of society, the peaceful cooperative nature of individuals within their communities and throughout the world that provide for society have demonstrated it is not government that produces the greatest public-servants, but the market.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Show Must Not Go On
In the world of politics, the usual anecdote of left vs. right is often seen as self-evident. The Democrats or those on the left seem to stand in stark contrast to their apparent counterparts and rhetorical foes on the right and within the Republican Party. As the liberal rises in defense of the poor and seeks to avenge the victims of greed and corruption, the conservative reaches into his deep pockets lined with crisp Benjamins and remembers where his loyalties lie. While the Republican refuses to allow the hateful threats of religious fanatics to stifle the American Dream, the Democrat tucks his tail between his legs and waits for the proper moment to unleash his Marxist takeover.
Depending on which side of the alleged aisle you find yourself, this legislative folklore is accepted, and perhaps even embraced. Considering that such narratives are perceived as a given by most Americans, it's easy to understand why so many devote such time and energy to defending one group over the other. But a look behind the curtain reveals the noble tale of public-servants to be for the most part, a stage show in which you're forced to purchase tickets.
One of the greatest displays of this spectacle in recent years was this summer's debt-ceiling debacle consisting of the usual suspects. Joe Biden pandered to his constituents claiming the middle class will not "carry the whole burden" of deficit reduction while joining the chorus of Democrats demanding to see the debt ceiling raised. The irony of course being the more the federal government borrows and prints, the lower the standard of living becomes for the poor and the middle class, leaving unborn children to foot the bill. Not to be outdone the Republicans and House Speaker Boehner lambasted the Obama administration for "requesting business as usual" while reassuring the nation that "those days are over". In case anyone actually thought him to be serious, he and most of the GOP would soon reclaim their status as a party of charlatans, caving to the Democrats so as to avoid a non-existent crisis. Sure the dramatic speeches may have been convincing, but the talking points of choosing between default or raising the debt ceiling were more akin to an Oliver Stone film, than reality. But this charade extends far beyond fiscal issues.
The Bush Regime pulled the wool over the eyes of many, (including this writer) as well as anyone. It was a clever ploy of political theater to cast American imperialism as a defense of American exceptionalism. It takes a rather cunning and twisted group of individuals to turn one of the most blatant usurpations of power into a form of noble patriotism. It's no small task portraying blind nationalism as authentic conservatism, and convincing the right to turn a blind eye to the largest expansion of government since LBJ. From the relentless warmongering and propaganda, to the astronomical debt and personal liberty infringements, the authoritarianism of the Bush administration would have had statists like FDR and Wilson drooling with envy. But after eight long years, the country was in financial ruin, desperate for peace and in need of a fresh start. Sure enough, Bush's so-called opponents had just the man to play the part.
In 2008 we were promised by a re-energized Democratic Party to look no further than the charismatic senator from Illinois if we wished to challenge the status quo. He represented peace and progress. But rather than halting the assaults on civil liberties, corporate welfare, perpetual war or endless spending, Obama became Bush: The Sequel. Those who voted for hope and change were left with a young opportunist who has out-Bushed his predecessor. One would think the egregious abuses of power since Obama took office would have the bleeding-hearts running through the streets, but many of his supporters have yet to give up on their fairy tale.
This cycle of antics is not only expected, it's necessary for Washington to maintain their influence in our daily lives. Were it not for the constant scare tactics and partisan grandstanding used by politicians, the American people might actually realize there's more truth in professional wrestling than there is the bumper sticker rhetoric of the ruling class. Whether it's terrorism, economic depression, drug abuse or the swine flu, there must always be a villain to every story; otherwise the jig is up. It matters not if the soap opera is written in blue or red ink, it always ends with Uncle Sam portrayed as nothing short of a caped-crusader anxiously waiting to save us from any threat imaginable, even ourselves.
As the first term of Obama's presidency comes to a close, it's that time again for the circus to come to town. Waiting patiently for their cue, the GOP ushers in their latest crop of autocrats to audition for the leading role. Packed with southern rabble-rousers, a presidential ken doll and a lady of the heartland, critics have already labeled this next election cycle an instant classic.
But as these tales often go, the powerful few tend to underestimate the will of the many. After a century of new and improved despots, the country is longing to end the marathon of Old Guard puppets and close the curtain on a federal behemoth that's had too many re-runs. Despite D.C.'s best efforts, more and more Americans are seeing through the smoke and mirrors and turning to the most unlikely of heroes; a man who was ignored for decades, only to be ridiculed and slandered as he and his ideas gained popularity. Indeed, the notion that personal and economic liberties are not enemies but a unit, and a man who follows principle instead of oligarchs hardly fits in Washington's fictional paradigm.
The last few years have left the leaders of both parties looking for answers to quell the growing momentum for an individual who predicted the ending before the previews even started. If America truly wishes to avoid an encore performance directed by the establishment machine, they must first reject its host of actors, and elect a man who doesn't read from a script.
Depending on which side of the alleged aisle you find yourself, this legislative folklore is accepted, and perhaps even embraced. Considering that such narratives are perceived as a given by most Americans, it's easy to understand why so many devote such time and energy to defending one group over the other. But a look behind the curtain reveals the noble tale of public-servants to be for the most part, a stage show in which you're forced to purchase tickets.
One of the greatest displays of this spectacle in recent years was this summer's debt-ceiling debacle consisting of the usual suspects. Joe Biden pandered to his constituents claiming the middle class will not "carry the whole burden" of deficit reduction while joining the chorus of Democrats demanding to see the debt ceiling raised. The irony of course being the more the federal government borrows and prints, the lower the standard of living becomes for the poor and the middle class, leaving unborn children to foot the bill. Not to be outdone the Republicans and House Speaker Boehner lambasted the Obama administration for "requesting business as usual" while reassuring the nation that "those days are over". In case anyone actually thought him to be serious, he and most of the GOP would soon reclaim their status as a party of charlatans, caving to the Democrats so as to avoid a non-existent crisis. Sure the dramatic speeches may have been convincing, but the talking points of choosing between default or raising the debt ceiling were more akin to an Oliver Stone film, than reality. But this charade extends far beyond fiscal issues.
The Bush Regime pulled the wool over the eyes of many, (including this writer) as well as anyone. It was a clever ploy of political theater to cast American imperialism as a defense of American exceptionalism. It takes a rather cunning and twisted group of individuals to turn one of the most blatant usurpations of power into a form of noble patriotism. It's no small task portraying blind nationalism as authentic conservatism, and convincing the right to turn a blind eye to the largest expansion of government since LBJ. From the relentless warmongering and propaganda, to the astronomical debt and personal liberty infringements, the authoritarianism of the Bush administration would have had statists like FDR and Wilson drooling with envy. But after eight long years, the country was in financial ruin, desperate for peace and in need of a fresh start. Sure enough, Bush's so-called opponents had just the man to play the part.
In 2008 we were promised by a re-energized Democratic Party to look no further than the charismatic senator from Illinois if we wished to challenge the status quo. He represented peace and progress. But rather than halting the assaults on civil liberties, corporate welfare, perpetual war or endless spending, Obama became Bush: The Sequel. Those who voted for hope and change were left with a young opportunist who has out-Bushed his predecessor. One would think the egregious abuses of power since Obama took office would have the bleeding-hearts running through the streets, but many of his supporters have yet to give up on their fairy tale.
This cycle of antics is not only expected, it's necessary for Washington to maintain their influence in our daily lives. Were it not for the constant scare tactics and partisan grandstanding used by politicians, the American people might actually realize there's more truth in professional wrestling than there is the bumper sticker rhetoric of the ruling class. Whether it's terrorism, economic depression, drug abuse or the swine flu, there must always be a villain to every story; otherwise the jig is up. It matters not if the soap opera is written in blue or red ink, it always ends with Uncle Sam portrayed as nothing short of a caped-crusader anxiously waiting to save us from any threat imaginable, even ourselves.
As the first term of Obama's presidency comes to a close, it's that time again for the circus to come to town. Waiting patiently for their cue, the GOP ushers in their latest crop of autocrats to audition for the leading role. Packed with southern rabble-rousers, a presidential ken doll and a lady of the heartland, critics have already labeled this next election cycle an instant classic.
But as these tales often go, the powerful few tend to underestimate the will of the many. After a century of new and improved despots, the country is longing to end the marathon of Old Guard puppets and close the curtain on a federal behemoth that's had too many re-runs. Despite D.C.'s best efforts, more and more Americans are seeing through the smoke and mirrors and turning to the most unlikely of heroes; a man who was ignored for decades, only to be ridiculed and slandered as he and his ideas gained popularity. Indeed, the notion that personal and economic liberties are not enemies but a unit, and a man who follows principle instead of oligarchs hardly fits in Washington's fictional paradigm.
The last few years have left the leaders of both parties looking for answers to quell the growing momentum for an individual who predicted the ending before the previews even started. If America truly wishes to avoid an encore performance directed by the establishment machine, they must first reject its host of actors, and elect a man who doesn't read from a script.
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