Occupy Wall Street

A nascent movement that hasn't been getting much attention up here in Canada is the interesting development that began in Lower Manhattan and has spread to other US cities - Chicago, San Francisco and several more so far. A small but increasing number of people have been camping in a park close to Wall Street, peacefully and quietly demonstrating against the dishonesty and financial excesses of dealers, brokers and high rollers both in Wall Street and in the big banks. The blatant arrogance and greed of these folk has begun to outrage more and more of their victims. I've heard two thoughtful commentators compare this movement to the riots that scarred London and several provincial cities in England last summer - social scientists who have studied the rioters have discerned a common thread running through the motivation of the predominantly youthful mobs, disillusion with the prevailing economic system and hopelessness and helplessness about their predicament - the rioters were 'have-nots,' expressing their anger against the 'haves,' who over recent years have systematically devised schemes to enrich themselves and impoverish everyone else. The 'Occupy Wall Street' movement is more gentle, more polite, entirely non-violent, entirely law-abiding. This hasn't stopped the police from harassing and arresting large numbers, nor from applying (illegally) some harsh enforcement methods such as use of pepper spray against non-violent resistors. I think the police may come to regret this gratuitous use of force: they may have misjudged the depth of anger and resentment of the many millions whose good jobs have been exported to Mexico, China, Bangladesh, etc, and whose homes have been and are still being foreclosed. Labor unions in the USA are weak and mostly ineffectual, but Occupy Wall Street has the support of at least one union so far, largely symbolic perhaps but it's a start. It seems pretty certain now that the recession will deepen, more jobs, more homes will be lost; and in the grip of another bout of the USA's periodic madness fomented by the Tea Party supporters they elected, the US Congress and state legislatures will not enact legislation to raise taxes to pay for urgently needed infrastructure repair and maintenance, apparently preferring to maintain high unemployment rates. These right wing legislators don't use the word of course but they are behaving in ways that have created a kleptocracy, replacing the failed democracy of the USA. Lobbyists tell elected congress how to vote, electors are ignored, so there is widespread cynicism, fewer and fewer even bother to vote. I am so thankful that Wendy and I rejected the USA as a place to settle permanently! I hope our children and grandchildren are grateful for our decision!