Comments on: Occupy Wall Street and rose-tinted glasses

By: jdavis429

jdavis429 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:06:14 +0000

theoretically, people view themselves as being somewhat equal to those around them. for the 99% people are all relatively close in equality in comparison to the 1%, but there are visible differences from middle class and the impoverished. Most people would probably define the haves as simply not being in poverty and getting by decently. I do not think this poll accurately displays how people view themselves. People do not honestly believe there is no difference between the ultrarich and themselves, but they see that most people are not unlike them.

By: RHVC42

RHVC42 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:09:00 +0000

According to your article ‘ the official poverty line grew to 46.2 million last year’ in the USA last year.

Lets put that into context:

That is the equivalent of two thirds of the population of the United Kingdom living below the poverty line

Or put more simply still – every two Brits out of 3 living in poverty!

Now that is something any civilised society must get grip on and seek to reduce before it leads to serious social problems!

By: FinanceTherapy

FinanceTherapy — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:55:05 +0000

The Occupy movements need to focus on one or two clear objectives, and direct the groundswell of support toward them. Without a clear vision, it will sputter and dissolve.

I agree about regulations, like reinstating the Glass Stegall act. However, protesting corporate greed while continuing to buy what the malefactors are selling is doomed to failure.

Most of us may feel there is no gap between rich and poor because envision that it is more of a spectrum. The vanishing middle class is not apparent to enough people, yet. I think we need to focus on market power, and how to give consumers the voice they should have in a competitive market. Otherwise, we’ll just be protesting ourselves out of our own jobs.
http://finance-therapy.com/Finance_Thera py/Blog/Entries/2011/10/10_Occupy_WalMar t_%28Part_2%29.html

By: theinfamoush6

theinfamoush6 — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:47:14 +0000

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has no mention of comparative income equality. If too many americans still think they are part of the haves, it has to be because they’re too happy with their plasma screen tvs, dishwashers, washerdryers, that they’d rather call themselves haves. No one has to focus on self definition in this country, just hte american dream, and so the poll is flawed, even though the 1% continue to gather all the income, and spend it on yachts, upper east side penthouses, and other goods bible belters don’t concern themselves with. The best sign I saw at occupy the cbot was “wake me when the american dream.”

By: heavyhauler

heavyhauler — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:24:35 +0000

I’m a trucker driver and been with my company for 20 years.I stand to make the same salary this year as I did 20 years ago,while corporate profits have soared, ceo pay is off the charts,the cost of living has gone up dramatically.I’m tired of hearing politicans saying it my fault I’m not rich.I just want to pay my bills.AS long as cheap labor keep come across our boarders and China keeps manipulating their currency nothing will change.I support both the Tea Party and the Wall Street protesters.

By: hiddengun

hiddengun — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:57:14 +0000

Hooray. We finally have our own Jasmine.

By: datascientist

datascientist — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:08:22 +0000

The Top 1% account for more of the total income in the US compared to other countries. In 1950, wealth concentration in the US was comparable to other countries.

http://www.verisi.com/resources/us-incom e-inequality.htm

Besides the growing financialization, focusing on Wall Street’s excess (e.g., bonus payouts) is appropriate: the last two years saw the largest NYC bonus totals, outside of the record breaking 3-year stretch from 2005-2007. See charts below for details:

http://www.verisi.com/resources/wall-st- bonuses.htm

By: The99Percent

The99Percent — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:37:09 +0000

It’s no shock to me that many Americans are viewing themselves through rose-colored glasses. That’s exactly why we’re in the position we’re in today. We’ve sat idle by as our elected officials have watered down our rights, increased the economic divide, and embarrassed our nation on the global stage.

The Occupy America movement has moved well beyond NYC, beyond Boston, Chicago, DC & LA… it’s moved to small towns, universities, even local government buildings. The 99% will no longer remain silent.

https://www.facebook.com/The.Ninety.Nine .Percent