So what did you do with the money?

Years ago, I embraced communism as the best of all possible systems. To each according to his needs – from each according to his abilities. It sounds so fair and good. If I could not do for myself, then a benevolent government would step in and provide for me. If I needed housing, healthcare, or food, the government would happily hand it out. In turn, once I was able I could do good works and pay back so that others in need could be helped. That was years ago, I grew out of that magical mindset. Read George Orwell's “Animal Farm” and you'll see why I turned my back on communism.

I fervently embrace capitalism now as the best system ever created. The United States is still the greatest country in the world. The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protests remind me of the seventies – not the sixties, the seventies. The sixties were all about focused political protests against the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. In the seventies the movements of the sixties split into two factions – back to nature and disco dancing. The seventies was the after party that carried on for a decade. The protests that were still going on were heavily infiltrated by drug addicts, criminals, and hard core partiers. Remember the Manson family? The chains of events that began in the sixties ended in the seventies. But, in this Occupy Wall Street system of protests it seems to me that the important events are non-events. Nothing noteworthy has happened.

I'm personally pleased that most of the big banks have backed off on their proposed debit card fees. So far, Bank of America, Regions, Chase, and Wells Fargo have decided against charging customers a fee for using their debit card. I'm happy about that, I was going to close my account. I'm happy to save $5. a month. But, come on, isn't all this a whole lot of hoopla for such meager results?

The OWS favorite slogan is: We are the 99%. Meaning that the 1% controls the wealth of this country. I don't doubt it. They [the OWS protesters] pride themselves on having no leadership. They have even named their lack of leadership, calling it a a “horizontal system” and call themselves the “horizontals”. I can't imagine that lack of leadership can really be a good thing. It sounds good, more or less like my own fascination with socialism when I was in high school. Sounds good, but as a practical matter – no thank you. Human nature gets in the way. Prior to Hitler taking control, Germany was leaderless.

I can understand that people are angry. Angry at the world, these are tough times. People have lost their jobs, lost their homes, they can't find new jobs, its impossible to get a bank loan – people feel stuck. The economy is miserable. Unemployment is 9-14% depending on who you listen to. Foreclosures continue. People feel that they have been taken advantage of by corporate America -- not given a fair chance. They want to redistribute the wealth. They want their fair share, an even break. I am somewhat sympathetic.

I agree that the blame for the state of the current economy rests firmly on the backs of the powerful. The burden of blame is shared by the public and private sectors. The public sector for allowing the ridiculous combination of regulation and deregulation; and the private sector for finding and using every advantage possible against a [mostly] unsuspecting citizenry. The government deregulated the mortgage industry to make themselves seem wise and add to their popularity; and the private sector [wall street traders, mortgage bankers, and realtors] ran with it.

The public is not off scot free, some were, for real and truly, so naïve as to be duped into believing that the modest house they owned, bought, or were buying was really worth the price of a mansion. Tulipmania. Some other citizens, now singing the blues, took full advantage of the free wheeling nearly punch drunk money machines, formerly known as their homes. And when the money machine went tilt, they began to scream with the rest of them. And, yes many others, are at neither extreme, and were just caught up in this dismal economy one way or another, and now protest, hoping someone in power will listen.

I'm not convinced that the protesters are aware of history. The masks they wear are of Guy Fawkes, who, in 1605, was hanged for treason for plotting to blow up the British Parliament. November 5 is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Day to celebrate his death – not his life or accomplishments.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.



I don't know why the OWS would want to identify themselves or their cause with Guy Fawkes.

The OWS is making serious tactical errors. If they want their way, if they want to reach their goals, they need to make their demands known soon, very soon. They have attracted the world's attention – now what?

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” Frederick Douglass

If the OWS waits much longer before making their demands, the world will stop listening. We will grow bored with their antics and find another media frenzy to follow on the world stage.

According to their own report, the OWS, has collected over $500,000. in donations to their cause. My biggest questions is how are they spending the money? To benefit the few, – or to benefit the many?