#occupyideas

Greta Lee from New York performs Carey from New York, a self-proclaimed "independent media watchdog" who created Occupy Ideas on Twitter (#concreteideas) to share concrete ideas from voices in the movement.

This performance took place at The Civilians' Let Me Ascertain You: Occupy Wall Street, Part II at Joe's Pub in New York City on January 13, 2012.

***Before you read my inane ramblings, I highly suggest that you pick up a copy of Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science, and Bad Religion in a World Without God, by Greg Graffin.

Below are the lyrics from the song Too Much to Ask from the 1992 album Generator by Bad Religion. Long regarded as one of the kings of punk rock, Bad Religion has been producing music for 30 years. My love for them is born from a constant stream of thought provoking music that challenges the vocabulary and provokes thinking when it comes to social, religious, ecological, and political themes. The song's lyrics are pleading from front man Greg Graffin, who is asking one simple question. Is it too much to ask for some peace around here?

In the past 30+ days, the Occupy movement has put that question into play. A movement that quickly became global and is relying on social media to fuel it's message. It is something quite powerful to ask that question in a way that demands a response. I shudder to ponder some of the possible outcomes to this, but I cannot help but feel optimistic that we have stumbled on to something life-changing.

Perhaps stumbled is the wrong term in this case. Those at the fore-front of this leader-less movement intend to implement change and exercise our constitutional obligation to stand-up and remove those from power who intend to do us harm.

The very question "Is it too much to ask?" shows that the person asking the question believes the answer to be simple, but that there is no one listening.

I would like to take a look at a few of the items that Mr. Graffin so eloquently pines for, in context with the Occupy movement. 

A refreshing plunge a drink of palatable water a deep inspiration on a warm summer day a safe stroll in the middle of the road community a neighbor who in times of need will not turn away I ain't no politician I am a citizen And I wonder if I'm living too far out of bounds

This first verse captures the simplicity of his optimal living conditions. He isn't dreaming of a mansion on the Hills, fancy cars, or private jets. He wants clean water and to feel a sense of community and safety.

This is very reflective of the Occupy movement from the standpoint that we recognize that not everyone can be rich, we just want an agenda that takes into account the lives of all Americans and at least attempts to create an environment that suits the majority.

community protection rehabilitation police that serve without legitimate right to maim global awareness ecological guilt cultural and environmental awakening I ain't no optimist I try to be a realist and I think that we are living too far out of bounds

This verse goes into some of the same themes, but expands to more specific wants. Rehabilitation being one that strikes home for me, and I am sure many in the Occupy movement. We are not doing enough in this country to  rehabilitate our criminals. A large percentage of criminals spending time in prison are doing so because they acted in desperation or have simply given up on the system. If we show them that the system CAN work for them, we may just restore hope rather than tossing them back on the street in hopes that they repeat their past mistakes for profit.

I also think the line "police that serve without legitimate right to maim" will hit home to those occupiers who have spent time in Zucotti Park or anywhere across the globe. The police presence has exercised their "right to maim" on unarmed civilians who are simply exercising their 1st amendment right. It is deplorable and ever so telling regarding the main stream media and their refusal to cover any of these occupations fairly to the people.

Greg Graffin is a evolutionary biologist, so it is no surprise to see his reference to global awareness and environmental awakening. I know the Occupy movement has it's own contingent of citizens screaming loud for this cause.  

remote control three cars for every family corruption at the expense of the simple majority a violent crash a plunder of the third world any wretched ploy that bolsters our economy I ain't no blind supporter I'm a conscious citizen and I know that we are living too far out of bounds is it too much to ask? can we keep the earth from sinking? I can see the walls closing in No one can take much for granted anymore

Apparently, when writing this song Mr. Graffin couldn't keep the stark reality of life from pervading his wistful day-dreaming. He points out many injustices that I know hit home for the Occupy movement.

"Plunder of the third world", how many countries are we flying drones in these days?

I especially enjoy the line "corruption at the expense of the simple majority", because it is the base of the Occupy movement, as I see it. The very rich in this country have put their corruption and greed before the American people. They have purchased our government to make sure that it was legal and they hoped we would stay silent, feeding us with distractions that are meaningless and hoping our consumption would drown out the sound of printing money.

MoJo reports on progress and dissent on forming demands - though it seems that the group opposed which the article speaks about is still for demands, though of a looser, more ethical basis. As such, I don't see why it couldn't be both. Many professions have ethical guidelines. Proposing some for the government and business could still work fine with some specific demands.

But, I think that we need to clarify what precisely we want to change. Otherwise, it's just 'rabble rabble'. We need to point out flaws to fix so that they can be fixed! This will also clarify who we are to the still unsure public - and I think much of it (if not most or all) will resonate with them, which will make OWS stronger.

Out of all the demands from the Occupy movement the "moderate financial transaction tax" is the most doable in the short term and targets exactly the right people. Basically it is a tax on stock transfers, they have this in the UK and it's called stamp duty.

Here's what Elliot has to say:

There are so many benefits to imposing [the stock transfer] tax. One, it generates a lot of revenue that we need for a jobs program, education, all the other things. Two, it would stop some of the high-speed trading that serves no good public purpose. Computer-driven trading, which is — according to some estimates — half to two-thirds of the volume, it’s all Goldman trading to Bank of America, buying it back. It does nothing for society, and yet, it is what is driving the market and the volatility, hurting the real investors like you and me or hundreds of thousands — millions of others. Taxing that would be good for the market on top of everything else.

A bit hard to imagine a focus on a policy that specific, or a chant about the transfer tax, perhaps. Spitzer was also enthusiastic about the protests:

This is organic, it is genuine, it is amassing more and more support day by day. It has touched a nerve and I think this could really begin to say to the Obama administration “Hey, you don’t understand what we, the public, are saying to you.” He’s off there — you know, he has been so flat on this issue of Wall Street and the economy. Maybe this will finally push the president to speak with a new, more aggressive, dynamic voice.