"We have, in a phrase, confused ends with means," observed Nobel economist Joseph E. Stiglitz ("The Book of Jobs," Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2011). "A banking system is supposed to serve society, not the other way around. That we should tolerate such a confusion of ends and means says something deeply disturbing about where our economy and our society have been heading. Americans in general are coming to understand what has happened. Protesters around the country, galvanized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, already know." These remarks readily generalize to the world-wide Occupy Movement.
Real solutions
Unfortunately, however, the 'new world order' is marked by leniency to those allowing expedience to dominate and tower over a more muted and stewarded approach to electioneering, governing and managing. Thus if the Ninety-nine percent want a real solution, they must not only recognize and stand up for shared values but manifest contempt against this leniency -- in their own respective ranks!
You cannot compromise with those who do not wish to compromise. So easy to say, so difficult to believe and take seriously. The corollary is still more difficult, especially so for the dignity set: When the HB One Percent declare war, the Ninety-nine percent (largely DB) must respond with war. They have not. Until they do so by some meaningful metaphor, the opposition is in a default win-win posture.
The promise of the Occupy Movement is in its massed presence, whether with demonstrations, closures or boycotts. Nothing less will survive the winter drain on nerves and stamina. Nothing less will deliver a message the opposition will regard without laughing in contempt. It is easy to complain, but supremely difficult to convince the masses not to vote against their own interests, or to get couch potatoes into the streets, or to get the One Percent to take anything seriously but themselves.
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