There've been more than a few good people expressing frustration at the lack of "demands" or "goals" of the #occupywallstreet movement. I'm posting this because I want to try to explain why there cannot be any demands right now if we are to be successful and to ask those who are uncomfortable with the process to reconsider.
Follow me below the squiggle. I promise I'll keep it brief.
A demand is only as good as the possibility of the carrying out of the threat attached to it.
If your 4 year old decides to demand ice cream before dinner, that's cool. If he says he'll hold his breath until he gets it, you can turn around and walk away. That's not a demand. That's pure comedy.
If you're a worker at Wal-mart, you can demand a raise and safer working conditions. And you can refuse to work the register for another minute until you get your demands met. You can also expect that last paycheck next Friday. But if you are a Verizon employee, a member of CWA or a Ford employee, and member of UAW, well then, you've got some power to make some demands.
Think about why that is. The larger the group and the more influence they have over operations, the stronger you are and the more likely you are to get those who are in power to listen to you and TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT even when they don't want to.
And that's where we are, folks. The powerful interests in this country that run government and dictate out lives will not be accommodating the middle class without serious threat of danger, damage or loss. That's just the way it goes. And while I personally prefer the guillotine solution, that's probably not gonna fly nowadays.
Right now the #OccupyWallStreet movement lacks the power to make the types of demands that are needed. Make no mistake, it's growing. And make no mistake, these people are not confused. The types of demands they know they'll need to make will need MASSIVE BUY-IN and a national sense of collective consciousness. The problems with our system are deep and endemic. They are not problems that the powerful 1% will give up without the threat of VERY serious consequences.
For many of us on this blog, the problems are obvious and have been for a long time. The decline of the middle class at the expense of the wealthy and privileged is not news. The abject corruption of our politics is not surprising. We've been watching everyday - some for 40+ years now.
But we're the exception, folks.
Here's what we know: the country (70%+) are angry, frustrated, disillusioned and bitter about our political process and what seems to be systemic unfairness - being "left out" of the American dream. People are starting to understand that. But I think it's safe to say that a good portion of them don't know who to blame. They go back and forth blaming democrats, then republicans when the problem is bigger and deeper than both. They are looking for the reasons and trying to understand who to blame. This is why our House of Representatives is filled with tea baggers today even after the most productive congress in a generation.
So this movement is helping somnolent, confused and mostly propagandized Americans understand something new. Hear something that they many NEVR have heard or thought of before. After all, where would they have heard it? CNN? New York Times? MSNBC? Dancing with the Stars? Who has properly placed the blame for the decline and demise of the middle class? Who? That's right. Nobody.
So first, before any demands can be made, a massive re-education must occur. An awakening, not of those of us who "got it" all along. We're the ones who need to be spreading the word and explaining this to people who just don't know why they can't seem to afford a decent life anymore. Or why they can't find affordable health insurance. Or why they'll never own a home. Or why they're stuck with $100,000 in student loan debt. Or why they can't find a job even after all these years. WE NEED TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHY. Because WE know why. This is not about democrats or republicans. It's about the corrupting influence of money effecting and destroying literally every aspect of our lives.
Once the people understand why and who really is to blame; once we have a majority buy-in on this thing; once we have a mass of Americans who understand that, indeed, it's the very rich against all the rest of us and that unless we act together, we are nothing but expendable; then and only then can we begin vocalizing the demands.
Notice I didn't say constructing the demands. I said vocalizing them. Why? Because if you think those folks are sleeping in a cold park without knowing what they eventually want, you're sadly mistaken.
But 400 people in a park cannot demand that the money be completely taken out of the electoral process. Four hundred people in a park cannot demand that there be an increase in minimum wages and worker benefits. Four hundred people in a park cannot demand extra taxes on the very wealthy or a complete restructuring of the tax code. Four hundred people in a park cannot force the decentralization of the banks or increased spending on education, the environment and jobs. Four hundred people in a park cannot demand the overturn of Citizens United. But 4 million or 40 million people nationwide can.
So we're not THERE yet. We are not at a place where we can make these demands. Right now, we are like the Walmart cashier who is right but will be fired anyway. Unless....we start garnering support among OTHER cashiers, and stockers, and deli people and other workers at the store to understand that we're not being treated right. And to create a community and a sense of common purpose, even if it means sacrifice.
That's where the movement is right now. If you already know the problem (and if you're on DKos, the chances are about 100% that you do), understand it's YOUR JOB to help others understand the TRUE problem. There will be no demands until we have a plurality that is willing to go the distance. Willing to walk out of work or take all their money out of the big banks. Willing to take some risks that we know will get some attention and possibly motivate some action. There can be no demands until the majority UNDERSTANDS that unless they act fearlessly, their lives and their children's lives are all but worthless. America, in general, is NOT THERE YET.
But we're getting there. And when we do, WE WILL WIN.