As I listen to the media I keep hearing this need to boil down "occupy wall street" to a simple 30 second sound bite. I also hear this need for the "occupiers" to solve all the problems in 30 seconds or less. Even Countdown calls for "clarity."
The truth is simple. The occupiers are pissed off, angry, upset, at a whole lot of different issues. As Howard Beale said:
The 30 second sound bite is that we are mad as hell and we are not going to take this anymore.
Solving all the problems we are faced with will not be simple. The puzzle has many parts and to focus on any one part to the exclusion of others is mistaken. For example to focus on corporatism ignores the wars and jobs. To focus on health care ignores unlimited spending by corporations. To focus on regulations ignores the problems labor unions are faced with. To focus on education ignores trade problems. An on and on. I haven't even mentioned global warming or the need for more energy.
To deal with all these problems can not be done in a 30 second sound bite or a simple list of demands. And yet that is what is being demanded. If one looks at the diversity of topics discussed hear at DailyKos one can see many of the puzzle pieces. The complexity of puzzle is amazing and the complexity of what is needed to put the puzzle together is even more so.
So go to "occupy" whatever and shout "I am mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore."