Occupy Wall Street has been a phenomenal awakening--and I have been proud to be a part of the non-sleepover (wimp...) outer ring of regular marchers. Tomorrow, c'mon out for another important phase in holding the economic Thieves Guild accountable--with a tour of the lairs of a few billionaires who hole up in Manhattan and wreak havoc on the country and the world.
The billionaire's tour is anchored by Beyond May 12th. We'll be starting at 12:30 at 59th St. and 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
Here is why this is important. I, and others, have been making a regular argument--before the wonderful OWS launch--that we need to see the crisis we are in as one that has its roots in a failed economic system that goes back at least 30 years. It isn't simply the financial meltdown in 2008, and the demand that those bankers and financial mandarins who played with and ruined the life savings of millions of people.
We've had a small elite ruin the American Dream for a very, very long time.
These are the people who can pay for the ENTIRE Obama jobs plan if we can get through an incredible modest surcharge on their wealth.
And this "tour" of the lairs of a few symbols of the robbery of the wealth of the nation and the planet will underscore the point.
Our targets:
Rupert Murdoch--well, we all know The Rupe's hand across the globe, from manipulation of news, to crushing unions, to wiretapping (and, conveniently, not remembering anything about the wiretapping). A cool $44-million duplex--you'all can afford that, right?--sits at 834 Fifth Avenue. Rupe, we're coming for tea.
David Koch--he and his brother, as many know, have given tens of millions of dollars to right-wing organizations. And, now, are planning to spend at least $200 million in 2012 to hand our government over to the lunatic right-wing, pro-business fringe. If you "liked" the 2008 financial collapse, you ain't seen nothing yet if these wing-nuts get their way.
Howard Millstein--the huge real estate mogul. He didn't play directly in the subprime mortgage but he one of the leading reasons people can no longer find affordable housing in New York. And atarget of legal actions that underscore the seamy side of real estate:
The suit, filed in December, also claims that billionaire Howard Milstein -- the strong-willed current head of Milstein Properties -- tried to cover up the alleged zoning violations by withholding information from the city and the state attorney general.
The family has until March 5 to respond to the suit.
Litigation is nothing new for the Milsteins. They are one of the city's oldest and most successful real estate families, but also among the most controversial.
"The Milsteins are always pushing the envelope," said Richard Farren, the attorney representing the tenants. "That's what they did when they built 30 Lincoln Plaza, and it's what they're trying to do now that they're converting the building." [emphasis added]
John Paulson--this billionaire is a central manipulator of the market. He's in trouble because his bets have gone sour, particularly as the price of gold has fallen. But, as The Wall Street Journal shows today, this is a guy who piled up a huge fortune betting against housing prices...get it? He wanted people to lose their homes so he could make a profit:
The declines come at a delicate time for Mr. Paulson, who gained prominence by cashing in on a bet against the U.S. housing market and has a net worth recently estimated at $15.5 billion by Forbes magazine. His hedge funds have shrunk in value after losses, people familiar with the situation say, and some investors face a month-end deadline to ask for their money back.[emphasis added]
Jamie Dimon: you know, the guy who played a central role in the sub-prime mortgage scam from his perch at JPMorgan and is now whining about new regulations to make sure another scam can't be perpetrated on the people.
The Job Party will be there with our Audacity of Greed posters.
We need to make their lives a living hell.