The Occupiers want freedom for all, not dependency for some.
Ed Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation, in his editorial of Nov 9, 2011 “Tea Party vs. the Occupiers” has sadly, but with no surprise misunderstood the Occupy movement. Trying to claim the Occupy movement would “deviate America from its historic course” and would “make our county less free and more dependent on an ever growing Government” just goes to show that those on the right, still are not listening.
Mr. Feulner’s claims that the occupy movement wants to limit free speech due to opposition with decision of Citizens United vs. FEC. The Supreme Court decision did not reject that notion of who can, or cannot speak freely. The court placed a monetary value on speech, creating a system where money is equivalent to speech. Corporations have used their coffers to push a agenda that leaves the “We the People” that the founders envisioned in jeopardy. Thomas Paine stated: “A Government of our own is our natural right”, How can the voice of the people be free, and Government be ours when money pervades our elected officials.
Mr. Feulner attacks the Occupy Movement for opposing bailouts to wall street, which to the credit of the tea party they also oppose, yet, apparently favoring special exemptions for companies that claim to be “green”. The United States should be at the forefront embracing of the green industrial revolution that has created millions of jobs worldwide, while protecting our environment. Green initiatives create jobs, something we Americans sorely need. According to BioFina, a creator of bio-renewable plastics: A greener economy could create upwards of four million jobs, reduce greenhouse emissions, cut energy prices and create a more stable economy, while protecting the environment.
Furthermore, Mr. Feulners attacks on the EPA, stating that the Occupy movement wants the EPA to have “authoritarian powers to...shut down corporations, businesses or any entities that intentionally or recklessly damage the environment” is a bad thing. Is this really a issue that should divides us, whether or not we should stop corporations from damaging our environment.
Mr. Feulner is half right when he claims the Occupy Movement wants to help “deviate America from its historic course” The current course that we have been on for the past thirty or so years is one we must deviate from. Growing inequality, rampant greed, assault on civil liberties, fighting wars we can’t pay for, unregulated markets are causing a race to the bottom for a vast majority of the American people. President. Andrew Jackson in a letter to John Quincy Adams stated: “In general, the great can protect themselves, but the poor and humble require the arm and shield of the law” Occupy Wall Street intends to remind the government of this responsibility. They have looked out for the top at our expense for far to long. We don’t want equal results, we want equal opportunity and protection from those who assault our standard of living for nothing more then higher profits.
Mr Feulner's editorial as appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 11/9/11 can be found at:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/...