COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Mark Cuban - Oct 14, 2011 - Public So what does everyone think about OWS ? - Comment - Share +128 16 shares - Bradley Michaels ., Brandon Nattress, Colin Petersen, Eduardo Moya, Joao Cabral and 11 more 499 comments Tero Paananen - +99 Oct 14, 2011 +6 john willis - great, more wall street news :/ Oct 14, 2011 +1 Prince Williams - oh occupy wall street.. duhh. i think its for a great cause.. im all for it. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Ivan Pulleyn - having large numbers of people engaged in direct action in support of their beliefs can be nothing but healthy for a democracy Oct 14, 2011 +41 Thomas Kang - I agree that it's better to let power to elect public officials reside in the power of the individual than in the power of the dollar. Oct 14, 2011 +16 Laura Topliffe - +Prince Williams OWS = #OccupyWallStreet Oct 14, 2011 +1 john willis - Wall Street likes Obama > http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-campaign-attracts-wall-street-money-despite-tensions/2011/07/22/gIQApIugTI_story.html Oct 14, 2011 +2 Steven Streight - I like the grass roots movement to demand that Wall Street crooks go to prison and no more illegal foreclosures. Obama's campaign was funded by Wall Street firms. It's time for real hope and change. Oct 14, 2011 +9 Jaebadiah S. Gardner - I hope they organize and make reasonable demands that will actually have an effect on the low income and middle class population. Oct 14, 2011 +5 Jon Cortelyou - Unorganized but it's about time people are getting organized and start the process. Oct 14, 2011 +3 Nouri Chibane - i think they need a a concise message and realistic demands...also, people with signs that say things like 'end the fed' have no idea what the federal reserve does and no clue that their parents probably benefited from a lower interest rate on their mortgage or had a lower rate on their student loans as a result of the fed's monetary policy. that kind of stuff discredits everyone involved. Oct 14, 2011 +7 Prince Williams - The government has been getting over us for years. Oct 14, 2011 Bud Friesel - o.O....oh, Occupy Wall Street. Duh. Had to think for a second. and i don't like it. Not to bright people basically bitching about....something. Once their message becomes more clear, i'll start taking them seriously. about whatever it is their whining about. Oct 14, 2011 +1 john willis - We already have a grass roots movement, its called the nov. elections Oct 14, 2011 +14 Wes Lum - Curious what you think about it, as you probably fall in the 1%... Oct 14, 2011 +4 Prince Williams - once organization comes into play then OWS will be even more effective. agree? Oct 14, 2011 mike vallejo - Hippies with out a cause ,left leaning union thugs ,well meaning people who want a job and idiots that are tweeting on iphones about corporate greed . just freedom in all its glory ! Oct 14, 2011 +11 Elisa Tammela - My views might not be popular... but you can read it on my wall if you are interested. https://plus.google.com/109519872564472121189/posts/71o4csLm13a Oct 14, 2011 +2 john willis - I never made in the 1% dont care for it Oct 14, 2011 Air Dedman - Save the middle class !!! Oct 14, 2011 +3 Charlie Soeh - Hire these folks and problem fixed Oct 14, 2011 +1 james Nixon - Mark I've been following this pretty closely and I'm not sure what to think. Some of the points they make seem very valid but their solutions are either absent or ridiculous. That's where I am but what do you think as one of the 1%? btw my wife worked for you at audionet a thousand years ago, she loves to tell the story. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Randall Beggs - problem is it begs opinions... many of which are oppositional.... OWS difference of perspective caused a row between myself and a neighbor, but I think they have a message... if nothing else there is something collusion smelly going on with lawmakers and powerful rich, and the folks who want to play by the rules and make a living are getting left out. Oct 14, 2011 +10 Cliff Rosson - Lots of courage. Lack of fundamental economic understanding though. Then again I think that about most things. Oct 14, 2011 +5 Prince Williams - good point Randall Oct 14, 2011 +1 Ian Saukerson - People are pissed, they have every right to be, but most don't understand the nature of the problem. +john willis So in November do you vote for Team A that kowtows to special interest Y or Team B that caters to special interest Y? Oct 14, 2011 +4 Valerie Landau - http://progreso-weekly.com/2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2827%3Awho-controls-the-street&catid=38%3Ain-the-united-states&Itemid=55 Oct 14, 2011 Tero Paananen - It's pretty clear some folks commenting haven't taken even a peak at what the OWS people are actually about. Ignorance is bliss. Keep on harping about their clothing choices. That says more about you than them. Oct 14, 2011 +24 Justin Gee - Complaining about something and providing no real solutions to the table does nothing. Oct 14, 2011 +12 robby dildy - I think ows is nice and it gets folks talking and brings awareness but as the mafia say,' if you gonna be mixed up in something be mixed up at the top'. If u tryibg to infiltrate wallpaper you cant do it fron from ground level ,you need folks on the inside. Oct 14, 2011 Tero Paananen - +Justin Gee you really think there are no solutions being offered? sigh Oct 14, 2011 +5 Justin Gee - +Tero Paananen No real or reasonable solutions no. Oct 14, 2011 +5 Robert Dewey - Start a company. Sell it for billions. Sounds like a simple plan to me. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Alex Marquez - I think they have a point about the banks acting all high and mighty about having a right to profit (which they do) but at the same time needing tax payers money to bail them out. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mark, but aren't banks who make bad decisions to the point of failing, supposed to be left alone to fail? I thought that's how capitalism worked to some degree? Anyway Mark, congrats on the 'chip. We need more owners like you in the NBA. GO LAKESHOW!!! Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 (edited) +5 Ryan Lephart - pretty much sums it up... http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrismenning/real-news-dumbed-down-occupy-wall-street Oct 14, 2011 +2 Brandon Badger - OWS has helped refocus public attention on the real problems of unemployment and inequality which result from a rigged system. Two clear demands from OWS that will make America stronger: 1) Reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act. Banks need sound regulations. No bank should be allowed to be too big to fail. 2) Overturn the 'corporations are people' law that lets corporations buy the political process. Oct 14, 2011 +19 Kim Rudd - We'll see what kind of show of support they can pull off tomorrow for the 'Global Day of Action.' http://15october.net/ Personally I think it is a very public boondoggle. Their ability to affect any political or social change is virtually zero, I'm afraid. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Bob Martin - I think it's great and hope that they don't become confused and pick someone or another group to align themselves with. 'They don't need no politician around there' Oct 14, 2011 +1 john willis - > What I can't reconcile is the vitriol towards congressional republicans, at least regarding the two tarp bailouts, when a large majority of them voted AGAINST Bush's AND Obama's TARP programs! The widely maligned T.E.A. party came into existence PRECISELY because of Bush's bailout. They hated it! The wall street bailout is something the Tea Party and the OWS protesters should be in complete agreement about. Most on the right don't like bailouts. If a business fails it's bankruptcy, not bailouts. It was the political left supporting the bailout. Moreover, it was Obama and congressional/senatorial DEMOCRATS that bailed out wall street! So, the same people protesting Wall Street are the ones who support Obama - the largest giver of money TO Wall Street and the largest beneficiary of Wall Street money. More than any other American politician in the history of this country. It's bizarro world. Jasper Ball Baggins Collapse this comment Oct 14, 2011 +6 Deborah Ash - Is it really up to OWS to provide solutions? Isn't that the job of the politicians we voted for? The problem might be that there are so many issues - there is no 'one' solution - just like in 'real life'. But, I do know many feel the same way that I do, 'I am not against businesses, technology, or corporations or advancement within these areas. I stand against plutocracy and the financial inequalities our world faces today. Agendas to earn millions by burdening the working class with more taxes, higher fuel costs, less freedom, and subpar living conditions is what I stand against. Politicians who take the side of millionaires and corporations to line their own pockets is what I stand against. Banks that refuse to fund small businesses and non-profit organizations but willingly take our homes and taxpayer dollars are who I stand against. Reformers who say they are for making our educational institutions better and then set them up to fail is who I stand against. I could go on, but you should get the picture. I don't want to be part of the 1%; I just want an equal chance 'to be'.' ~Dr. Deborah Ash The solution? Stop treating corporations like people and start treating people equally. There is a stagnation in distribution of wealth in the United States unforeseen in our history. Collapse this comment Oct 14, 2011 (edited) +5 james Nixon - It all goes back to too much govenment involvement. Any first year economics student that read Hayek should already know this. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Derek Anderson - hope that it makes a difference Oct 14, 2011 Michael Phares - Better question is, as a wealthy mover & shaker, what do YOU think about it, Mark? ;-) Oct 14, 2011 +6 Ian Saukerson - +Justin Gee Matt Taibbi lined up 5 things that would be a great start http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/my-advice-to-the-occupy-wall-street-protesters-20111012 Those are fine and dandy. But if you're conservative, like me, it comes down to ending the Federal Reserve and getting government the hell out of business Oct 14, 2011 +2 Prince Williams - he sure wont go there. Oct 14, 2011 Derek Anderson - I do think that the message has been somewhat confusing. Not as well defined as is needed. Oct 14, 2011 Ian Saukerson - +Deborah Ash A good place to start would be to stop depending on politicians for solutions. Politicians, by their nature, don't solve problems. They win elections. That's their trade. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Derek Anderson - I think we need to also get Business the hell out of Government! Oct 14, 2011 +7 Ian Saukerson - +Derek Anderson It's kind of a chicken and egg argument when it comes to government corruption and corporate exploitation. But yes, separating them both is a great place to start Oct 14, 2011 +1 john willis - +Derek Anderson I think you mean gov out of bus Oct 14, 2011 +2 zach heinbockel - OFWG? Oct 14, 2011 gabe smith - +Brandon Jones has some good thoughts fro the Desk of Brian. But, I'll keep my theories to myself. By the way, I don't think you're an Evil Capitalist. Go Mavs!!!! Oct 14, 2011 +1 Nathan Duffy - Putting aside their general disarray, lack of a coherent vision, and erratic leftist soak-the-rich sentiment, still the movement is imbecilic. If I boiled their complaints and demands down into something comprehensible, those would still be wrong and foolish. Specificity does no good when your genetal aim/direction is ITSELF misguided. Oct 14, 2011 +3 Cliff Rosson - #praxeology Oct 14, 2011 +1 SUAVE' C. - What is OWS ? or where do I find info on OWS. Oct 14, 2011 Nathan Duffy - *general Oct 14, 2011 gabe smith - Occupy Wall Street. We're trivializing it. Oct 14, 2011 Leo Delati - Its about time that people stopped looking at their iPhones, and noticed what their neighbors are going through. Oct 14, 2011 +2 William Smith - I think its a farce and these people are the new generation of hippies. I had student loans and I paid them off. I had a house and a job and I lost them and I survived without a bailout from the Government of from taxing rich people more and redistributing their wealth. America's not fair? Bullshit. LIFE isn't fair and its not going to give you anything you don't work your ass off to earn. Politicians got us IN to this mess. People looking for them to solve the problem they created is laughable at best. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +10 john willis - +Nathan Duffy HA good thing you cleared that up Oct 14, 2011 Derek Anderson - +john willis I think both. If it wasn't a race to see who gets the most Corp sponsorship...some work might get done. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Ian Saukerson - +Nathan Duffy How do you know what their complaints are? Seems to me there are a lot of people involved with a lot of different view points. Think this guy speaks for the majority? Occupy Wall Street Protester End the Fed - Best Rant! Oct 14, 2011 Tyler Weeks - The irony of a bunch of people just sitting around complaining about not having any money is a bit too much for me. They are kind of a biased sample; people with jobs don't have time to play bongos and sit on the street all day. When their message was about justice for the disastrous decisions that resulted in the financial crisis I could appreciate that. Now it just seems like a bunch of angry humanities majors that were shocked to find, upon graduation, that there are no jobs for art history majors. If these folks put half as much energy into creating jobs as they do into complaining about the lack of jobs I think they would have a much bigger impact for good. The sense of entitlement that their movement projects is part of the problem not the solution. Countries get rich when their people are industrious not indolent. My pet peeve is when people whine about the gov't not creating jobs. Governments don't create jobs, new technologies do. Screw Reaganomics (or any other -nomics), the prosperity of the 90's was driven by innovation. In fact I think it's probably more socially responsible to invest in new technologies than to donate to election campaigns. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +3 james monte - Bring the bankers and wankers to their knees,separate banking and securities again.regulate the begeebers out of it make it for the good of man and woman and not the godamn CEO ! Oct 14, 2011 +3 Doug Davis - It is the same people I see protesting because it is something to do and it does not require real work. Do not get me wrong, there are legitimate gripes with how easily lawmakers can be bought and influenced with money and power. There are some very crooked and powerful people that have no clue and do not care about the real world the U.S. and its citizens. The organizers of these protests are the same people who recruit from the streets and homeless shelters. We see them on the news at every GOP convention. These organizers promise hope and change, but in reality the organizers are profiting in secret and setting up campaign donation accounts for their own interests. In the end people want to feel like they belong and they can make a difference. I love that we have the freedom to protest, but I do not love protesters that have no idea what they are protesting. It is not Wall Street they should be protesting but instead it should be the White House. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +1 john willis - You won't tell us what YOU think, will you Mark? Oct 14, 2011 Nathan Duffy - Ian, what part of my post implies I do know? No part. I know what their general complaints are about, that's all. Oct 14, 2011 Deborah Ash - +Ian Saukerson , I agree 100% - unfortunately the politicians are the quickest way to get the solutions. We can offer them up - but it's all going to come down to getting a third party in to represent the people; 100%. So - as someone else said - hit them where it hurts and vote in November to get rid of them. Oct 14, 2011 Randall Beggs - government out of business?... all 'talk' about campaign finance reform has been just that .. talk that we usually hear in campaign rhetoric and speeches. Oct 14, 2011 Valerie Landau - 'They say our message is not clear. We tell them, our morals are.' American Dream Dispatch #8- Van Jones speaks at #OCCUPYWALLSTREET Oct 14, 2011 +2 Davidlee Willson - For those who don't understand there are points to this movement (and I am not a member) to get us off the track that sent us into the economics we are in. And, no, innovation isn't the only thing that we need to do to fix all this... Micah White mentioned some specifics a week ago in an interview in Huffington.. 'As for the practical outcome of the demonstrations, Micah (White who was involved in it's starting) hopes that there will be, 'economic justice.' Specifically, he would like to see a 'transaction tax' on international financial speculation, the reinstatement of the Glass-Stegall Act and the revocation of corporate personhood.' Me- One point specifically ...For those who don't know..Glass Steagall was repealed through a GOP push by Phill Gramm and Jim Leach who were sponsored significantly by people who wanted to break the wall down between banking and housing speculation via deregulation, just as the Congress was passing to open up the housing market to strengthen our economy and create more opportunity to lower income homes that would still keep banks subject to risk. This act is the single movement that removed the firewall in the mortgage speculation catastrophe.. it changed our entire mortgage process by allowing wall street in to a risky speculative subprime mortgage shell game...and gave no one any responsibility if a mortgage went south. If you look at the timing of it's proposal & passing ..you will see who is really at fault for our economy. This repeal broke down the regulations that gave us firewalls in an effort to expand our economy just on numbers games. leaving the uber rich getting uber richer... and screwing the middle and lower classes. It will continue to be that when they gamble on manipulated numbers... we will still pay when they lose. the link was via +adam gerber thanks Adam http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shira-lazar/micah-white-adbusters-_b_996931.html Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 (edited) +3 Timothy Pham - +Mark Cuban On one hand I think going out to protest is good for democracy even if I don't understand it or agree with it. I even understand that the message isn't coherent because people are really upset (so mad you can't even speak). But on the other, I can't see the mechanism in which changes can occur with this method. Because Wall Street isn't a person or even a company, it's hard for anyone to take responsibility because the people causing problems in our economy just assume it's the other guy's problem. It's almost like the murder of Kitty Genovese. Everyone on Wall Street assumes the other guys going to own up to the problem and deal with it. You get a diffusion of responsibility and nothing gets done. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 (edited) +3 Prince Williams - This is awesome. a controlled civilized debate from people who actually know whats going on in our nation today. Its beautiful actually Oct 14, 2011 +5 Keenan Delaney - I assume there are some well intentioned people in OWS, but their message is always drowned out by the anarchist and those who are there just to cause trouble. Perception is reality in America and the OWS message, whatever it is, is lost in all of the noise. The strategy for success during the Arab Spring, may not work in the United States. OWS is unorganized, without clearly identified leadership and/or an objective. Consequently, OWS hasn't been able to garner more grassroot support across the country. Just think of the change OWS could make if their supporters voted and either offered or supported like minded candidates. If they participated in the process by running for office and voting, OWS could achieve, whatever their goals are in a quicker and more effective manner, versus sitting in parks and outside of businesses. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +1 Robert Moss - I love it!!! Oct 14, 2011 Justin Gee - +Ian Saukerson That's a good read and some proper solutions. Now to get the protest to push that sort of thing. Oct 14, 2011 Mark Hennessey - I certainly understand their frustration, but for the most part they strike me as pathetic crybabies with a laundry list of 'demands' that sounds like an inventory of every failed economic scheme in human history. I think the 'human microphone' group chants are creepy. If you're repeating everything someone else says how are you supposed to think for yourself? Oct 14, 2011 +2 Wishes ForLife - What is Real Value Creation and how do you measure and reward RVC? Oct 14, 2011 (edited) Jack Needles - I wonder what took people so long.. and I wonder why the Tea Party, who also hated the bank bailouts now wants to destroy #OWS Oct 14, 2011 +1 Randall Beggs - true +Prince Williams I think it's empowering, too. I make an assumption (maybe a dangerous one) that Mr. Cuban (obviously in the 1%) appreciates that we are talking about it because he 'gets' it. But I would love to hear his perspective here. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Timothy Pham - +Mark Hennessey I wonder though if people didn't take to the streets if there would be an argument that people don't want a fix bad enough. Kind of like the Tea Party taking to the streets. A group that traditionally doesn't protest does so now because they believe things have gotten worse. Oct 14, 2011 Deborah Ash - +Keenan Delaney 'Consequently, OWS hasn't been able to garner more grassroot support across the country.' Um, really? I'm not disagreeing with what you said - yes - the OWS supporters have to get out and vote. But the grassroot support across the country? We'll see tomorrow. I'm pretty sure there is a huge grassroot movement supporting this: http://www.occupytogether.org/ Oct 14, 2011 Kim Rudd - +Keenan Delaney It doesn't help when the press seeks out the fringe elements at the events and deliberately makes the whole thing look like a moron and crackpot convention. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Jeff Chisholm - I think 1) it's not even on Wall Street 2) They are on private property, have absolutely no right to be there, and should be forcibly evicted. They have every right to protest on public property, but this isn't it 3) they should realize that even if they are the 99% here, they are the 1% of the rest of the year. Billions of people in Africa and China would trade everything for their problems. 4) I feel a little less compassion for them for them because they (and the bulk of the rest of the country) aren't following Maslow's hierarchy. If having healthcare, and savings to weather unemployment, and food for their kids is truly of utmost importance, then that is admirable. But I bet they still have wide screen TVs, ipads, two cars, smartphones, live in big cities, etc. If you don't have enough savings, and can't raise your income, then you need to gut your expenses to the bone. 5) Henry Blodget's piece was the most compelling article I've read in their favor. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +2 Timothy Pham - +Kim Rudd Exactly. There's tons of people you'd call your good neighbor out there. People who probably once thought protesting doesn't accomplishing anything. I think the reason the media points out that the fringe is because they have no 'skins in the game'. Whether things change or not, they still make money from their reporting. The crazier the news, the more they have people tuning in. Oct 14, 2011 Lauchlin MacGregor - Get the money out of politics. I support the argument for change, but Wall Street's motives are to make money - whatever the costs - they just follow the laws that the gov't impose and exploit tax loopholes to avoid paying their bill. End the tax loopholes for corps, then lower the corp tax rate. If that doesn't work, then the jobs bill might do some good. Oct 14, 2011 Brannon Gillis - It's great to have an opinion they have the right but when they prevent the rest of the hard working Americans from getting to work it's crossing the line. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Sou Saeteurn - Other countries are laguhing Oct 14, 2011 Matt Gross - Show me what Marxist revolution looks like.... THAT is what Marxist revolution looks like Oct 14, 2011 Timothy Pham - +Jeff Chisholm 2) A little clarification. Is it because of the message that they shouldn't be allowed to protest on private property or should that apply to all protest regardless of message? 3) I think in the near future, you are going to see the same kind of problem. There's a growing number of young people in China that graduate with degrees and end up working at the factories. I predict that it will come to a tipping point where they'll head to the streets too. I pray that it doesn't end in violence though (knowing the communist government). 4) You bring up an interesting point but I wonder how we can work through the paradox of saving and spending to boost the economy. On one hand if we save like we were suppose to, the economy would be stagnant because no one is spending. On the other hand, if we spend on TVs & iPads, the rug gets pulled from under us and we're left flailing. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 David Huynh - Comments and discussions on this post are some of the most civilized and tactful I've seen about ows anywhere. How do you do it Mark? Oct 14, 2011 +2 Jason Beck - If they can change things for the better, than I'm for it. If the muddy the works even more...than not so much Oct 14, 2011 Kim Rudd - The L.A. City Council voted a unanimous show of support for them out here...11 to 0... Oct 14, 2011 +2 王志永 - no！！ Oct 14, 2011 LD Bonner - How this take from a G+ friend It's just this simple. You can, A. Work For A Corporation B. Work For The Government C. Work For The Mob D. Work For Yourself E. Drop out of all of it. Pick one and quit bitching at everyone else. Got it? Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 (edited) +2 Anthony Hocking - if they focused specifically on the bailouts, the fed and campaign finance reform theyd have near universal public support.. letting the media fill in the gaps in their message for them makes it much easier for OWS to be cast as just another hippies-protesting-corporations movement and ignored Oct 14, 2011 Kim Rudd - Occupy Wall Street This is a pretty good start to making sense of what they are doing...a commercial for the movement... Oct 14, 2011 Jeff Chisholm - +Timothy Pham They have every right to protest in public regardless of the message (assuming not encouraging violence, crime, etc, etc.). But you as a citizen have absolutely no right to take over private property as the #occupywallstreet people have done. They have no right to be there in perpetuity (regardless of the message ..and another thought. If you are a homeless person or panhandler in NYC, and you are not hanging out by #OWS where they have been giving out free food for three weeks...well, then you aren't even trying. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +2 Stephanie breckling - I totally support OWS...Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. Corporations and Banks are not people. http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/top-5-facts-america-richest-1-183022655.html;_ylt=AlcKJKQ.FkiLYRaq6WPq4kO7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1aXBsYmxmBHBvcwM5BHNlYwN0b3BTdG9yaWVzBHNsawN0aGV0b3A1ZmFjdHM-?sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode= Oct 14, 2011 +4 Big B - I am for the protests. It is one of the rights of our citizenship. Being in NJ this is basically happening in my backyard. I see both sides. The videos you will not see in the news, the FB/G+/Twitter/Blog posts, my local/natonal news channels, etc. This is a small, growing, still mostly organized situation. There is an ugly side from both sides you wont see in the mainstream media. I guess that is what happens when the perceived sides of Good and Evil are chosen. We have seen what these events can turn into. Sadly we have seen them mostly turn into small to full scale civil war. We are a young nation. Why don't we the citizens of The United States Of America start leaving our footprint in the history of the world and see this one turn out for good. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 Timothy Pham - +LD Bonner But I wonder if it's an illusion of choice in that case. A. People would work for a corporation but they aren't hiring. A lot people are over qualified so they can't even get entry level jobs. B. They can't work for the government because they're not hiring either and with budget issues, they're probably laying off too. C. You could work for the mob but then it's Hotel California and you're in for life. D. You could work for yourself but its hard building capital in this environment and the statistic is like 1/3 of businesses fail (another 1/3 break even) their first year. E. But then you'd have to make that choice for your entire family. Do you have the right? I'm actually in the Choice D group myself. I have my own theories why this is the best choice. :) Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 +2 Neil James - +Jeff Chisholm They aren't exactly on private property that they have no right to be on. They are on POPS: 'Privately owned public space,' a scheme to relax zoning regs in exchange for creating and maintaining public space. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Dary Foell - Seems like a bunch of hippies complaining about stuff. What's the end game? Oct 14, 2011 +2 Nick Dillon - You mean Often Without Sense? Oct 14, 2011 +1 Brandon Bowlin - here's what I think and why I'm documenting it: http://www.thedarkroome.com/thedarkroomeoccupiesla.html Oct 14, 2011 Timothy Pham - +Jeff Chisholm To foster more discussion and understand (because G+ is awesome like that), what do you think of the original Tea Party movement or Ghandi's worker protest? Both are examples of being on private property. In this case it's even more of an offense because those groups weren't on POPS like +Neil James says. Also, LOL at the homeless/panhandler comment. :) Oct 14, 2011 Steve McAuley - Frustrated middle class that feels the government leaders that they've elected don't listen to them and that too much of their life is controlled by those who don't have their interests at heart - Whats not to like about Occupy Wall Street .... Oh wait, That was the Tea Party before it was hijacked by the religious right and (just as OWA is/will be) the Media. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Will Adams - OWS...will it work or just frustrate the masses??? In SF they pissed off B of A workers who were just trying to get to work... Oct 14, 2011 +1 Larry Targett - great idea wrong address, occupy capital hill would be better! Oct 14, 2011 +6 Timothy Pham - +Jason Beck What's crazy is that there's thing called the theory of the Diffusion of Innovation that states that if you want mass majority support on something (products, technology, idea etc...) you need to be able to have them support you without causing disruption in their lives. For example electric cars. To get mass majority support, it can't change the way they currently live their life while providing a benefit. OWS must allow people to support them while not providing a disruption to the people currently holding a job. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 Paul Martinez - I think we needed someone to do something, but I think their not exactly getting the kind of attention other protests have gotten elsewhere Oct 14, 2011 john willis - +Kim Rudd seeking out fringe elements? yes good think the press didn't do that with the tea party huh? Oct 14, 2011 Michael Burch - Don't hate the players, hate the game. Oct 14, 2011 +3 Andrew Redd - Mark, how do you feel about it? You're part of the 1%, no offense. Oct 14, 2011 +1 troy corman - Pennsylvania Avenue is where it should be taking place. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Adam Lawman - I think overall that it is a great sign that we as a people are using our power to cause change. However, I feel that the timing and way that it is being done will ultimately cause a change for the negative that will include more restrictions and security/freedom claustrophobia. Oct 14, 2011 john willis - +Stephanie breckling This is not a democracy, it is a democratic representative, republic. corporations and banks are not people? well no, of course not, they are only just made up of people thats all. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Steven Rogers - I'm not sure what to think. I can tell you this much... The media is starting to portray them as thugs being arrested constantly. Oct 14, 2011 Chris Green - It's about corporations and the 1% buying politicians in order to write the rules to benefit themselves aka shareholders alone disregarding that these rules affect everyone. Repeal the Citizen United Supreme court ruling. Oct 14, 2011 +3 john willis - and the 99% put the politicians in there Oct 14, 2011 +2 Laura Ann Osterman - I am too busy to occupy anything not related to Service-Learning http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_HeavensMAGIC/SaveOurCommunityOneStudentataTimeALessonPlanforEducatorsStudentsandPeopleintheirCommunity?bc=&viewer=info Oct 14, 2011 Randy Lantz - Some really great comments on this thread. I plan on joining the Occupy Michigan group at the State Capitol in Lansing tomorrow. A lot of people are fed up with the status quo. I for one think it's time to stand up and be counted. Oct 14, 2011 +3 john willis - You can be it actually counts in Nov. Oct 14, 2011 Tatiana Martin - what is OWS stand for? Oct 14, 2011 Stephanie breckling - John Willis...I think we all know banks and corporations are not people, but the people we elect into office are often serving the best interest of these banks and corporations....not the people they were elected in to serve. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Ashley Wharton - People need to feel / think / believe that if they work hard enough they have an opportunity to succeed ... the shift of wealth and control to fewer individuals or corporations takes away that belief, particularly when it all appears to be a game that they (we) haven't been invited to join. Some great graphics on the current trends: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph Oct 14, 2011 +2 james Nixon - Stephanie I understand what you're saying but the people that work and run those Corporations are voters also. Oct 14, 2011 Scott L - I don't have a problem with the 'income statement' 1%. God bless and god speed to P&G, Apple, GE. etc. But I have a problem with the 'balance sheet' 1%. If your job is to allocate capital and manage risk, and you fail miserably at that, you should fail without taking the rest of us with you. We're still privatizing profits and socializing the losses. 1st demand should be full implementation and enforcement of Dodd-Frank. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Michael Burch - Right now, seems as effective as those online petitions... Oct 14, 2011 Owen Rowley - Attempting to maintain a constant presence in the NYC Park is a zero sum game. The tactic has worked to the extent that they have struck a large enough spark to gain attention but if any serious movement is to catch fire then the occupying of the park must be declared a victory and the tactics changed. First brand the movement as simply 'Occupancy' and those who follow the meme as 'Occupants'. Second continue expanding the meme of 'Occupancy' to wherever they gather. Not just Wall street. IE: 'Occupy America'. Obviously messaging will have to start getting cohesive, Social networking methodology should replace the physical General Assembly with a virtual meeting place. If they are successful they will emulate a mycelium growing underneath the surface and pushing up their presence as needed. After all one of the key complaints is that the 99% are given 'The mushroom treatment' by the dominator culture. IE - keep them in the dark and feed them shit. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 Stephanie breckling - James...I am not talking about the people that work or even run the corps or the banks. The big corps, big banks and their lobbyists in bed with those running Washington writing the rules for all of us. Oct 14, 2011 Brendan Maynard - completely support it Oct 14, 2011 Yonas Abraham - Don't like it Oct 14, 2011 +1 Jeffrey Olsen - Over the past half-century our country's ruling power and voice has significantly shifted toward the wealthy, while the majority of the population has become more impoverished. The working middle class has an even greater burden in propping up this failed system as their retirement accounts dwindle away. OWS is a great cry for freedom against the corporate greed that has infiltrated the country's political system and it is absolutely necessary because even Adam Smith noted that this perversion of capitalism is a demon caveat. Oct 14, 2011 +2 james Nixon - Amen Scott. The to big to fail era must end now. All the fatalistic rhetoric needs to stop, these people fail to realize a fundamental law of nature; nature abhors a vacuum. When someone fails someone else succeeds. It's called creative destruction. Oct 14, 2011 Michael Burch - This info is dated from 2006, but assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the world's wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have more than $500,000, you're part of the richest 1% IN THE WORLD Oct 14, 2011 +1 Simon Fraser - They're doing the right thing by suggesting absurd legislations be eliminated (corporate personage) and useful lesgislations be upheld (even the whitest of white-collar criminals are tried in court). The US has been little more than a corporate welfare state for a long time. It's what causes your country's deficit, resource wars and failures in leadership. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Chuck Walker - Dumb. Get off your butts and stop this entitlement whining. As the Chinese say, 'He who wakes up before dawn 360 days a year will never fail to make his family rich. Flea party go away and suck it up like the rest of us hard working Americans who don't ask for hand outs. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Michael Burch - Strikes me that the people who are really propping up the system and have the most right to complain are too busy working their tails off trying to make a living to stand outside and protest. Oct 14, 2011 +3 Kim Rudd - +james Nixon 'creative destruction?' Quoting Marx and Engels? I hadn't heard that since poli sci classes.... Oct 14, 2011 Steve Oberman - Out of the 60's protests grew the community organizers. From community organizers grew grass roots organization (GRO). From the GRO’s grew the 60’s protest, now in the 21st century. Wait until tomorrow to see what happens. The only thing missing in the links above is the internet social media sharing which allowed the OWS grow viral, with a meaning. Oct 14, 2011 +1 james Nixon - Stephanie, yes those alliances should end but as long as we have career politicians in Washington it will continue. Obama promised to end the lobbyist era and then jumped right into it. We can't blame the corporations for utilizing the system to improve their position. Oct 14, 2011 Daniel Dessinger - i'd have to know what it is first, Mark. Oct 14, 2011 Pee Gee - Basically the financial services industry & government service themselves plentifully at the expense of everybody else, period. Also, multi-million dollar corporate execs have an hourly salary in the thousands which nobody is worth not to mention all the fringes and perks. A COMPLETE SHAM! Oct 14, 2011 +2 Joshua Kohn - +Mark Cuban... so funny - I was just talking to someone at the office today about OWS and I said I wonder what Mark Cuban thinks about this. Since reading some of your archived blog posts that you have recently brought back on G+, I have a pretty good idea. It's interesting how it is spreading so quickly and seems to have some legs. I think that the movement is about 9 months premature - It would get more PR and attention if it was closer to an election. Mark, my question to you as media executive is - What are your thoughts of OWS using Google TV Ads to effectively spread their message nationwide on a budget? Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 Kim Rudd - 150 comments, give or take....something tells me Mr. Cuban is enjoying the hell out of this.... Oct 14, 2011 +1 Pee Gee - Average Wall Street salary between $300,000 - $400,000 per year!!!! http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/10/12/342228/wall-street-salary-chart/ Oct 14, 2011 +1 Michelle Starry - I think their message is clear. Our current systems aren't working for us and we're the majority. Corporate interest is far too powerful because of their ability to buy our politicians and we now have a political system that represents them and not us. More power to the Occupy movement. I hope it creates the change most of us voted for in 2008 and haven't gotten. Oct 14, 2011 +2 David Stein - good idea. bad execution. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Stephanie breckling - James...I think it is the people, not a promise from a politician to put an end to the lobbyist. How exactly that is done, I am not sure. But, I do believe the OWS is the way to get it started. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Ed Morrison - No corporation has EVER taken anything from me by force. I can't say the same for government. Therefore, I can't understand why people choose to vilify those with whom they interact freely, while expecting the politicians to be their saviours. Oct 14, 2011 +3 Wally Peterson - After reading the demands posted on the official OWS website and watching countless videos of the people involved there, I would like to add my own demand to the list, which is borrowed from an old Steve Martin routine and makes more sense than the majority of what I have seen from them: I demand that the letter 'M' be stricken from the English language forever, effective immediately. Oct 14, 2011 +2 Owen Rowley - Here's the thing. The accelerated curve which describes the movement of wealth to the far end of the mega wealthy cannot continue unabated without consequences. OWS is a cry of anguish, for now. Push that curve much further and the 1% will yearn for the days when it was bongo playing hippys making noise. They will spend the bulk of their wealth protecting themselves from hungry hordes and marauding bands of modern day land-pirates. Oct 14, 2011 +4 Raymond Chuang - Maybe the right idea, but the crowd demands MORE Socialist government. Given what's happening right now in Europe with their sovereign debt crises, absolutely, positively, no way I will support the solutions of the OWS crowd. Oct 14, 2011 james Nixon - Stephanie... until we are sure how it is done all this is mental masturbation. We all know the situation is untennable but we need solutions. Oct 14, 2011 Ed Millard - I'm mostly interested to see how the various cities and Federal agencies respond. If the protestors stay non violent and the powers that be continue to turn violent, producing a youtube video a day of people being maced and punched, the protestors win. If the powers that be give them a hug and largely ignore them, the whole thing will fizzle by winter. Oct 14, 2011 +2 james Nixon - Kim.. I agree that Mr. Cuban has done a good job opening this can of worms but as one of the 1% I hope he is more than just amused and is using these posts to help determine as one of those that can truly make changes what actual actions need to take place. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Joe McMackin - This article in rolling stone sums up what I think pretty well: http://m.rollingstone.com/?redirurl=/politics/news/my-advice-to-the-occupy-wall-street-protesters-20111012 Oct 14, 2011 +2 George Dorn - Bull Connor would have known how to deal with them. Oct 14, 2011 Stephanie breckling - James...At this moment I too wish I had the solutions on how to get there. But, I am an optimist and believe this is the beginning of getting to those solutions. Oct 14, 2011 Tatiana Martin - Hiring people isn't the problem. Its what gov't does with the money that is the problem. We must fund the people because its the people that pay taxes. I'm down for a flat tax. But, wages must be fair to actual living costs. Oct 14, 2011 james Nixon - Stephanie... in this I hope you are right whatever the solutions are Oct 14, 2011 Erik Swiger - My focus, and my intention, is to become one of the 1%. In America I have the right to do that, and the mechanism to make it happen. If I raise myself from rags to riches, everything I get is mine, to do with as I please. If you ASK me for money, I may choose to loan it to you or give it to you. If you DEMAND money from me, you can go to hell. In the meantime, why don't YOU work to become one of the 1%. That was not a question. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Kimberly Moore - For all if you who want Mark's input, he just posted it on twitter Oct 14, 2011 Tatiana Martin - Some people want to make a 'living'. Some people just want 'opportunity'. Everyone's dream is different. But i must agree with occupy wall street. That everyone has a right to want something. Dreams are what fundamentally made America. Flat tax, and fair wages. It will ultimately cause us to be a more productive nation. Oct 14, 2011 Chuck Walker - Wages must be fair? Says who? Sounds links you need to adjust your lifestyle. Go visit a slumdog to see how tough some people really have it. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Ed Millard - Erik, nothing wrong with aspiring to become part of the 1% if its through hard work, and building something successful. Was that your plan, or are you planning to the climb to the top by exploiting the system and everyone in it? I don't think many people hold a grudge against hard work and success, but a lot of people don't think that is what Wall Street is any more. Its more like a rigged, high stakes casino. Its supposed to help raise capital for successful businesses, does it really even do that any more? Oct 14, 2011 +2 George Dorn - All fish should aspire to be Great White Sharks. Of course, if they all succeeded, they'd all die, since there can only be a few apex predators in a given ecosystem. Oct 14, 2011 (edited) Brian Carew - +Mark Cuban Loved you blog post! Great stuff. Oct 14, 2011 +1 Ed Millard - Mark, regarding your point 3 on student loans.... Someone has a college education at a reasonable price, its just no one has ever heard of them because they dont advertise. Its Western Governor's University, fully accredited online university formed by 19 western governors with 25K students. Tuition is around $6K a year .vs. $15.6K at the for profit online universities like Phoenix who do nothing but advertise. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/septemberoctober_2011/features/the_college_forprofits_should031640.php Oct 14, 2011 Manny Hernandez - John Willis, you have it right. Everyone for OWS is just looking for a bailout for themselves or just band wagoners for the next cause to help make themselves feel they made a difference when they are part of the problem. Also I keep hearing about the government this and politicians that...... So maybe it should be occupy Washington, not wall street. Oct 14, 2011 phnorng senghorng - hello ser you soksaby or ot? Oct 14, 2011 Jonathan Seitel - OWS is nothing more than vocal, distributed economic illiteracy. But I do support their exercise of First Amendment rights. Oct 14, 2011 Ed Millard - Manny I think you have it backwards... Wall Street has been the one 'looking for the bailout for themselves' for three straight years, and amazingly they got them, several trillion dollars worth of bailouts between the Fed and the government. The banks are lining up for an entire new round of bailouts in Europe right now, some of which is coming from U.S. taxpayers via the IMF. Oct 14, 2011 (edited) Jason Weida - +Mark Cuban There have always been--and there always will be--people who dislike the way our culture is driven and the way our economy & society are organized. These people are simply the latest group to decide that the inherent lack of 'fairness' in our system is unacceptable. Of course, their definition of fairness is equality of outcomes. They aren't satisfied with equality of opportunity--the very idea that you have the power to make of your life what you desire, so long as you're willing to work your tail off to achieve it. No, they find the fact that some of us are wildly successful (and driven to be so), while others are not, to be socially and economically 'unjust.' This is, of course, anathema to anyone who understands why we are so blessed as a nation, and why we came as far as we did as fast as we did compared to much older societies. Ironically, I just recently shared a TED Talk by Niall Ferguson, who did a great service by illustrating the fact that it's the institutions and ideas that make the difference between nations: Niall Ferguson: The 6 killer apps of prosperity If only the folks comprising the crowd at OWS could understand this reality. Expand this comment » Oct 14, 2011 Manny Hernandez - Ed, I don't think anyone should get a bailout. If a company is failing then they have to fail. If someone buys a house and they can't afford it then they can't afford it. Our society needs to be accountable and stop placing blame elsewhere. I am for the American Dream, not a handout. Oct 14, 2011 John Chapman - You may possibly be misinterpreting available data. Oct 14, 2011 Rio Suckseed - OWS ? what is it? Oct 14, 2011 Daniel Xia - What is OWS?budddy Oct 14, 2011 Henry Kurkowski - I think it is this century's labor movment. Although it is unstructured, it is the working-class rising up to protect thier financial future from those they see as in control over it. Oct 14, 2011 +3 J Moore - I'm with the 99. Oct 14, 2011 Micheal Jackson - @ Deborah I vote for you! Oct 14, 2011 Kristian Craige - It's great that people are standing up for their rights. I live in Dallas and I am supporting the Occupy Dallas Movement...I am buying my tent tomorrow! :) Oct 14, 2011 +1 Paul McCormack - i get the point, unfortunately it falls on deaf ears. they should make a point by wearing a suit and tie, then it would be representative. instead the media will pick up on the cliches that it always does. Good points, unfortunate results. Make the difference with your wallet, but how is the question Oct 15, 2011 Christopher Robert - None are more hopeless than those who falsely believe they are free... Oct 15, 2011 Tim Hack - All for it. Plan on participating. And yes I have a job. Worried about my kids. Just read where economist forecast stagnent wages until 2021. The 1% are the only group not feeling any impact from this recession. In fact they have garnered even more wealth. Money buys power and influence and politicians. Oct 15, 2011 +3 Matthew Lancaster - Yea, OWS is so stupid. Not only that but I always love to call a movement with a word which can be hurtful towards the mentally handicapped/challenged. Anyways, It's about time we do something. For so long now we've sat idlely by letting the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We love when Libya liberates or Egypt, etc...hell we'll even give you some guns and armed forces to help 'our' cause, I mean your FREEDOM, yay, that. When a youthful nation occupy Wall Street, the juggernaut for the uber wealthy, well, WE can't have that. So how does it get fixed? Lets fill up the Governor's pockets with money so he'll try to oust everyone out of the area. Oh yea, that failed. I think it's great that America is now taking to the streets and saying, enough is enough. So many things are overlooked that it's killing the 'American Dream'. The class structures are so out of whack and our dreams of yesterday are unreachable afterthoughts today. 99 out of a 100 ain't bad in my book. As John Lennon would say...Power To The People...or A Workin Class Hero is something to Be. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Michael Voss - We need to end this public-private, revolving-door cabal engineered by and for the elites. As a small business owner, entrepreneur and believer in capitalism and competition, it makes me sick to see that, for more and more big corporations and industry groups, lobbying in Washington has become more important to 'success' than R&D, innovation, customer service, etc. Oct 15, 2011 +3 Mihail Etropolski - I look at it pretty simply: politicians and the media are afraid of Occupy. I don't trust the media or politicians as they have little to no values and principles. Therefore, OWS is probably a good thing if it's making those two groups nervous. Oct 15, 2011 +3 Danielle Armstrong - I dunno, but think it's kinda senseless and not gonna get expected results, so go back to work until next election, duh! Oct 15, 2011 +1 Mohammed Tariq - i dunno same as kinda.. Oct 15, 2011 Dustin Rayner - I think it's great for people to be active in the government, but the fact that people are protesting to be heard means that the candidates the two parties are putting forward don't truly represent the people, or else there would be nothing to protest! Oct 15, 2011 +1 John McAchran - I think there are many legitimate issues being raised. Unfortunately the movement has 2 major flaws. 1) They are aligning with people who are not really on their side and who have a vested interest in maintaining much of the current system and 2) too many of those who are positioning themselves as the face of the downtrodden are people whose current situation is almost entirely of their own making. Oct 15, 2011 +2 J Moore - +David Dinh 'retarded' ...really? Aside from being a self proclaimed moron, please tell us more. Who's next...you should insult cancer and aids patients. People are suffering while the super rich profit. You are on the wrong side of this. I work my butt off as a teacher and I can barely feed my family. I don't agree that the OWS protests are as organized as they could be, but it's a matter of time. The super rich are sucking this nation dry. Sorry Marc, I just can't stand ignorance. Oct 15, 2011 Frank Block - OWS is a cancer that i hope doesn't spread. these are socialists that are trying to ruin our country no matter what their cause is (which no one really knows anyways). being broke in this country is like starving in a grocery store. if these OWS are so enlightened they would figure out how to start a business and make money off the other retards that are sleeping in the park... maybe a tent company? improved sleeping bags? tofu hot dog stand to sell to all the hippies? Seriously if OWS spent they same amount of effort working for the past 30days that they spent whining, they would be able to contribute to society and start getting out of their personal debt. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 John Willkie - unfocused, confused, unhelpful for the current administration and not all that much different from the concerns behind the tea party movement, but with anachism (at best) as the 'solution.' Oct 15, 2011 Zia Peroni - I fully support OWS and Anonymous, and no, I'm not a college kid. I'm tired of the complacency of America. I work my ass off and barely have anything. I pay taxes and the rich get tax breaks? Uhh...The people are speaking out. We're tired of it. I am the 99%. Oct 15, 2011 (edited) +1 Paul Beyer - It's ridiculous and dangerous at the same time. The lunatic fringe brings back the memories of going to Dead shows and hitting the parking lot before and after the show. But at the same time the majority of these people are being used. The real masterminds thar are letting the useful idiots act as their soldiers are getting ready to make a big move. Not sure what yet but since economy is in such rough shape right now, we're susceptible to a play ay collapsing it. Not to sound like one of those conspiracy people, my advice to everyone is to take them at their words. Also, don't let progressive thinkers try and sway you to their camp. They are socialists/Communists/and or anarchists....they believe in a Utopia that can not work. Finally, with any major change you an economic or govt system there is always violence...you can not have one without the other. Be safe out there and don't ignore he truth of what these people want. They will run over you to reach their ultimate goal. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Michael DiMarco - OWS + teeth = change on WS Protesting alone will not cure greed on WS Oct 15, 2011 Tau-Mu Yi - As a member of the 99%, I am in favor of OWS. Your post is awesome Mr. Cuban (http://goo.gl/kviYf); you are definitely an outside-the-box thinker -- a Maverick. Oct 15, 2011 +2 mike sherman - this 'Occupy Wall Street Is A Thought Revolution - And It Won't Be Minimized' - MOC#83 Oct 15, 2011 +3 J Moore - +Frank Block really?????? Sorry I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Care to back up you're comments with any facts. You generalize and put everyone in the same category. You should shut your mouth and thank god that judgement day isn't today. Go screw yourself. I bust my ass you ignorant fool. sorry Marc, I break my back every day. It was my tax dollars that bailed these banksters. This is crap. Frank get an education and then come back and we will talk. P.S. I work hard teaching English to High School kids. That makes me a socialist? Fine. At least I'm not a self absorbed jerk. Maybe you should now attack my seven and nine year old who are suffering. Hell, you probably would let them starve if you had the chance. More for you. Thats all you care about, right? I already have two jobs jackass because society says teachers don't deserve to be paid what they deserve. Frank, you are what is wrong with this country. You and Ayn Rand should get married. I wish you the worst. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 David Dinh - There's a better way than to waste time protesting to an entity of our society that cant do anything. What do yall plan to accomplish? Wall Street issue and apology and offer free meals on the corner? If you dont want to see rich people get richer, vote democrat. I'm in favor of the Buffet Rule. But protesting Wall Street will accomplish ZERO when yall can be doing other things with that time to improve your situation. Oct 15, 2011 J Moore - +Frank Block Nice car. How do you live without any sympathy/empathy? Shame is what you should feel. Driving this country into a ditch for your own greed. :( Oct 15, 2011 Dirty Diana - Eh, I have better things to do. Oct 15, 2011 David Dinh - Amen +Dirty Diana . I cant believe I wasted 20 mins reading this crap. I'm going back to my business plan so I can get in Wall Street. Oct 15, 2011 J Moore - +David Dinh I agree. But the force of greed is stronger than votes. Votes are being bought with mis-information and a lack of education. I'm not an OWS person, but I understand their rage. No one is representing the hard working middle class. Not OWS or the 'tea bag party'. It's more than just voting. We need folks to get involved in a solution that helps the disenfranchised and hardworking people of this country. Greed rules in the USA. Thats got to change. Voting is a part, but it can't stop there. Everyday people need a voice that doesn't require money that we use to feed our kids? Oct 15, 2011 +2 Christopher Fowler - I have been to Occupy Dallas, trying to help them get a consistent message to work with. As stated by an earlier post, I advocate for the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall. I also advocate for the repeal of all Reagan era deregulation, particularly the legislation (the name escapes me) having to do with allowing the creation of ARM loans. Make credit hard to get again. It should be. I also advocate for the end of corporate personhood. That misinterpretation of the 14th amendment is half the cause of political corruption. It would also mean de facto invalidation of the Citizens United ruling. I call for an immediate ban of all private 'campaign contributions', because in any truly free, not so corrupt country they'd be called what they actually are: a bribe. Plain and simple. Finally, I want a full, complete audit of the Fed, including full disclosure of all members of its board. Depending on the results of that audit, we will decide whether to allow it to operate with regulations, socialize it, or shut it down. It has failed at its stated goals, in any case. If it's going to be in control of the money supply, it had damn well better start acting on behalf of the majority. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +2 J Moore - +David Dinh sorry to waste your time. You should take care of you. Very Democrat....you should switch parties if your only concern is yourself. The tea party would be a perfect fit for a self described Wall Street tycoon like your self. This thread is destroying my faith in society. Sorry Marc, I don't have time for the drivel I'm reading. Good night. Oct 15, 2011 Hugh Kimura - I agree with the basic ideals of OWS...those corporations should be responsible for their actions. However, the reality is pretty ridiculous. A leaderless movement? Which leaderless movement in history has actually worked? Stealing land and abandoned buildings? http://occupywallst.org/article/September_Revolution/ The 99% thing has turned into a huge pity party. You are in debt because you went to college and got a job that you could have got with a HS diploma...and you are telling your kids to do the same? You got into more CC debt because you bought crap you don't need? You picked a mutual fund at random and lost your retirement money? You bought a house that you couldn't afford? The economy is changing and you need to change with it. The real movement needs to be directed at educating the average person to take responsibility for their lives and their finances. We need to build businesses and take advantage of the opportunities that the internet is providing. We need to figure out how to manage our investments. We also need to concentrate on lobbying the government for the people. If the average person is making their own money on an international scale, financially educated and know how to play the game...only then will the playing field be level. Then government has to pay attention. Until then, it is just a bunch of people yelling in a square. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 (edited) +3 J Moore - +Hugh Kimura I don't have any debt. I didn't buy things I don't need. I don't need parenting advise. I did everything I could do and I'm getting screwed. As to telling me what I'm doing as a parent...you should meet my kids..,they are the best. What's wrong with you? Oct 15, 2011 Christopher Fowler - For all the criticism leveled at it (no leaders, disorganized, no stated goal) OWS has succeeded at the most important goal of protest: it has gotten people talking about and thinking about the issue more openly. That's the main reason conservative media is attempting to shout it down. They know it's dangerous to their position if people start reopening debates they thought they had already won. Oct 15, 2011 +2 Hugh Kimura - +J Moore I'm sure you are a great parent and I respect your financial responsibility! You are missing my point. What I am saying is that if we really want to make changes, we need to rethink many of the basic premises that we have held dear for the past 100 years. It's not easy, but if we keep walking around saying 'I got screwed, I got screwed' that doesn't do anyone any good. How else do we return the power to the people? I would love to hear your ideas. Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Christian Mosley - I start a business taking all the risks, I hire employees to run the business and then I share with them equal amounts of the profits. By the logic of OWS and other socialist dems this is how our country should work. Am I not supposed to want a larger piece of the pie for all the risk and time ive put in? Does this make me greedy? Am I supposed to be satisfied with my 250k salary and not pursue 1m? 5m? The greatest thing about this country is I have the freedom to do what I want. I have the resources (the internet) to figure out anything I want. Utopia is impossible and when people start figuring that out, they'll do what my parents did, which is go from trailer park to upper middle class by busting their ass, trusting in GOD, and taking the risk to pursue a better life for themselves and their kids. We all arent born with the same intelligence, resources, or personality types to succeed, but don't you understand that this is the best country in the world to change the stripes you're born with and become whatever you want to be. Why can't I play in the NBA? Because other people are taller, stronger, faster and more talented than ill every be, just like people are smarter, less risk averse and any other adjective you can come up with. Disparity is what made this country, and it's what will keep it going. -2cents Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +4 Hugh Kimura - +Christian Mosley Amen Oct 15, 2011 +1 Randaulph Anderson - Your the man Cuban Oct 15, 2011 Wesley Voorhies - I do not care much at all for it. If those involved need to protest, I would hope that have a better idea as to what they are protesting. Wealth redistribution would apall many of them, but it seems like what the are asking for. Oct 15, 2011 Charles Bartley - Mark...To be honest, I think a lot of people are hurting and do not know what to do. They've worked hard, lived their lives right, and they are being screwed out of being able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Entrepreneurship is a truly wonderful and rewarding course to take, but it is not for everyone. A business takes money to both start and sustain with more risk than reward especially at the beginning. And though I agree that for those who take the risks should reap the spoils, we have come to a point in America where companies and corporations have resorted to down right dastardly tactics. I have on countless occasions heard tales of retirements being erased by companies for people who have dedicated their lives to the business they've worked. Today's workers are constantly being asked to be loyal to their employers only to be stabbed in the back after such long hard work. Countless laws have been passed in the interests of big business under the guise of being something else. Corporate America is truly operating on its own terms with no recourse. I mean right now you can sign up for unlimited plans on almost any mobile network and still be told that there is a limit on the amount of data that you can use though these same companies boast huge data speeds and bandwidth. Banks are using their account holders money to make money 9 fold, but they are hijacking the lower income account holders with outrageous fees. And with everything in life these days involving a credit check and an active checking account, how can these people avoid these tactics? Protests are being held in this country right now, and I have seen quite a few politicians absolutely disregarding them. That sort of thing really worries me. You would think that these politicians who are supposed to represent these constituents would at least pay a visit to some of these sites. They are instead sitting down on network TV doing interviews about how they aren't worried at all. Like I've said there are just so many in this country that are feeling helpless right now. They are facing a recession that was caused by big corporations, banks, and their own government. They have watched these same corporations and banks get rewarded for their incompetence and go back to operating in a business as usual fashion as well as raise the burden their workers and account holders have carried with inexplicably new horrid business practices. I mean the bail out money was tax money collected from the public the same people who work for these corporations and buy their services. I think everyone is expecting better from an entity that borrowed money from them. Those of you who have been screaming Socialism whe addressing these frustrated people protesting should take a real hard look at yourselves and how your life is provided for. Many of you work for the same companies that took bail out money, and I pose this question to you: How in any way can bail out money be described in a Capitalistic breath? I always understood that if one business faltered another one would take its place. If Bank of America crumbled, times would have been very hard, but I'm sure a First National or something else would have arose. And since when do we value all else over education? That was a sad moment in American history when so many teachers and educational programs were cut yet we could afford to hand businesses money. And how can sky rocketing profits for so many companies be explained in a very apparent recession? Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Vi Jai - hi mark Oct 15, 2011 Vi Jai - how are u Oct 15, 2011 amine kalil - hello my friend . how are you . hope to be fine . i invite you to my site www.gtu.about.ma Oct 15, 2011 M. Sean Fosmire - This is amazing. Mark asks this question and no one responds? Oct 15, 2011 Derek Balling - +M. Sean Fosmire Just above your name I see the phrase '223 Comments'. I suspect you want to click on that link to see the many many responses before you. :-) Oct 15, 2011 Avril Harryson - hey friend check this video... really very informative....http://ow.ly/6Tyxn Oct 15, 2011 Wayne R Hudson - Growing Wealth Gap is a big problem shares elements of pre American, French and Russian Revolution. Government not solving problems of the 99%! Mark why don't you run for president? Oct 15, 2011 M. Sean Fosmire - Interesting. I see '4 comments' - mine and three posted after mine. Hmmm... Oct 15, 2011 Chip Christian - +M. Sean Fosmire Dude, there are 223 comments before your first non-comment. Oct 15, 2011 Hannah Rock Star - lol me too!!!!! i have no idea about it!!!!!!!! Oct 15, 2011 Karla Hailer - I don't begrudge anyone the ability to make a dollar or million. What I object to are immoral executives who screw over hard working people (like us), robbing their pensions and 401(k)s and taking tax bailouts to give themselves raises while laying off or nickel and diming us to death so they can have more money than they know what to do with over several life times. Greed is NOT good, it's a deadly sin because it kills the spirit and compassion. For our society to thrive, not just survive, we need to stop thinking about our personal bottom lines and think about what's best for all of us. Unlike my parents' generation that felt it was their patriotic duty to save, conserve and be compassionate during war time, we are still spending money we don't have. We aren't supporting or helping our neighbors, it's all about ME. It's not like Congress is going to fix things. If you want them to fix things, it's simple: take away the Congressional bennies. Let's see how evil things like 'Obamacare' are when you don't have access to the best doctors and have to pay what folks like us have to pay (since my husband's been unemployed for 18 month and we have to pay for our own insurance) for monthly premiums. I wonder what would happen if they couldn't take PAC or special interest/lobbyist money and had to run campaigns based on what the people from their districts gave them. How about that 'entitlement' program called unemployment - you know, the one that comes out of our taxes? Would it be an entitlement if members of Congress had to survive on unemployment (or the average salary from their district)? Or how about this irony: as an elementary school support staff, my salary comes from taxes on which I pay taxes but somehow my union is what broke this country and not the guys who raided pension funds? I don't understand that one. We're on the edge of the abyss and we can either jump in or step back. The media can keep calling the protesters dirty hippy wannabes or anarchists or slackers or whatever. The truth is, a lot of the folks looking down their nose at the OSW folks are one lay off away from joining them. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Jerry Glomph Black - I'm amazed at the Fox-led sheep. This pretty much sums it up: http://youtu.be/lqTkVSaYDuA?t=15m15s Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +Jerry Glomph Black fox led sheep? and you cite michael moore? please........this genius still thinks 9/11 was an inside job,rofl, yeah and there was no moon landing, and elvis is still alive. Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Neil Simon - Ows are cute. I like when they go 'whoo whoo' and fly around Oct 15, 2011 +1 KB Brown - I think that it is a great start and I hope that they accomplish what they are setting out to do without violence... but if it does get violent like in Greece, France, etc. then I would not look down on them. Hopefully, the 'financially irresponsible' will do the right thing without having to get their 'doilies ruffled.' Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +KB Brown Greece and France? So it's ok with you if they start setting cars on fire and breaking out windows and stealing electronics, and setting buildings on fire and shooting at police? Oct 15, 2011 Dana Bradfield - In 2000, the World Institute for Development Economics Research provided the following data: If you have $2,200 in ASSETS you are in the top half of the world's wealthy; $61,000 the top 10%; $500,000 the top 1%. The U.S. is in good shape. The focus should be on PRODUCING more assets for a growing population, rather than unproductive crap like sit-ins, depositions and Google+ :) Oct 15, 2011 (edited) manfred bodner - the99percentdeclaration check it out please - a well measured step forward to fundamentally reform the american republic - #ows is the most important event in US history since 1776 - it could change the world given the impact US politics have globally (I am a hopeful European observer) Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Dana Bradfield - I think they should have to present their ideas for solving the problem to the Shark Tank. Oct 15, 2011 +1 Luigi Aversano - Listening to a few of their goals should tell you that they are nothing more than misguided and uneducated. They complain about working conditions and corporate greed but then tweet about it on their apple iPhone and ipad. Apple is the epitome of corporate greed (I see nothing wrong with this but just pointing it out). Google 'apple, corporate philanthropy' and 'apple, foxconn'. Next, they want to abolish the fed. They clearly never took a history class or read a book. In short, a weak and inactive fed exasperated the problems of the great depression. A strong fed saved millions of jobs during the financial crisis. I recommend they all read lords of finance to understand why bailouts were needed and why a strong fed is important. Another word on bailouts, why doesn't anyone complain when every year govt agencies and unions blow their budgets and require more tax dollars? Look at the MTA, LIRR, airlines, auto industry, schools, etc. They all take their shortcomings from the tax payers! Next they soley blame wall street. I might add that wall street makes 0 loans to individuals nor are they a primary lender of any type of personal loan. Read this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203633104576623083437396142.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Jeffrey Greene - I don't understand it. They say being rich is bad but without the rich everyone is poor Oct 15, 2011 Michael Prenez-Isbell - It's not what they're for, it's what they're against. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/10/14/understanding-occupy-wall-street/ Oct 15, 2011 Joey Naham - Think? How about Feel.. I feel that what's happening to the protestors, who are standing up for their freedom, and are being arrested are a symbol. I feel that The USA is increasing its influence globally with a duplicitous message: 'Do as I say, but not as we do.' If you don't think What I've said so far is dogma Mr. Cuban than Sir I ask you to ask anyone of your peers who've been injured and had to undergo two processes. One Process is the Rehabilitation process. And the Second Process is the bureaucratic Insurance Process (Which coincides with rehabilitation process and obstructs it in most cases.) The Point of me Playing the Insurance Card is because Insurance companies don't use Justice to account for misshappenings when dealing with accountable hindsight. Insurance companies use assessments and bring up lawsuits to fund their unsustainable, un-egalitarian process, and call it a capitalistic instrument because money is exchanged. This method has influenced our government in more ways than you'd care to admit (As an American). Was Anyone brought to Justice for the Credit Default Swaps, and Mortgage Backed Securities? Or was it simply 'Assessed, without accountability' like an Insurance Company practices? With Deregulations laying out a pathway for Banks to become their own Insurance entities; Ethical Hindsight is getting less and less focused on. Was anyone brought to 'Justice' For The Most Major Environmental Calamity of Our Countries History Worst Oil Spill in our countries History in 2010? Or was it simply 'Assessed, without accountability' like an Insurance Company practices? Was anyone brought to Justice for The Countless innocent lives resulting from an unprovoked war in Iraq? Or was it simply 'Assessed, without accountability' like an Insurance Company practices? My Concluded Feeling is that the the Police are being run like an insurance company. They stereotype Assumed threats, and not only violate their civil rights, but arrest them. As witnessed on Youtube of Innocent women being Pepper Sprayed by Walk By Lieutenants of the NYPD, the assessment of risks have become aggressively confrontational of our Living Document; The Constitution. If this country, unjustly continues without radical facilitation, this will continue to aggressively turn into an Insurance-Government for the Super Pac, by the Super Pac. In a Nut Shell, Mr. Cuban Sir, The Jails will be the the Copay for Freedom, and The 'Peace Officers Will be the Assessors of Social-Corporat-ocracy. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +1 Bob Conti - 'Only God Could Hear Me': Only God Could Hear Me - Film Trailer 1 Oct 15, 2011 john willis - Here this should make you at ows extreemly proud > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44912532/ns/world_news/ and especially this > http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ Oct 15, 2011 Curt Terpstra - I think that they are a bunch of spoiled kids that mommy and daddy gave them everything in life. I find it funny that they want to get rid of corporations, but then still use their iPhones, iPads, wear clothes, and have everything that has been MADE BY CORPORATIONS..... their hypocrisy is just way too funny for me. and one more thing... to want to earn more money is GOOD for this country. Wanting everything given to you (education, money status) without working HARD for it is BAD for this country. The only bad part about CEO's high pay, is that it is not tied to their performance. This is not the fault of the CEO, but of the board of directors that pay these high salaries without tying the pay to the performance of the company. Stockholders are short range looking animals. Decisions made to appease the stockholders (layoffs due pad the bottom line) are not a good thing. Some reporting periods are going to be down because of decisions made during that period, but if the CEO is looking long-term to increase the bottom line through good decisions, then that is a good thing. Just remember one thing - The government CANNOT GIVE something to someone without TAKING from someone else first. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Scott Sandbo - Useful idiots of the current communist movement... Oct 15, 2011 John Erhardt - I think it's great, but it's ironic that a millionaire would ask this question, isn't it? Oct 15, 2011 Matthew Kelly - All for it. Why must the 1% live better then everyone else? Oct 15, 2011 Robert Torres - All of their grievances come down to one - wealth distribution by force. But I also understand their anger at the privileged access the banks have to power brokers in Washington D.C and the Fed discount window. Reads like an Atlas Shrugged story. Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Kevin Burgess - I believe the theme is misdirected but at least these people are looking to create a discussion addressing distribution of wealth in the current environment which is always an important issue. Discussion is a good thing. But the treatment they are given by the media is terrible. If you listen to the talking heads you would think this movement is a bunch of homeless and clueless hippies. When actually there is a large number of educated tax-paying citizens involved. Oct 15, 2011 +1 Dartanyan DesJardins - What are your thoughts Mr. Cuban, considering the fact that you are part of the 1%? The majority of us obviously will approve of the movement, whether we agree with the methods of those protesting or not. I wonder what's the opinion of the 1%, especially one as yourself that seems pretty straight forward. Oct 15, 2011 Robert Torres - Using the 1% term now seems to be some sort of indictment and a generalization of collective guilt that people got their wealth through unethical means. This couldn't be further from the truth. People are already sloganeering this stuff all over the Internet. Just like the term 'banksters' and other phraseology. Oct 15, 2011 Gillian Densmore - And the coffe party has yet to offer alternitives. You can't reely say to a policy maker: 'an economy based on gambling(wallstreet) doesn't work' without also saying: and here's 10 easy proven doable steps to corect that. Oct 15, 2011 john willis - Why do you do a drive by +Mark Cuban and then leave without a comment of your own? Oct 15, 2011 +1 Todd Ferrara - Hey Mark! Take a few & check out these Tea Party members' 'invasion' of OWS. Best thing for the GOP... since O took office!! Hilarious & uninformed responses to their questions, with even wittier intelligence based rim shots fired in return. If this is the face of their opposition, a better recruitment tool would be hard to find. A definite precursor to violence in the streets. Keep an open mind until the end & honestly reflect on what you've seen. Short video ~ http://is.gd/6JGrtg ~ via Pat Dollard :) As always..... GO MAVs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - They may be disorganized and without coherent goals, but that does not diminish the fact that they are there because the status quo is no longer working for average Americans. They are there because the folks on Wall Street made decisions that gambled away the futures of too many people in this country, and those causing the devastation have been left unaccountable for their actions. They are there because they cannot get action out of a Congress, so biased against our president that nothing, NOTHING is done to move us forward. They are there because those elected last November promised to make jobs and the economy the #1 priority, and have sought instead to walk backwards by focusing on abortion and destroying women's rights. They are there because they are the voice of the forgotten; those who do not make healthy enough donations to politicians to matter, and those who do not make enough money to have accounts on Wall Street. They are there because we, as a nation, have forgotten who we are, and need to be reminded that it's not profits that matter, it's people. Until those who have caused the devastation are held accountable, and until there is real and significant change, there will be a movement to cause those changes. Right now that movement is Occupy Wall Street. Power to the people!!! Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +2 john willis - +Caren Rugg Lol you do realize that Wall Street is the largest contributer to Obama Oct 15, 2011 john willis - >Wall Street likes Obama........a lot > ww.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-campaign-attracts-wall-street-money-despite-tensions/2011/07/22/gIQApIugTI_story. Oct 15, 2011 john willis - Fully 1/3 of his contributions this year have come from the financial district, maybe you should move the protest to the white house? Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Caren Rugg - +john willis sorry, I'm not biting...the discussion is about OWS, not your perverted views of the president. For that discussion, I am more than willing to go to the mat with you, but that is not the case here. I stand by everything I said, and given that you're attempting to deflect the discussion, I must take that as you have nothing of value to contribute to the discussion. Those opposing OWS have nothing of value to contribute because they refuse to acknowledge the excesses that got us here. It's fine and dandy to criticize Obama, but it doesn't address the real problems, which were here long before he became the resident at the White House. The resident before him is another matter all together. Face it...Republicans and Conservatives do not have a leg to stand on. Their lack of vision, their blanket dismissal of anyone not like them, and their collective greed have led to this mess. We cannot keep doing the same things that got us here to get us out. It's pretty simple. Keep your head in the sand and blame those who demand change, and you'll find you'll be left behind. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +Caren Rugg Then I'm sure you would not be interested in this information either >What I can't reconcile is the vitriol towards congressional republicans, at least regarding the two tarp bailouts, when a large majority of them voted AGAINST Bush's AND Obama's TARP programs! The widely maligned T.E.A. party came into existence PRECISELY because of Bush's bailout. They hated it! The wall street bailout is something the Tea Party and the OWS protesters should be in complete agreement about. Most on the right don't like bailouts. If a business fails it's bankruptcy, not bailouts. It was the political left supporting the bailout. Moreover, it was Obama and congressional/senatorial DEMOCRATS that bailed out wall street! So, the same people protesting Wall Street are the ones who support Obama - the largest giver of money TO Wall Street and the largest beneficiary of Wall Street money. More than any other American politician in the history of this country. It's bizarro world. Jasper Ball Baggins Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis You didn't hear me complaining about the bailouts. That was your thought. I didn't like them, but I understood the necessity. Not everything that has to be done is pretty or easy. I resent you attempting to deflect everything to Obama and make it his fault. The Tea Party has no motive, other than their own self interests. Had Obama not been the only adult in the room for the debt ceiling discussions this whole conversation might be mute now, had we defaulted. That's the problem with Republicans right now. Their inability to think outside the box. The only recommendations ANY of them are making for creating jobs is more tax cuts to business. That's what we've done for the past 10 years that created this mess...how can ANYONE in their right mind continue to advocate for that??? Oh, I get it...RIGHT mind says it all, doesn't it?? Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +Caren Rugg Speechless at this point good day > 'Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so.' Ronald Regan Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis NOW you're quoting an actor who knew nothing about budgets as well???? Give it up, dude...your references do nothing but validate my position.... Oct 15, 2011 +1 Caren Rugg - +john willis Here's one for you: In the words of John F. Kennedy on September 14, 1960:What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label “Liberal?” If by “Liberal” they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer’s dollar, then…we are not that kind of “Liberal.” But if by a “Liberal” they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a “Liberal,” then I’m proud to say I’m a “Liberal.” Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +2 Caren Rugg - +john willis And you can count me in on that sentiment...I'd rather be a misunderstood, unappreciated liberal any day, over..... Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis your question/statement made no sense... Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +Caren Rugg Ok I'll bite, you do know that the actor in question presided over the largest expansion of economic growth in our history or has that fact eluded you as well? Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis What I know is that actor presided over the largest expansion in the size of government in our history, AS WELL as began the big hole for our deficit...or have THOSE facts escaped you? And are you aware it was a Democratic president who balanced the budget, and handed a surplus to the next guy, who not only blew through all of that, but REALLY took us down the road to major deficits?? Really, you're going to have to try a little harder here, or I'm going to have to find something more productive to do... Oct 15, 2011 +2 Joe Kanonik - 'I'm mad as Hell, and I'm not gonna tale it anymore!',, Where have I heard that before??? Oct 15, 2011 john willis - +Caren Rugg you mean this hole > Sixteen million new jobs were created, while inflation significantly decreased.[130] The net effect of all Reagan-era tax bills was a 1% decrease in government revenues when compared to Treasury Department revenue estimates from the Administration's first post-enactment January budgets.[131] However, federal Income Tax receipts increased from 1980 to 1989, rising from $308.7Bn to $549.0Bn.[132] Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis well, I wasn't going to mention it, but yes, revenues rose under Reagan...why? BECAUSE HE RAISED TAXES!!! You may think he created jobs, but too may of them were the Rick Perry kind of jobs. Temporary or minimum wage. We also saw the beginnings of the chasm between the 'haves' and the 'haves not' which is fueling this occupation, come into major existence under his administration. I'd be happy to drag out statistics that support my position as well. It's a tired old argument that says Reagan made a positive difference. It's already been pointed out that if he were running today they would not even give him a chance based on his history. Here's a thought for you...how does this country benefit, and how do corporations continue to flourish when people have no jobs and cannot therefore participate in the 'free' market (and I use that term loosely)? What I cannot understand is why Republicans, of ALL people, aren't trying harder to create the jobs that keeps lots of merchandise buying consumers out there purchasing? Absolutely everything the Republicans are advocating do nothing to ensure there are people out there to buy products and services. The goals of the GOP are so self defeating right now I cannot wrap my head around why anyone would continue to think in those terms. But they, and you do.... Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +1 john willis - +Caren Rugg then occupy, be proud of it >This should make you proud, congratulations OWS > http://www.msn.com/?ocid=iehp Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis Really? That's a pretty pathetic attempt there. If I could control what happens in Italy, they would not be having the problems they do..which, as a coincidence, are arising from their corrupt government. But if they're demonstrating for change, I do support them. Violence I never excuse, including invading countries where we drop bombs on innocent civilians...oops!! Bet you disagree with that one, too, don't you? Oct 15, 2011 john willis - This is a repost I stole, I leave you with it, good day. >http://is.gd/6JGrtg Oct 15, 2011 Caren Rugg - +john willis I have enjoyed the exchange...truly!! I like people who have opinions. If you're interested, you can check out my websites, and see I live what I say. I'm at www.progressiveviewfromthemiddle.com and www.themedicalmysterytour.com. And good day to you, as well! Oct 15, 2011 Jon Simpson - Opting out of the 99%. This is the U.S. not Europe. Want a job go out and start your own business. Oct 15, 2011 Lina Jones - What is it? Oct 15, 2011 +1 Terry Lilly - There are issues worth discussing Oct 15, 2011 Marcus Combs - Sounds like a bunch of entitled people with lack of ambition saddled with poor returns on investment (education loans) that don't want to put in time to climb out and see an opportunity to get a legislated piece of someone else's pie. my take...go mavs, please get us at least half a season. Oct 15, 2011 Fred Jones - I feel like this http://crazysignguy.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/occupy-wall-street-protest-pictures-from-around-the-world-pictures/ And This http://crazysignguy.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/this-is-what-the-occupy-wall-street-protest-is-all-about-hint-its-one-word-accountability/ and this http://crazysignguy.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/occupy-wall-street-protest-video-highlights/ Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Jases Brown - Businesses are in business to make money. You know what? There is nothing wrong with that. As long as a business makes that money honestly, it is non of our business how much of it they make. It's not really our business how much of it they pay in taxes. I am a K.I.S.S. kinda guy. Keep it simple, stupid. Simplify the tax code. Let's get everyone paying some. Income tax? Sales tax? Something! Let's let corporations and small business operate without the fear of being punished for success. They are the ones who are going to put people back to work. The government projects like roads and bridges are fine, but those jobs don't last forever. Let's let small business get off the ground before we hit them over the head with taxation. Listen, a million dollars for a company is not what it used to be. For a lot of small companies that is not wealth, that is getting by. So we should not be setting arbitrary tax guidelines out there like we threw a dart at a dart board. Let's let common sense rule for once. Let's take care of ourselves instead of demanding our government do it for us. We are Americans and we are capable of anything. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 Jimmy King - I think it may get some politicians and ceo's thinking. Greed has taken over everywhere . I have been with the same company forty years and see the greed creeping in. If it continues it will eventually destroy our business. Hate to see it destroy this country. I am sick and wont be around much longer but I have children and grandchildren and worry for there future . Oct 15, 2011 +1 Dwain Inman - The United States is turning into a third world country...people work longer and make nothing in wages... Oct 15, 2011 Dwain Inman - I feel like people are starting to hit the tilting point, this keeps up and it won't be pretty Oct 15, 2011 Jases Brown - As someone who has been to third world countries, I can tell you America is nowhere near that. The wages earned in this nation even at minimum wage are vastly higher than the wages earned in those places. The problem is, not many want to work for minimum wage. It pays more to sit at home and accept handouts. I worked for 6.50/hr ten years ago after I got out of the Navy. Did that for four months till something else came along all the while providing a roof over my family of four's head and putting food on the table. IT CAN BE DONE. Oct 15, 2011 Dwain Inman - After spending ten years active duty in the Army, I have also have been to third world countries and we are not far from being there... there are a lot of people in this country trying to get work only to be told by employers that they have been unemployed for too long...Really? Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Eduardo Moya - I think Americans have been fed lies for a long time now, and most Americans believed them. Go to school, get an education, do the right thing, and everything will be ok. You will be part of the class that eveyone strives to be a part of and you will be content. Well, nothing they told us was true and now the so called people in power are on the recieving end of a backlash. Even if the rich and powerful aren't exactly responsible, they're the ones who will be targeted. However, I doubt the protestors will make any progress unless they are well orgainzed and willing to stick with it for many years; at this point they're only annoying them. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 daniel anderson - I think it is the minority that believes they should be handed everything. I love the people interviewing these people who haven't been to work in weeks and wonder why they are poor. Oct 15, 2011 Johnny Ray Cole - They call them bandits, hippies, pinheads, looters, heathens, etc, for these acts that push back against financial oppression. But go back 238 years ago when the first Americans did the same thing with King George's tea and they glorify it. Go back to the 60's when those same hippies, looters, bandits, heathens, and pinheads rose up against racism for social equality and one can clearly see that sometimes the only way to get real change is anarchy and violence. Oct 15, 2011 (edited) Alex Escoriaza - More concerned about the NBA lockout. Bring Back Basketball! Oct 15, 2011 Joshua Norton - That it can't succeed but it really should. Oct 15, 2011 tom queen - Can't wait for ncca b ball better then game Oct 15, 2011 Bob Pace - Цу цфте ыщдгешщты шт еру ГЫ Oct 15, 2011 Curtis Heroman - +Mark Cuban I think taxing the rich is a foolish response by most of OWS. Mostly because taxing 100% of the rich's earnings over 250K would only cover 1/3 of our government's spending. We need to make our government more responsible for their spending. I think some tangible changes we should push to make are: 1) Stop all bailouts 2) Reduce entitlements 3) Cap medicare/medicaid spending 4) Extend the age for receiving social security by 5 years 5) Cut military budget by about 4% a year (personnel cannot be included in this reduction) 6) Reduce government borrowing 7) Make selective cuts across mandated budget (82% of total budget) vs. only discretionary (roughly 18%) These are just my thoughts, but I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about them. Expand this comment » Oct 15, 2011 +2 Bob Pace - Нщг фку ф агслштп лшыыфыы ащк еру пщввфьт кшср!!!! Oct 15, 2011 +1 Jeff Sullivan - It's about time....I smell anarchy.... Oct 15, 2011 Garrett Cramer - I hope they go till they use up all of george soros' money. Oct 15, 2011 Bob Pace - Аштфдднб зущду фку иупшттштп ещ гтвукыефтв еру штузтуыы ща еру пщмуктьуте! Црфе ещщл ыщ дщтп,,,, Oct 15, 2011 David Brower - Stop giving these losers all this attention and maybe they will get jobs or kill themselves. Either way we wont have to hear about them anymore Oct 15, 2011 Bob Pace - Stay in your 'little world', my man. Keep all your possessions, and niceties. It has become a global issue whether you like it or not. Oct 15, 2011 Andrew Newberger - i dont give a massa2shits fix this lockout so i can watch basketball again god damit Oct 15, 2011 Andrew Newberger - FIX THIS LOCKOUT Oct 15, 2011 Andrew Newberger - FIX THIS LOCKOUT Oct 15, 2011 Andrew Newberger - FIX THIS LOCKOUT Oct 15, 2011 Andrew Newberger - FIX THIS LOCKOUT \ Oct 15, 2011 Bob Pace - hope to hell this lockout stays!!! NBA has been done for years. Nobody really gives a shit anymore about these tattoed thugs making millions a year 'jamming a ball down a hoop' MAKING MILLIONS WHILE THE REST OF US ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK DOING MENIAL JOBS FOR THE GOOD OF THIS COUNTRY!!! Oct 15, 2011 Bob Pace - STOP THE LOCKOUT!!! GET RID OF THE GODDAMNED NBA!!!! Oct 15, 2011 Donovan Glass - Love it! You can vote between a ton of billboards for Occupy Wall Street to appear in Times Square right here: http://www.epicstep.com/campaign/337/occupytogether-occupywallst-billboard/ Oct 15, 2011 Peter Hecht - Corporations are not people. Oct 16, 2011 Raine MacCloud - Think they are a bunch of social anarchists acting like two year olds hollering it's not fair. Sick of the coverage already. They need to grow up and become responsible citizen. Oct 16, 2011 Scott Ryan - 'I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.' Thomas Jefferson. When we have come to a point where a good working man with an education can not make ends meet, we are at a point of great concern for this republic. True, many of the protestors may not be workers, but they are there for those who can not be. I wonder if their message will be heard as a call to action or merely as a call to talk about action. Oct 16, 2011 +3 jonathan taylor - I think it's great people are getting passionate about change. Get loud and be heard. Oct 16, 2011 Frank Block - i think we should get rid of income taxes and institute a national sales tax. with a national sales tax we can make sure we tax all the hippies and illegals and drug dealers and prostitutes and all the other people who dont pay income taxes. this way we could get rid of the IRS which would reduce the size of our federal government payroll drastically. I hate the IRS, they are a waste of the 1%'ers money! All you 99%ers out there dont forget that the 1%ers pay for your food stamps, your unemployment checks, and your obamacare! booyah!!! Oct 16, 2011 Jonathan Michell - +Frank Block no they dont. thats kind of the whole point of the 99%
% protesting thats going on around the world right now. but youre right about the flat tax (national sales tax). its because income tax laws are so convoluted that the 1% (and 99%ers with accounting ax law degrees) can get away with paying almost NO tax on their billions. that being said, with the current US political system of Lobbyism and multi million dollar campaigns .. do you think the rich will ever let that change happen? good idea though! Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Donald Iverson II - The average wall street exec earns between $300,000 and $400,000 a year! So...why don't all these occupiers just apply for those positions? If they are concerned about the tax burden, vote for Cain who'll implement the fair tax. If they are concerned about the redistribution of wealth, take a look at how a small amount of that turned out via the stimulus package (oops, way less jobs!) +Mark Cuban here is your chance to entertain and educate at the same time! I smell a brand new reality show where we take some of these guys, and have them live in an artificial communist society for 1 year! If this makes million, could I get a finders fee of some kind? Does money buy happiness? Sorry for the stream of thought, but I'm not terribly impressed with the OWS movement. Without millionaires, we wouldn't have the sports, entertainment, educations, houses, cars, or even jobs that we currently have. People seem to forget that most of their own income happens because of the investment of millionaires, and nearly everything they own supports a millionaire somewhere. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 stephen addison - I think it is democracy working at its best as people have freedom to peaceful demonstration. The Main Street is hurting but the wall street does not care. Wall Street made all the reckless decisions yet they immediately started sharing big executive bonuses as soon as the Main Street, and for that matter, taxpayers bailed them out. Where is the pay back to the mainstreet? The banks are now wining because they are being restricted from gouging consumers with fees. OWS movement are asking where is our pie? Oct 16, 2011 (edited) Robert Cherry - The 99% Percent doesn't realize that most of them are in the top 5% of worldwide wealth. Most people don't own iPhones and cars and HDTVs. Ridiculous. Oct 16, 2011 Raymond Chuang - The thing that really disturbs me is that the OWS crowd is asking for nothing less than all-out Communism in many ways. As one who remembers vividly as a small child what Communist sympathizers did to Hong Kong in 1967 with riots and bombings during the height of the Cultural Revolution in next-door China, that's why I think the OWS crowd needs to start realizing what Communism can do, as anyone older than 35 in Eastern Europe can testify to very clearly. Oct 16, 2011 Neill Laney - They're made up of solidaritists, communints, union labor, and lbertarians. But, they're all middle class. Probably won't see a lot of recipients of food stamps, unemployement, or disability, or the greedy super rich, who have no problem with a disappearing middle class. I expect the movement to go global. What will be interesting is the response from the global elitists. -V Oct 16, 2011 Margaret Gibson - I don't really mind people protesting anything but these people are able to go somewhere and spend weeks doing what we called a 'sit-in' in the 60s-70s. Don't they have jobs? So, if they don't, then maybe it is not the fault of Wall Street. If they have the money to go and spend weeks there, why aren't they using it to get a job or put that money into something that would help the economy. And they don't really have a concise statement of what their objectives are. Back in the day, the major protests, sit-ins, etc., had a very concise statement of what they were protesting. If they are protesting Wall Street, then what do they think is going to happen to the economy if 'Wall Street' is done away with. What about the 401(k)s of middle income America? I really don't think they have thought the whole thing through. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Brian Becker - Isn't ows a version of the tea party? All of us in the middle class struggle. This recession doesn't give a shit who is republican or democrat. The politicians, every fuckingone of them, have done this to all of us. They only care bout themselves. Being a politician isn't about service to the people any longer, unless by people they mean themselves. I get sick everytime I hear one of those jokers talk about the 'American people'. Oct 16, 2011 Janet Linback - OWS needs a clearer message (mission statement) and solution(s). You just can say I'm marching because the economy all messed up.... we KNOW it's messed up. In their march they should inform...say it's bad and here is how we want to fix it or how we want others to react: call or write your senators/representatives, register and vote or we propose this tax plan or agree with sections of the jobs bill. Secondly they need spokepersons... no tv reporter or interviewer is going to interview just anyone, they want to question someone that can give the mission statement and answer questions, someone to go on TV and reach a wider audience to further their cause. Just my opinion... Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 david dobbins - I say we give them what they are asking for a more level financial playing field, the capital in this Nation is too tightly concentrated. I aint saying take it away from some to give to others, but to give those that have plenty a vehicle with which they can contribute and create a future prosperity for more than only themselves or their shareholders. Oct 16, 2011 John Gaudious - We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both. ~Louis D. Brandeis Oct 16, 2011 +1 Tobias Ritesman - When people have convinced themselves that they can do nothing and it is even wrong to try to do something, then the war was lost before it even began. Waiting is a disease like cowardice that burrows into the soul and plants seeds that grow into a weed that chokes the heart out of the the worlds few strong and brave leaders that might rise up and challenge the powers that govern their very lives. What better way to destroy or control your enemy is there then to have them create a cage themselves that they can not escape. A system in place that can target a person like a pride of lions do a zebra...the lions knowing full well once they have picked out their prey the rest of the herd will breath a sigh of relief it was not them and move on. Think I am wrong? Be accused of a crime, get audited or stand up for whats right and see how many people are left standing around you. I would say they have made a pretty good system to pick people off as needed. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Robert Pezick - Who said the OWS movement has anything against millionaires? It doesn't - OWS has nothing against millionaires or billionaires. OWS is about the growth of millionaires/ billionaires over the last 15 years versus the stagnation of wealth at lower income levels. Most definitely the world's pool of labor expanding into places such as China and other lower wage countries has much to do with it. So the question is: does the USA continue to lower the standard of living for average employees to compete, or does the USA recognize the inequality and not contribute to it? Oct 16, 2011 +1 Johnny Ray Cole - The problem is when companies are so successful that they can afford to get politicians to legislate laws and tax codes that benefit them and them only. Throw in some bailouts and we have one major flaw in what you and I call capitalism. Cause in a REAL capitalistic society, they would have received NO help from their government. If these companies and banks can run their business into the ground, its okay, you can except government handouts. But when you are a single entity who cant get a job and you accept a handout, you are lazy? What kind of logic is that? Am I really that screwed up in the head that I am missing something? There is a basic underlying sentiment among these folks who are protesting and yes there are those who are really effin lazy, but people are fed up with our current government practices and policies. And it goes all the way to every corporation or company that pays for our 2 elected officials we get to choose from every four years. Sometimes a bit of anarchy helps get the word out when you are limited to major corp funded media outlets who control what gets in & out. Bash in a few windows and start a few fires and the news outlets come running. If we are lucky, we will get a someone who sees the issues and makes this their pledge to get us the real 'HOPE and CHANGE' we thought we were getting 3 years ago. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 +1 Sayre Brennan - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-americas-primal-scream.html?src=me&ref=general Oct 16, 2011 Laguna Niguel Realtor Rick Colson - They hurt?? Oct 16, 2011 Seth Bailey - I think when you have a world that is getting smaller and people feel the strain on resources and look at other people and think maybe they shouldn't have it so good. I think it comes back to a base survival instinct and it could potentially tear the world apart into roving bands of tribal warlords that can control resources like some mad max movie. that's really what this is going towards and it needs to be stopped or people will get hurt. But its gonna have to hurt a little more before people are willing to accept the fundamental shifting of economic paradigms that will have to take place for the new world order. But no one has been studying philosophy or history or communing with the ancient spirits in an attempt to find what this course for humanity might look like. Or have they?? Yes. But like I said, i think its gonna hurt worse before the changes happen. But you should be fine Mark Cuban, you have the resources of the worlds elite and the charisma of being one of the people. You fit it both worlds so you have no worries. That is what I think. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Bruce Orcutt - It is causing me to think about issues that are not defined by political party lines. Unfortunately, the message will be put into a political context that aligns with specific goals of a particular party; however, the core messages that resonate with me do not align with either political parties stated goals. Hopefully grass roots and rationale thought will prevail and invoke some effective change. Oct 16, 2011 Ryan Himelein - Everyone wondering what Mark thinks; http://blogmaverick.com/2011/10/14/my-soapbox-advice-to-the-ows-movement-and-then-some/ Oct 16, 2011 Jerry Kelly - I know this may be a stupid question, but can someone spell out what OWS stands for. I am new to the blog, sorry for not knowing... Oct 16, 2011 (edited) Raymond Chuang - Jerry, OWS is short for 'Occupy Wall Street.' Oct 16, 2011 Jerry Kelly - Thanks, of course it makes sense now. I really need to catch up on the news apparently. Oct 16, 2011 Jerry Kelly - It seems to me that both sides of the aisle are corrupted by the TOO BIG TO FAIL group of companies. But what is the solution? I have never really heard one that made me say, wow that would work! Oct 16, 2011 Steve Fox - Too small to succeed Oct 16, 2011 Mark Corliss - Alan Grayson summed it up on Bill Maher's show quite well. Oct 16, 2011 Russell Ammons - You talking about the Flea Party...George Soros backed compilation of one, students who have been so brainwashed that they are blind to the fact that capitalism is what gives them the opportunity to earn a living, eat and buy their iPhone...two, radicals who have truly embraced socialism and or communism...three, stinky hippies who have an excuse to be themselves, bare breasted and all. Oct 16, 2011 +1 Zach Grisbee - All of these people that think their lives are so horrible now should look back 10, 20, 50 or 100 years. Picture what the quality of life was back then. I mean really, do you think any of the OWS folks really want to go back to all that. Because in most places in the world that's the CURRENT reality. The reason we have the quality of life we do is because of innovation and productivity. All the products that have made us enjoy life more and ultimately have some long term financial goals are not available in the rest of the world. They weren't even available a decade ago. My phone now does everything my laptop could 10 years ago and way more than any computer could 20 years ago. These people are only complaining because they don't know how to adapt to a changing market and feel someone else is to blame for their situation. I feel sorry for people who have lost their job as it has happened to me in the past as well. However I turned around and switched careers and found a different way to support my family. Never did I feel I was being taken advantage of by evil rich people. The rich will always earn more because they have more invested. But they will also lose more for the same reason. If everyone made 10% more this year than last a person making 100k would make 110k. A person making 10mil would make 11mil. However there would be people complaining that its not fair that one person made a million more when the first guy only made 10k more. Too many people get distracted trying to keep up with the Jones to realize their life has actually gotten better. And when it goes bad they blame the Jones for getting into the mess. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Dalton Butler - @ Zach the average family is 600,000 dollars in debt because of the economy. people that run companies like BofA and Chase are the reasons behind it. Ending capitalism is the first step in fixing our economy. Oct 16, 2011 Mark Corliss - I posted a picture of what I think above. It's from the video I posted below. Oct 16, 2011 Stephanie breckling - http://www.mediaite.com/tv/mad-as-hell-dylan-ratigan-goes-on-epic-rant-over-trillions-extracted-from-u-s/ Oct 16, 2011 +1 Zach Grisbee - @dalton People talk about the economy like its a mythical evil unicorn. WE are the economy. Every single one of us. That's the problem. We have fewer people who understand that concept. People in general choose to blame the economy rather than accept their responsibility in the mess. I'm not sure how a bank is supposed to be the reason for our debt. It makes a lot more sense to blame the borrower rather than the lender for the impulse purchase of something they did not have money enough to buy on their own. Even major things like home mortgages should be taken on with a very serious financial evaluation by the BORROWER. In the end they are the ones that are responsible for the money borrowed. The same should be true of our government. But how can we expect the people who govern us do differently than the people they represent. It's always easier to ask someone else to do the right thing than being accountable for our own actions. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Luigi Aversano - How is BofA and Chase to blame? Just curious.... Oct 16, 2011 Dalton Butler - Luigi, they are big banking companies that together foreclosed 1 million houses in the US. Oct 16, 2011 Luigi Aversano - The 1% pay 40% of income taxes in the US. The top 10% of earners pay 70% of taxes. The notion of the wealthy not payimg enough is false. Washington doesnt have a tax problem. Washington has a spending problem. Oct 16, 2011 Luigi Aversano - Dalton, the banks didnt force people to take loans they couldnt afford. They did nothing illegal or unethical. What would you like them to do? You can blame washingtons tax policies that favor home ownership (deducting mortgage interest, real estate taxes etc) and their lack of regulation in the industry for the problem. Oct 16, 2011 Mark Corliss - To quote Southpark, Really?! WE are the economy?! Really?! And boiling WE down to 'every single one of us,' what does that accomplish? We are pawns at best. As evidence of this, look at the billions spent on advertising so WE will buy crap. Look at the billions spent convincing us that we need so much of the crap advertisers and manufacturers are shoving at us. If you really look at how our economic crisis happened, A) you discover that Alan Greenspan, working for a democratic president, told foreign investors they could no longer invest in high-yield treasuries as they had been. B) That move flooded the US financial markets with oodles of cash that now had to be 'invested' to make the banks rich. Those same banks saw a tremendous opportunity in all that cash flowing into them if only they could network their banking and investing units. C) Enter the Repeal of Glass-Steagall, which allowed exactly that to happen. Thank you, Phil Graham, Republican, from (wait for it) . . . TEXAS! D) Every major bank in the US was now FREE to create a huge sucking sound that took investor money from all over the planet, invested it in everything imaginable, and then used slight-of-hand to cover their tracks until POOF, all the money evaporated in an unimaginable number of black boxes full of phony investment 'tools' designed to make a monkey go stark-raving mad! E) Real Estate Agents and appraisers knew the money was flooding in so of course they went to work getting their percentage of it. F) Companies did IPOs to get their huge share of the cash. G) All kinds of pension funds and local governments issued bonds to get their share of the Great Re-direction of Capitol Greenspan spawned. H) For sellers, it was an incredible ride, until they had to buy another house for themselves. For borrowers, it was also an incredible ride because rates were affordable, and the supply of money was OUTSTANDING. I) On the back side, credit default swaps and a host of wildly other-dimensional weapons of mass deceit were developed by the guys who crashed Enron, and then moved to Lehman Bros, and the like. If you really dig into what happened, it's probably about a hundred math-whizes with PHD's and a taste for cheap champagne and the ladies of Vegas who crashed our economy. It was not people on the ground, who now live on the streets as your post suggested. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Zach Grisbee - We can blame big this or big that. In the end the biggest entity is combined entity of 'everyone else' category. There is a reason the spend billions in marketing. Because the economy rides on the masses of consumers. The more people want or need a product, the more people will pay for it. The largest investment companies represent broad interests of pensions, retirement funds, and small individual investors. These were the people who drove the banks to bring a higher return. They gladly tried to make it happen. And while they were successful everyone was on board. The 'bigs' are a lot less big than most think. And they really only affect you as much as you expose yourself to them. The idea that the economy wouldn't be able to survive without these companies is a lie to protect themselves. But the idea that they are the major cause is as much of a lie. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Sienna Abdulahad - loved the blog post! Oct 16, 2011 Aaron Loum - If those people were as determined to get a job as they are to protest people with jobs they may have a job. They are willing to travel across the country to protest but I bet they haven't tried anywhere outside their local area for a job. If they really wanted to have a job they would have a job. I saw a girl holding a sign saying we need jobs and a reporter asked her if a CEO came down and offered her a job would she take it? Her response was absolutely not! The protests are not about jobs it's about lazy people not making what company owners and upper management make. Oct 16, 2011 Mark Corliss - On the surface, I can see how you would think that, even though I don't know you from Adam. But I believe that if you look deeper into the nature of the protesters, you will find that they have a different view of the world than you do. They want a different kind of world. A world with different values. One might suggest that the protesters want a world with values that work better than those expressed in your post. The funny thing is, I bet I could get you AND the protesters to agree that so many people WITHOUT Jobs, AND Healthcare, AND Food, and HOMES, and all the other problems so many are experiencing now, is a bad thing. But then I would be reading compassion into your post, which I can not find there. If a CEO came and offered me a job working in his factory earning 50 cents a day making computers day after day after day, I would not accept that job. Not because I'm lazy; I've done boring work all my 60 years. I would refuse because such work is inhumane. But those are my values, not yours. I wonder: Is Google Plus a republican hang-out? Is this where all the less compassionate hang? Is this where the haves celebrate their largess at the expense of the 99%? It seems that way. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Brian Becker - i dont think this is any specific hangout. just a lot of fed up people with washington, on this post anyway. Oct 16, 2011 Bruce Bahmani - OWS is a pure expression of Const. right to assemble, and free speech. Present company excepted, the 'cost' of being rich is sometimes having a lot of folks hate you for it. especially those who flaunt their wealth (again , present company excepted) and even more so if the wealth was ill-gotten, or purely lucky. It is possible be a rich and not be an a-hole. All I as is the chance to prove that money won't change me. ;) Oct 16, 2011 Rosepher Catervas - 'having large numbers of people engaged in direct action in support of their beliefs can be nothing but healthy for a democracy' Tell that to the Jews that survived Nazi Germany. Their cause has to be a JUST cause for it to be good. This 'movement' sounds like a discombobulated groups with different messages. The only seemingly coherent messages seem to be: - Make Wall Street Execs feel pain simply because they're rich. - Wall street execs could only possibly be rich if they wrongly took form others. - Down with Capitalism. - Let's all be Socialists. - Let's all be Communists. - I was irresponsible with my financial decisions, and even though YOU have sacrificed to get YOUR family's finances in order, I think you should start all over again and pay for MY mistakes. I don't want to because I'm lazy, stingy, and greedy. - Blame the Jews. I'm not 'down' with ANY of those messages. The economic problems are cause by the housing collapse which was caused by Fannie & Freddi telling the banks to make loans to poor credit score people. The banks didn't want to do this, which is WHY they have the credit scoring system. Those with poor credit scores are much less likely to be able to pay their loans back. Fannie & Freddie (read Government and Democrats) promised they'd be backed by the government if the low credit customers didn't pay it back. Many banks were coerced to do it because they STILL didn't think it was a good idea. Now, SHOCK! The low credit scores didn't pay their loans back. Who would have thunk? Lots of people, of course, including the Bush Administration that WARNED congress as far back as 2004. Watch this video: Don't believe me? Watch the video yourself right here: Shocking Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis THIS is what caused the financial crisis we're in now. You're protesting the WRONG PEOPLE! Protest Maxine Waters and Barney Frank, and anyone that voted in favor of this plan (Including any Republicans too!). This should be OccupyDC, not Occupy Wall Street. Also, if you're so upset about the rising cost of education, go protest your universities! Seriously! I'll back you 100% if you protest Fannie, Freddie, Maxine Waters, Barney Frank, any government officials for putting this plan in place, and/or your colleges for outrageous fees! Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 +1 Aaron Loum - The CEO they were talking about was a wall street CEO. Not a job on a line making the illegally low rate you mention. Pretty much implying a 6 figure income. I have sent out thousands of resumes since I PUT MYSELF through college and got 3 interviews. I got 2 of those jobs. I'm not saying it is easy but you have to be willing to keep trying. All I'm saying is if they really want to work they would still be sending resumes out and working as hard on that as they are protesting people who have broken no laws. Oct 16, 2011 +1 Johnny Ray Cole - I guess providing folks who were high risk at default a way to home ownership is worse then sending troops to war for WMD's that have yet to be found. Oct 16, 2011 David Butler - They (and I) are protesting being locked out of the chance to make enough to get us through life without worrying everyday if we will make it to the next paycheck. We simply want to be able to retire before we die, with enough of our retirement account left to not end up starving to death. I sock away 12% of my pay every single pay period and my account is actually shrinking right now. I work my ass off in the medical field. You folks who only call us names can kiss my fat ass. I've heard people say we just want a free ride, a free education etc. No, we just want the freedom to be able to buy these things and not be completely priced out of them. Get it? Probably not. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Zach Grisbee - @David Basically it sounds like you want to be the 1%. Because if you are able to put money away for retirement so you don't have to work in your later years, you are ahead of about 90% already. If you think historically then you're probably ahead of 95-98%. Instead of worrying about someone else losing your money, work the money on your own. Back in the day peoples families took care of them when they got too old. They didn't go traveling the world or relaxing during the sunset of their lives. Not only that, but they usually didn't live very long past their working days. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 David Butler - @Zach No, Zach, I don't want more than I can possibly spend and then all yours too so by definition I'm not nor do I want to be a 1%er. Some of us didn't have kids just because we didn't have the sense to practice responsible sex. My wife couldn't get pregnant so we don't have our own slaves to wipe our asses in our old age. Some day it will occur to you that there's more to it than 'not having to work'. It would be nice to be ABLE to work forever. That would mean I could play that long too. Alas, we get old and decrepit whether we want to or not. In other words, some day I will not be able to work but may still be hungry. Should I just die then because I am of no more use to YOU? Some day you will understand after a little more experience but that's OK. It looks like at least you are to trying to reason this out. Do I give you too much credit? BTW, my retirement fund is shrinking because of the market shares shrinking and I have no other choice with my benefits package at work to invest in another way. I have the choice of putting it in a regular savings account but then lose again through taxes. You will undoubtedly learn more about life with experience but for now, you don't know what you are talking about. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Zach Grisbee - It actually doesn't have anything to do with me valuing you in anyway. I wish you the best in trying to retire as I'm trying to do the same. I just want to keep it all in perspective. What you and I are both trying to do is a luxury not afforded to the great majority of people now or throughout history. That is the point. We are probably top 5% of the people in the world if we are able to retire and sustain ourselves for 15-20 years after retirement. I'm sorry you discount my experience. I've got a family, secure employment and plan for my future too. It wasn't always that way but I never once felt the need to protest a system has provided more opportunities than any other place in the world. I know because I've lived in several. I wish you the best in trying to achieve your goals but remember you are closer to the top of the list than you are to the bottom. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 Garrard Glenn - Mark, I suggest you order a 2004 published book from Amazon entitled 'The End of Work' by Jeremy Rifkin. This book is remarkably prescient. It posits that computers, robots, and the general trend of ever-increasing mechanization of work are reducing in the developed countries the need for workers. The ones at the bottom suffer most, as we have been experiencing in our country since about 1973. The statistics are clear on this issue. But, the suffering and diminution of both jobs and income are slowly but inexorably working their way up the socioeconomic scales. THAT is what is behind OWS, as well as the resentment at dramatic income inequality. And, of course, outsourcing is a big part of this problem. It will continue, and grow worse over time. There is an almost inexhaustible supply of new workers in China and India who will work for much, much less than folks in the developed countries. And, as Thomas Jefferson said, 'Merchants have no country.' Apple computers et al are made by Foxconn in China, for peanuts. If Jobs had made them here, he would have been priced out of the market. A hard fact. Rifkin proposes that government will have to step in, and employ people in social services and the like for Living Wages, and perhaps subsidize what certain industries are able to pay their workers. Workfare, not welfare, for many people. This, of course, will be resisted passionately by many folks here in the U.S., given our cult of individuality, and general distaste for central governmental interference in the marketplace. The oligarchs will resist this new idea, as will their hirelings and toadies in Washington, D.C., as will many of the middle classes, until such time as the old laissez faire ways of doing business utterly collapse, and the pain becomes too broad, and too intense. Then, and only then, change will come. T'was ever thus. Finally, the techie futurists estimate that in 150 years time, or perhaps surprisingly sooner, most work, both intellectual and physical, will be performed by robots, and computers. What, then? How will goods and services be distributed to the vast, non-working populace when this brave new world actually takes place? Will new elites attempt to control the new sources of production, as usual, or will society adopt more enlightened practices of the distribution of wealth? I really think we are in the beginning throes of this transformation into a new, quasi-science fictional world. I suspect it won't be easy. But, we'll get there, finally. I think. Thoughts? It would be nice if politicians and business leaders recognized the parameters of this new world to come, and started planning for it now. World views and philosophies will have to change. The old Neanderthal fear of scarce resources, which still drives us all, will have to shift. A new consciousness of a new reality will simply, in the end, have to take place. A cake walk? Probably not. Unless our leaders adopt new, large volumes of imagination, and courage, not to speak of decency. I don't see that happening at the present time. But the OWS kids, unconsciously and inelegantly perhaps, are beginning to signal the need for real change. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 +1 George Dorn - What we need is 'extreme capitalism', where the price of goods and services reflect not just the cost of production/extraction, manufacturing, marketing, reasonable profit, etc, but all of that PLUS the cost to society as a whole that inevitably results from their use. For example, if you buy electricity from a dirty coal-fired power plant, it's immoral for you NOT to pay for your share of the damage caused by acid rain, climate change, ecosystem destruction, etc. Instead, what we do in our perverted version of capitalism is decide that if we can't put a precise value on an external cost, we pretend it doesn't exist. But, we, the people, end up paying it. In America, the people take the risk, and the corporations take the profit. Expand this comment » Oct 16, 2011 +2 Adam Duchateau - Things get lost during translations. It's not an attack on wealthy, but it's on the wealthy that promote corruption. I support OWS and I support the idea that a person's voice is heard no matter how much wealth they possess. Oct 17, 2011 Cornell Clarke - Ready to play Ball. Oct 17, 2011 Eric Graffeo - Mark I love your 'Tax the hell out of wall street' post. Sounds brilliant, but the law of politics will never allow such great ideas to flourish. Oct 17, 2011 Christopher Mattson - Sometimes confused, misinformed, and blatantly wrong points can lead to a lengthy movement. With enough people, arrows, and directed angst- someone's going to shoot off a bulls-eye pointed rallying cry. How many royal heads roll will likely depend on the accuracy of the movement and how easy it can be dismissed. Oct 17, 2011 Michael LaSalle - Most of the peopletotal very naive about fundamental understanding of capitalism and they have no real solutions to what they are complaining about. I'm all for the right to protest, but this is America, quit complaining about your lot in life and do something to change it...the '1%' is achievable to all. It's the fundamental American dream. Investment bankers didn't cause our economic problems, people's inability to live within their own means...personally with credit cards and mortgages (2007-2008) and statewide as governments with debt, deficits and runaway entitlements (tbd). Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 SAYED.ZAHEER A.BUKHARI - hi cuban Oct 17, 2011 Adam Duchateau - Mike would you mind waking up out of your fairytale dream and join us in the real world. It would help civilization tremendously. Oct 17, 2011 Adam Duchateau - Capitalism doesn't value products, service or labor correctly because the people who own all the capital control the entire process. Sure some can and will scratch their way to the top, but that doesn't mean all able and willing bodies can. The OWS are trying to do somthing about it, WTF do you think the protest is all about. I'm sorry if your pea brain can't comprehend what is going on or what the real struggles people are going through. Sure americans have it better than most, but I'm willing to bet one day that will change and by then, it might be to late to protest. The ship would've already sailed. Oct 17, 2011 angelina princess - Natural Height growth tips.. i found them authentic and beneficial.. http://www.nationwidesi.com/blog/exercise-fitness/increasing-height-naturally/ Oct 17, 2011 Khalil Grace - should really be about higher education institutions. http://bit.ly/oAkfi9 Oct 17, 2011 Wade Sarver - Everyone there is very angry, apparently they feel the gap between middle class and upper class is widening the the gap between the lower class and the middle class has narrowed. I just wondered if these people are out of work? I don't fully understand the message except that they are angry that corporations pay their executives so much money. If you look throughout history at revolutions, this is usually how it starts, the have-nots getting very angry at the excessive-haves. What do you think, is it time to rise up and protest, peacefully? Oct 17, 2011 بيجو لايف‎ - Hear me well God created people in different layers and different forms In varying layers between them and so Ieiho Aakhaddm and each other In which his divine creation .... To Aadhan that revolutions will change anything, and I are grown tribulations, problems, and harm More than good .... Allah says in His Holy Book (and God's people do not pay each other to the ground and rotted, but God is the preferred worlds (251)) In the interpretation of this verse .... Abu Ja'far: I mean - God said - so: he would not be paid to some people who are people of obedience to him and to believe in some they are the people of sin to God and shirk it, and pay for defaulters Taloot day Goliath of the people of disbelief and disobedience to him - has given them what they asked Lord, from the mission the king for them to grapple with him in the process those who labored with him from the people of faith in God and the certainty and patience - Goliath and his soldiers 'to corrupt the earth' means: the perished people of Baquba, God them, Vvsdt this earth, but God is of His creation and goes on they pushed the mainland of the creation of immoral, and Palmtia for the sinner of them, and insured for the infidel. [P. 373] This verse is informed by God - the Almighty said - the hypocrites who were at the time of the Messenger of Allah - peace be upon him - retarded from watching and struggle with him to doubt that in them the disease and their hearts, and the polytheists and the infidels of them, and that it is pushing them Maagelthm punishment for their disbelief and hypocrisy of faith His Messenger and the believers who are the people of the foresight and hard in the order of Allah, and those with complete certainty of God and the promise of them on his enemies and the enemies of Jihad messenger of victory in the future and win Bjnanh term. Thank you a lot I hope to learn from each other Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 (edited) Sean OBrien - If people channeled this free time and rage into learning math and science skills (or paying attention to their kids) perhaps we'd still be in the top 10 in the world in math and science and these people would be entrepreneurs instead of quasi-hobos. Instead of fucking around on Facebook and Twitter, drinking your Venti-Skim-Chai (paid for on dads credit card) and getting Communications degrees go read a math book, figure out how the OSI stack works or LEARN SOME TANGIBLE LIFE SKILL BESIDES WHINING. Oct 17, 2011 +1 Sayre Brennan - Sean, Maybe they should get a degree in economics. According to the C.I.A.’s own ranking of countries by income inequality, the United States is more unequal a society than either Tunisia or Egypt. Three factoids underscore that inequality: ¶The 400 wealthiest Americans have a greater combined net worth than the bottom 150 million Americans. ¶The top 1 percent of Americans possess more wealth than the entire bottom 90 percent. ¶In the Bush expansion from 2002 to 2007, 65 percent of economic gains went to the richest 1 percent. Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 Sean OBrien - Income inequality is another term for people whining about their lot in life. It stems from us having really really rich people and that skews bogus stats like 'Income Inquality'. In addition they should get a degree in Political Science and read the fucking bill of rights. Check it out ... no 'Equal Income' clause, shocking I know! You can do anything you want in this country and live better than 90% of the free world. The people occupying wall street are probably tweeting on their iPhones that were produced by a company with a market cap bigger than all the companies they are pissing and moaning about. You want to protest capitalism, wall street, old money, money, stocks, bonds etc. I have a suggestion. They should pool all their income, buy a tract of land in Nebraska, and throw their iPhones, iPads, Crocs, skinny jeans and fucking Facebook accounts in the trash. Sell their Volkswagons and move the hell out there, learn to farm and be self sufficient. That'll show em! Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 Sayre Brennan - Mr. O'Brien, what you've just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought or argument. Everyone who read this post is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. Oct 17, 2011 +1 Jason Weida - Interesting: 'Thought for the day' from 10/7/2011 posted on the blog of one self-described progressive/liberal who has posted comments in this question stream: If you would lift me up, you must be on higher ground. -Ralph Waldo Emerson Oct 17, 2011 William Volk - Excellent read on the subject: http://www.newser.com/story/131129/apple-ceo-steve-jobs-completed-design-for-iphone-5.html I think the Democrats are going to find it very hard to co-opt this the way the GOP did with the Tea Party. Not with the way the admin has dealt with the fraud. Oct 17, 2011 Jason Weida - Ok, now I'm seriously skeptical this poster is really as 'progressive' as she purports... Another 'thought of the day' from her blog: 'You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go. ' - Dr. Seuss Oct 17, 2011 David Munoz - I think they are petitioning the wrong group, it should be the government. They are mad about the bailouts and want to crush capitalism, and the truth is the bail out was allowing socialistic principles to get into capitalism, bad move, nothing is too big to fail. They should have let the banks restructure under bankruptcy. They are misguided and have no idea they are trying to kill the goose that laid the golden egg and created the most successful economic model in human history... 'capitalism' Oct 17, 2011 +1 Justin Dart - My view on the 99% vs. 1% issue: There are the “haves,” or 1%, and the “have-nots,” or 99%, in the US, just like any other nation. Unfortunately, the US’s “have-nots” compare themselves to the “haves” in the US instead of comparing themselves to the “have-nots” throughout the world. When compared to “have-nots” throughout the world, the US’s “have-nots” or 99% are incredibly well-off! We never have to worry about clean, safe water. We don’t even have to walk a mile or two to get it, water comes right to our home no matter how poor we are. Food is so abundant and in such variety that we Americans have developed a serious obesity and diabetes problem. And that is just the start to the benefits the “have-nots,” or 99%, receive in the US. Additionally, the 1% in America are the most generous 1% of any nation on the planet! Warren Buffett has given away almost his entire fortune to charity and convinced countless other 1 percenters to do the same. Bill Gates created the largest non-profit on the planet, eradicating diseases and saving millions of lives along the way. No other nation has the level of private giving that the US has. Few other nations allow or even have non-profits. No other nation has a non-profit sector as vibrant and active as the United States. Americans are the most generous people on the planet. Our anger should not be directed at our 1%. If we want to be angry with someone, we should be angry with our fellow “have-nots” or 99% around the world, for it is they who are willing to work for much less than us. Even better, we should turn our negative anger into something positive and constructive. Not waste our time and energy dancing in the streets. Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 +2 Mike Wallace - Its being taken over by liberal media groups( Moveon.org George Soros etc) in an effort to discredit the movement as a whole. The real issue is not Wall street as is just an arm of the real root problem which is the Federal Reserve. The Fed is privately owned and is actively undercuting the economy with stratogies meant to break us. Wall Street has it's issues, that's for sure. The repeal of the Glass-Steagal Act has lead to this unstable over-reaching financial time bomb that threatens to collapse at any time. The Fed is the root because it is run by off-shore banks with no allegience to the USA. People like Allan Greenspan and others have lead the charge into this financial hell hole we are in. Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 Michael amar - Mark i have a good idea but i need funding and experience...im sure im not the first to ask on google+ but a guys gotta try. email me @ mordachiamar@gmail.com Oct 17, 2011 Edhys Santos - Genio suerte este año!!! Oct 17, 2011 Collin Porterfield - I believe in the first amendment. So, if a group like OWS wants to band together and express an opinion, then they should be free to do so. But I also believe that the media should cover and scrutinize the group's message. If the group's position has some validity, perhaps others will be alerted to the cause. And if the group's position lacks validity, then that will be uncovered for all blind believers and followers. Oct 17, 2011 +1 Armando Hernandez - Yo Mark, hook me up with a job somewhere! Give a random stranger a chance. Oct 17, 2011 Larry Flores - Hey Mark, I love you but it makes way more sense that the people be pissed at you as a super rich guy then me as a lowly federal employee but somehow I get penalized pay cut. Oct 17, 2011 David Appletree - The American Nazi Party endorses it. 'Nuff said. Oct 17, 2011 Abdul Hamid - I think the main message is fine but it looks like a lot of people are using it as an excuse for their shortcomings. Nothing comes without hard work. Don't tell someone to share if you never helped them earn what they have. In Canada tuition is around $6,000 and students are complaining. What ever happened to working a job while pursuing your education. University/College is not a god given right, it is a luxury. If you can afford it, do it. If you can't pursue something else or study part time or every other year. Oct 17, 2011 (edited) +1 Peter Koepke - Its good. People involved in their future can only be positive. The two parties in Washington are beholden to corporate donors, oh and to God, who has been inexplicably absent from commenting on any blog. Oct 17, 2011 Richard Corbin - Why punish someone like Mark Cuban for making a certain amount of money? Most of the people arguing about all this is jealous (or lazy) and just want more handouts. Dont be hating on those who were more innovative than you (or smarter). Of course I'd like to be in their shoes, but I'm not, so I'm over it. If more than the 47% of Americans paid there taxes this would be an after thought. Across the board flax tax is what is needed, doesnt matter if you make 100 million a year or 10 thousand a year. Oct 17, 2011 +1 michael blake - Look don't get it twisted citizens are protesting because we bail out corporations to have those same companies we saved turn around and reward themselves with huge bonuses, not extend credit to the qualified(business or personal), not modify to help homeowners, raise every rate and fee that they can, ...need i continue( we all see the profits). I am not angry at anyone for making it happen and being successful but i do have a problem when i help you out and you stiff me and my friends and family alike. We kept the banks in play and probably save the world from going into another depression and the Banks are rewarding us by milking the turnip during a recession. People aren't lazy the are pissed and as Americans this is what we do protest. Believe me it could be worst in Greece the shoot at the government buildings, in Italy the burn cars, in the middle east they are overturning the government as a whole. Stop hating and Let folks vent before the pressure cooker expoldes.... Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 Rafael De La Nuez - All I say is that the GOP wants the cake and eat it too. The only way to deal with this crisis is to raise taxes on corporations and individuals make over 250K yearly. This works because they did it in the Clinton's years and he ended up leaving the white house with a surplus. We have two wars. We have been in Iraq and Afghanistan for close to 10 yrs now and that takes a toll on the economy. But in the meantime, we have this military contractor companies making a tone of money and they are taxed at a lower rate than the average Joe...it doesn't make sense. Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 (edited) +1 Rob Thrasher - I have an innovative idea that will result in more jobs, more tax collection and a rapidly growing economy. Occupy a friggin desk someplace you bunch of friggin whiners with ur hands out. ALSO, can you all occupy a solidified message while your at it. I heard 20 completely different messages from 20 different idiots today. Also, I like to call them Occupy Mom and Dads place. Maybe occupy a life. How about occupy a GD shower and a toilet. Maybe Occupy a Real Life. How about Occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, since he's one of the biggest problems. Oct 17, 2011 Rob Thrasher - One more thing, SEAN PENN, you might try Occupying Reality. YES, do kick the N-Word out of the White House if N stands for Nincompoop. Oh and for all you nincompoop's occupying Wall Street, and Penn too, here's the definition of nincompoop: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nincompoop -- If you need help occupying your mouse to get to occupy that URL call me so I can laugh at you and hang up on you. I know you like punching people Penn, so maybe we can go Mano-a-mano you dumb ass. You insulted a LOT of good people Penn, you creepy sack o crap. There were a few isolated incidents with racists and some were even related back to leftists who want to paint TEA party members as racists, so get a GD clue Penn! I always thought you were a moron, now I am sure of it. Expand this comment » Oct 17, 2011 +1 Ronnie Wilson - Rob is a loud-mouthed jackass. Oct 17, 2011 Robert Cherry - After sitting on this for a few days and reading all the comments, it appears from my perspective that we are all playing the classic Ultimatum Game, a game theorum that states, in short, that if given the option of being treated unfairly or receiving nothing at all, human beings will always and always certainly opt for nothing at all. The problem is, neither side is wrong from their perspective, thus leading to the feeling of injustice from the 99% as well as those on Wall Street who have earned their living successfully before the major crash. The only real solution to this problem is finding a compromise in which both sides make concessions. In the sheer basics, Wall Street execs need to stop taking 6 figure bonuses and the 99% need to stop financing 3000 dollar appliances on a 15,000 dollar a year budget. Responsibility needs to come from both sides of the table on this one in order to balance the tables a bit. Imagine the amount of good we can do, socially, if we all raised our taxes a bit and fixed the problems at hand. The balls in our court to both make concessions and start anew. Expand this comment » Oct 18, 2011 Mike Barer - I wouldn't sell it short! It's not a war on the rich--it's an attempt to make Wall Street accountable. Oct 18, 2011 +1 Brian Wellman - wow, I read every comment up here and most are filled with hate or ignorance. I wonder if this struggling country economy will ever find solutions to our problems. Mark do you think a revolution can happen here in US? if so, how far away do you think we could be? Just wondering, it's a thought that came across my mind recently. I know we are the most equipped nation to avoid this, but there is a lot of negativity in the world today. It's great to have an opinion but don't make yourself sound like a jack-ass in the process! Oct 18, 2011 Avril Harryson - - hey friends must check this video.. really very informative... http://ow.ly/6Tyxn just check it out... Oct 18, 2011 Raquel Frankenberg - The banks were indeed greedy in their behavior. If somebody owes you money and you owe me money.....then I forgive you or help you wash away that debt...isn't it your responsibility to do the same to those that owe you...to help them...they same way you were helped? That's what keeps our society respectable and moving forward. The banks were greedy! While I don't endorse the OWS philosophy entirely...do you blame them? When the BOA CEO stated they 'deserved' to make a profit hence the fee on ck cards.....was insulting. What is being debated is how they choose to make that 'profit'...not that they make a profit...nor even the amt they make...it's how they are making it......... Banks are making money daily...these fees might not affect you and me - but what about the school teacher that didn't get a raise this past year yet gas, food went up.....and are struggling..... $3 here and $3 there......it all adds up Expand this comment » Oct 18, 2011 Chauncey Dozier - wwww.mustachepeteacc.tumblr.com @mustachepeteacc mustachepeteinfo@gmail.com Please check it out and get back to me. Thanks in advance. #seedstage Oct 18, 2011 Aleksander Garcia - I like cheese XD Oct 18, 2011 Keniey Sonley - I've always told those in my circle of friends that if anything changes in this country it would be because the people took to the streets. I hope that you find ways to put your personal brand behind it to get it moving further in the right direction. Oct 18, 2011 +1 Eric Deutsch - OWS feel different than other 'movements'. No cliches' or simple fixes. This is Democracy in action. I can't wait to see how this plays out in November 2012. Oct 18, 2011 +1 thiem cao - i think there's a little bit of OWS in most of us. that included the TEA peoples too. just a different priorities but just as mad as hell at the corrupted politicians and their wallstreet masters Oct 18, 2011 Amir Einav - In Israel the same social justice movement managed to mobilize 350K people on one night to demonstrate. that's like 15M Americans will be marching....But timing is everything and starting this action in late Sep is not really considering the only predictable thing- the US weather :) Oct 19, 2011 Scott White - they're all whack jobs. Oct 19, 2011 +1 Martin Leonard - It will end in a political social and commercial compromise... public business conducted for personal and private gain will always fuel socialist responses, history shows. Oct 19, 2011 Katie Tippelt - I wish more of the American middle class would go out to balance the optics of the protest. Current economic practices aren't sustainable, but too many Americans have become complacent. They are passing up an opportunity to make changes. Oct 19, 2011 +2 James Alexander - I have to agree with you we will overcome the current system we have to continue to fight Oct 19, 2011 +2 PATTI OWENS - People are desperate for change. Oct 19, 2011 Marc Garcia - Support OWS Oct 19, 2011 +1 Zach Hodges - 'Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as being able to remake ourselves.' -Gandhi For me, that about says it all. Oct 19, 2011 Johnny Campbell - your my homie Oct 19, 2011 Dannon Butler - I hope Texas Rangers win The World Series this year! Last Year was the set-up for doing it this year! Oct 19, 2011 Paul Tran - We have a record deficit, the political environment is in disarray, the heathcare reform is not what we were told, the 'fast and furious' fall out, over .5 Billion $ to Solyndra is gone, the OWS is demanding something that we still don't know about, beside asking to forgive their tuition loan, and our fearless leader is campaigning for re-election - oh my .... what a different 3 years can make to the greatest country on earth. Hope & Change -> Hope is gone and we can Change in Nov 2012 - ABO. Oct 19, 2011 (edited) +1 Rob Byrnes - OWS seems to be all kinds of workers. I have seen the group in Philadelphia and they are steadfast. I think it is an amazing example, so far, of how our country can allow 'the people' to speak their mind and not be arrested or worse, for it. It has been peacful and mostly incident free. My wish for OWS is that BIG business and government are listening and it does not harbor ill will to these folks as they are trying to get our leaders in business and government of of zero. This constant jockeying for Dem vs. Rep. is dragging us down because thes guys are more intrested in votes for the future than they are in fixing it now for the future. Maybe OWS is a step to push them? Expand this comment » Oct 19, 2011 +2 Kim Curran - They are pigs with no respect for peoples property or what they are doing to honest businesses. Oct 19, 2011 Xavier Brooks-El - I think they need direction...doesn't have to be leadership buy def direction Oct 19, 2011 الطائر الحر‎ - What is the meaning OWS ? Oct 19, 2011 (edited) patrick haggerty - tea party for the left. people will get elected, laws will be passed, changes will happen, then they will have felt heard and stop protesting. Oct 20, 2011 +1 Collin Stucko - ’m sure people will want to give up capitalism once they see how great camping in a park is. The protestors can’t even agree on what they want; some want to reform the system, others want to smash it to bits. If you’re looking for complete and total equality for everyone where there is no classes you could try socialism. Why are the protestors marching on Wall Street and not in Washington because, to me, it seems they have more issues with the government than corporations. For example, they (Occupy Wall St) are mad big banks took bail out money from tax payers. Well who authorized that? The Obama administration. I get the idea where they are coming from and that they want change but they are going about it in the wrong way. Vague demands fired blindly will not solve anything. Expand this comment » Oct 20, 2011 +1 Duane Voth - However it is easy to agree we need some fundamental changes in the way government works and gets elected. A first, and uncontroversial step is to block special interests from campaign financing. There is a petition to this end up for finance reform: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114692496697136481400/posts/gwsvdJUsFJZ , please get everyone you know to sign it by November 19th. Oct 20, 2011 Chad Mulligan - well, Hmmm. Lets see. I guess what they are saying is that, they feel they know that the system, (wealthy people and families of rich ancestors) have guaranteed their own survival and monetary safely over giving the upcoming generations a chance. I agree that they are very confused, but they are fully aware they don't know everything, if anything, they are just saying they smell a pack or rats. the point is not whether you agree or disagree, they just want the wealthy people that sit in a skyscraper, drinking scotch, and probably drinking away the guilt (which i imagine they do easily) to see that people are now fully aware, that they are not doing what is right for their fellow man, but only doing what benefits people in their life. Which is wrong. Capitalism is a beautiful thing, and our freedom is beautiful. The best, but we also have god to answer for, and our conscience MUST be asking us daily, are you helping or hurting your fellow man? Do you think that talking badly about a bunch of kids and middle aged to old people non-violently voicing their opinion is anything more than a deflection of the point they are making? Do you think things are going better and better with the way people at the top can accept bailouts for breaking the economy due to greedy and idiotic lending? I know very little about the specifics, i wouldn't care to. I'll just surmise this, our country isn't broke, it's been been sucked up like water through a straw. Put this in your pipe and smoke it ;) http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailybail.com%2Fhome%2Fholy-bailout-federal-reserve-now-backstopping-75-trillion-of.html&h=eAQAI9_gmAQArrUlonSZBWeQ60Npx8p0R1u059Ri3OsEqjg Expand this comment » Oct 20, 2011 Chad Mulligan - http://dailybail.com/home/holy-bailout-federal-reserve-now-backstopping-75-trillion-of.html Look that those chins! tell me their not rich pigs! LOL Oct 20, 2011 Ron Ronnix - The Communist Party USA backs OWS. So do Socialists, bHo, the Press, & the Dims {for most part}, as well as Anarchists - That has to tell us something. Oct 20, 2011 +2 Peter Blair - i think the cards hold the cards now Oct 20, 2011 Shivani Bennet - don't knw............... Oct 21, 2011 Randy Rosenthal - Can you please buy the New York Mets??? Please!!!??? Oct 21, 2011 Rosepher Catervas - Here's what I think: https://plus.google.com/photos/110077714902341521287/albums/posts/5665923362120119506 https://plus.google.com/photos/110077714902341521287/albums/posts/5665919339284404802 https://plus.google.com/photos/110077714902341521287/albums/posts/5665910947285738962 Expand this comment » Oct 21, 2011 Dheeraj Kumar - helo Oct 21, 2011 Edward Dry - Interesting opinions here. Personally, I believe it is a lot of people who do not know what else to do! Frustrated, out of work, upset, and disappointed in a lack of progress or results. Of course, there are people who want to use this as a political forum - but the rank and file are just people who are lost and forgotten. History is being made, and what we do will be remembered. If you are fat and happy, and looking down on what is occurring - your grandchildren will be the ones who judge you! Oct 21, 2011 +2 Tom Scarlett - I'm not against OWS, but Wall Street is capitalism doing what you would expect it to do. I mean, come on -- if people picketed your place of work demanding that you lower your salary or 'share' some of your legally earned income, would you do it? I wouldn't. There may be a lot of shameful business practices going on, but it is business. It isn't charity. If I wanted to work harder and more hours, I could probably make more $$ too, but I don't whine about people who do put in the time and / or got lucky and are wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. Good for them. I would much rather people occupy our federal government because THEY are the ones spending OUR MONEY, not the Wall Street suits. A good number of the powerful folks in congress have been there for a long time, and were at the wheel when things started down hill years ago, and they rode it into the ground. They seem more worried about getting re-elected than making tough decisions and working together to solve the problems the country faces. Expand this comment » Oct 21, 2011 +1 Steve Willmann - Obviously in this country an adjustment of some sort is needed. Maybe this is a way to show how serious it's getting. The financial industry can not continue to be bailed out by taxpayers and then turn around and stick it to them. Oct 21, 2011 +1 Jason Spangler - What do I think of OWS? I think it's the world's longest, most disorganized unemployment line. If you followed me on twitter, you'd know this.@TheRealJBox Oct 21, 2011 david goldberg - Here's what Goldman Sachs thinks about them - http://www.borowitzreport.com/2011/10/17/a-letter-from-goldman-sachs/ Oct 21, 2011 Randy Vice - I think that many are well meaning, however, I believe there are a lot more important issues facing us today. Again, not pro, not con. Oct 21, 2011 Richard Squartino - they are right, wall street is the biggest con game in the world and the idiot Americans let it happen they should close it down immediately and arrest all involved, especially the politicians behind it all. They arrested the Italians for booze, gambling and prostitution, just to take it all away from them and make it legal and tax it. They do it with drugs in form of pharmaceuticals, and in the near future will make marijuana and other drugs legal so they can make money off of it. Look at cigarettes over 5 dollars a pack so the governments can cut up approx. $4.50 of that money none goes to the people who die from it Oct 21, 2011 Richard Squartino - if all people in the united states of america started a movement not to drive or support any form of petroleum transportation for one week, gas would go down to 10 cents a gallon, if it did not we continue until it does. there is no reason it should cost any more then 10 cents per gallon, if you think i am wrong look at the balance sheets of BP, Exxon/Mobil and the rest of them, we americans are suckers!!! I lived in china for 5 years and most ride bikes and scooters, though they are getting stupid too, the car, oil, and wall street marketeers are wearing them down Oct 21, 2011 Richard Squartino - next the drugs, alcohol and gambling will enter mainstream to China and they will be finished, numbed cows, like the Americans Oct 21, 2011 Todd Coleman - I think they need to get a f*cking life, then get a f*cking job!!! Oct 21, 2011 Tom Hoole - there is a valid point underneath it all, but marching on Jamie Dimon's house ain't it. Gotta go after the vampire squid. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Oct 22, 2011 Michael Dickerson - I think it has quickly morphed into 'I don't like this or this part about my life, who can I blame for it?' Oct 22, 2011 David Fitzgerald - I think nothing will come of it until they decide how to replace current beholden and lifetime politicians, remove lobbyists and special interests, demote corporations to being something less then real people, and simplify the tax code. Unless they get violent. Then all bets are off. Oct 22, 2011 Jerry Kline - I do not know what OWS is, but I wish basketball season would start... Oct 22, 2011 (edited) Ryan Sanders - ColdTowne Theatre 10-10-2011 Bank of America fees, occupy wall street, Rick Perry occupy wall street Oct 22, 2011 Phillip Smith - For those of you who are a part of, or are following the OWS movement I have something to say. For several weeks you have protested, held up signs, and marched against the rich. I understand your frustration. What you have not done is focused your energy and attention to anything specific. Allow me to give you a target. Wallmart. Recent news reports state that the company will no longer provide health insurance for some of it's employees and cut coverage back on others. Seriously. The Walton family, worth billions of dollars, sitting on their mountain tops in Arkansas, can't dig into their pockets and pull out a couple of million dollars to insure the people that have worked to make them rich, whom they barely pay over minimum wage and who work their butts off for them? This company, Wallmart, is not worthy of our patronage. Their employees, true members and representatives of the 99% have earned and deserve our support. We should no longer purchase products sold in the WallMart / Sam's club stores until their employees are treated with the respect and honor they have earned. Will this be difficult? Yes. Will this cost the consumer money? Probably. Will it hurt the employees of Wallmart? In the short term, possibly. But, in the long run, if the people stick together and truly stand up for a cause, the management of Wallmart will see that we are serious and will have no choice but to treat their employees properly and insure them fully. Stand with me. Do not shop Wallmart. Expand this comment » Oct 22, 2011 +1 igna garcia - traelo a la lebron la concha de tu madre, sos un pobre wasooo como mierda vas a mear con la copaaaaa ingreido de mierda, vamo a caer a tu casa con la banda del loco tito! Oct 22, 2011 Jesse Rodriguez - Douchers Oct 23, 2011 Joey Basu - Hey Mr. Cuban, that was actually a really good idea you offered in your op-ed... #OccupyEquity Resources: http://goo.gl/4eemC - Compensation Policy: limit executive pay - Director Elections: vote out directors - Separate Chairman & CEO (if applicable) - Reform Corporate Governance Any thoughts, ideas, input would be greatly appreciated. Expand this comment » Oct 23, 2011 (edited) Donovan Glass - All the people who think they want something for nothing or just lazy people, would u say that about the civil rights movement? Did it ever occur to conservatives that many of the OWS protestors did leave good paying jobs to join the movement? Yeah, you didn't think about that... Because you don't act that way. Shame on you! Oct 23, 2011 +1 Ruben FERNANDEZ - hi Oct 23, 2011 Peter Mathes - Mark, The original intentions and frustrations of OWS were noble. But now it seems to be some crazies/extremists causing minor issues/disruptions. As with the Tea Party - the extremists will potentially dillute the legitimacy of the core complaints and problems we face. As a nation we should be United Together for the Better. Not divided into various groups. We need inspirational leadership for healthy solutions - not zippy news quotes and protest signs. That being said there are strong legitimate problems and complaints forming the CORE of OWS. Bankers should not have taken bonuses within a year or two of the US Bank Bailout. A few folks at Goldman Sachs needed to be fired, arrested and incarcerated for nefarious doings. America needs leadership and a coming together. Yes WE CAN work together - but we are LACKING leadership in DC. Speaking of Lacking of Leadership - Mark when you are going to run for NBA Commissioner and dethrone King Stern, the emperor who hath no clothes? Expand this comment » Oct 24, 2011 +1 Javier Aguilar - OWS shows how a group of people got it right. Wall street signifies how corporate america is destroying this country. Oct 24, 2011 +1 Javier Aguilar - Corporate america buys the government (congress) and rule the world from behind the scenes. Oct 24, 2011 +1 Josh Whitlinger - A bunch of lazy hypocrites! Obama endorses them, but loathes the Tea Party. These idiots complain about others successes and want handouts instead of getting off their @$ and doing something other than defacating on cars. Oct 24, 2011 Marquis Smalls - I think they are a growing uprising of an increasingly frustrated, yet more educated group of people who know that they have no opportunity to live the American Dream with the 'system' set up like it currently is. Oct 25, 2011 Josh Whitlinger - I understand everyone's frustration. I can empathize. However, don't give up on your 'American Dream' because of someone else. Regardless of political, ethical, moral, or personal dissatisfaction. That's the definition of a quitter. It's just another reason to complain and point the finger. Sorry....man up and take care of yourself. Oct 25, 2011 Darren A - When you find out who's really behind OWS, it's a shocker. This will go down as the most corrupt government in the history of the U.S. Oct 25, 2011 +1 Feng Wan - good Oct 25, 2011 (edited) philip medina-lugo - i know you gonna win and other one J.J Barea the kid the best nowiski aka mister lava hands melt the hop thank you for give barea the chance and Puerto Rico thank you Oct 25, 2011 Josh Whitlinger - http://gothamist.com/2011/10/25/ows_forces_farmers_market_out_of_lo.php Oct 25, 2011 Jon Jonson - Its a start but its only the beginning of whats to come. Oct 26, 2011 +1 Terry Weldon - I'd like to know what Mark Cuban thinks of it, as a certified member of the 99% they're protesting. What for example is your position on the Buffett Rule, or for that matter on your Governor's proposal of a flat tax; as you know this tax will be the same as that imposed on a bottom 99%er, as far as your earned income (salary) is concerned, but it won't tax your investment income at all. Does that sound like sound fiscal policy to you? Oct 26, 2011 cate crismani - Mark, have you ever considered investing in a very cool, and when I say 'cool' I mean hot magazine with a mission to raise awareness of the wild mustangs & burros? well, here it is online and with an app...and needs to be in print! take a gander.. www.truecowboymagazine.com besos Calamity Oct 26, 2011 Irvin Ackerman - I think its great for free speech, democracy, and our Country. It just scares the hell out of me, because a few bad apples can send peace into chaos. Our economy is fragile, and I just hope this does not cause any adverse harm to it moving forward Oct 26, 2011 cate crismani - I think its been long overdue...people are fed up, frustrated and very worried about not only their personal security and futures but the world economy as well...somethings gotta give! Oct 26, 2011 +1 Josh Whitlinger - Well Mark would be the 1% they're protesting against as with the other celebs like Kanye who really don't care. If Buffet is so concerned then feel free to stroke a check to the gov. It doesn't stipulate you can't pay more on your taxes! Oct 26, 2011 +1 Felix Quist - Well, I am amazed it took so long in coming. It all points back to the govt. They have done nothing to enforce rules over the last 30 years. Wall street is always looking for ways to make money and sure their are a ton of crooks out there who never really get punished after stealing millions. Anyhow OWS just shows how dissatisfied people are with the fact that, jobs are hard to come by, can't get loans, house values dropped, no real wage increases and high cost of living. 'What is really sad is that the Pakistani man yesterday who literally burned himself to death because that pain is less then then pain of not being able to feed his family' Expand this comment » Oct 26, 2011 +1 Josh Whitlinger - It a lot like the Tea Party, but grossly unorganized. They have enforced a tax rule called the Tax Code that 50% of income earners don't abide by! I think that's a crook. They are stealing Trillions from the IRS. Oct 26, 2011 Ray Castro - In many ways it’s a microcosm of the Democratic Party-a diverse mix of views and people that in their “protest,” illustrate why it is so difficult to get an effective progressive movement going in the US. Oct 27, 2011 MARY WINKLE - what 'cha gonna do when the Lord comes for you? gonna offer him some money? get ready - 12-21-2012 your gonna get your chance. he's gonna ask you some questions, too. Oct 27, 2011 Rus Chaney - Really Mary? Going to apparently claim to be a Christian, then claim to know when the Lord will return? Obviously you stopped reading before you got to the end of the book... Oct 27, 2011 Josh Whitlinger - This got real weird real quick. God save us all. Oct 27, 2011 Adam Burton - I think you should loan me 20k. And I will pay you back with 400% interest <3 Oct 28, 2011 Josh Whitlinger - Ask Buffet and Kanye. They're upset that they don't pay more in taxes. Oct 28, 2011 (edited) michalle marshall - there has to be a fair and equitable solution to the tax code that will make sense and remove the strangle hold from middle class Americans.. Surely there is some one in the Buffet camp that can start the ball rolling?? Oct 28, 2011 +2 Keren Darsh - this can interest you... Fire Oct 29, 2011 Glenn Harrison - I admire idealism anywhere - I abhor those who mislead young idealists for cheap political gain - and I fear those who know how to unleash the unthinking mob formed of idealists. This is the formula for the groups that historically end up destroying anything and everything, even the good around them, because they act in the 'belief' that they are acting in the name of the ideal. Nov 5, 2011 Debbie Sampson - I don't know what OWS is but I just wish you guys with the NBL would come to a decision already. Do you know how much that is effecting the lives of people behind the scenes that work for them? I'm a runner with TNT and CBS sports, without this extra income that I would of been having, I wouldn't have to live with my parents. I don't have millions like you do, nor do I have thousands, I don't even have 10's. I lost my house, my IRA, my savings, everything....come to a decision guys so that I can be able to get food...or help me out and order a custom oil painting from me! Nov 5, 2011 (edited) Stefan Weißhampel - High time that something like OWS is happening. The finance industry is clearly out of control and the original function of banks is no longer fulfilled by the latter. Additionally it is only fair that those who use government infrastructures to become rich pay taxes as compensation. The more you profit from it, the more you have to pay. What is so unreasonable about that. Let us hope it is not going to peter out to quickly. Nov 5, 2011 Richard Gerber - It is a powerful social experiment started by @Activist on twitter first post telling Nations intentions six months in advance March 6th http://twitter.com/#!/Activist/status/44303475231825920 2nd post March 7th with link to strategy http://twitter.com/#!/Activist/status/44856530432049152 it state 'this event will not be centrally managed' http://iamblogging.net/awareness/2011/03/march_on_wall_street_june_17th.html Nov 6, 2011 Richard Gerber - It actually failed the first attempt of June 17th and has to do with the Wall Street Witching Hour but then with the help of add busters it took off Nov 6, 2011 karl kissner - not against Occupy thats for sure.but i cant get arrested or have any trouble with the police so i will stay away all occupy protest but will support them from a far Nov 6, 2011 Chase Walling - They all need to get a god damn job! Quit spending money at the corporations that they protest against and apply for a damn job! A bunch of dumb fucking hippies that have nothing better to do! Waste of human life ;) Nov 6, 2011 Paul Beyer - Protester Attempts the Murder of a Police Officer in Portland I truly believe that part of the progressive left's strategy with the #OWS Movement is to normalize the behavior of the protesters in the eyes of main stream America. I feel like I'm writing the same story everyday and posting videos with similar content. Did u know today that a group of Democrats proposed a new tax plan called the Robin Hood Tax....take money from 'rich' Americans and give it to the poor. I guess they think we will just miss this information and nobody will be outraged. As conservatives, we must stay involved, we must stay outraged, and we must talk about the truth. The left is attempting to change history. Their intention is to make Americans so use to this madness that we allow it to keep going. All of us should call our representatives daily to get this trash off the street. The mayors and city councils should be told that illegal behavior that endangers citizens is unacceptable. I am not going to stop talking about this until it ends. Think about these facts....it has been 48 days since this illegal action began, there have been over 3,000 arrests, 6 reported rapes to police (that does not include the 'self' monitored incidents), and all of this has cost us $3.4 million. Now I just heard one of these protesters tried to kill a police officer in Portland by pushing him into an oncoming bus. That sounds like attempted murder to me. That sounds pretty damn wrong. That sounds Un-American! This is war with a group of people who have some peaceful folks but those same people protect the violent ones. I am currently working on a blog piece that shows that they are all working together. That makes the other members of these actions accomplices to all the violence and destruction. I can not say it any other way, the criminal protesters are attempting to collapse our way of life. That is unacceptable, but better yet, not the way to make changes which improve the overall system. I would be the first one to tell you there are some real problems in our country, but you don't try to kill a cop to change it. That is not normal behavior....WAKE UP AMERICA! Expand this comment » Nov 6, 2011 Andrew Neal - I think you should buy the Dodgers Nov 7, 2011 (edited) Mick Thornton - I'm thankful my one grandfather 'Occupied Europe' in 1945 with Patton and the other 'Occupied Japan' via the Bataan Death March. Freedom comes with a price: 11-11-11 Nov 8, 2011 Matt Perrault - all those people together and none can get jobs?? GET THE Fuck OUT! I have no college degree and I've had over 6 'good' jobs in the past 2 years..(making 45k-65k/year at each..I'm not rich but I'm definitely not leaching off anyone else's hard work and I'm always open to my next move..) these people got all this motivation to sit around and bitch... why not take that low paying job so it don't look like you're a lazy douche when you have to explain years out of work on an application..***** AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.. IT HAS A LAZY PIECE OF SHIT PROBLEM*****.. GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND BECAUSE AMERICA THINKS IT'S ENTITLED TO SIT HOME AND COLLECT A CHECK... there's like 20 different ways to make it so you can sit at home and get paid for being a worthless american.. The American dream was supposed to be to prosper.. You can't prosper when all you do is bitch about not prospering.. Expand this comment » Nov 9, 2011 Josh Whitlinger - Beautifully stated Matt! Nov 10, 2011 Diana Pazmino Horra - definitely watch this: ZEITGEIST 2: ADDENDUM (FULL MOVIE!) - PLEASE SHARE how do you feel about it all now? Nov 10, 2011 Dan H - i think this...and i made it into a short video.... Origins of Occupy Wall Street Nov 11, 2011 Mack Ade - Let's talk Mets, Wilpon, Madoff... Nov 12, 2011 Chris Ruhs - +Mark Cuban I think there's a lot of confusion and bitterness, but mostly I think people know something's messed up. It has taken unconstitutional wars, massive bank bailouts, major auto corporation bailouts, 16 Trillion dollars in secret bailouts for national and international banks through the Federal Reserve (yes, we're now bailing out foreign banks), and a fraudulent housing bubble for just a few of us to wake up. People are starting to wonder what's really going on. Why are we borrowing money from the Chinese to police the world? Why is the Federal Reserve printing so much money? Why do we need all these giant government programs and fixes? Do we really need to spend trillions more each year than what taxes bring in? Do we really need more war? Why are we using military force to secure oil in the middle east and then spending so much to subsidize it when we have our own natural resources here at home and our people are ready to transition to solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear? This ongoing middle east interventionist foreign policy causes blowback, it's tanking our economy, it's giving our government reasons to strip us of our freedoms, it's killing our troops who are supposed to defend our country, it's illegal according to the constitution, and it's unnessecary. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowback_(intelligence) So, I think for whatever it's worth, OWS knows something's up. They may not all be on the same page for what that is exactly, but they agree that something is definitely wrong. Collapse this comment Nov 14, 2011 (edited)