Our Elected Representatives Need to Respond to Clear OWS Demands

by Sheila Musaji

TAM has been following the Occupy Wall Street - Occupy Together protest movement from the beginning.  We have published a regularly updated overview of developments since September 17th, and the list of clear demands that has come out of working committees.

There is a movement forming, a community, a process of coming to a consensus using democratic principles.  It is an experiment in real participatory democracy and community building.  It is a call to restore America’s original vision.  This is possibly more important than specific demands to solve particular issues that are all a result of a systemic corruption.

It seems quite clear that “we the people” see that the current system is unfair and want corporations out of politics, and want our elected representatives to represent the people, not corporations.  We want reform and concrete change.  We want accountability and oversight.  We are clear that both political parties, democrats and republicans, have let us down.

The real question is when are the 1%, particularly our elected representatives, going to take us seriously and respond by acknowledging the grievances and working to find solutions to fix the very real problems that we face as a nation. 

Most of our elected representatives are ignoring the 99%.  The current round of GOP debates is a prime example of totally ignoring the people and going on with business as usual.

This week Rep. Keith Ellison published an article that is the sort of acknowledgement that is needed from our elected representatives.  This sort of acknowledgement is promising, but must be followed by concrete action to initiate change if it is to be believed.  Here is his article

Occupy Wall Street activism is gaining strength daily, but pundits and politicians are struggling to understand the emergence of this movement. The reaction in Washington says more about us—the political insiders—than it does about the thousands of participants. Almost as soon as it formed, the protesters were criticized for not having concrete demands. No one could identify the group’s “leader.” Even the media didn’t take the New York occupation seriously until YouTube videos showed people being arrested. Now in their fourth week, the protests are proving that it is not the concreteness of their demands but the staying power and resonance of their anger that have caught our attention.

The Occupy movement is attracting ordinary Americans through concrete action that conveys a clear message. The message is that working Americans want Wall Street to be accountable. The message is that working Americans want a fair tax system. Americans want the Congress to pass legislation that produces jobs.

Ordinary Americans understand that Wall Street’s transgressions are clear. Wall Street set off the global financial crisis by gambling with our retirement savings and mortgages. Companies like Goldman Sachs bet against the very mortgages they were selling, knowing these investments—and the middle class’s—would fail while they made millions. After taking billions in taxpayer bailout funds, banks cut small business’s credit lines and, in the case of Bank of America, laid off 30,000 American workers. They’ve increased consumers’ fees and won’t lend to worthy customers. Years after the crisis hit, the mortgage industry was still using fake signatures to sign documents and the foreclosure crisis persists. The Occupy movement seeks accountability.

The demands are implicit in the people power of the movement. The message of Occupy Wall Street is being spread using the best tradition of American populist movements. Like the labor protests of the early 20th century and the social/civil rights movements of the 1960s, the protestors are responding to unjust conditions in the most visceral way they can: by taking to the streets. The Vietnam War protestors did not start with a list of policy prescriptions; they started with action. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 didn’t happen overnight; it had started decades before with sit-ins and freedom rides calling attention to unjust conditions.

Occupy Wall Street’s anger is justified, and Washington bears significant responsibility for letting Wall Street run wild before and during the crisis. But we in Washington should not pretend we are part of the movement or that it is directed toward one party. We must avoid acting as usual, which means talking instead of listening.

If we really listen to the Occupy activists we will learn that regular Americans are fed up that Wall Street was not held accountable for the economic debacle they triggered. Regular Americans are frustrated by continued income disparities and the inability of Congress to invest in jobs.

We don’t need concrete demands to sympathize with the frustration and anger that Americans feel. This movement is the grassroots activism we need to pay attention to—and it is the start of action. Next year, Americans will have an opportunity to vote for legislators who can stand up to Wall Street. We can get a head start by listening to their real message.

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES RESPONSES TO DATE

SUPPORT FOR THE MOVEMENT

VP, Joseph Biden said at a forum at the Newseum in D.C., according to the L.A. Times “What is the core of that protest, and why is it increasing in terms of the people its attracting? The core is that the bargain has been breached with the American people. The core is that the American people do not think the system is fair or on the level.  There’s a lot in common with the tea party,” Biden said. “The tea party started why? TARP. They thought it was unfair we were bailing out the big guys.  Banks are part of the problem in the economy.  The American people know—they don’t guess, they know—the reason the CEO of the Bank of America, or anybody in that business, is in the business is because they, that guy making 50,000 bucks bailed him out, bailed him out. Put his financial security on the line when his government said we’re gonna come up with a trillion-plus dollars to bail him out.”  Of Bank of America, Biden said, “At a minimum, they are incredibly tone deaf. At a minimum. At a maximum, they are not paying their fair share of the bargain here. And middle-class people are getting killed.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is asking supporters to sign a petition in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Gov. Chris Christie said “What they’re saying is ‘The government’s not working for me anymore, the government is not being fair, the government is not helping me the way that they should.  “I understand why they’re angry. Because you look down at what’s happening in Washington, D.C., it should disgust all of us. You have a president who’s unwilling to drag people to the same room and bang heads and force solutions. You have Congress in both parties who won’t talk to each other. ... At the same time we have people out in the country who are suffering. And they’re playing games in Washington, D.C.”

Congressman David Cicilline of Rhode Island said “Americans are tired of watching Wall Street speculators and corporate special interests call all the shots, and we’ve been held at their mercy for too long as they artificially drive up fuel prices and try to dodge responsibility for the housing crisis,” Cicilline said. “And these public protests have highlighted the urgency of addressing these important issues.”

Rep. Peter DeFazio D-OR said  that 99% of Americans are tired of Congress and its corporate minders standing in the way of American jobs, a fair tax system, and true economic recovery. He also admits that describing Wall Street and the major corporations whose wealth it represents as “job creators” is laughable, and that asking the American people to pay the price for its crimes is deplorable. “It is time,” said DeFazio, “to deal meaningfully with this problems in this country.”  video9.

Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona were among the first politicians in the nation to express support for Wall Street protesters.  He said “We share the anger and frustration of so many Americans who have seen the enormous toll that an unchecked Wall Street has taken on the overwhelming majority of Americans while benefitting the super wealthy,” Ellison wrote in a statement. “We stand with the American people as they demand corporate accountability and we support their use of peaceful means to improve America.”  Ellison also said We are experiencing a progressive revival. ... The American people are seeing millionaires and corporations sitting on record profits while the American Dream slips further out of their reach. America is no longer sitting quietly waiting for something to happen, they’re taking action now.

Former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold endorsed the movement.  He said “I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing. People around the country are finally organizing to stand up to the huge influence of corporations on government and our lives. This kind of citizen reaction to corporate power and corporate greed is long overdue.”

Democratic congress members Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Tim Ryan of Niles OH issued press releases to declare their support for Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York and around the country.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich said that the 99 percenters are “the best among us.”

House Democrat, Caucus Chairman John Larson of Connecticut,  released a statement saying, “The silent masses aren’t so silent anymore. They are fighting to give voice to the struggles that everyday Americans are going through.”  He also said that left-wing activists with “the right morals” are pushing America’s democracy to “evolve.”

Congressman John Lewis visited the Atlanta protest and expressed support. He said “And at the same time they want to speak to America, speak to people in power, to officials of the American government but also to the business community, especially Wall Street, to corporate America, to bankers. They’re saying, in effect, that we bailed out Wall Street and now it’s time for Wall Street and corporate America to help bail out the American people.  People are hurting. They’re in pain and they’re looking for jobs. They want us to humanize the American government but also humanize corporate America.”

The Los Angeles City Council has formally indicated its support for the movement’s demonstrators by introducing a politically-charged resolution that pins blame for California’s foreclosure crisis on banks and takes aim at certain political opponents.

Ron Paul has said “If they were demonstrating peacefully, and making a point, and arguing our case, and drawing attention to the Fed — I would say, good!” he told Reason magazine Friday after a town hall meeting in New Hampshire.

House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA said “I support the message to the establishment, whether it’s Wall Street or the political establishment and the rest, that change has to happen.  We cannot continue in a way this is not relevant to their lives.”

Former Republican governor of Louisiana Buddy Roemer said in a statement “As I continue touring college campuses throughout New Hampshire, I am reminded of all the young Americans currently taking part in the Occupy Wall Street movement. Please know that I stand by you.  It is Main Street that creates the majority of jobs in America; it is Main Street that sends our brave young men and women to war; it is Main Street that hurts when another manufacturing plant closes only to be re-opened in China; it is Main Street that is being foreclosed on; and it is Main Street that is suffering while the greed of Wall Street continues to hurt our middle-class.  Wall Street grew to be a source of capital for growing companies. It has become something else: A facilitator for greed and for the selling of American jobs. Enough already.”

New York Congressman Charlie Rangel said Today, the American people are angry and frustrated: In addition to the 14 million who are out of work, many people have lost their homes, health insurance, money for college and are losing hope. The wealthiest few should pay their fair share instead of enjoying the record profits on the backs of the middle class. The American people have had enough. They’re mad as hell, and I agree. This is not a political issue, it’s a moral issue.  I lived through the Civil Rights movement, marched fromSelmatoWashington, and have witnessed what happens when people unite. That’s why I was glad to visitLibertyPlazaon Saturday to lend my support. I encourage more of my Collegues in Congress and the religious community to stand with the people on Wall Street to help occupyAmerica. Together, we can take back our country.”

Senator Bernie Sanders I-VT said If this country is to break out of the horrendous recession and create the millions of jobs we desperately need, if we are going to create a modicum of financial stability for the future, there is no question but that the American people are going to have to take a very hard look at Wall Street and demand fundamental reforms. I hope these protests are the beginning of that process.

OPPOSITION TO THE MOVEMENT - PEOPLE WHO JUST DON’T GET IT

Rep. Michelle Bachmann said “The tea party picks up its trash after it has a demonstration, so there’s a difference,” the Minnesota congresswoman quipped during a question-and-answer period after her speech to the Commonwealth Club of California.  The two movements have “two different views of how to solve the problems” our nation faces, she said. Occupy activists believe in “government-directed solutions based on temporary gimmicks,” she said, while tea partyers believe in “permanent solutions driven from the private sector.”

NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg said “What they’re trying to do is take the jobs away from people working in this city,” Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show, adding that the protests “aren’t productive” and weren’t good for tourism.  “If the jobs they are trying to get rid of in this city—the people that work in finance, which is a big part of our economy—go away, we’re not going to have any money to pay our municipal employees or clean our parks or anything else.”

Rep. Paul Broun called the protests “an attack on freedom”.  He said “They don’t know why they’re there. They’re just mad,” Broun told us. “This attack upon business, attack upon industry, attack upon freedom – and I think that’s what this is all about.”

Think Progress reports that Herman Cain said on 10/5 I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself! [...] It is not someone’s fault if they succeeded, it is someone’s fault if they failed.

Herman Cain just can’t shut up, on 10/6 he made things worse.  According to Think Progress, Cain “says the Occupy Wall Street protesters are un-American and against capitalism. Speaking to The Associated Press during a book signing event Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., Cain said the protesters shouldn’t rally against Wall Street bankers or brokers because “they’re the ones who create the jobs.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)  said I for one am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country. And believe it or not, some in this town have actually condoned the pitting of Americans against Americans.

Newt Gingrich said that the protest had its roots in poor schooling. And, Gingrich turns the entire point of the protests around to say that they signal a need to overturn or repeal Wall Street reforms.

Rep. Peter King R-NY said on the Laura Ingraham program ‘They have no sense of purpose other than a basically anti-American tone and anti-capitalist. It’s a ragtag mob basically,’ King told Ingraham, sounding the all-purpose socialist alarm. But then he gave the group more encouragement than he may have intended.  ‘We have to be careful not to allow this to get any legitimacy.  I’m taking this seriously in that I’m old enough to remember what happened in the 1960’s when the left-wing took to the streets and somehow the media glorified them and it ended up shaping policy. We can’t allow that to happen.’ 

The Seattle PI reports that Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney, appearing at a Florida retirement community, on Tuesday branded anti-Wall Street protests as “class warfare.”  “I think it’s dangerous — this class warfare,” Romney said, answering a question about Occupy Wall Street protests.

Rick Santorum said “These are the same old folks who have been protesting since the Vietnam war ... they really don’t curry much favor in my book,” 

UNDECIDED? - PEOPLE SITTING ON THE SIDELINES OF HISTORY

Where is President Obama?

 
This movement seems like a clear call for “hope” and for “change” that we can believe in.  As Roger Bybee notes

The present moment also affords him a badly-needed chance to alter the public’s perception that his administration has been far too close to Wall Street. The administration’s infamous line,“We’re only bailing out Wall Street in order to save Main Street,” has now been widely recognized as thinly veiling unlimited generosity to the big bankers and hedge-fund traders whose fortunes have been exploding while offering only the most token help to families on the verge of losing jobs, homes, college educations and secure retirements.

But instead of seizing the moment, Obama is undermining the credibility of his articulate and progressive pro-jobs message outlined on September 8, by supporting three intensely unpopular NAFTA-style free trade” agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, which will all promote the shift of more U.S. jobs and capital overseas. This legislation was just introduced on Monday—as Occupy Wall Street’s momentum really started picking up.

Obama did make a “sort of” statement that really says nothing.  CBS News reports that the president, speaking at a press conference, said he had heard about and seen television reports on the recent protests on Wall Street, and noted that “I think it expresses the frustrations that the American people feel.  We had the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression - huge collateral damage throughout the country, all across main street. And yet, you are still seeing some of the same folks who acted irresponsibly trying to fight efforts to crack down on abusive practices that got us in the situation in the first place.  I think people are frustrated.”

Obviously he doesn’t want to be pinned down.

Robert Scheer has written an excellent article If a Republican were President discussing Obama’s poor showing on economic reform.  In that article, he notes

But the protest signs in a nation headed by a Republican, though surely gussied up a bit with ad agency savvy, would be the same as they are now: Stop catering to the top 1 percent who get ever wealthier and focus on helping the 99 percent who are hurting. To accomplish that, we need a moratorium on bank-ordered evictions, along with a government-funded program to aid the underemployed that is as robust as the trillions spent to save the Wall Street swindlers who caused all of this trouble.

Instead we are left with a Democratic president who sooths our rage with promises of decent-paying jobs that in actuality are being vigorously exported from our shores by the president’s top corporate backers. That absurdity was marked by Barack Obama’s choice of Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric—a company that has shifted to foreign countries two-thirds of its workforce and 82 percent of its profits—to head the president’s job creation council. 

Obama has failed not because he is a progressive in the mold of Franklin Delano Roosevelt but because he is not. He has blindly followed the lead of George W. Bush in bankrupting the nation by throwing money at Wall Street while continuing to fund wildly expensive and unneeded wars. 

Meanwhile, the Republicans divert public attention from their culpability in destroying a sound federal financial regulatory system and gifting Wall Street crooks with a platinum get-out-of-jail-free card. To listen to the GOP presidential candidates, the banking meltdown was caused by everyone except the bankers.