Inspired by the Arab Spring revolutions and Occupy movements blossoming on Wall St, across the US and throughout Europe, activists in Sydney gathered on Saturday 15th October 2011 at Martin Place, Sydney, at 2.30pm to launch the Occupy Sydney movement. It intended to camp out indefinitely in the Sydney CBD, to organise, discuss and build a movement for a better world, truly democratic, in an attempt to raise awareness and the support of the 99% of the population to reclaim the power currently held by the super-rich “1%” individuals and corporations.
Who we are
We are the workers; we are the indebted; we are the immigrants and the indigenous; we are the homeless; we are the students; we are the unemployed; we are the under represented people of the world.
We are the 99%! We are Occupy Sydney!
Why we are here
The resistance around the world against corrupt governments and the devastating effects of the global financial crisis has exposed the realities of the world in which we live. We live in a world where we produce a surplus of food, and yet millions of children starve. We live in a world where the 1% that created the financial crisis are bailed out and rewarded, while the 99% pay the price
through their wages, their houses and their pensions.
We live in a country that has never been so unequal, and our environment has never been so devastated.
What we will achieve
The events of Tunisia and Egypt, the events beginning in Greece, in Spain and in the United States show us that united in action, the 99% can change the world and determine the type of society we want to live in.
We are part of a movement that aims to connect the important struggles now happening both here in Australia, around the world and is creating a new path towards a society based on the needs and the democratic participation of all.
We extend our hand, we invite you to join us because we all are the 99%! We are Occupy Sydney!
Occupy Sydney Unifying Statement:
- We act in solidarity with protests and occupations that have occurred and are occurring in New York and other US cities, Spain, Greece, Egypt and other cities around the world.
- We are the 99%.
- The system is broken.
- A better world is possible.
- Human need, not corporate greed!
Occupy Sydney activists encourage all those who want to see a better world to come along and join the peaceful occupation. The occupation runs general assemblies —mass democratic meetings— held periodically in Martin Place and other areas in Sydney, for discussing about what is wrong with this system, how we can change it, and the organisation of the occupation itself.
Occupy Together (Australia) Statement
We are calling for a nation wide peaceful occupation across Australia on November 5. This movement to Occupy Together is in solidarity with people in over 2000 locations worldwide who will also be occupying together for human need not corporate greed on November 5.
We believe the basic needs of 99% of the global population are continually being ignored by governments who instead cater for the richest 1% of corporations who control most of the world’s wealth.
We also believe that in this time of global economic uncertainty people will have to come together to share ideas, food, water and power rather than allow these things to divide us. We are calling on people from all walks of life to walk together and Occupy Together on November 5. All are welcome regardless of their occupations, race, religion, sexuality, gender or political persuasions.
We are not just one political idea or one organisation. We are many ideas and many organisations coming together to call for a better world based on human need not corporate greed. We are the 99%. You are the 99%. Let us Occupy Together on November 5.
Peace. Love. Unity.
Occupy Together.
Disclaimer:
Occupy Together National Statement was not written by any one person but many people. It has been officially endorsed by the General Assemblies of Occupy Brisbane, Occupy Melbourne and Occupy Sydney with vocal support from occupiers in Perth, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra. If you are occupying in another location in Australia on November 5 take this statement along to your Occupation and get it endorsed.
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223 Responses to “About”
So basically, you’re protesting for a bunch of generic causes that don’t apply here and simply for the sake of protesting?
I would thank you to not embarrass us any further.
Interesting perspective. Could you please elaborate?
First, you appear critical of these causes for being generic. Wouldn’t genericism in a cause just mean that it deals with the concerns of many? You don’t partake in generic activities too? Eating? Brushing your teeth? Showering? Oh dear.
Secondly, could you please explain to me how these causes do not apply here? Are we not a part of the same market and monetary system? Do we not also suffer from a severely inequal sharing of wealth and resources? Does our profit driven economy not also neglect to factor sustainability of our limited resources and our impact on the environment?
I hope I haven’t embarrassed you too much further and that you instead may actually care to investigate further for yourself just how vulnerable we are too to this faulty system we take for granted.
Do we not also suffer from a severely inequal sharing of wealth and resources?
Nowhere near to the same extent as countries like America.
Does our profit driven economy not also neglect to factor sustainability of our limited resources and our impact on the environment?
This is why the Carbon Trading scheme has been introduced.
Americas situation is completely different to Australia and these protests honestly have very little relevance here. America has very little regulation and essential defines its by being against the kind of social democracy we have in Australia.
The more important things to protest in our country at the moment are not financial inequities, but social issues such as mariage equality and the treatment of refugess.
*essentially
Jacob, you seem like a reasonable guy. I understand why you have this view. Many share it. May I offer some perspective though?
“Nowhere near to the same extent as countries like America” may appear to many as a fair comment, but one must address what that implies. That happiness and what is “right” is being limited to relativity.
Sorry, but many of us who Occupy Sydney “suffer” from empathy. To us, current relative contentment from the majority does not justify why we are wasting so much of our resources while the unfortunate of our society cannot be fed, clothed, sheltered and educated adequately.
As for the Emissions Trading Scheme,that hardly protects our limited resources from being being processed at a faster rate than they are renewed. Constant growth economics is what needs to be addressed in order to even just have a chance at living on this planet beyond the short term.
I really hope that one day you could come on down and share in the discussions.
The problem is, paying a carbon tax will just enable rich companies to justify polluting while small companies will go broke. And if you think big companies will change their ways instead of pay the tax you must be a really nice person.
Initially that’s what I thought too. But this isn’t a protest, it’s an act of solidarity. Australia is not perfect but it’s pretty bloody good. The yanks are totally screwed, they could use our support.
We are however at risk of slipping into the abyss of corporate greed – the amount of anti-government advertising is unprecedented, the media assault for regime change is unrelenting. Our government avoided the GFC by investing in people, not banks – and they’re being punished for it. Regardless of your political persuasion it’s clear our democracy is under attack.
I, personally, do not have a political persuassion. For this GLOBAL problem at hand is not one to be addressed through current political dialogue. Our society ought to be judged on how we treat our least fortunate. We have limited, yet still ample, resources on this planet to cater for all if they were managed fairly, according to human need and enviromental sustainability.
The American public were not vigilant. They allowed the officials whom they elected and who were supposed to be spokespeople for them simply represent the needs of the corporate elite.
Mikey, I understand your concerns, and you have raised some good points. But they are not valid in this context for this is not an attack on the left or right. For neither side of politics is willing to address the faulty financial system the whole world is connected to.
If you care to learn more, please feel free to read this:
http://occupyaustralia.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/why-occupy-what-is-wrong-with-our-world/
My apologies, I should have been clearer. When I said “regardless of your political persuasion” I was directing it at the casual observer, not you (Steve) specifically. My intent was to say that people on the left or right or centre or nowhere politically should support the movement and recognise that our democracy is under attack from the 1%.
There is an interesting documentary on SBS that details how the 1% hijacked computer technology that could have liberated us from politics and instead used it for financial destruction of the 99%. Check it out, it’s called “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” http://www.sbs.com.au/documentary/program/allwatchedoverbymachinesoflovinggrace
Let me rephrase the original comment. You are 1% of the 99%. We agree with your cause but you can’t change the whole world in one day. ‘You eat an elephant in bite size pieces’ You can’t pressure a government to make change because we don’t know what you want. Pick one achievable goal at a time and go hard on it. If you are after pay equity go hard on protesting MP’s massive payrise. Go really hard, we all agree on that, the media agrees, the police agree. If you can’t start pay equity with public servants you can’t expect to make a change to a free market environment.
Occupy people, yes the 99% support your cause but we can see you are going the wrong way about it, you are letting us down. Focus your fight get, small victories, celebrate these victories then pick a bigger fight
I’m not quite sure what your protesting about, how do the protests in Egypt, US, Spain etc have anything to do with us?
We are the 99%. – of who?
The system is broken. – What system?
A better world is possible. – sure, In African countries, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Angola. In Afghanistan in India. I don’t think we have much to complain about comparatively in Australia.
Human need, not corporate greed! – Human need for what?
Mik, thanks for your questions.
Who are the 99%? As you can imagine, it would be most of us. We live in a world where 1% of the population owns 40% of the planet’s wealth. And guess what? Which side are you on? Do you consider this just?
What system? The financial system with which we all are connected by and vulnerable to. For more info check out – http://occupyaustralia.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/why-occupy-what-is-wrong-with-our-world/
So when would you consider the right time to act? If you were walking down the street and I saw that a car was about to mow you down, what would you wish I did? Push you out of the way? Or just try to call an ambulance after you’ve already broken the windscreen with your head?
The answer is obvious. Sorry Mik, but this system IS broken. A lot of the world is suffering. And many of us don’t want to wait until we are suffering on par with the worst!
So please do your own research and be part of the solution too.
I find this extremely unbelieveable; the fact that people want to change the world, yet when it comes down to action, most people are clueless and ill informed about what is going on around them (even those whos post claim to know whats right for the “%99″, prime eg. Resources TAX, where was everyone when the the mining giants and their propaganda campaigns made most everyone believe that if they were taxed a little more they would go bankrupt?; If there was a time to act, that was it, yet, nothing was done. Was it too inconvenient for the Green Left and others to act?. It sometimes seems like people want to make themselves feel better by a little protesting then they go back to their daily routine and enjoy all the conforts and securities that a country like AU offers; people should remember that both the public sector and the private sector both contribute greatly to a country’s economic stability; It is clear that corporate greed is a major problem in some parts of the world, I came from a third world country, I know; But is AU in the same boat as the US? NO, if poeple were genuinely serious about protesting for the rights of the people in the US and other countries abroad I think you’d stop what you are doing, pick a destination that needs your help and buy the next plane ticket out, but deep down I think people know that a little protesting is not going to dramatically change things and tomorrow things will mostly still be exactly the same. What changes a system is not bombs, or protests or guns, it is having people on all levels working towards the same goal, want to change corporate business? Get an Degree/Masters/Doctorate in Business/Economics/Finance etc, make it to the top of Corporate AU and on the way to the top, “be the change you want to see in the world”.
People like this guy http://vimeo.com/30169457
Who talk about bringing the system down etc, and others who echo that same sentiment. Seriously?
What a joke!, this guy starts by saying that Capitalism is the worlds greatest threat? if he is so against capitalism why is he wearing a shirt and t-shirt that was probably made in China that he bought at a store within the Capitalist system?, he eats and sleeps and uses its services and like most of us sometimes may take things for granted, Surely he didn’t get to AU in a one man dingy but flew into AU, guess what?, also within the system, I am sure he has and still enjoyes many priviliges, comforts and yes Freedom (for those who say we are not free, try living in Peru or even parts of Africa, can’t travel that far, go to parts of Asia).
Any system created by humans will be flawed because humans are flawed, if we look at our history and all the great empires that have come and gone – (Including religions) every system has been flawed, why?, you guessed it, because humans are flawed, this guy talks about Ecosocialism as if it is the answer to the world’s problems, but guess what?, just like Socialism, Marxism, Capitalism and all the other isms.This system too is flawed, why? you guessed it, because humans are flawed. It is not a system we are fighting, it is human nature that we are fighting and qualities such as Greed being the primary one, and not just at a corporate level, at all levels of society, we shouldn’t expect the “System” to look after us, or Save us, we should expect that people working in the system do the right thing by others or those they have sworn to protect, hence why AU is still a beautiful place to live, here, people still stop at the traffic lights and crossings, call the owner of a lost phone and hand it in, politicians are still not above the law, we use bins and everyone still gets a fare go. We are still in part a Capitalist system, but the system will only be as good as its people and hence why AU is the envy of the world, because it is the people within the System that make the system what it is. This is all just common sense.
But I forget, common sese is not that common.
*Sense
Occupy Sydney and the other global movements hold the possibility to bring real discussion, on a global scale, about how society operates in a broad sense. Yes, Australia is relatively prosperous, economically stable and lawful stte (as many comments have pointed out) but we have been distracted by the idea of ‘economy’ as the be all and all of this worlds entire purpose. We shiver and scream at our tvs and media outlets about the news of falls in share prices and rises in interest rates, worry that our bills wont be paid or our smartphones promptly upgraded. This idea of economy, money and consumerism is a pure illusion, it does not exist in any tangible sense outside of human imagination and socialisation. We are merely a species of animal, evolved but broadly ignorant to the mess we have put ourself into. I understand completely that a monetary existence is here to stay, this does not mean that it should remain intact in its current state; the evidence of the disparities, pressures and propaganda of the present capitalist/consumerist existence is plain to see and the wide fissures of its poor construction are becoming more evident every day. Our politicians no longer choose to make policy based on anything past opinion polls or back room deals, so its left to the large majority to promote and propagate a discussion that has the promise of bringing effective change to a faulty system. If the electricity, water and wiifi we’re all switched off tomorrow we would all see that the idea of money, economy and a ‘rationalised’ society is pure bullshit, just like the notion of exponential economic growth year after year, quarter after quarter. Capitalism has no ceiling, economic growth is expected to rise and rise, all the while our species falls and falls in a moral, humanist sense. We are a species, as the dominant planetary species we have an absolute responsibility to care for one another, the planet and the species we share our space with, a fall on the NASDAQ or ASX is pure smoke and mirrors to keep us tapped into a system that rewards few and subjugates many. As another comment pointed out, we are fundamentally flawed, all ‘ism’s’ dont work and (this is me) democracy is a sham. I don’t have the answer but I see the need to be part of a REAL discussion about how to bring decent, moral change to a system that does not provide its own solutions, only more problems. (For anyone who wants to take a shot at my comment in a personalised fashion: I’ve worked since I was 16 (17 yrs), am working class as hell, have been homeless, do not take drugs, pay my taxes,am not politically affiliated, give to charities and do a lot of volunteer work, not for kudos or congrats merely because I can see the truth behind the illusion).
See you at Town Hall Occupy Sydney.
Protesting a problem is pointless without advocating a solution.
A solution should come from a true democratic process though, right? This is the beginning of a movement. We shall not dictate to the 99%. We are inviting the 99% to contribute to the discussion. To be a willing part of the solution we’ve all shaped together.
Occupy Sydney is more of a statement of intent. The rest of the community must still learn for themselves just how this system is geared against them and how, as we have seen in a traditionally successful nation as the USA, it’s starting to catch up with us all.
I’m happy to contribute – we live in a democracy now, we all get to vote regularly for local, state and federal representation. Seems to me that some of this site and in Martin Place are not happy with democracy. I suggest they emigrate to North Korea, Yemen or Syria and see how the other half actually live.
that is the most pathetic statement i have ever heard, does it mean we have to be accepting of plutocracy just because we get to vote for the plutocrats. Our system is broken because it excludes the majority from the decision process. I don’t know what the solution is but I don’t think we should have to know the answers. We say this way is wrong.
Actually I think this absence of specific agenda is what makes this movement so historically unique and potentially powerful. I agree with Steve’s points. I mean, who knows what solutions might emerge from a global discussion ‘by the people’ toward the problems we face. A new politics is emerging that’s not a clashing of ideologies. Let’s start talking!
Isn’t this a massive tall poppy syndrome?
The 1% have achieved their wealth by using a rigged system that dictates gross inequality. It’s a system that doesn’t consider the sustainability of our resources either. There is no merit to their actions of which to be envious. Would you suggest we don’t rein in this maverick behaviour?
Name the 1%
Name everyone you don’t think it is.
My personal opinion – not representing anyone else:
Australia has it half right when it always wants to cut down the tall poppy.
It’s about ego. Ego is our sense of seperate self. Seperate from the rest of the world, what makes us us, individual and unique. Anything that causes an enhanced sense of seperateness is ego food. The two big ones are ranking and conflict. Ego feeds on ranking because anything ranked above or below isn’t equal. The more we see others as above us or below us, and the more we see ourselves as above or below others the happier ego is. It’s more separateness. The other main ego food is conflict. As soon as you choose one side or the other you are now in a postion where conflict can occur. If you observe without judgement you remain less prone to conflict.
How does this relate to tall poppy syndrome?
In Australia we see ‘egotistical’ people, (one aspect of ego) as people who need to be put in their place. They think they’re above the rest of us! In truth the world would be better if they recognised the things that we have in common, so tall poppy syndrome is half right. But ego is a tricky motherfucker. When it see’s another ego, it reacts and sees an opportunity for food. It will a) say ‘i’m really am below that person; more separation, less unity = ego food, b) how dare they think they’re above me, they’re scum! i’m actually above them, or the common people are better than them! this is also ego food; more separation, less unity.
So to me we’re right to recognise that people who think they’re above us are acting out of ego. The place where we Aussies have trouble is that our own ego gets sucked into engaging in ranking and conflict by wanting to attack the ego we see, or just by simply judging the ego as above or below us.
To me conflict and negativity is a virus, observation without judgement (remove the ranking of good or bad) is the key to building immunity from the sickness our species is riddled with.
There’s nothing tall about these people and organisations – they’re just crooks; this is just basic democracy in action.
If you know they are crooks, then you must have some proof, so prove it in court!
Not biased here, but if someone called me a crook I’d say the same thing back, wouldn’t you?
I saw you guys yesterday in Pitt st. Honestly I’m a bit bemused by this all. I thought we had it pretty good here. Movements in the middle east were to bring down dictatorship and bring about democracies. Protests in Greece and Spain have been against cuts to government spending. Something that is needed given the massive funding shortfall. I see people who have done well as a motivator for me to work hard. You people seem to resent working hard to get ahead. Instead you would prefer to smoke bong and ride on other people coat tails collecting the newstart allowance in the process. How have you contributed to society? I would say having less than 5pc unemployment and one of the highest incomes per capitas is proof capitalism whilst Mott perfect is the best we have. Ps good luck with the rain today.
Tim, I agree with you that hard work should bring a just reward; but we must have a different idea of the meaning of that word if you can use it to defend the power of the corporate elites. Are you saying the wealthiest 1% ‘have contributed to society’? I’m confused.
Surely that is not a real question?
But ok.
The answer is yes, everyone contributes, are you saying that they don’t?, again if you have proof, proove it in court.
The current system works well when Socialism doesn’t take over. All of the problems in the US and Europe are due to Socialist policies. In fact the financial meltdown can be traced to legislation enacted by Clinton to increase home ownership to those that could not afford it. As for Europe the welfare state is on its knees and has bankrupted half the continent.
Utter nonsense. Clinton / Thatcher did not deregulate the banking sectors and housing market because of socialism – they did it for good ol’ fashioned profit. Australia is in a better state because your banking system still promotes saving over lending. I am sure those at the top would love to reverse this, it would make them very rich indeed. And not because of ‘socialism’ either.
Again, we are not fighting a “system” we are fighting human flaws, mainly greed.
Again, want to change corporate business? Get an Degree/Masters/Doctorate in Business/Economics/Finance etc, make it to the top of Corporate AU and on the way to the top, “be the change you want to see in the world”.
I ask you, do you think you will have more success by chaining yourself to a truck by the neck?, costing us TAX payers extra money to pay for all the services to look after you guys while you protest (police, ambulance) not to mentioned the wasted time, OR
Get Educated, clime to a position where you can make a positive real difference and actually make that difference.
you choose.
Have you asked WordPress to take down http://www.occupysydney.org/?p=128 It’s a fake site filled with right wing nutjobbery, pretending to be yours.
Just to echo what Timothy has just said, http://www.occupysydney.org (not to be confused with this site) is a right wing nutcase cybersquatting the cause, posting excerpts from Tea Party TV, bonkers rants about the UN taking over the world and climate change denial drivel. Unfortunately the community / forum there shows that some well meaning people are being duped by this idiot. Can wordpress take it down?
Watch out. Infiltrator alert!
Well, an update on the story above – occupysydney.org now claim they were compromised, and someone snuck onto their site and posted loads of nasty stuff. If this is true, then sorry, my perspective on this was wrong. They have removed the Tea Party TV videos. However, the anti climate change stuff remains. Begging the question. If you accept they got ‘compromised’, you would still be wise to consider their site has a particular perspective. I’m Ok with a bit of a ding dong about the carbon tax – just so I can make the point that the anti climate change position is driven by big corporate money – but Tea Party TV is taking it too far!
Tim (above),
You should read some of the texts in the photos of the 99 percenters – these people (and us – and me) are making the point that they have worked and studied hard all their lives, lived frugally, paid their dues – and through no faulty of their own now find themselves in massive debt, with social support mechanisms being stripped away. I am from the UK, and right now the UK government is closing public libraries, privatising the public health system, closing community childcare centres, and blaming all of this on austerity measures. The riots in Tottenham can be directly attributed to the closure of youth centres and the withdrawal of funding from organisations involved in promoting tolerance and community cohesion. I will admit, it isn’t as bad regarding austerity / economy in Australia for the majority, but I have seen third world poverty in this country which beggars belief. The ozzie middle class ain’t feeling the pinch – yet – but those at the bottom of the pile sure are. Rest assured, it will come to you.
‘In the midst of life we are in debt’
As someone who has worked and is a home owner, i agree the world needs to become a better place for everyone to live and that means sharing what we have, supporting causes like this that wish to help promote equalizing the world, where loneliness, poverty and hunger become a thing of the past. We need more of it, thanks guys for starting this I great thing.
What i don’t like about these protests is the language used.
These people don’t understand what capitalism is. In fact, no one really can because there hasn’t been agreed upon set definition. All we know is that there are certain properties of capitalism that are universal – like a competitive market place that rewards creativity.
When i see signs like “Capitalism Doesn’t Work” i read that as “Competitive Market Places Don’t Work” which is utterly ridiculous – We have 200 or more years of proof that Competitive Market Places have improved the lives of Millions if not a Billions.
Poverty used to be a forgone conclusion prior to the Industrial Revolution. Chinas poor are in a transition to the middle class. You only have to look back 5 or 10 years to see the dramatic effect that capitalist measures have had in China.
Just because things aren’t perfect, it doesn’t mean Capitalism doesn’t work. It just means it need to evolve – which is what makes Capitalism so beautiful. It doesn’t stand still. It is like the environment. In fact it is, it is an economic environment and businesses, governments and organisation are it’s species, trying to survive, continually improving or evolving.
Don’t get down on Capitalism – get down on it’s under regulation. That’s where the real problem lies as the US and Britain showed us in their sub prime mortgage crisis.
we’re trying to create an environment where people can discuss and learn. over time the occupation will generate more intelligent material as better information is shared. come host a workshop during your lunchbreak to help us understand.
my core problem is that our entire economic model is built on constant growth. if we are not making and selling more stuff we are going backwards or on the brink of collapse. we live on a planet that is not constantly getting bigger. these two facts are colliding and whether these people can articulate it or not, they know that something needs to be addressed. help me understand if i’m wrong, but my question is: how can we continue with a constant growth model if we live on a planet with finite resources? won’t this eventually lead to collapse?
in nature constant growth without regard for environment sounds a lot like cancer. i’d like for this global movement to figure out how we can live on this planet without behaving like cancer. got any ideas?
Not sure if China represents something to look up to: China, being a one party state, is evidence that capitalism is not to be automatically equated with democracy – for too long we have swallowed the propaganda that suggests otherwise. Witness the pressure China is putting on Obama to slash the US Welfare budget – NOT curtail their military adventurism, or to regulate their financial sector. Their rhetoric is all about slashing public spending! Our corporate leaders would love for us to be a capitalist one-party state, with low wages, a negligible welfare system, and an unquestioned ideology of constant growth.
Let me offer a definition of capitalism that I think is much more useful than “a competitive market place that rewards creativity”.
Capitalism is the dominance of capital over the other parts of the economic system, ie, labour and land. I contend that this is a useful definition because it can explain certain aspects of a capitalist system like:
-Banks can charge you fees but you can’t charge the bank fees.
-People are forced to work but capital is not forced to be used (for example, see how much cash is held by US corporations)
-Workers are paid less than the value that they produce (the difference is called profit)
-Capital flows around the world with barely any regulation but people (ie labour) must face customs and are not allowed to work overseas without passing strict tests.
-There’s no fighting organised capital without organising people (ie labour), hence why social change only occurs through things like the labour movement, social rights movements, and hopefully Occupy Sydney.
If you have another good definition, please let me know.
Occupy Sydney
Occupy Wall St
Occupy Everywhere
Has anyone read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? I am not educated (above high school), I do not have a high paying job (>50K) and I am politically neutral yet I read this book and recognise it’s truth.
Perhaps you can extend your awareness by also watching Zeitgeist Moving Forward (for free on YouTube), you may find you lean more to this more modern understanding about human need, environment, culture, and what we can do to to create a freer and happier society!
I think Ziggy should watch Dumb and Dumber. Its more intelligent and entertaining.
Rand is an advocate of rampant free market, devil take the hindmost capitalism supported by a philosophy of meritocratic cleansing. You can’t be politically neutral and read atlas shrugged – if you think this is the case you are on the extreme right, Megs. Maybe you should try reading “Mein Kampf”, it’s (its!) ‘truth’ may appeal to you too.
“Why do you shrink in horror from the sight of the world around you? That world is not the product of your sins, it is the product and the image of your virtues.”
The system works – its called a democracy. If you don’t like it move.
Your proposal is a great example of how the current system of representative democracy doesn’t work, as it excludes those who dissent, and promotes segmentation and intolerance. We’re in the process of putting forward a new style of democracy, direct democracy, in which everybody is heard, and where motions are only passed through consensus. We’re for equality and a fair for all system of democracy, something that seems not to be achieved with the current system.
Mate are you serious? 1 person 1 vote. Who is excluded – no one unless they want to be.
yeah – 1 person 1 vote, and then the government that the people vote for do what big business tells them to, or promotes whatever brutal, nasty policy would win them support from the most ignorant, prejudiced and vindictive voter – did you vote for the Malaysian solution, Jason?
No, and I didn’t vote for a Carbon Tax either. Gillard is an asshole and will get hers come the next election.
Jason, you have proved my point and disproved yours, ha! Foist on yer own petard, mate!
Are you actually suggesting that we move to direct democracy? Have you ever perhaps pulled your head out of your pseudo-intellectual, quasi-philosopher, mock-revolutionary, wannabe-politician, uni-student arse, to think why no-ones ever done it before? It’s because it doesn’t work!
Who of you has ever:
– experienced hunger?
– been cold?
– been without TV or Internet?
– been without a laptop or smartphone?
– had to do long hard physical labor?
You are suffering from:
– ingratitude
– a wrong sense of entitlement
– and an utter lack of perspective
Thundercats, many of us have experienced these scenarios. Many of us also have not. However we all share in the belief that we shouldn’t advocate a system that allows so many others to experience such hardships and many more.
Such a quality is commonly known as empathy. We are not ashamed of suffering from that at all.
You ask for perspective yet you offer little yourself. You assume that we are ungrateful and that we feel wrongfully entitled, when many of us are indeed grateful for having certain entitlements while so many others do not. You assume this because many people selfishly do not empathise. You have assumed that we are indeed selfish.
Such assumptions only give everyone perspective on your character, not ours. How about coming over one day and joining in the various discussions?
Do you ever reflect what youre saying back to yourself. It helps
spot on Thundercats
Hello! Sydneyoccupy person here!
To answer yr question – I have, when I was young and my mother fled an abusive relationship. We had lived in country – isolated from family support systems. We, my mother, 1 y/o sister and me at 6, returned to the city and slept in car and squatted in house. My mum worked so hard in public housing and crisis centres after that – advocating for change in provisions and public perceptions, but still, 24 years later there is still more to do!
Many people have these stories, and many who don’t care about these stories, here in AU and around the world. I support occupytogether and can see change on horizon.
As a proud member of your so called “1%”, it feel it is my duty to inform you lesser educated, lower class, plebeians that it we who keep you ungrateful wretches from slipping into the quagmire of absolute poverty, we who keep your water clean, your food fresh, and your lights on, we who keep your economy booming, and all you can do, is complain that we reserve a little extra for ourselves! Well, pardon me for thinking i can reward myself for a lifetime of public service through supporting the industries and governments that hold you upright, by keeping a small excess fee of the money i earn by myself, through hard labour. You people sicken me! Stop feeling sorry for yourselves you bunch of no-good, pseudo-intellectual, wannabe-revolutionaries! There will always be rich and poor people, so instead of fighting against those who make this great nation what it is, try and be more thankful for the great things they do for you!
Yours Disgustedly,
The Guardian Angel, (One of Many).
We welcome you to come and hold a workshop at any time to help us understand why our political and economic system should remain as they are. We welcome all voices as long as they’re speaking from response instead of reaction.
I would like to know your response to the question i’ve raised a number of times but haven’t got an answer to yet though:
If the current economic model in the west is completely dependant on constant growth, isn’t this ultimately going to collide with the fact that our planet and it’s resources are not constantly expanding.
Growth in the “West” and the developing world is not “completely dependent” on resources, it is a combination of productivity, technology, capital and resources. I’m happy for you to live in the dark ages, but the vast majority will not be joining you.
i like those words you put in my mouth, but they’re not really mine so if you like i’m happy to give them back.
I didn’t say we were completely dependent on resources, i said growth. this can include the printing of money for example.
i did say the part about the dark ages though… oh wait. that wasn’t me either.
p.s. we love you. actually. no sarcasm now.
Around 20 at Martin Place today – what a joke
Kudos to those 20 amazing peeps at Martin Place!
There were more people playing bingo at the Dubbo RSL today than protesting in Martin Place.
And thats Ok. A movement can ebb and flow. Just like in New York.
smells like a bowel movement – no one cares about your stupidity – don’t you get it?
You seem to enough to comment?
yawn
let us get set up. we’ll entertain you soon enough.
Here’s what I would like to see (work in progress):
End of/greatly reduced limit to corporate donations to Political Parties in Australia.
Australia to exert influence on US and EU governments (and others) in order for those countries to legislate and regulate their financial/employment systems
AU legislative changes to our financial regulatory system to exert pressure on local and foreign financial institutions to stop poor lending, debt trading and irresponsible and speculative banking practices in all countries.
Allow all workers to be able to take industrial disputes to an independent commission.
Eradicate/greatly reduce fees for university and have greater support for all people who want to attend uni to do so.
And why is that?
Solidarity with those struggling with corrupt systems WORLDWIDE. Solidarity is so important and we get that message from occupy ppl all over
ABS stats 4 years to 2009/10 shows wage gap widening in AU
AU super funds for recent retirees vastly reduced due to GFC and many older Australians live in poverty
Underfunded aged, indigenous, regional and mental healthcare. Healthcare is not all just access to a GP and getting cold and flu meds when you need them!
Major corporate influence on all political orgs and politicians, with corps giving heaps of $$ to fund elections giving them major say in legislation and political decision making
Freedoms available in our democracy not available equally to all who live here
One person’s experience of ‘its all good’ is not shared by many many people in AU
Our economy influenced by US and EU markets where situation is bad – why wait until it gets worse?
Much of our ‘wealth as a nation’ comes from finite, non-renewable resources and many of those Corps are foreign owned
University is not ‘free’ and its disingenuous to suggest this, and there are also other barriers which impede many people to finish school and go on to tertiary education
Employment figures do not take into account many transient, temporary, casual, underpaid and underemployment issues
Approx 10% of people in AU live on or below poverty line. 1 in 10. And those people sure aren’t all ‘dole bludgers’ or ‘whiners’ or ‘hippies’ or whatever cruel uneducated slur people like to put on other people.
Marlaina: “Australia to exert influence on US and EU governments (and others) in order for those countries to legislate and regulate their financial/employment systems” – what does this mean? all financial systems are regulated (basket case 3rd world economies excepted), and there are global rules around capital adequacy. How do you expect Australia to exert influence? like most of the anarchist socialists on this website and all 20 in Martin Place – the comments / suggestions are sweeping generalisations based on falsehoods and little actual understanding of how the world works.
Maybe you could offer to hold a workshop on ‘how the world works’ – it would surely be more effective than commenting nastily on a blog post….? But probably not. Trolling is serious and requires serious energy!
No one cares about this joke of a protest
UTS design lecturer Matt Kiem, 26, of Marrickville, said the protest was a place of learning. “The thing which first brought me down here was seeing people experimenting with new ways of thinking,” he said. Matt go and live in North Korea and check out an old way of living – its called Socialism and its fucked. This is what the fools of Occupy Sydney want.
OccupySydney is not and will never be a socialist movement. Socialists are indeed part of the 99% but they are a minority and I, personally, will never let them hijack the occupation. They have to come under the inclusive banner of the 99% and drop their silly marxist signs. We certainly don’t need a new totalitarian ideology to create a pragmatic and peaceful new system.
Occupy Sydney is clearly being used as a tool by the socialists who still think after all these decades that a revolution is coming. Nobody gives a shit about their protests or fucked-up ideas.
In the 2010 Federal Election, the Socialist Alliance received 0.08% of the vote in the House of Representatives and 0.26% in the Senate – 99%? NO NO NO not even 1%
Until we can convincingly solve issues caused by limited resources, human greed is most likely inevitable. Somebody will always take more than they need, in fear of being left without enough. If these solutions aren’t possible in your life-time, this means uneven distribution of resources is an issue that you will have to face. Instead of complaining that the system is broken, contribute to causes that will one day create the solutions for future generations.
Suggestions: (1) raise the age required to buy cigarettes by 1 year every year – phasing it out over time as a legal activity; (2) ban the sale of alcohol to alcoholics; (3) bring in the death penalty for 1st degree murder, rape and drug importation / dealing; (4) bring in capital punishment for graffiti; (5) bring in lessons regarding “respect of private property” into secondary schools.
Heard the great news that the scum of Occupy have been removed. Well done to the Police.
A victory for the real people – good to see that those who want something for nothing are duly rewarded.
This is actually hilarious.
OccupySydney is the best thing i’ve heard about for a while. Good on you!
[the content of this comment has been removed due to extreme sexism and harassment] – Marla 19 Nov 2011
You mean “Occupy Nowhere” ha ha ha
For now!!
Occupy Wall Street protesters might say they represent 99% of the nation, but there’s a growing number of Americans who are making it clear they are not part of the dissident crowd.
They call themselves the 53%…as in the 53% of Americans who pay federal income taxes. And they are making their voices heard on Tumblr blogs, Twitter and Facebook pages devoted to stories of personal responsibility and work ethic.
I’d love to see your 53% blog for Australia? I would love to contribue my story as a fulltime worker. I am very very supportive of Occupy Sydney. Ensuring *all* Australians get to be heard, talking publicly about *how* our current constant growth economic model is unsustainable, and *why* dedicated public discourse is NECESSARY and RIGHT and JUST!
This whole movement is pointless. I only just heard about it from a friend in Germany, and I live in Sydney. Your cause is extremely vague and you seem to think that Sydney is in the same situation as Libya was or is (I don’t even know anymore). Know that Australia isn’t anything like a third world Islamic nation and if you want a better world its one without you guys in it.
Curious why you think Occupy Sydney think its just like Lybia? From my experience most if not all people involved do *not* think this? Maybe *asking* what occupy means for Sydney and what it means to participate is a more effective strategy than *telling* people involved what they think or *assuming* what your friend in another country says is at all indicative.
I’m interested in *how* you plan to make the changes that many of you have identified need to happen. Camping in a city might bring attention (if you can find enough media programs to cover you), but it does not in and of itself bring change. I agree that resources are being wasted and that the system is broken, but how do you intend to change it?
Hi Steph, change will not come up on its own accord, particularly when it is against the interests of the large corporations that dominate the public and government arenas. Change will come as a result of participation of a large portion of the population, and the strategies for resolving the current problems (and the identification of those problems also) will arise as a result of such participation, conversation, openness, compassion, respect, and optimism. People will not participate in this unless they see an opportunity to do so. We’re attempting to provide such opportunity. Raising awareness, bringing the attention of the people to an environment where everyone can express their concerns and be listened to with respect and interest, that is the main aim of the movement. See it for yourself, come to a General Assembly and have a look at what is possible!
The *how* is the most important part. Which is why occupy is so important, its a place for all to discuss the method for change.
I’m all for letting people’s voices be heard (I’m a social worker), but when it’s in a social movement I tend to find it more productive when there are actual steps that can be taken in order to reach the final goal (ie. ending corporate greed). I also don’t doubt that you’ll have a multitude of people participate in explaining how they have missed out – but you’re not running a counselling session. From “the strategies for resolving the current problems…will arise as a result of such participation” I understand that there is no game plan and you’re hoping that someone will come up with something at some point? Just be careful you don’t end up with a coup.
The essential ingredient in a social movement is that it *moves*. If all that comes from this is groups of people across the globe who lament because CEOs, actors and football stars earn too much money then you’ve squandered the potential for change. You might not end corporate greed, but get creative. Seeing as you can’t just take power, meet up with your MPs and tell them what you think. Don’t just be visable camping on a footpath.
I get worried when the steps forward don’t exist because they can instead provide a dangerous basis for more destructive action – if camping in Sydney and simply telling people that Alan Joyce earns too much money doesn’t get the end you seek, what then? Will you be forced to give up or stage a coup, or is there a path in between for social action?
The steps forward will come rfom all who participate. What is the end goal? I think people need more than 2 weeks to talk about methods for enacting immense social change. Having a space to do so visibly is so important. As most people keep saying – the best way to get an understanding is through participation, not observation.
I believe we *have* been talking to MPs – lots of them, there is even a petition on this site and resources for people who want to begin lobbying MPs.
I don’t think Occupy has a *lot* to do with Alan Joyce – thats a singular issue in what is a larger movement. If you come down or want to participate let me know – My name is Marlaina come say hi.
Disclaimer – Many of the nasty posts here come from the same IP, using different anon name. Just for interest of transperancy WEB ADMINS – maybe we should display IP addresses. It makes trolls go that extra effort before they post multiple times.
Great website! And great ideas here. Thanks!
Sorry but i’m going to buck the trend as I do not support the occupy movement. Why am I here on this site? Because I think it’s important to hear every side of the story before making an informed, rational decision about things.
Most of the people whinging and complaining in the Occupy movement are people that “haven’t made it” – those that have unfortunately been made redundant, are unemployed, don’t have much money and from those that I interviewed in Martin Place, are predominately uneducated. Stop blaming those that have made it for your own unfortunate circumstances! Why not just find a way to survive like the rest of us?! I’ll tell you what won’t work- camping out on expensive real estate in Sydney protesting with no clear goals disturbing the lives of those of us are in the real majority.
I myself am unemployed, i’m a volunteer working passionate about human rights, I have a legal background and I am well aware of the problems faced in this world. The occupy movement is not the solution. It is misguided and distracting to those of us that are on the ground actually working hard to make a real difference, not just dancing around in Martin Place.
I must highlight that you are NOT the 99%. You do not represent the views of 6.93 billion people. You barely represent the view of a few thousand in Australia. None of you were elected so stop throwing around your misguided slogan – it attracts uneducated people that have no idea what they’re talking about.
I hope you will make more of an effort to find ways to make a change in this world rather than whinging and whining through unproductive movements such as this. The world isn’t against you, you are against the world.
Dear Max, I am sorry through your research you came to this conclusion. My own, as an outsider, has been quite the opposite. Passionate people educated in what they stand for and the people they represent, working collaboratively, peaceably. I support #occupysydney because I have been impressed, I have been impassioned, because it is a powerful representation of positive groupthink- that solidarity movements have sprung up –individually- all over the world. Because these people have not been voted in, yet are powerful through working together to draw attention to the need for change, to create a voice from the people.
Thanks for your response Maarinke. I think you’ll find the reason you perceive people to be “passionate” about this is because the very concept behind it is so unbelievably vague and broad that anyone is capable of twisting it to suit their needs. Whether you’re a strong unionist, environmentalist, hippy, humanitarian, etc this movement maintains a flexibility that will undoubtedly attract people without them realising that they in fact do not share common beliefs and uniting under an umbrella of meaningless dribble and lack of goals and demands will not actually achieve anything long term.
To put it in a simple analogy, it’s very similar to how horoscopes work. Say something really vague and broad, but (mis)leading (i.e. the “we are the 99%” slogan) and people will adapt it to suit their situation and throw their full faith behind it. Ironically it’s a technique often used by corporations in their marketing.
Those that are easily manipulated and often uneducated get sucked into this and it’s contagious. I used to be like this when I was a student but I woke up and eventually realised the greatest thing I can do to create a better world lies in educating myself to understand it, understand its problems, find and implement direct solutions. I’m sorry but banding together under this sort of movement really does waste resources and honestly just pisses people off. It has validity in the USA and parts of Europe but the movement is largely seen here in Australia as a joke and it’s counterproductive to those of you that really want to make actual change.
I hope you see that I am on the side of those of you that want change but this really is not the way to go about it.
p.s. have a read of this article (not by me) for some pretty graphs that help demonstrate some of my points
http://armchairmanifesto.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-occupy-sydney.html
I don’t agree that people involved are ‘uneducated’ or that people involved so far are uniting under ‘meaningless dribble’. One of the strengths is the diversity of views that people bring, and which can strengthen a common goal.
I am also concerned when people wish to question anyone’s ‘legitimacy’ when it comes to activism. It also discounts the fact that most people involved in Occupy are active in many other ways including the more ‘legitimate’ avenues that you describe, Max such as volunteering and working ‘on the ground’ – in social work, working with homeless, wayside chapel, community and aged care, indigenous rights and community legal services etc etc.
AFAIK most people understand the issue with the 99% slogan, and understand its not globally representative. For me, its much like the saying ‘working 9 to 5′ which people understand as an idiom rather than literal in the sense you actually work from 9 to 5 in full time work. The 99% is not literally, 99% of people, but represents a vast segment of society, in AU and worldwide who do not feel represented by the current political / economic model.
I have yet to meet this ‘uneducated’ person who is ‘wasting resources’ as you describe.
Perhaps what I take most from your comments Max is that you are judging all in the movement from an observational, rather than a participatory standpoint. I respect your right to opinion, but respectfully and overwhelmingly disagree that this way is any more of less legitimate than the myriad of other ways people are active in our society.
I find it absurd that you might draw a similarity between the saying “9 to 5″ and 99%. There were what, 20 of you at Martin Place the other day? It is so ridiculously misleading to saying you represent the 99% and I, along with many colleagues find it arrogant and misrepresentative. You don’t even represent 0.001%!
I met a number of “uneducated people wasting resources” in Martin Place such as people flailing their signs with no clear purpose just saying “we are the 99%” and unable to explain exactly what they believed in, then when the police try to remove them because the real majority (much closer to 99%) don’t want them there they complain, cause trouble, vilify the people that enforce our laws and say they’re victims and their rights are being infringed!
It’s also completely wrong to vilify corporates who you claim are in the top 1%. Of course there are greedy people in that 1% but there are greedy people everywhere. It completely disregards the good work that so many of these people do- many that have dedicated their lives to public service providing you with clean water, electricity, goods, services, etc. So what that they’re now earning a lot of money. Deal with it. If it was as disproportionate here as in America you may have the slightest ground to stand on but just as we’ve proven with the Qantas Union strikes, this is just a case of greed from the bottom. We enjoy such a high quality of life in Australia, there’s a very low level of unemployment and we are one of the few countries to have dodged the GFC.
I think the proof will be in the pudding when you see in time that you’ve wasted resources, energy and time fighting for a meaningless cause that actually did nothing to improve the world. By all means use it as a forum to bounce ideas, but it’s the 99% propaganda and the protests with no clear purpose that really get to me.
Sorry Max, I think the 9-5 analogy is just as good as your horoscope analogy
I’d rather be suportive of people’s rights to protest rather than claim that what people are doing is worthless just on the face of a sign etc. There are many more peopel than just 20 involved. Many work full time opr have other committments so are not in Martin Place 24/7 (and the police have seen to that!).
In any case I think I have stated my position quite eloquently without descending into insults or aggression and in order to maintain that stance I am bowing out now. Thanks for the chat.
Also you are welcome to read some of my thoughts as a participant here http://onmyshore.tumblr.com
Thanks
Dear Max, This may help you . . .
http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newscategoryid=4&newsstoryid=8133&utm_source=console&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=cws
Right well I do hope I get the opportunity to publicly debate this with you. I would so love that. Unfortunately I am heading overseas to work with disadvantaged and broken communities (and I mean really broken- not what you think is wrong with our system) for 6 months. I strongly suspect this movement will be long gone when I return but if you are still here I will come along to one of your forums.
Good luck with your cause (even though you people seem unable to define it!) but just be aware that you don’t represent 99% and the real majority in Australia are happy with the system, grateful for the standard of living we enjoy and are prepared to work hard to support our healthy democracy and economy.
Thanks Max, I’ll also be heading overseas in 5 months to do work with communities in Canada’s Upper Yukon
I don’t support OccupySydney at all cos I don’t think the system is broken. I don’t think income disparity is even remotely important. What matters to me is income mobility. Can I get richer in Australia if I work hard? Yes is the answer. And the same answer applies to every Australian. We’re all gotten richer in Australia, even the poorest folks do better now than ever before. I don’t care if some people are richer than me and I certainly don’t have a problem with banks or the media. Banks have not stolen from me and the media does not stifle my ideas. Apart from the government taxing us all way too much, the only people who are taking anything from me at the moment are you blokes who are selfishly taking up public space that’s meant to be available to all of us and acting as if you’re doing us all some great favour by being so predictably left-wing and selfish. And apparently on Nov 5 you want to inconvenience Sydneysiders more with a trafficstopping march in town for no reason – you guys haven’t even got a coherent policy aim. Beyond your empty left-wing rhetoric there’s actually nothing to support.
what I hear from this comment is, ME ME ME.
Do you guys know what the Australian Greens were called before they became the Greens? The Australian Communist Party! Yep. And do you know how many millions of people died of starvation and oppression at the hands of idealistic Communist rulers around the world?
Maybe you also don’t know that most of those murderous rulers that are being slowly ousted by people power from Arab and African nations came to power riding on the dreams of Communism – just like the Australian Greens… Something to think about before you start promoting the Greens and demanding Communist idealist changes…
Thanks for your participation, however negative and mostly based on beliefs and repeating notions you’ve just heard on TV or from the moths of those who’ve just heard them on TV. Such negativity and ignorance is not useful to you, an will not help you make of this a better world for your children. I suggest you do some research based on facts, and with a broad view, such as comparing killing at invasions by a number of empires throughout history (including USA’s killings in every war they fought) and you’ll quickly realise that monarchies, fascists/nazis, communists and capitalists have all been incredibly criminal and senseless. Perhaps, on the side of capitalism, it would be fair including all the deaths by cardiovascular disease, cancers and adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals that are directly related to advertising and psychological manipulation of people’s minds by corporations who’re interested only on maximising profits and care little about life. And don’t forget to include crimes motivated by inequality, injustice and poverty directly resulting from the dog-eat-dog characteristic of capitalism. I’m not a communist, but I personally believe capitalism is way much worse than communism and monarchy. Repeating what others say withour reaeaching is never going to be productive for anyone in the long run. Perhaps you can research a bit about the scam of Fractional Reserve Banking, Fiat currency, and alternative and more modern economic systems like Resource Based Economy.
Ziggy – Thanks for your comment but, having had many years experience on several sides of several fences, I don’t need to listen to the opinion of others to be able to have sufficient facts to see things as they really are in this world. Capitalism is not perfect but it feeds far more people than communism and medical advances save far more people in 1st, 2nd and 3rd world countries than communist country health systems. These are facts that can’t be disputed.
I respect the opinion of others but when you say that you “personally believe capitalism is way much worse than communism and monarchy” then I respectfully say that you need to travel more and to open your eyes to the pain and suffering that people in countries without sufficient food and medical provisions suffer.
May I ask what action you would want the banks and big business to take that would satisfy your ideals?
…and thanks for actually publishing my comments. I half expected them to be deleted.
Hi Jeff, I have the firm belief that we’re all trying to help, even those who seem very negative. Many on both sides have selfish motivations, and many altruistic motivations, and they’re all valid and important. We both want to know what to do and what not to do, based on our current collective awareness, because such awareness changes and evolves over time, especially as a result of new technologies and better information and communication systems. There is a lot of disinformation and belief systems portraying as evidence-based facts, however, so it is essencial that we use our critical thinking every time we’re faced with new information, and it pays not being attached too much to our own beliefs, and being open to new ideas. My position on capitalism is shared among many activists of the zeitgeist movement, and considers that capitalism, banking, and the monetary market were important for the rapid development of our technology, and have been very positive in many regards. However it’s cancerous nature is increasingly becoming critical and threatens the world with collapse (financial, environmental and social). We can’t continue to overlook issues like technological unemployment, debt spinning out of control in every economy, the environmental degradation resulting from unsustainable practices motivated by high profit margins, concentration of power and wealth, increasing inequality, the pervasive nature of commercial advertising dominating our culture, people having jobs but no lives, children being educated more by commercial TV than by their parents and families an thus breaking market slaves…. Just as communism was outdated and crumbling in the eighties, capitalism is outdated and crumbling now. The Occupy movement intends on engaging the population to find alternatives and solutions, and push for their implementation, with profit and the perpetuation of established systems in power out of the way, so that the solutions address people’s concerns instead of corporate interests. Our current technological status no longer requires that people work with the same intensity as during the industrial revolution, and we no longer need to continue growing. Even though I align with the zeitgeist movement’s proposal, there are many people engaged with the occupy movements who propose other alternatives, like socialism or libertarian capitalism. We need to find an alternative to the current system and we propose we discuss the issues until we achieve consensus. Direct democracy by consensus is one of the most beautiful and inspiring successful ideas this movement has to offer! And if not resolving our pressing issues here, where then?
Ziggy; “we’re all trying to help” – no the occupy movement in Australia has been hijacked and completely trashed by the socialist alliance, socialist alternative and green left, just look around this website’s pics.Capitalism is not causing near collapse, it is the socialist welfare policies of Europe, who have been living beyond their means (tax revenue vs welfare, short working week, 6 week holidays etc.) for decades, and in the US this has been caused by the encouragement of the Clinton administration for Banks to lend more for housing as well as a dysfunctional banking system particularly compared to Australia (non-recourse lending, securitisation at very high levels, and long term fixed rates – up to 30 years which cannot be match funded). Finally we live in a democracy now 1 person = 1 vote. The socialists on this site want to remove that equality and force “revolution” down people’s throats. Instead of complaining about the size of every one’s piece of cake, how about contributing to society – you know WORKING, paying tax and growing the cake for all.
Most of us have jobs, and do not identify as ‘socialists’. This is where your argument becomes unstuck. You cannot collate an informed opinion because you observe, rather than engage and participate. If you don’t want to engage and participate that’s fine – you don’t have to – plenty of people help others in other ways (inc many occupy participants), or leave the movement alone.
Effectively wasting energy on beating people down tends to get me thinking you should follow your own ‘get a job’ mentality, except i would replace ‘job’ with ‘sense of proportion’ and ‘sense of decency’ towards your fellow human beings….
I support Occupy Sydney because I want to be manipulated by politicos and union bosses, I want Qantas pilots to earn $500,000 per year,I want to be roughed up by police, rained on at night, and have my internet posts deleted by my freedom of speech loving “comrades”. If we overthrow capitalism, what will we get? Stalin’s Russia with a green face? We will if some of our present crew keep up their present form. So, guys, there is work to do, and some of it is on ourselves.
Hi Ken if you are angry at business people who earn 300 times than ordinary workers you must also be angry at actors and sportspeople who earn 500 times that of ordinary workers. Whats that?, . . thats differant is it. Thought so. Just remember its the wage earners in this country that pay the tax to enable services like hospital, cops and disabilty pensions. I wonder how much collective tax all those in the occupy movement pay. I would guess very little. Tell me how that is fair.
It is tough Max and well done for working two jobs to get by. Most successful people have had to do it from time to time. I certainly did. At one stage I was homeless but still employed. There is something called the ‘Trickle Down Effect’ that I would encourage you to become familar with. Yes some people earn a lot of money. But that money finds its way back into the ecconomy. So shall I sack my house keeper, stop using the dry cleaner, tell my gardener hes fired. The very people who you are protesting against are the ones supporting many in the community.
I’m 52 and am sick of working for a living. I want lots of free stuff.
I support Occupy because I share your uncompromising opposition to censorship and your commitment to absolute freedom of speech.
Also, because I enjoy a laugh.
Hi. I’m Peter, a 30 year old man who lives in Sydney. I don’t support Occupy Sydney because I am a remotely intelligent person!I think it’s amusing that you complain about the “undemocratic” nature of your protests being shut down, when really each time it has been you who are breaking the law, after democratically being given permission to protest!
But I suppose in a way I do support Occupy Sydney, in that it gives me an opportunity to enjoy listening to ABC radio on a Monday morning- it’s very entertaining listening to the confused, semi-coherent interviews that your protesters manage to string together. Just one word of advice- it would be a good idea to at least pretend you know why you’re protesting before speaking on the radio.
All in all, good job and keep it up!
Please cite the law which we collectively have broken?
It’s also really off-putting to hear you insinuate people involved are stupid. This is the level of opposition I seem to see each day. “You’re all stupid, lazy, smelly, unemployed” and whatever other slur you can aim.
There is hardly even any critical, measured or balanced critique. It’s just rude and reactionary – and there for the world to see.
Good Morning,
I’m not one to usually comment on issues such as these, but I felt I needed to because in my opinion, you are having a terrible time explaining exactly what you are about. All I can get from your site is that you are about change, but change to what exactly? I apologise, but like many people who you are supposed to be representing, I need to actually see a definitive plan or direction, not just some feel good notions. Blame my Myers Briggs personality type if you will, but I need fact and logic for determining a decision.
Let’s examine your unifying statement.
“We act in solidarity…..”
Ok, solidarity is fine and good, but the problems in the locations you listed are not common, nor relevent to here. Excessive social policy is behind the collapse of Europe (See Greece, a country built on a foundation of having the government provide generous benefits to a population who refuse to pay tax and avoid it wherever possible). And the situation in Egypt is so far removed from the rest of your mission statement that it really does not belong. Arab Spring has nothing to do with the problems of Western Capatilism and I feel you are belittling the struggle of those people by trying to associate yourself with them.
“We are the 99%.”
I won’t harp on that, it’s being said before that this is not a literal definition, but it still irks me due to my nature.
“The system is broken.”
Define this, what system? So much of what makes Australia and the west a comfortable and rich society is due to exactly this system. It’s sure not perfect, but nothing is. And it’s a hell of alot better for the good of all than the alternatives. If you have a better system, please elaborate on it.
“A better world is possible.”
Again, far too generic. What does this better world entail. The backbone of captitalism is it provides incentive for innovation and hard work. Sure, in a utopian society where all have what they need but no more, equality would be achieved, but where is the incentive to push the boundaries and to excell if for all your extra work, your piece of pie remains the same? I have seen the faults of this firsthand in China. And entire workforce with terrible productivity due to no incentive because working harder will get them no more. It is the move to capitalism that has got the ball rolling in China in recent years. A whole section of the population that can actually now see the posibility of becoming middle class.
If I could earn as much being a garbage collector as an engineer, why would I be an engineer? If I could earn a substantially comfortable wage as a worker, why would I want to run the company if not for the fatter pay packet? Because it’s a moral duty to run the company, or take on the risk to start a company so others can have a job? Why would I take a risk to build a company up from scratch if there was little more benefit than staying put and working my 38 hours? Every single company out there you target as being the root of all evil started with a single person taking a risk. All those evil companies are now providing many more people with a job and a better way of life.
“Human need, not corporate greed!”
No point repeating myself, it falls under the same line of discussion as above.
Put simply, without the incentive to innovate and better ones own life through the ability to obtain more than you necesarily need to survive, how do you continue to develop as a society? Incentive is driven by greed. Take out the greed, and nobody would ever take a chance on an idea, or a young startup company.
On a personal note. Anyone who challenges our way of life in that saying it’s not a fair playing field for all to get ahead really annoys me. I grew up in poor country NSW in a farming family during a massive drought, but I still mamaged through hard work to take what small help was on offer. I did well at school, then at university (and yes I racked up a debt to go there) to now have a good job and house. University needs to be a user pays system, that way only those dedicated to making use of their degree and paying for it go. There is no benefit in paying for people to go to university just because they find it intresting, or want to delay entering the workforce for another 4 years.
I also came from the country – SA in fact. My family were poor but supported me and encouraged me to engage and be a caring, empathetic person. I worked hard at university and now have a well paying job that I take pride in, doing more than i need to to support others.
I also support occupy sydney. I think what many people have issue with, is that they want to define this movement in the same tired terms of “feral protest” but cannot do so because the discourse and paradigm of engagement has changed.
I can only reiterate that if you are AT ALL interesting in engaging that you do so through participation, not observation. most of us are outside, occupying, doing outreach and volunteer work, at jobs etc. we don’t really have time to engage in internet wars with people who seem to only want to inflame, blame and criticise without real critical analysis.
Occupy doesn’t have to have a set of ‘demands’ – who would we even submit those demands to? politicians who lie and do not represent us (on all sides) ? Maybe rather what we are working towards is goals – and goals take time to develop – as you may well know. Sometimes even negotiating a discussion with your partner about house ownership or when to have kids can atke time, and thats just two people, but if you work together, respectfully, then you can reach your goals.
We have 1000s of people participating in all levels, from 1 hour a week, to everyday, so its going to take time, and i think thats okay. i have a blog at onmyshoreDOTtumblrDOTcom if you want to see some personal writing from a participant?
if you don’t want to work between nine and five then drive a taxi, or work a night shift. Stop complaining and finding excuses about why you can’t work.
The second half of your comment is equally pointless- CEO’s millions ARE shared around the nation through a progressive tax system, and society DOES house and feed you- that’s what welfare is.
I gather from your post that you would like a world where you can both not work, and have everything you want. Being lazy shouldn’t be rewarded in any economy or political system. And if communism is what you want, look how well it worked elsewhere
If we wanted communism, I think we would have said that by now. Clearly this is not the case. Unlesss…. we are waiting for a year long Communism sneak attack! Ha, seriously, yr so far off the mark. Come engage sometime. it might make you smile
I am a 40 year old professional who has worked hard all of his life. Too hard not to speak up against the lazy people such as yourselves. This is Australia if you want a job then work. You are a disorganised rabble who, every time you appear on the news simply worsen your ’cause’ (whatever that is). Dirty, smelly poorly dressed people screaming ‘we are the 99%’. You wonder why no-one is listening?
any ideas on what we do about the fact that our economy must be in a state of constant growth, always manufacturing and selling more and more than ever before, when we live on a finite planet. aren’t these two facts bound to collide at some stage?
I find it difficult to empaphise with the protestors over police brutality when it is called an “occupy” movement. Basically what you are saying is that a vocal minority of a few hundred people want to claim public space indefinetely for their own agenda. These are spaces which people use every day be it for business or relaxation and have to share like everyone else in the community.
Traditionally the terms “occupation” or “Blockade” are used when dealing with military operations and are often the pretext for warfare. These are also terms often used by left wing protesters who cannot get their way in life and insist that they are being peaceful in doing so, it is not. Forcing your will on others is always an act of violence and should be met with force.
It is ironic that the Global “Occupy” movement which wants to be a world wide movement for change is made of the same people demonstrating against globalisation 10 years ago.
Its a valid point. The small amount of space we ‘occupied’ (and many of us can speak critically to that term), this space in Martin Place, was before, and still is, hardly used at all. There are no seats there (they are few and to the side), and the centre of that top square is not a ‘desire line’ of traffic as most people keep to the sides where the train station or business exits are. We were also v. respectful of the war memorial and laid flowers there. Are we not public? Since when is my use of public space needing a time limit?
In terms of why occupy – I have been thinking a bit about that myself. why is it important to be in public? One question I ask is why public space can only be transiently used. You may only stay briefly. How long before you outstay your welcome? If someone is on the park bench I want to sit on, how long before I can tell them ‘you’ve had enough of that space you need to share it now?’
Most of community/business/political/educational discussions occurs behind closed doors. Parliament is open to few if at all, company boardrooms where decisions that affect millions are made are private spaces. ‘Poor’ people are sent to housing commissions far out of sight and mind, same with refugees and many Indigenous people. Education, seen by many as ‘elite’ occurs in closed classrooms, where you must pay to learn.
What is so fundamentally wrong with being able to BE in public, in a space that is for everyone? People can still walk through you. They can sit down. We didn’t exclude anyone. Mainly people excluded themselves, i think, because a deep bias against people they view as ‘lesser’ than them. That being said, many many people did engage and stayed and walked and stopped – in a place they probably never thought of as this kind of ‘public’ – free, with books, food, a nice place to sit, ideas, conversation and company.
Transparency if ideas, free discussions, accessible discussion, inclusive discussion. A place that can be claimed for all who are disenfranchised by the seclusion and privacy of democracy/politics/economics/education. People who benefit from these institutions but recognise the privilege inherent in them.
Also, I have yet to see anyone come up with a law that prevents peaceful assembly with a time limit. If you know it, and can cite it, please let me know! Because if there is, I’d sure like to know how three large TAB tents took up more space in Martin Place, for more time that occupy sydney, ‘blocking access to people who may have wanted to use the space’……. one rule for people who are showing dissent, another to organisations that prop up governments with $$ gleaned from vulnerable people in society.
Yes of course it’s off topic as it is ‘Why do you support OS’ and very few people do. What a great topic to stimulate debate!
It’s good advice however. People are meeting your ‘occupation’ (squatting) with a mixture of frustration and laughter. You are seen as a bunch of ferals. If you have a message then you need to give it in an organised, logical fashion and without squatting. Currently from what ‘normal’ people see of OS they don’t want to associate with you; and calling yourselves the 99% worsens this as they know they are ‘the majority’ and that they’re not like the OS people they see on the street or in the news! Read the comments on news.com and you will see what you are doing wrong. Have a shower, put some decent clothes on and stop the screaming. Go home and if you want to protest do it in a civilized manner. Until then you will continue to be the <1% and no-one will listen. They will only be pissed off or just sit back, watch and chuckle and you will change nothing.
So..!! you think your shit does`nt stink…get a life
The occupiers are all decent human beings, from all walks of life, and have more intelligence,than you have, in your little finger nail..!!
cheers
Well I think you raise a decent point, maybe we are approaching the situation wrong, but I appreciate your approach to the situation coming online insult everyone and trying to thrust your opinions on everyone else. More people support this movement then you know and I think you must be pretty shallow minded to suggest that we don’t work or contribute, I work 2 jobs I’m also a university student I support this cause and i also shower often.
AS I said before I think you raised a good point and I’m not trying to insult you I’m just saying think before you insult everyone that doesn’t support your beliefs, if everyone that ever tried to change something was repressed and told they were dirty, unemployed and naive where would we be in this world?
Caitlyn I am not insulting anyone I am simply saying how the average person in the street views your ‘movement’. Only you can answer if this is media spin or the way it actually is. All I can say is that you are not the 99% and don’t represent them in any way and by saying that you do simply makes you sound silly. And where has Ross gone hopefully preparing a media statement right now
“If a CEO earns millions it should be shared between the unemployed so that we don’t have to work & can expand the movement”
You are kidding aren’t you? A CEO earns $millions as they are responsible for $billions, and tens of thousands of workers (and their dependants). The fact that you think their salary should be distributed to people who don’t want to work concerns me greatly, and is why no-one wants to associate with your group.
Australia already has a Robin Hood tax.
Sorry I had to laugh. You are telling me to get a life? You people have been squatting for weeks. Why aren’t you at work? The ‘occupy’ movement will always attract the the unemployed, the homeless, the nutty and the generally ‘have nothing better to do crowd’. That’s your problem. If you don’t want to change that’s fine by me…and yes my shit does stink!
pleased to see we are arguing about the key topics here ross.
and i think you mean you’re…
doesn’t surprise me that you’re not at work today ross, if that’s your real name.
i would prefer people not squat on my front lawn if that’s ok so will simply refer to myself as ‘the real 99%’.
so obviously you still don’t understand my point.
what if you were to front the media outside parliament one weekend (you couldn’t possibly do it mid week as you are too busy at work); all turn up in suits with a well constructed statement?
that is, assuming you are capable of this and actually have something to say.
the more you look and act like a rabble the less people will listen to you.
and the more the real 99% will simply think you are a bunch of ferals.
Have you seen the news from around the world
http://rt.com
http://english.aljazeera.net
There are pages and pages of content on OWS movement, it makes front page almost EVERY DAY.
the movement is creating an impact banks are dropping fees in the us because people are moving to credit unions.
We all work and want to work i have even said if i win the lotto i will still work but obviously have a different lifestyle ha.
I think if you run a big company you are entitled to the profits however what the issue is, is the control the MEGA corporations, the BIG banks have and the MEDIA control
you think no body listens or cares is because in Australia our media is highly controlled
You sound like you have been listening to 2gb too much just have a look and compare the info we get and compare it to independent.
I challenge you to open ninemsn website and SMH website and compare to
aljazeera
and
russia today
we are drowned with advertising and focus on celebrity gossip
with a hint of real world news
and if Al Jazeera is a bit too ‘foreign’ for you… you can try the guardian in UK or Independant in UK.
I suggest you take the time to watch Zeitgeist Moving Foreward
Thats where your new education REALLY lies my friend.
OPEN YOUR MIND, JUST A LITTLE..
ANY WAY WHAT IS YOUR NAME..!!! your still hiding.
cheers Ross…yep thats my name.
Ahhh sorry I missed you Ross.
So can someone tell me…
1. Where does the ‘occupy’ theme comes from?
Why not just hold meetings/general assemblies/marches etc… Doesn’t the squatting/damaging of public space simply upset people and waste police resources when they eventually get sick of you?
2. Why persist with the ‘we are the 99% slogan’ and yes I understand the non-literal meaning. Seeing people claiming to represent the poorest 99% and speaking for me just makes me chuckle; and others angry. And well done to the 1% I say…
Why do you remove all posts that disagree with your views? I will repost mine…
I am a 40 year old professional who has worked hard all of his life. Too hard not to speak up against the lazy people such as yourselves. This is Australia if you want a job then work. You are a disorganised rabble who, every time you appear on the news simply worsen your ’cause’ (whatever that is). Dirty, smelly poorly dressed people screaming ‘we are the 99%’. You wonder why no-one is listening?
Hi, the request for this post is to stay on topic. The topic is “Why do you support Occupy Sydney” and not why you don’t support, or a comment on someones’ particular reason for support, or what you think about supporters. As stated in the post, comments off topic would be moved to the About page, they are not erased. You are welcome to express your concerns in the many posts and pages on this website which have no express requests to stay on topic. Thanks.
Yes of course how silly of me.
Can I please request a topic ‘Why a few hundred of the 99%ers can’t speak for everyone’.
Then anyone responding to peoples responses or reasons for responses or initial posts that don’t agree with the exact wording of the title can be moved to the general crap page in a tangled mess.
You should keep working on that press realease.
No wonder no-one treats you seriously.
hilarious
Sorry but you are not the 99% and Australia already has a Robin Hood tax.
You don’t have to be so literal about things. Its an idiom, and its used worldwide. In my engagement with many people I have spoken to, personally, my thoughts reflect their concerns and hopes too. Just because you don’t participate doesn’t mean you can’t share some of the ideals. And if you don’t want to engage – I fail to see how being rude helps anyone.
[If a CEO earns millions it should be shared between the unemployed so that we don’t have to work & can expand the movement.]
You’ve got to be kidding? A CEO earns $millions because they look after $billions as well as thousands of employees (and their dependants). So people who don’t want to work should just be ‘looked after’ by those that have to?
Because there is not enough entertainment on tv. Occupy is hilarious.
I love how the About us page is basically the catch all for the same posters who post under different names but have the same IP.
Again – if you TRUELY want to ‘know what it is about’ then dos ome research. There are literally thousands of blogs, opinion pieces, statistical analysis and REAL people you can talk to.
the web is a portal for getting some info across and also organising, but the best way to ‘get it’ is through participation, not observation. And I certainly will not engage with anyone who name calls, swears, is offensive, stalks people to their personal blogs or emails, or reiterates the same tired message over and over trying to wear you down to their level.
Come up with something new! You can’t beat Occupy with the same tired old (abusive) rhetoric.
[...reiterates the same tired message over and over trying to wear you down to their level]
do you mean like “we are the 99%”?
[Come up with something new!]
exactly.
you should.
I don’t often use the term, as I find it polarises people, but its a new way to contextualise and idea of the haves and have nots. In terms of 99% – to me it speaks of the many people who do not feel represented by their elected officials (on all sides of politics) who have no say in fundamental economic or political decisions, who feel manipulated by media and corporations, who live in poverty, who feel our system of constant growth economics or system of democracy is not democratic for all people. the 1% to me are not ‘top earners’ or individuals, but rather the systems of power that continues to assert platitudes that they are doing good, when poverty and dissatisfaction continues to grow – at the expense of billions of people in this world. Some people profit from the policies represented by the 1%, and many many more people suffer.
Just today a man came up to myself and another woman at the info desk and snarled “why don’t you get a job”. i said “I do have a job – I am here on my lunch break”. He then said rather rudely “do you earn more than $34,000 a year” (I assume he was going to invoke some idea of paid taxes = legitimacy of opinion) and i said “I earn $100,000 a year, and I am still here, because this is important”. He then accused me of “being part of the 1%”" – and maybe i am. I help support my disabled mother on that income, and yeah, I won a Mac. Does this mean my voice is more powerful or legitimate? Am I the 15? Am i the 99%? i know i certainly feel disenfranchised and unhappy with the current system that oppresses so many people, and where in our country wealth disparity is growing at an alarming rate and estimates are that 2million ppl live in poverty. Do I contribute to that? Probably, and I don’t want to anymore. Occupy has given me an avenue to start looking at goals for change, in a way giving $50 to a charity never did (and we all saw the Daily telegraph report on how much many charities spend on marketing and admin from donations – some as much as 60%!!!).
I will be at Martin Place tomorrow about 5pm – if you are in Sydney come and say hello and lets talk about how we can come up with ‘new’ ideas (a goal of occupy). Engage!
correction “I help support my disabled mother on that income, and yeah, I own a Mac. Does this mean my voice is more powerful or legitimate? Am I the 1%? Am i the 99%?”
Sorry Maria but you seem to be a little confused about what you stand for; as you mentioned earlier…
[Occupy doesn’t have to have a set of ‘demands’ – who would we even submit those demands to? politicians who lie and do not represent us (on all sides) ? Maybe rather what we are working towards is goals – and goals take time to develop – as you may well know]
So if you don’t have a set of common goals then how do people know whether to join you or not? You want representation but how will they represent you? If you want to have a voice you need to know what to say.
The only common theme/message then is the 99% which you don’t like nor understand.
According to 2008-9 ATO figures the top 1% in Australia would be individuals with earnings >250K or thereabouts.
I think they only get 1 vote.
However you only mention the corporations? Don’t corporations employ people? People in the 99% and the 1% and the 95% and the…
How and why do these ‘corporations’ influence government? What is their purpose? To improve their businesses – the one you may work for?
And if you are a government employee aren’t governments potentially as greedy and wasteful? Even more so… Do the unions representing government employees influence ministers?
My name is Marla (Marlaina) not Maria.
Demands are not the same as goals. And I have answered your 99% / 1% question about three times now…. i also blog at http://onmyshore.tumblr.com if you wish to see my own writing on occupy.
We do have common goals. Mine are human need not corporate greed. Democracy for all, regardless of wealth. corporate influence out of government, public space for the public, addressing constant growth economics. These are goals, its a long term thing. You would find people share MANY of these ideas, and more. Come join the conversation and share your goals.
Successive Governments have allowed Big Business to erode away the brilliance of Australians, profit has been put above all else.
As a country we basically don’t make anything anymore and our services along with our assets are going offshore.
All we have to show for this mess are sub standard products and worn out workers.
Some sense on the Robin Hood (Tobin) Tax:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/tax/8876872/Tobin-Tax-What-George-Osborne-told-EU-finance-ministers.html
The Commission takes the central view it would only reduce European GDP by 1.76pc. That is their central estimate that is going to cost 500,000 jobs across the European continent.
A financial transaction tax is paid for by the end beneficiaries of financial transactions and that is pensioners. So if you want to go and introduce a big tax on pensioners that is the end result. But at least be honest about who pays this tax.
thanks for the heads up. we’re looking into whether this is a good idea or not, so please keep sending links.
post in the forum section ‘concerns and solutions’
Seriously this brings back memories of 50% of the American population chanting praises for Obama when 90% of them had no idea what his policies were, nor no idea how he wanted to ‘change’ America. People just get together in these crazy ass packs and have an opinion about something that they have no idea about. Seriously GET A LIFE. You don’t even have a depth of argument other than to blame it on corporations. Have a SHOWER and research the facts before you open your mouth you uneducated bunch of TWATS. For the record – what is your solution?? that’s it you don’t have one – Socialist nit wits you make me so ANGRY.
i keep asking the same question and no-one seems to have an answer, perhaps you do?
western society runs on constant growth economics. we must be mining, manufacturing and selling more each year then we ever have before.
We live on a finite planet. Can you not see that we can’t endlessly increasing how much we manufature and sell? It’s not sustainable and it will inevitably lead to collapse. If you don’t believe me, see 2008. Nothing has been fixed or repaired in the system of economics that caused the FIRST GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS IN HISTORY. That’s kinda a big deal.
Australia happened to have a massive surplus thanks to the selling off and hoarding of John Howard. Whether you like him or not, this is a fact. Now, thanks to wall st, we have no surplus. Does this not make you angry?
What about the next GFC, which analysts are saying is coming, just take a look at greece and europe right now. We have no huge surplus in the bank to get us out of shit next time. We might be ok now, but we won’t weather the next financial storm.
We have socialists in our midst, because everyone is welcome, but the overwhelming majority don’t belong to any particular party or ideology. On the weekends our numbers swell into the thousands (more than 2 thousand last saturday) then we drop down to a hundred or less. GA’s are held at 6.30pm and we get back up between 200 and 400. Why? because people have jobs. most of us work. most of us shower. those that don’t were probably homeless before this all started! And the homeless people among us that I know of shower too.
If you want ideas for solutions how about some of these (none are ratified by consensus, these are just ideas to discuss to see if they’re good or not):
Mandatory Triple Bottom Line Reporting for all corporations.
This would create an industry of independent auditors, just like how the job network agencies popped up overnight. That’s right, it would create jobs. Currently it is illegal for board members to make decisions that don’t give the maximum profit. ‘Polluting that creek your kids play in? Fuck it, I could go to jail if i don’t maximise profit’. This idea would make it compulsory for human beings and the environment we live in to be considered as well as profit. Slightly change the monopoply game rules, then let everyone loose again to make as much money as they like!
Channel nine was talking about an executive salary cap the other day. Something like that would solve pretty much all the problems at QANTAS at the moment. We have a salary cap in football…
Until recently it was illegal in holland to make an election promise then break it. Wouldn’t all the Gillard haters love to see her on charges for fraud! Wouldn’t all the howard haters like to see him serve time for telling us there would be no GST?
Check out the new area in the forums for more discussion like this. Concerns & Solutions
As a very famous man who fought against all the isms once said, “Capitalism is the worst system in the world, apart from all the others”. By the way, Howard took the GST to the people in an election and we all had the chance to say no. Gillard did not give us that opportunity. If she was a CEO of a capitalist company she would have been charged with false advertising, heavilly fined and sent to prison.
I have taken a lot of time to read through all of the posts on this site and have not yet read one post which can articulate your position. All I have read here are a lot of Socialist/Communist buzz words. It has always been the position of the left to use these words to make themselves sound intelligent to the uneducated masses (read Mikhail Gorbachev’s book ‘Peresrroika’ or Pope John Paul II ‘The Keys of this Blood’.
Lets see, rude, sexist, irrational, boring. its a Quinella. If you were horses I would bet on you!
I just finished reading all of this blog and all I can say is this. Read Animal Farm. Occupy Sydney is all about one thing – taking power away from one group and giving it to another. The problem is, giving power to the masses has NEVER worked. Russia, China, North Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam – all of these countries tried the revolution/re-distribution of wealth and all failed or their greater populations are now living in poverty. Mugabe took away the farms form the whites and gave them to the blacks and hey presto – no economy, no food, and starving people. Need I say more? Just go and read Animal Farm and see what you are getting yourself into before signing up for the loonies of Occupy Sydney.
You guys are just a bunch of left wing extermists campagining agasinst the ‘rich’because you guys are too lazy to go out by your self and contribute to society. These so called ‘rich’ people are the same people who supply so many Australian’s with jobs and income.
This is very far from the truth. I earn… quite a lot, but I still Occupy.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/money-fix/
on November 11th, 2011 at 2:26 pm #
[...] Copied directly from the Occupy Sydney website: [...]
may I just say, go Marla! a good dose of logic and some compassion usually does the trick
OCCUPY FOREVER!
Thanks tash – I do my best. Slog it out. I won’t hear anyone say I am illogical, irrational or stupid, nor will I let people misconstrue or be aggressive to people trying to make a difference in a different way. hmm…
I also think being kind and sensible is just.good.sense.
Bye OWS!
Can’t believe I hadn’t read until today that Zuccotti park is actually privately owned (and publically ‘accessible’).
from OWS
http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/closing-our-park/
http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/im-one-of-you-but-you-people-have-blown-it/
Dissent, open forums… but it all happens online, anon. Never in person like this. Easy to stir pots online anon. Harder IRL because you need to face the people you oppose as people, naked and raw.
on November 26th, 2011 at 11:21 pm #
[...] from http://www.occupysydney.org.au/about/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
Should’ve moved on when directed. No hard to avoid the situation.
From the VicPolice FB site…
Over the past few days protesters camping in the gardens have been informed by council workers that all tents will be considered structures and will be seized.
Protesters were also informed that wrapping themselves in the tents was also a breach of by-laws. Police assisting CoM employees also advised protesters that if they chose not to wear clothes under the tents they would be given reasonable time to dress before the structures were seized.
Last night (December 5), a small group of protesters camped in the gardens, so this morning Police attended the gardens to assist CoM in enforcing by-laws.
Three of the four protesters co-operated and evacuated their tents. The fourth, a female, refused to comply with the direction.
The thing that disturbs me most about this premeditated publicity seeking ‘setup’ from OM is that it belittles and mocks real cases of sexual assault.
And that to me is inexcusable.
Shame Occupy Melbourne.
As indicated, your comment as not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it is a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your free and serious discussion here. Thanks.
The very fact that so many people have commented on how stupid this woman is and how ridiculous this movement is on the Herald Sun website really says something. Further- the fact you are deleting any comments that don’t agree with you on this post shows exactly how Occupy Sydney does not represent the 99%. It’s a tiny minority misrepresenting themselves and blocking free speech.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/police-criticised-after-tent-dress-torn-off-occupy-protester/comments-e6frf7jo-1226215099340 — seriously read the comments..
As indicated, your comment as not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it is a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your free and serious discussion here with each other. Thanks.
It is absolutely disgraceful that you are vilifying the police and Melbourne council officers from doing there duty. They were completely right in what they did as tents are not allowed. Sarah was committing a criminal offence and numerous times after being offered a police vest to change into she refused to comply.
Sarah was warned by the police that tents were not allowed consequently she acted like an idiot and disobeyed the law. She failed to comply and was warned on numerous occasions as to what would happen if she refused to comply.
If the police did not take action it is likely camping would haven taken place. The police and council were completely justified in there actions on behalf of the 99% of us and have my full support.
What was absolutely more disgraceful was the way protests yelled at the police and the comments they made.
I note that you said you would delete negative comments and I feel that is disgraceful thing for Occupy Sydney to do and is completely hypocritical to your beliefs of free speech that Occupy Sydney says it believes in.
As indicated above, your comment as not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it is a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your free and serious discussion here. Thanks.
Why can’t we have a genuine discussion on what led to the incident and how it could have been avoided? Is the ‘Occupy’ idea to take your side without question, much like you guys paint other elements in the media, or elsewhere? Seems hypocritical.
As indicated above your comment was not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it is a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your free and serious discussion here. Thanks.
This was a premeditated stunt by OM.
It mocks real victims of sexual violence.
Shame on Occupy Melbourne.
(please stop deleting this comment – It is ‘off topic’ elsewhere and is important)
As indicated above your comment was not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it’s a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your free and serious discussion here. Thanks.
It is horrible that comments will be deleted if they do not accord to a particular view as is expressed by the person making this post. It is completely hypocritical for
Occupy Sydney to do this given that it says it makes decision on consensus. Also you seem to believe in free speech but are not prepare practice what you preach and start censorship of people who do not agree with your view. It sounds that Occupy Sydney is showing signs that is dictatorship.
Only comments if they are abusive, offensive etc should be removed. Just because you do not like my opinion does not mean that I should not be allowed to voice and put forward a different point of view.
Clearly Sarah was given an opportunity to comply and remove the tent. The police officer did mention they would provide a vest if you listen carefully to the video.
There is a prohibition on camping which is there so the public can enjoy and use public space. It is there so that the space is there for the entire community and not for people to take over completely and exercise exclusive use over.
It is inconsistent with the purpose of the Gardens for this to occur. The community I believe do not want this to become a camping ground. This is shown through our election of the local council who represent the interests of the community.
If you want camping to be allowed take it up with the council and go through the process. The laws are in place for a reason and it is to prevent anarchy. If people choose not comply with laws that we have in place because they do not agree with them we would live in chaos. Therefore council and police need to deter law breakers.
The police and council officers were just doing there job and when they attended they were verbally abused by people. I agree with people voicing there opinion however in doing so it does not given the right of people to act in an offensive and intimidatory fashion.
The police officers and council officers were acting on our behalf in service of the community. They did not receive the level of respect they deserved which is attached with the office they hold.
Sarah left the police with little alternative and she did this as a stunt to cause problems. She was intending on camping and decided to put the tent around her and call it a costume to avoid complying with council regulations. She acted like a fool and you can expect this to occur.
As indicated above your comment was not approved on the post you originally submitted to. That is the comment policy on that post. This is because it’s a post for support, not debate. You are welcome to continue your ‘free and serious’ discussion here. Thanks.
I agree with most of what you said but the fact the tent wasn’t actually pitched to the ground means the police and council have no jurisdiction.I can walk around with an open tent if i want, either just holding it or wearing it as clothing or fancy dress and for anyone to stop me from doing that is nothing less than totalitarianism. This is an assault on Sarah.
I have read many of the contributions and am struck by the parochial nature of some. I was in the corporate world for 20 years but now I am a History High School teacher in the Sydney’s west. I see students everyday, most of which who will never earn enough to own there own homes. Many have given up any hope of University education because of its cost and already don’t care about politics because they feel they have absolutely no impact on government or economic policies. There digital dialogue identifies the important issues in life such as how many Facebook friends they have or the great disaster of being de-friended in Facebook. This situation all favours the corporate leaders as it distracts people from what is happening and in this environment or non interest and apathy they all believe they can do anything they wish. We need voices in the community and all media to create a message that the greed and unethical business practices or the corporate elite are pointless. Shareholders, customers, workers, suppliers are all part of the community just as they are and there needs should not be less than the quantitative measure of the share dividend or next bonus payment. Those that say Australia has it good do not see the new generation the future which is has less in opportunity and equality than my own past. We must use the young people media to generate interest by these young people and give them a sense that they can do something about their own future.
Alan,
a couple of things you said concerned me greatly.
1. As a teacher your views are harldy inspirational and all I can say is hopefully this is not rubbing off on your pupils. While I agree University education should be free we live in an extremely lucky country. We have ~5% unemployment post GFC, free school education, access to free medical care. This is not the US. This is not Africa. They have a lot to look forward to and as their mentor you should be encouraging them to work hard and achieve what they can.
2. That a teacher doesn’t know the difference between their and there.
Everyone knows that the 5% unemployment is a lie as they count those that work under the 38 hour week as being employed as well, and if you think closing down hospital services is free health care i hope you never have to be on the hospital waiting list. Don’t worry it wont be long and it will be America. And what free education, unless you mean sitting them in front of the telly.?
Yes well aware of how they calculate unemployment the point is it’s as low as it gets here and it’s much much less than US and especially spain. And yes the free health care in Aus is fantastic compared to the US. And no I will never have to be on a waiting list as I have private health insurance. Free education meaning the public school system and yes I realise it costs some money – but that’s life, and that’s kids. Stop complaining!
But if we don’t complain they wont be kept in check so its our duty. Get private health insurance ? That’s your answer. And if you are well aware of how they calculate unemployment you will be well aware that 5% ‘as low as it gets’ is not actually ‘real’
Look i realize its not to bad in Australia but if we keep on trudging down the road you want us to we will end up in America.
Private health insurance is my answer to your specific question regarding me being on a waiting list, yes.
And re: us being like the US we could have 20 consecutive Conservative/Coalition terms federal and state and not even get close to the US.
Well perhaps they should sell off the rest of the public hospitals and we can all get private health insurance then you can get back on the waiting list.
And im glad you agreed…they could have another 20 elections and keep doing what their doing, selling our assets and our lives. But don’t you worry mate because you truly are the ‘real’ 99 percent.
Good to see occupy Sydney is still going strong. There are only a few of us here in hobart but we are persistent and strong and just need to let people know we exist. Please visit us in person or at the website http://occupy-hobart.org/ keep up the good work Sydney.
Sorry “thereal99%” but you seem to have your head totally in the clouds.
I can’t praise Alan enough and i can only hope that some of his knowledge and understanding was passed on to his students. The new “national curriculum” has guaranteed the dumbing down of our kids. We are trained from birth not to question. To be placid consumers. “thereal99%” has an attitude that is typical of the ignorant, head in the sand (got beer and home and away so i’m happy) masses. Educate yourself (and i don’t mean indoctrinate through the school system).
Jase I assure you I am extremely well educated. I probably have more letters after my name that the sum total of everyone at your last GA. A lot of this has come about through mentors encouraging question asking, rather than hopelessness like Alan. For the record I have never watched Home&Away nor do I drink alcohol. When I look at issues I do so in a lot of detail rather than simply gloss over and talk about ‘vague concepts’ like OS does. It’s not me that has their head in the sand (or clouds either).
Why don’t you go down and talk to some of the occupiers then, and i don’t mean bias argument, i mean talk properly. And you will most likely find some of them are as intelligent as you say you are.
At our occupy meetings in Hobart we have an IT specialist a history teacher, people that have studied law, psychology fine arts and more. And most of us have jobs. We simply want the Australian people to get back the issuance of money so that any profit from it goes back to the public purse and not big bankers pockets. Does this not make good sense.
Words from Mayer Rothchilds mouth…. ‘Give me the right to issue a nations money and i care not who writes the laws’…. This is an old problem and now that we realise it we need to fix it.
The banking elite and world economy are big issues so i encourage you to do some question asking for yourself and not your teacher, after all we should never stop learning. You can start with Rothchild and when you do, do so in a lot of detail rather than simply glossing over it. After all, you say your head isn’t in the clouds ?
Bill it sounds like you have a much clearer message than any of the other Australian occupy movements. Well done. The others have been taken over by the wacky left; have lost sight of the key messages and spend their time talking about 100+ other issues. The surveys on occupy groups (The 2 on OWS and the 2 on OS that I have seen) yes you aren’t all a bunch of illiterate morons however you are hardly a representative bunch. I wouldn’t exactly call having an IT specialist and people who have studied law, psychology and fine arts as a great advertisment for your group. I mean looking at your ‘structure’ how many self-respecting professional people would be associated with your group in the long term? The normal people eventually leave. How many practicing lawyers, doctors, economists and accountants do you have?
I agree with you. It does appear that many of the occupy groups have been infiltrated and i felt i should stay and not let the same happen to this one. And having who we have in our group is a great advertisement as it shows more than how we are portrayed on mainstream tv. I think you will find the only groups that Practicing lawyers,doctors,economists and accountants mix with are local masonic clubs and don’t worry i’m not saying they all do i’m saying they are all so well off that they cant see past their own opinion of the world, although we do have a pathologist in the group. I can also assure you that they feel its important to stay for the long term. We also have a Tasmanian living American who was at the first protests against the Vietnam war and said it basically only started with fifteen people, and look what that turned into, so small things can grow if you propagate them properly.
You have commented on so many peoples thoughts and ideas on this website that i feel you must be more interested than you portray. You are intelligent so if you just studied up on the Rothchilds, secret societies ,corporate control and who owns the main stream media, you would be able to articulate it better than most and show the occupiers what they are searching for. So do your fellow man, your children, their children and me a favor.
No offence thereal99% but having a bunch of letters after your name doesn’t in my opinion make your views any more valid than any one else’s. In fact it suggests that you have spent a great deal of time being trained, or conditioned if you like, to respond negatively towards the questioning of the “system” and the control network that occupy is fighting.
I believe that Bill has an excellent point, that if you are as intelligent as you claim to be then you should be able to see that the control of 99% of the worlds central banks by 1 family is not a good thing.
If not i can only assume that you are either actually thereal1% or a government “infiltrator”….
I have to laugh at the question of “how many practicing lawyers, doctors,economists and accountants do you have”.
Unless these practicing “professionals” you speak of are currently being shunned by the rest of their community due to their “opposing views” they wouldn’t be worth having around (unless they are offering transport in their BMW).
Most of those practicing people you speak of are either part of the problem, are negative toward any view that questions what they have been indoctrinated to believe, or are to busy trying to juggle payments on there excessive mortgage, BMW/Merc., Porsche and boat loans to care about anyone else or the planet.
Get real “thereal99%” and wake yourself up!!
So Jase, If you are aiming to exclude certain professional groups from your group can I ask how much of the 99% do you aim to represent? And could this be why you have so few at GAs and so little support from the community?
I don’t think he was aiming to exclude anyone, he’s just pointing out how they exclude themselves.
I noticed that somebody posted this comment further up the page.!
“The more important things to protest in our country at the moment are not financial inequities, but social issues such as mariage equality and the treatment of refugees.”
The problem is ,the people who make the financial inequities of the world including Australia, are the ones who make the social issues actually “issues” such as marriage equality,refugee treatment,union issues and environmental issues. Its called “distraction politics” they distract us with issues and while we argue, they install their true agendas.
If we get rid of corporate greed and Banker control these issues would clear up. These issues are nothing more than acne on a face that always has “dirty hands” touching it.
Put more simply.
I want to have an environment that’s not chopped down, i want myself and my fellow human beings to have an equal and fair work place, i want equal woman’s rights, black rights, gay rights, marriage equality and to top it off an economy based around people, not corporate wants and needs and not bankers issues and agendas.
To achieve this we must stop corporate greed and banker control.
Sorry thereal99% if I gave the impression I thought anyone should be excluded from occupying. I think Bill summed up where I am coming from well enough.
I just looked over the Occupy Website and while I understand your motives I can’t see that hundreds of years of capitalism will be altered by a small peaceful protest movement who don’t have any real ideas on how to change things. The majority of people in this country go to work each day and pay their bills, their mortgages and their taxes and work hard to ‘try’ to improve their own situations.
The average person is being screwed by the Banks (in interest rates), the power companies (with their ridiculous increases) and the Governement (with wasteful spending and unfair taxes such as the Carbon tax).However, what is the alternative?? If I was in America, the middle east or Spain or Greece I would probably have a different opinion however Communism didn’t work, fascism didn’t work and a socialist democratic system (such as Australia) is probably the best we can hope for. I would never advocate violence but history has shown that only through armed uprisings against the powers that be has there been any real or lasting change eg. American Revolution, French Revolution, Spanish Revolution, Russian Revolution etc etc. The notable exception to this would be Gandhi in British India (who was assassinated). Unfortunately the “invisible financiers” of these revolutionary movements are the real winners and have profited immensely by playing each side against each other. Also, if you look at history the outcome of just about every revolution has just been the replacement of one unjust corrupt system with another one. It is unfortunately part of human nature to lust after power and money. It’s good versus evil stuff and will continue as long as human beings “occupy” this planet. Sad but true..
I have just stumbled on this little gem of a website – sarcasm intended!
Really, you really think that you are going to change the world to, as Bill states, “an economy based around people, not corporate wants and needs and not bankers issues and agendas.” Wow, you folks are really off this planet.
Greed is not new, and greed will still be here long after you, me and my children. I don’t like the control and manipulation of ALL political parties, but you know what, until Labor got in, it did not effect my household much. Since the last election we have seen the power of the unions, business and The Greens to run agendas that are having a significantly devastating effect on the economy and my household. More than any other time I can recall, and I am fastly approaching 50.
If you really want to protest for something, here’s a tip. Protest for political honest. Protest for a law that states that election promises fall into the same category as other sales pitches; and allow us, the common person to sue the relevant political party for breaching those promises. I don’t care which side of politics as they are all the same, including the holier than thou Greens. Protest for a country where we do not have to fear roving gangs of youths. Protest for a country where religion is non-existent in our schools, courts and parliaments. Protest for a change to the law where my vote counts for who I vote for not this inane and corrupt preference system. Protest for truth in science, not this corrupt IPCCC etc that have not got 10% of anything correct. Protest for an end to political public service appointments, e.g. Prof Flannery. Protest for fair and unbiased news coverage, including the commercial channels and the Labor Media Network (you our ABC). Protest for fair and inhibited, and less costly access to the courts by the aggrieved. You know, something useful and concrete, and not nebulous constructs as you are now.
Do that and I am there with you.
I totally agree with you Daremo and i can see you are angry with the ALP and, small people thinking they know best. We are just trying to bring “more” attention to the fact that the problem stems from the top down and not the bottom up and we know we probably wont change the world but we can only try.
OK Daremo, here’s how it is.
“Protest for political honest. Protest for a law that states that election promises fall into the same category as other sales pitches; and allow us, the common person to sue the relevant political party for breaching those promises. I don’t care which side of politics as they are all the same, including the holier than thou Greens. Protest for a country where we do not have to fear roving gangs of youths. Protest for a country where religion is non-existent in our schools, courts and parliaments. Protest for a change to the law where my vote counts for who I vote for not this inane and corrupt preference system. Protest for truth in science, not this corrupt IPCCC etc that have not got 10% of anything correct. Protest for an end to political public service appointments, e.g. Prof Flannery. Protest for fair and unbiased news coverage, including the commercial channels and the Labor Media Network (you our ABC). Protest for fair and inhibited, and less costly access to the courts by the aggrieved. You know, something useful and concrete, and not nebulous constructs as you are now.” Is all part of Occupy’s objectives. If you have found it difficult to understand the true perspective through “Occupy Sydney’s” website, please feel free to check out http://www.occupy-hobart.org. Everything you just mentioned is ultimately controlled by corporate greed and the “Bankster” control we are fighting.
As for “I don’t like the control and manipulation of ALL political parties, but you know what, until Labor got in, it did not effect my household much.” ….were you on another planet during that time?? Not an insult, an honest question. Because if not I think you wanna have a bit deeper think about it. I’m only 35 but the government of this country has been a mess for longer than that… and it effected everyone’s household (that wasn’t part of the 1%)
I hope you stand by your word and join us. If not how about you “bugger off”.
Let those that say it can’t be done, get the hell out of the way of those of us who ARE doing it!!
PEACE
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out? (in)
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
You say you’ve got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you’ll have to wait
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
You say you’ll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it’s the institution
Well, you know
You’d better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
Alright
Alright
Alright
Its gunna be alright?? Who ya talkin about, John Lennon or the guy who was released from prison two years ago….who shot him??
Who ya talkin about?? Mark David Chapman or someone else?? Lennon’s assassin has been locked up in Attica State Prison since 1981 and has been denied parole 6 times (most recently in Sep 2010). He will next be eligible for a parole review in 2012.
Sorry must have misinterpreted his parole wrong. I still dont think it’s gunna be alright. And John Lennon was sure mistaken.
I see. Was he also wrong when he wrote “Imagine” “Power to the People” “Give Peace a Chance” “Working Class Hero”"War is Over”"Gimme some Truth”"Crippled Inside” etc etc etc?
It seems your quick to condescend when the subject matter doesn’t match up with your agenda.
No just when he said it was gunna be alright….Actually yes, if you consider what you wrote in your first message.
I can see you are interested in the occupy movement,so may i ask for a suggestion on the direction we should head.? And i’m sorry about being condescending, i try not to do that, i would much prefer to have a proper discussion than end up in a shit fight.
No, I’m sorry Bill. I’m sorry that you know so little about a person who actually made a major contribution to changing the way people thought about their leaders,the war in Vietnam and who spoke out about the status quo (at a time when it wasn’t “fashionable” to do so)who was a former advocate of the world peace movement, a person who actively stuck his neck out in crusading for a world without wars not just by writing songs about it but by taking out full page adverts in major Newspapers worldwide and spreading the message of peace throughout countless television appearances and used his and fortune for good. Who took on a US president regarding his deportation from the US (and won)and who was most likely assassinated for his ability to influence the masses against unfair systems and governments and threaten the powers that were (and still are) controlling the media, governments, schools and religions. Obviously, my posting of the lyrics to “Revolution” upset you but there is something to be said for them. Do yourself a favour and study the guy. He was onto something but couldn’t do it on his own and opted out when it all got too crazy (and probably too dangerous). As the song says.. “We’d all love to see the plan”
Don’t get me wrong I totally agree with you, and agree that the CIA most likely had him shot. AS I said before, I would rather talk than end up in a shit fight. I guess I was originally a bit disheartened by your first post because you knew what was going on but didn’t care to try and do something, almost like you were happy with the hand outs that we’ve been given and we should be happy with that. Anyway this is the first time we have had such a collective consciousness all over the world against the powers that be and the first time we’ve had the Internet to help push it along (if SOPA and PIPA don’t pass) so perhaps something might change especially if you and people like you(who know what the problem is), stand up and say something, like John Lennon did. I remember the day John Lennon died. It was a sunny morning and I was on my bed with my feet up against the cupboard and my father came in crying and he said some guy has just shot John Lennon. So please don’t get me wrong I grew up on John Lennon and know exactly what he was trying to do. And obviously you did to, so please come and help.
Your aims seem very admirable but why are you attempting to achieve them through this confusing protest of EVERYTHING. As some of the other commenters said, surely you would be more effective if you tried to make one small change at a time. If you have a more obviously stated, smaller goals rather than something like “THE system is broken” then you will find that many more people will support you as you give them something more obvious to support.
It kind of seems that you are simply really desperate to protest about something and you choose to do it through putting yourselves in physical discomfort by camping on the streets, because this makes you feel good, like you are REALLY dedicating your life to change. But in actual fact couldn’t you make a bigger difference through more conventional methods such as writing to the government and circulating a concise and planned statement of intent, which gives the average joe an easy way to support it. ie. a pre-written letter etc? But I guess that wouldn’t be very fun?
here is one single thing then: Lets get the issuing power of money back in the treasury and not in the reserve bank.