Food for Thought

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to gather in Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC, with folks from the OWS (Occupy Wall Street) movement. It was a motley crew. Talking with people and reading placards it was very clear that there were multiple agendas. Some people wanted to change the electoral process; some wanted to mandate reforms in the senate and congress; some wanted a real national health care system; some wanted us out of Afghanistan; some wanted poverty relief; some wanted jobs legislation; some wanted a legitimate graduated income tax; some were there enjoying the exceptionally fine day and the spirit of resolve. The media has it right in that sense: the movement is all over the place. There is no one issue, no point of discussion, no issue to highlight and address, no unifying element. It’s all very confusing, if you wear traditional political lenses.

In another sense however, the movement seems crystal clear to me: we’re fed up. We’re not fed up with one thing or another, we’re fed up with the system which has ground to a halt in this country. Nothing is getting done; and the divides along party lines, socially, economically, politically, racially, you-name-it-ly are growing. The rule of divide and conquer is succeeding; big money still talks loud and has the last word; and we, the people, go unheard.

No more. I don’t know how long these assorted gatherings can continue. I applaud those who diligently maintain a presence. I do think that the media is beginning to see the light; and perhaps our leadership as well. It (the point of these demonstrations) is no longer a single issue of taxes, of war, of bank and corporate reform, of social services, of social security, of gun legislation. ‘It’ has escalated beyond that to the issue of how we are governed, how decisions are made, and whose interests are being met. The demonstrations are demonstrations of frustration and dissatisfaction. And as Michael Moore put it recently so well: the OWS movement is killing apathy and despair.

In that sense the movement has moved past the individual symptoms of a non-responsive government to the central issue of business-as-usual government. And many of us are finally finding a place where our voice can be heard. We want change! We want significant change in the culture of government; not just specific legislations, but a dedicated and committed effort to self-reflect and actually see what’s going on. And then to do something about the process. That is the path to wellness and reconciliation: not a watered down law which applies a band aid for one interest group or another; but a re-assessment of what it means to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Listen up government: the people are speaking!

Greg