Editorial: It had to happen; Occupy Wall Street is an inevitable response (Buffalo News)

[struggle4progress]

News Editorial Board
October 15, 2011, 7:59 AM

The only surprise is that demonstrations didn't begin sooner. The Occupy Wall Street movement originated in Lower Manhattan a month ago and has spread to cities throughout the country, including Buffalo, where protesters set up camp last week in Niagara Square ...

Yet, since the official end of the Great Recession two years ago, those lucky enough to have a job continue to paddle a dinghy on a sea of economic uncertainty, and the unemployed cling to a tattered life preserver. Meanwhile, a bailed-out financial sector and perennial Wall Street high flyers are cruising again in yachts toward more riches ...

Demonstrations nationwide have been passionate, but peaceful and law-abiding -- aside from some arrests, mostly in Boston and New York City. We hope a gentle, thoughtful spirit persists among the protesters, particularly if the crowds swell larger and angst over the economy refuses to subside. Police also will be challenged to maintain their cool in dealing with demonstrators, some of whom say their protests aren't going away any time soon.

At Occupy Buffalo, participants ranged in age and included teachers, professors, veterans, a heating technician, a debt collector and a parks police officer -- earnest people with responsibilities and busy lives. Hardly gullible occupiers.

www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/article594392.ece

[bhikkhu]

1. "those lucky enough to have a job continue to paddle a dinghy on a sea of economic uncertainty"

That's me - lucky enough to have a job. Thinking about what it is to protest, though I have no free time to get out, I think that one very important way is economic.

To a large extent, the nature of democracy is economic - we vote with our dollars (as the Supreme Court has also assured us). We can complain as much as we like about W-mart or BofA or whatever other thing we think is sucking the life out of society, but they don't ever hear so much as they look at the bottom line - as long as the money is pouring in, why change?

So I pay attention to where I spend my money. I don't have a choice on a few things, but I make sure I go to the grocery store that treats its employees and customers well. I buy fresh produce and basic ingredients - "voting" for farmers rather than for big corporate food processors. I bicycle rather than drive, and very much enjoy not "voting" for the oil companies...that sort of thing.

I think few people realize how quickly things would change if even half of people realized the power of their daily purchases, and if they cared enough...but I also don't think that things will change at all, as loud as people might protest, if they continue to drown out their own voices by how they spend their money.