What is the goal, purpose or end plan of the Occupy Wall Street protests?

[Lint Head]

That's the question I'm hearing from folks unlike myself who would join the protest in a New York minute. Pun intended.
My usual reply to them is that the hedge fund managers, bankers and financial crooks need to be prosecuted for the damage they've done to our nation using underhanded manipulation and deceit to rob people and destroy the middle class. That's an OK 'general' answer but specifically who should be targeted for prosecution? The Koch brothers? What would be the defined legal charges? I have personally lost a good chunk of my life savings to these criminals and think someone needs to go to jail.

Is prosecution not the goal, instead, a paradigm shift to a more equitable system? Or both?

I know the movement is growing but my concern is that the end game should be specifically defined and communicated to keep the movement solid going into the future.

I also need better answers for the dunderheads that think the top wealthiest 2% are 'god like' job creators.

[TheWraith]

1. If prosecution is the goal, why aren't they protesting outside the Department of Justice?

Or outside NY Attorney General Schneiderman's office?

To be honest, you're right: there is not a defined "endgame" here. These protests started with a plan that went like this. 1: stage massive street protest against capitalist greed and corruption. 2: ???. 3: Reform and an end to the power of the monied class.

[rsmith6621]

2. Hopefully This Will Clarify Things

http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/first_official_statement_from_the_occupy_wall_street_movement

[Lint Head]

3. This is great. Thanks. The only thing that needs to be done is to define the names behind "They".

[appleannie1]

5. You beat me to it. I downloaded that and passed it on to everyone in my address book. If we can't

be there in person, we need to pass the word as well as donate what we can.

[Arctic Dave]

4. If egyptians wanted HM out, why didn't they protest in front of his palace?

I would think they are there because that is were the crimes happened and a lot of the criminals still occupy positions there.

Maybe they will expand to the Fed and congress.

[truedelphi]

6. I love this section -

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

Yes, it is truly about cooperation.

My Dad used to talk about how many times in his life he reflected on what he and his compatriots managed to accomplish during the weeks when they fought the Battle of the Bulge. They went without food,without sleep, they saw friends blown up and killed or badly injured. Yet they persevered.

"What," he would sometimes muse aloud, "Could humanity accomplish if they could put that same energy used during war times into doing things that benefited everyone during times of peace?"

[sam11111]

7. job creation: shift to ..mainly co ops but also WPA and routine gov jobs

Routine gov that the GOP has shrunk disastrously;
Cops down a third
Teachers
Road pothole repair
Food inspectors
DMV staff
NIH researchers
Staff at the state asylums for the criminally insane
On and on...wildfire fighters...park rangers..
#####################
----------------------
Private Sector is moving to India etc. --says K A Fitz

So jobs will no longer come from them like they once did.
--------------------
Co ops can make anything
-One runs a refinery in McPherson KS
-Electric power co ops
-Auto parts- Spain
-------------------
WPA alone can create all the jobs needed, till co ops are put in place in larger numbers ..see my sig below

[TBF]

8. Patience young Jedi.

It is just starting. "Paradigm shift to a more equitable system" would be a good way to say what I'm looking for down the road. Prosecuting bankers is just fine with me as well. People over profits.

If you have time why not go down and check them out. I am going to check out the Houston protest on Oct. 6th.

[KharmaTrain]

9. As Long As People Feel Good...

Ya see if you can't read minds or ask specific questions you "just don't get it". I'm with you...I marched in the 60s and 70s and am ready to go again, but not without knowing what the hell I'm protesting and who I'm protesting against. Wall Street? Sorry I don't protest concrete. Bad Banksters? As you ask...whom and what charges?

Right now OSW is making a lot of noise and that's about it. If noise is what you think is going to bring change...knock yourself out. I'll wait until there's a defined goal...something specific and achievable.

I understand the frustrations and sympathize with the intentions but I'm too old to go chasing windmills.

[Owlet]

10. Well said

My sentiments exactly. :fistbump: