I don’t think we can realistically put all the blame on the wealthiest people in America for our current problems. Sure they are the leaders and policy makers but it’s only natural to make policies to enhance one’s own position. Business is a very competitive game.
In fact blaming anyone at this point is useless. What we need to do is figure a way where we can rebuild America. Part of rebuilding will be establishing policies that benefit the nation and those who are not quite as fortunate as the top 5 percent.
While I think we will need to develop an egalitarian economic system someday. That someday may be 500 years in the future. At this time in history a completely egalitarian system is not practical. However, at this time in history planting the seed may be very important.
The Occupy Wall Street movement may find that ideologically attacking the top 1 percent is useful. It even feels that in some way there is moral justification in taking the super wealthy to task. However, at this time in history the top 1 percent still play important roles in world order. There will always be people who have a great deal of power. The secret will be developing systems that force people to use that power for the good of humanity. Often business does benefit humanity. As many Americans are finding out sometimes business is also very dehumanizing.
What we must realize is that systems dictate behavior. This is true whether the system is devised by nature and evolution or the evolution of a society.
I have heard that the Occupy Wall Street movement is going to shut down Wall Street on November 17. I am very seldom in favor of stopping the normal flow of commerce. I don’t think it is beneficial for the American economy as a whole to stop traffic or to disrupt world trade.
Shutting down Wall Street may be a useful show of power. It could be very useful later in strategic maneuvers and negotiations, but I don’t think it should be a regular practice. We need to think about the collateral damage caused to small businesses.
Many small businesses make very little and struggle to pay the bills. Having a small business is one of the ways you can work at below minimum wage in America. Why do people struggle working at below minimum wage. It is because of the dream that someday they may move up to become wealthy.
The cards are stacked against the small business owner’s success. I always hear politicians say how small business is the backbone of America. But politicians seldom do anything to really help very small businesses.
The demonstrators of the Occupy Wall Street movement have a huge responsibility. They need to have very good self control in the face of aggression, and they need to be considerate of others when others are not going to be considerate of them.
The super wealthy need to be appreciated for their contribution to helping us rebuild America. The 1 percent need to be part of the solution. Even if an unwilling part. We need to work with and incorporate the 1 percent into our plans to build a system that helps all Americans.