Occupiers See the Corruption Throughout the System and in Both Political Parties

The Occupy Movement is an Opportunity for Transformation, a Chance to Turn Away From Corruption

Frank Luntz, a top Republican pollster, told a meeting of Republican Governors that he is “scared of this anti-Wall Street effort. I’m frightened to death.” Why? Because the Occupy Movement is affecting the political dialogue and what they think of "capitalism."  Rather than suggesting Republicans change their ways, he suggests changing their rhetoric to fool Americans -- it won't work. (Article below.)

But, Democrats should also be concerned, at the UC Davis Occupation the General Assembly passed a resolution (see below)  that said the way forward is clear: "No support should be given to either of the two parties!" They detail how Democratic mayors in a concerted attack with the Obama administration have been closing and attacking occupations. And, how politicians from both parties are "dismantling public education, cutting social services, and undermining all our basic social and democratic rights."

Why should both parties be afraid?  Because the truth is coming out.  And, the truth is that both parties are sold out to monied interests, have created a corrupt economy and political system; and have ignored the people's views for too long. 

President Obama, is also failing to change his ways.  He continues to hold fundraisers around the country costing $38,500 to attend, greater than the median income of Americans.  Occupiers are protesting these fundraisers.   Obama is raising more money from Wall Street than any politician in American history through his campaign and the Democratic National Committee.  Does he think the occupiers do not see he is in bed with Wall Street?

And, it is not only the political parties that are in question.  Non-profits and unions that have been traditional allies of the Democratic Party need to rethink their allegiance.  I wrote about Van Jones and his Rebuild the Dream as well as MoveOn and their connections to the Democratic Party and got very positive responses from occupiers.  The Occupy Movement will not be co-opted by Democratic Party operatives.

Unions are also coming under criticism, despite their support of Occupy's.  Our hope is that these groups will realize the times have changed and politics needs to be reconsidered.  The truth is the Occupy Movement can be the savior of working people, but the unions need to decide which side they are on - the Democrats or the people -- they cannot be on both. This is the time for unions to declare their political independence.

The Occupy Movement is an opportunity to root out deep corruption in the economy and political system.  Those who have been part of this corruption should use it to break free and start anew.  Tell the truth about what you have seen and why you are siding with the Occupiers.  This is a great political moment if all Americans come together on the side of a new beginning and ending the corrupt practices of the past.  We can create the world we want to see.

KZ

Special Topic

Top GOP Strategist Admits He’s ‘Scared’ Of Occupy Wall Street Because It’s ‘Having An Impact’

By Zaid Jilani on Dec 1, 2011 at 10:15 am

Pollster Frank Luntz

The Republican Governor’s Association met in Florida this week and featured pollster Frank Luntz, who offered a coaching session for attendees about how they should communicate to the public. Yahoo! News’ Chris Moody was there, and captured some of Luntz’s comments on Occupy Wall Street.

Luntz told attendees that he’s “scared of this anti-Wall Street effort. I’m frightened to death.” The pollster warned that the movement is “having an impact on what the American people think of capitalism.” So the pollster offered some advice for them about how to fight back. Here’s a few snippets of what he said, according to Moody:

– Don’t Mention Capitalism: Luntz said that his polling research found that “The public…still prefers capitalism to socialism, but they think capitalism is immoral. And if we’re seen as defenders of quote, Wall Street, end quote, we’ve got a problem.”

– Empathize With The 99 Percent Protesters: Luntz instructed attendees to tell protesters that they “get it”: “First off, here are three words for you all: ‘I get it.’ … ‘I get that you’re. I get that you’ve seen inequality. I get that you want to fix the system.”

– Don’t Say Bonus: Luntz told Republicans to re-frame the concept of the bonus payment — which bailed-out Wall Street doles out to its employees during holidays — as “pay for performance” instead.

– Don’t Mention The Middle Class Because Americans Don’t Trust Republicans To Defend It: “They cannot win if the fight is on hardworking taxpayers,” Luntz instructed the audience. “We can say we defend the ‘middle class’ and the public will say, I’m not sure about that. But defending ‘hardworking taxpayers’ and Republicans have the advantage.”

– Don’t Talk About Taxing The Rich: Luntz reminded Republicans that Americans actually do want to tax the rich, so he reccommended they instead say that the government “takes from the rich.”

Frank Luntz is no minor pollster. He is considered to be one of the top political communications experts in the world, having provided consulting to many of the world’s top corporations, politicians, and special interest groups. That Luntz is admitting the impact of Occupy Wall Street and the 99 Percent and telling closed-door meetings of Republicans that it frightens him is a huge victory for the movement.

Occupy UC Davis Calls for Break With Democratic Party

We, the students of UC Davis, condemn the brutal police assault and pepper spraying of fellow students, who were peacefully protesting on November 18.

This attack is part of a nationwide—in fact global—crackdown on demonstrations against social inequality and the domination of politics by the rich. While the American government invokes “democratic rights” to justify wars abroad, it responds to social protests at home with riot police, tear gas and rubber bullets.

While Chancellor Linda Katehi is directly responsible for the police raid, she was enforcing a nationwide campaign orchestrated by the entire political establishment. Throughout the country, Democratic and Republican politicians—including the Brown and Obama administrations—are dismantling public education, cutting social services, and undermining all our basic social and democratic rights. Some of the most brutal attacks on Occupy demonstrations have been carried out by Democratic Party mayors.

The way forward is clear: No support should be given to either of the two parties! The dictates of the banks and corporations can be countered only through the independent social and political struggle of the entire working class.

We call upon students and working people all over the world to support our struggle against budget cuts. Our fight is your fight! Right now, students and workers in Greece, England and Egypt are engaged in a common struggle.

The global protests that began in 2011 must be expanded to a mass movement of students and workers to defend our rights and finally put an end to the domination by the corporations and super-rich over political and economic life.