The Craig's List Job Opportunity that Started Occupy Wall Street
Usually, “grassroots movements” are not begun by Political PACS (Political Action Committees) – a True Grassroots movement begins, like the Tea Party, in a disorganized manner, and may at some point either form a PAC or take donations. That said, the original TEA (Taxed Enough Already), Party’s debut was built by individuals based on radio talk show hosts (conservatives) crying out against rising taxes and huge spending bills – specifically TARP. The Occupy Group, however, began as a paid organization, not a grassroots movement as it is seen in the press. Political Action Committees such as the Progressive (i.e. Socialist) Working Families Party took out ads prior to the first protests, on Craig’s list: (see image from Early September above click to enlarge). This particular PAC, although centered in New York State, has had a history of working for and supporting Democrats, and receiving funds from individuals associated with the Democrat Party. The Party heavily supported the Obama Campaign in 2008, and in turn was supported by PAC’s such as: Nadler for Congress, Crowley for Congress, Nita Lowey for Congress, Communications Workers of America, Carolyn's PAC, Mason Tenders District Council of NY, Building Roads & Infrastructure PAC, Steve Israel for Congress, Tim Bishop for Congress, CAP PAC, Defending America's Future PAC, Jerry's PAC, Impact, Sheet Metal Workers Union, American Federation of Teachers, Transport Workers Union Local 100, Maloney for Congress, Cmte to Re-Elect Nydia M Velazquez, Serrano for Congress, Cmte to Elect Gary Ackerman, Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Rangel for Congress 2000, Friends of Carolyn McCarthy, Friends of Weiner, Brian Higgins for Congress, Friends of Dan Maffei, *Based on data released by the FEC on July 13, 2009 (Open Secrets). The organization also received funds from individuals Open Secrets.org, and basically can be seen as supporting one political party and one political agenda.
Therefore to those who are protesting and “Occupying” from Wall Street to Springfield, MA (who’s turnout was described by a local NBC affiliate as Few Show Up to Occupy Springfield and rightly so.) they need to re-examine in this might be the best "Grassroots" organization to "join".
If the program, begun bay a pack with major donors being Unions, other Progressive PACS and Democrat elected officials on both a State and National Level, has an agenda, it would be to ensure that an election go their way. Given their involvement in the Obama Campaign, and his content praise for the Occupy Wall Street Protestors, it is not hard to make the leap from paid protestors to paid campaigners.
What is sad about the meddling from political groups to form a “grassroots” organization that one would hope, most of the attendees are there because they believe that the economy is in trouble, and want to help in a manner that is one of America’s best feature - the right to assemble. The problem is they may not be aware that they are being used for political purposes. Understanding that there are one or two factors where the Tea Party and the Occupy Party can meet, perhaps they might feel more at home, those who are not strictly committed Communists and Socialists, by joining with a Tea Party: the goals of making the government accountable for spending scads of cash is shared by both organization. Otherwise, they are nothing but paid rabble rouser's – one might add, a job is a job – but they are being presented as “mainstream” when clearly they are not. Time to find the information on this PAC and follow the money and job postings: 25 minutes – one would think those News outlets with huge resources would be able to do something similar and report truthfully on the founding of this organization, and the fact that it did not just spring out of nowhere.
It is one thing if individuals who have joined the melee in the New York Parks are true Progressive Democrats and this is what they believe, but it is entirely another if some of those are independents under the impression that it is a “grassroots” “save the world” organization – those individuals are being done a disservice by news organization who should be standing by with camera’s and several hundred gallons of Kool-Aid.
One issue of concern that the group has that may be valid: the call for the inclusions of Student Loans in bankruptcy filings. When one has a student loan one cannot discharge that loan through personal bankruptcy – that stays on the books, and the Federal Government can absolutely collect, through wage garnishment, and the courts. There are options for forbearances, however, those tend to increase the length and interest on loans – so those who have purchased the goods and services of a college or university, and yet find themselves without a job, in this opinion, should be able to include student loans in the mix, if they are in danger of losing a home, or there are other circumstances that make it impossible for the individual to pay the debt to the satisfaction of the debtor (the IRS).
In Closing, as the whole focus in on the evil corporation and its role in politics, a few more links to interesting tidbits may be helpful: Barack Obama’s corporate donors listed here at opensecrets.org
On the flip side of the aisle, one can check who gave to which Republicans so far in 2012 at opensecrets.org/pres12/index. Here on will find the eight GOP candidates with the Obama Campaign. Click on Herman Cain, then the tab indicates industries: and one finds similar categories, yet, in amounts that are quite less than (so far) other Republicans and Democrats.
There is a reason for the Tea Party, corporate cronyism's (see Sarah Palin), overspending by the government, and high taxes to pay for high government waste (in the Billions, and not Defense, or Social Programs, but duplicate programs and clerical errors!)
Occupy Wall Street appears to be a campaign front, whether those involved are aware or simply frustrated over the state of having to face an economy that is less than stellar.
