Occupy Wall Street's Political Usage.

Sarah King

Occupy Wall street is a grassroots movement created to empower the middle class of the United States. What started in New York has now spanned the entire country and other countries across the world. All of this progress has occurred in a little under a month time period. The American citizens have found enlightenment in the heart of the protests, for they share a common distaste for the greed of the upper-class and corporate nature of the United States. While the everyday citizens or the 99% as they refer to themselves have banned together for the rights and treatment they deserve, politicians see this as an obstacle or campaigning tool for their upcoming campaign. Even in the face of this revolt the government of the United States abuses the calls of the middle class for their own political gain.

The Democratic Party has been searching for a moral or ideal to cling on to in their campaigns to improve their image with the American voter. The Occupy Wall street movement provided them with this opportunity. The middle class of the United States is in revolt over the coddling of the rich, this is a political approach democrats have been using for years. More times than not the Democrats in any given situation will preach for higher taxes on the rich and less on the middle to lower classes, this ideal has been long opposed by the republican party. This provides a political gold mine for people like Barack Obama, for he can honestly state that he stands with the Occupy Wall street protesters, while his republican counterparts have never stood for them and the rights they are not fighting for.

A short few weeks ago not a single member of the Republican Primary race had put forward a economic plan, then this was not an issue, the candidates thought they could breeze over this topic, and stick to standard Republican ideals. However, with the escalation of the Occupy Wall street protests it became impossible to ignore the pressure the candidates had, to provide a solution to the woes of the middle class. Herman Cain who is a presidential candidate for the Republican Party was quoted as saying  "It is not a person's fault if they succeeded, it is a person's fault if they failed." He argues the protests are a plan "to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration." It is beliefs like this that will push the Republican Party further back with the American public, seeing as the majority of citizens side with the middle class or create it’s population.

The Occupy Wall street movement started and continues to provide a voice to so many people in the United States, however the politicians are taking advantage of the movement for a completely different reason. Political leaders are using the movement as a pawn for their own gain and greed, while the people continue to suffer the consequences of their disputes, and the greed of big businesses. The 99%  is fighting for rights and politicians continue to fight for power over them.

Amanda Knox Released:

Who?
Amanda Knox and the Italian government and judicial system.
What?
Amanda Knox was convicted of killing her roomate. Then she was set free after she appealed her conviction. 
Where?
The trial, appeal, and supposed murder all occured in Italy.
When?
She was released on October 4th, 2011.
Why?
She appealed her conviction and then the reconsidered her verdict. 
How?
Knox took advantage of every legal opprotunity available to her.

Food Crisis in Africa:

Who?
The people of East Africa are facing one of their most severe food crisises ever. However, they are already recieving the least amount of help.
What?
Due to the drought and poor weather all the way around, agriculture has failed in East Africa. 
Where?
The eastern half of africa are those suffering.
When?
This is currently occuring and has been for months with little to no attention.
Why?
Poor weather has caused farmers to lose their crop and therefore the rest of the people have lost their food.
How?
Through weather.

Occupy Boston Arrests:

Who?
Protesters who are from and a part of the occupy wallstreet movement that has been occuring over the last few weeks.
What?
Over 50 people have been arrested in Boston for their activity and affiliation with the Occupy Boston/ Wallstreet movement.
Where?
This occured in Boston originally they were located at Dewey Square, but then the protesters in need of more room expanded to a greenway across the street.
When?
The majority of the arrests were made around 1-1:30 am on Tuesday.
Why?
The police claim that all of the arrests were for trespassing on private land. Also, the police expressed concern with the new flowers that had just been planted along the Rose Kennedy greenway.
How?
The police came in at 1:30 am and started to round up as many protesters as possible.

Myanmar Release:

Who?
Myanmar Political Prisoners and their government.
What?
Myanmar has announced that nearly 6,300 political prisoners will be released from prisions across the area.
Where?
In Myanmar and it's surronding areas. The release will also connect them with countries that have been hostile and cold torwards them in the past.
When?
The number was released by their newly liberalized government on tuesday.
Why?
This is accuring because of the new government that has taken control and because the area's relationship with other countries on the western hemisphere is to be considered strained at best. Now that political prisioners are being released more people/places will be willing to form connections with Myanmar.
How?
They have been able to release them based upon requests and acceptance from the liberalized governement of Myanmar.

Lack of Economic Answers:

     Who?
Many if not all of the republican presidential canidates. This includes Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum Herman Cain, Rick Perry, and Jon Huntsman.     What?
All of these canidates have expressed their great disappointment with the way President Obama has handled the economy. However, none of the republican canidates have stepped forward with their own plan to heal the crumbling economy. Voters who would normally vote for these canidates are being turned off by the blame game that the canidates are playing.Many of the ads have already turned vicious, the general concensious has become focus more on creating a solution then blaming the problem on the current president. If the canidates are able to provide a valuable plan then their numbers and approval ratings will no doubt improve.
     Where?
There is a political blame game being played all over the country as the canidates travel to spread word of their beliefs and political affiliations.
     When?
In the last three months it has become extremely evident that the republican canidates are unsure of how to fix the economy. This has lead their campaigns to fall back on traditional republican "values" such as lower taxes for the wealthy and less regulations on businesses.
     Why?
Many of the republican canidates are unsure of how to fix the economy, they have come to realize if they reveal that to the public, their approval ratings will drop extremely quickly. They're hoping if they skim over details of the issue no one will notice, however... they have.
     How?
Instead of providing answers to the general public about the economy they have complained about for three years, they have moved on to new issues that are less concrete and less fiscally demanding.