David Korten: Why I'm in Solidarity with #OccupyWallStreet

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



David Korten: Why I'm in Solidarity with #OccupyWallStreet
By the calendar it’s autumn, but for many it is the beginning of the American Spring.

by David Korten
posted Oct 04, 2011


At this moment the brave and dedicated #OccupyWallStreet protesters are in the streets of New York and cities around the world. They call the world’s attention to Wall Street greed and corruption as a common source of the many crises that threaten the human future—economic, political, social, and environmental. This is a defining moment for America. It is our country’s version of the uprisings occurring around the world. It is a ray of hope for democracy and real prosperity in America and beyond.

Contrary to the Wall Street propaganda, Wall Street is a job killer, not a job creator. Wall Street banks and corporations have no interest in creating jobs, educating American children, or assuring that Americans have health care and retirement security. They appeal for ever more tax breaks and regulatory relief only to have yet more money to use as they used their taxpayer provided bailout: to increase executive bonuses, pay dividends, buy other companies, buy back their own stock to increase the value of their stock options, buy political favor, create new financial bubbles, and outsource yet more jobs.

Wall Street cloaks itself in the American flag to gain public favor, but offshores its profits to avoid paying its share of America’s upkeep—leaving it to the “little people” to pay for the public infrastructure on which Wall Street profits depend. Its relationship to America is that of an alien occupier who comes only to extract, not to build.

The ruckus about the budget deficit is a typical Wall Street inspired and funded political diversion. America is far from broke. Our problem is too much money in the wrong places – unjust but profitable wars, corporate bailouts, and CEO bonuses to name a few. Wall Street banks and corporations are sitting on record amounts of idle cash in the trillions of dollars. Their highest return investments are in the politicians who favor them with public subsidies, tax breaks, and freedom from public oversight. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/david-korten/in-solidarity-with-occupywallstreet

[kwolf68]

1. Korten is one of my faves

His "When Corporations Rule the World" is an absolute must read.

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. I've had "The Great Turning" on my bookshelf for years. Don't know why I've never read it.

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. A thief will rob you as long as you allow them.