Why #OWS Spells Trouble for the GOP

Polls are now showing that Americans support the message of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The younger and more educated voters give it greater support , but here's what should worry Republicans the most, from the article about this week's CBS poll:

."...While there are different agendas within the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, nearly all of the protesters say that wealth has become too concentrated among a relatively small group of Americans. The poll found that most Americans agree with that assessment: Two in three say that wealth is not distributed as equitably as it should be, while just one in four says wealth is distributed fairly.
Republicans were far more likely than Democrats or independents to say the current distribution of income is fair. Fifty-five percent of Republicans say the current distribution is fair, compared to just seven percent of Democrats; 86 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of independents and 36 percent of Republicans say wealth should be distributed more evenly...."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_...rcent-agree-with-views-of-occupy-wall-street/

 

Sadly, the graying of America will not permit that support to continue for very long. Young people are not particularly interested in politics as such. They quickly take up banners and causes and just as quickly move on to other causes when they become more interested. The middle-aged and elderly form a much larger voting block and will have much more influence in the long run. Personally, I disagree with the equal distribution of wealth and I am on the low end of the totem pole. Equal distribution sounds wonderful, but it can punish people for doing well and reward people for doing nothing. It is a socialist, if not a communist concept. It is not the way of this country.

 

I don't think the concept is equal distribution, but instead more equitable or more fair distribution. For instance, unearned income such as investments are taxed at 15 percent, while earned income -- something that takes your time and your effort -- is taxed at a much higher rate. That's not equitable, unless it accurately represents the VALUE we as a society place on those efforts. The 99 percenters are standing up and saying, no, the society's values are screwed up.

I think there must be some of the middle-aged folks who are supporting this movement, or else the numbers would not add up as they do. Maybe these groups will disperse in the winter, but I believe they will be stronger come spring, and will be a factor in the 2012 elections.

 

I wanted to also mention the gross differences in how profits are distributed! Again, inordinately high value to the corporations and owners, a pittance to the folks who make those profits possible. That's called exploitation IMHO. We've done it all over the world, now we are doing it to our own workers. Shameful anywhere it's done.

 

Taxes are Wall Street's fault... how?

 

How are a company's profits anyone's business except between the company and the employees? No one is forcing the employees to work at the company. They agree to a certain salary and the company pays it. They're not beholden to the company and may leave anytime they feel they're being treated unfairly or paid too little. There's no exploitation involved.

 

Corporations spend vast amounts of money to buy politicians who then vote to continue subsidies and tax breaks and loopholes for corporations?

 

Income is already being redistributed to the 99%'ers. Unfortunately for us in the US (and other old guard western countries), those 99%'ers are the 2 billion new workers that we are all now competing with for jobs and income. We are not alone.

 

No, still not Wall Street's fault. Keep tryin'...

 

Why do we as a society have to provide roads, a power grid, a fire department, educated workers, police, a medical care system, and all the other things we pay for with our taxes so that company can make a profit? Nothing says they have to build their company in this country. They can leave anytime they want. If they don't like the cost of doing business in this country and selling to our lucrative markets, they can go elsewhere and sell their products there. There is no exploitation of our system unless we allow it to happen. Right?

 

Even more reason to protest Washington.

 

This is the prevailing attitude of the far left yet when a business does leave it's everyone but the left's fault.

 

WOW! And with attitudes like that, you still complain when they do take their jobs overseas.

 

Do you support & believe in "redistribution of wealth"?

 

Yet neither of you address the point of the post and if things go as they usually do with you two, you never will. So I'll ask again... Why should we provide and infrastructure, educated workers, police protection, fire fighters so that these companies can make a profit? Why are we obligated to let them use the commons so they can make a profit? Nothing guarantees them the right to make a profit in the constitution that I know of but providing for the common good is in the constitution. As a matter of fact, the common good is specifically spelled out in the Constitution as the commitment to promote the general welfare of all persons, as opposed to protecting the interests of a narrow section or class of the population, and encapsulates what is most unique about the United States of America--that it is the only modern nation-state republic founded on this principle. What do you guys have against the Constitution? They don't get just feed off of the system and treat the rest of as revenue streams at no cost and we are not beholden to them. Sorry, that is just Un-American.

Not that you two will ever understand this point but others here can agree or disagree with at least some sort of degree of rational thought.

 

Oh, that was your point? You went on that anti-business tirade so quickly I guess your point was lost, huh? You kinda remind me of tomc when you post.

 

Yeah, it was more than two sentences. I didn't excpect you could follow along. Therefore,... Oops!

 

Again, why do you guys hate the Constitution?

 

In fact it was the 2nd sentence that your tomc-esque tirade began. Once that silliness started it just became blah, blah, blah....

 

Who do you think funds the corruption and greed in Washington DC? Not the OWS protesters nor the folks they represent. The system that protects the big banks and allows hedge fund managers to get away with a 15 percent tax rate on mutilmillions in income is funded by the perps who benefit from it. My taxes bailed out AIG and the rest who made big fortunes gambling in derivatives, and now my taxes will have to go up in order to keep the 1 percent's taxes low. Shall I go on?