Moving Forward

Protesting is democracy at its finest. It displays a groups conflicts with its government and their undying effort to create the change desired. Shamus Cooke’s latest blog on the Occupy Movement caught my interest for this reason. It describes not only how Corporate America is squirming and hoping that the Occupy Movements dissolve but also what the movement needs to do to keep momentum and gain supporters.
Cooke is attempting to speak to both the working class that makes up the 99% that are both actively and inactively participating in the Occupy Movements. He stresses to this audience that the 1% are terrified that this movement will spread. In an attempt to crush protests mayors, police and the media in protesting cities are portraying false negative perceptions of the Movement such as disunity, drug use, and violence. Cooke persuades that in order to combat the enemies attempt to destroy the movement the 99%, needs to agree on and promote common demands that are important to all participants. Cooke worries that without stating these demands the Movement may not gain many more supporters and worse the current participants may lose interest with no clear victory, ending the Movement and allowing the 1% to continue to gain Americas wealth. Cooke is a social service worker, a trade unionist and a writer for Workers Action. With his experience in protesting for workers rights and socially funded programs his opinion on the Movements plan of action may be very beneficial to Americas 99%.
There are several obvious national demands, according to Cooke, that polls have repeatedly shown Americans support. They are to tax the rich, create a federal public jobs program, fully fund Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, education, health care and end the wars. Cooke suggests that the Movement demand that the 1% be taxed to help fund these programs. Cooke points out that these issues are important to the broad 99% and it is important to stay focused on these and not smaller individualistic demands to ensure growth for the movement. Cooke gives an example of the working class movement on the 1930’s and 40’s that resulted in progressive change for America hoping that the Occupy Movement will spark this type of change.
I think all of America is waiting to see what will happen next with the Movement. Will the it grow and make the rich of America mend the economy or will it dissipate and continue to allow the 1% to get away with Americas wealth. Action does need to be taken in order to keep the Movement moving. I agree with Cooke, with a list of demands people will be more likely to start and continue to participate until the goal is accomplished. Without a set of goal in sight people tend to lose the drive to move forward. Without the reward of accomplishment incentive is lost. I also think that politicians will be forced to respond to these protests if there are demands that the Movement wants the government to meet. In both campaigns for election and in interviews with those already in office these pressing issues will be forced on these politicians to answer. It will force them to create a plan to meet the demands set by the Movement. Protesting a list of demands will further induce change. It would be amazing to not only witness but also be apart of the most influential movement to produce massive governmental change.