Occupy Wall Street is democracy in action

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Jeff Ward

Updated: November 24, 2011 8:11AM

Why do I suddenly feel like wearing a headband, thrusting my fist in the air, burning my bra, putting on some Dylan and shouting “power to the people”? (Please don’t tell anyone about the bra thing.) Does any cable channel out there run “Laugh-In” reruns?

Come to think of it, maybe this mental return to those halcyon days of my revolutionary youth has been brought on by the recent emergence of the Aurora chapter of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Yes! Last weekend, 16 Aurora residents marched in front of the Route 59 and Liberty Street Bank of America branch, carrying signs with slogans such as “I can’t afford a lobbyist” and “Wage peace!” And I have to tell you, these fine American citizens made me want to start saying “right on” all over again.

Despite Fox News’ best efforts to portray them otherwise, these aren’t ne’er-do-wells bent on the destruction of Western civilization as we know it. They’re not taking away anyone’s job. Contrary to what that moron Sean Hannity said, they don’t hate capitalism, either.

No, these are regular folks who are sick and tired of the worst elements of the Republican Party co-opting the debate and the Democrats who go along with them. They’re tired of the tea party and religious right dominating the debate. They’re tired of the wealthiest Americans piggybacking on those fringe groups to avoid paying their fair share. They’re finally fed up with a financial sector that not only destroyed the economy but has yet to face the consequences for its predatory actions.

Then the blithering TV talking-head idiots derisively sneered at Occupy Wall Street for not issuing any demands.

Their mere presence is a demand. They’re saying, “We’re here! We matter! You’ve ignored us for too long. Please remember we’re as integral a part of the political process as anyone else.” You have to love the Zen nature of these protesters.

And some in the loosely knit group have issued specific stipulations. They want more Security and Exchange Commission oversight. They want those behind the subprime mortgage debacle to stand trial. They want the Supreme Court to reverse its decision allowing corporations to make unlimited campaign contributions. They want the government and banks to forgive student debt.

My God, man! How outrageous and unreasonable! What the heck are they thinking?

The only issue that caught me off guard was the student debt. But after some serious consideration, I thought, “Why not?” It was the financial sector’s mortgage shenanigans that tanked the economy and, once faced with that self-inflicted wound, we the taxpayers bailed it out. Why shouldn’t we “regular folks” also be the beneficiary of that kind of bank and government largesse?

Ah, but in addition to being caught signing foreclosure documents without reading them and jacking up their fees, the banks’ newest tactic is to sue foreclosed homeowners for the remainder owed. It’s utterly unconscionable. And remember, because of the credit card industry’s insidious efforts, regular folks can’t declare true bankruptcy anymore — only corporations can.

Then those morons at Standard & Poor’s, the very folks who gave mortgage-backed securities a triple A grade, just downgraded this country’s bond rating! If the government doesn’t provide the necessary consequences for financial sector’s reckless conduct, then it’s up to the people to step up and do something about it.

If anyone did their best to destroy capitalism, it’s the banks, corporations and the financial sector. So whether it’s occupying a Wall Street park or simply standing in front of an Aurora bank, it’s exactly the statement to make.

They haven’t been violent. They’re not interfering with any business. And unlike the average raving tea party lunatic, who caused the bond downgrade by their debt ceiling stupidity, Occupy Walls Street’s demands are eminently reasonable.

This is the movement the tea party should have been. But instead, they turned out to be nothing more than shrill shills for the wackiest members of the GOP (see Joe Walsh). These Occupy protesters are the true patriots who want to preserve capitalism and a middle-class way of life that’s rapidly being eroded.

This is democracy at its finest. This country was founded on dissent. What’s wrong with “and justice for all”?

Anyone who fails to take these folks seriously does so at their peril. Anyone who doubts their resolve will be sorely disappointed. Any politician who doesn’t see the writing on the wall better get used to the private sector.

So keep marching, my Occupy Aurora compatriots! With our combined efforts, we shall indeed overcome.

Jeff Ward can be reached at jeffwardsun@sbcglobal.net.