After talking about the Wall Street demonstrations last week in class, I thought this might make for an interesting blog discussion this week. I have included an article from CNN, which I would like all of you to take a look at. Do you think these protests have any support in America or is it all just a waste? Does this movement have the ability to sweep across the United States and bring change to the world of business? Could you ever see yourself participating in a demonstration similar to this?
Wall Street Demonstrations
16 comments:
I believe that these protests may actually have a very good chance at sweeping across the nation. Many Americans are not satisfied with the country, and if given the opportunity, they might actually want to participate in changing it. These protests are a perfect chance to really get Americans to voice their opinions. Many people have already joined, as shown from the 700 arrests at the bridge. As the disapproval of the government increases, which i predict it will continue to do, more people will become fed up with the economic situation. More will join the protests for their own personal reasons and hopefully they will not get too out of hand. If they continue, like I predict, then I do think that it may ultimately change the business industry. If not, then there will be some very, very angry protestors who will continue their ways until they get what they want in some respects. I surprisingly could see myself participating in a demonstration such as this, because it really is a hands on opportunity. I will be able to say that I stood up for what I believed in, and that I spoke out for greater equality in the United States. I would feel very proud of myself and I would probably tell my grandkids about it all the time when we have that deep grandchild-grandma relationship.
It seems to be a waste because these groups of people are there for their own cause. Each group is in support of their own issues. There is no common cause in the protest because everyone is against or for something different. I could not see this going across America and changing the world of business because it is not an effective way to make change in America. What if change still does not happen and tomorrow it snows, chances are everyone will clear out and that will be the end of it. To be effective and make change would be to get elected to Congress not by protesting, especially when there are several different issues people are fighting for. I could not see myself being apart of something like that because I know nothing will come from it, it would be of waste of time, when I could really be making my voice heard other succesful ways.
The Americans that have gathered to protest are trying to tell the government the current conditions of the economy need to change. They have good intentions and good ideas however they are trying to protest too many problems at the same time. Their ideas are too vague and it is hard to understand what exactly each person protesting wants. The protest is also lacking one leader. The protest should contain one leader with one reason of protesting. Instead there are many different people protesting for different reasons. As a result this makes it challenging to fix all the issues the protestors are fighting for. Therefore, it is easier for politicians to disregard the protest and the issues involved. Even though the protest is disorganized, I do feel that the protest is encouraging people to take a stand on issues they feel is wrong and needs change.
I do not feel that I would participate in a protest like this because of the disorganization I would feel like nothing would get done.
I think that because every person seems to be protesting for something different, it seems to be kind of a waste since they aren't all joining together for one cause. It seems like it is going to be ineffective because there is power in numbers but if those numbers aren't for the same reason then it is not going to work. Change can't be made if you are deciding to protest. I agree with Victoria that to make a change they need to do something not just say that they aren't going to do something. By protesting, although they are trying to get there point across, it would be more effective to go out and do something that would help the issue at hand. I can not say forsure if i can see myself participating in something like this. I do believe that if i felt strongly for something, I would try, like they are, to possibly protest but I think that I would try to find a better and more civil way to express my feelings toward a particular issue and would try and find a way to change it rather than just be stubborn and protest.
I believe the protests that are taking place in America today are definitely supported by many Americans. Our economy and employment today are very poor. Many Americans today are suffering from foreclosure of their houses and unemployment. This is a big deal for Americans because many of them have families and have no way to provide for them. This is why I believe that these protestors are gaining support from many Americans. Americans want to see a change. They are supporting these protestors because they want to be able to provide for their loved ones. They want to be able to feel safe with the money they are earning. They don’t want to be afraid of what might happen in the future anymore. By supporting these protestors they feel like they may finally get the sense of security back. In the terms of the protest are going widespread, I believe that it will spread across America. These issues aren’t just affecting one place but the whole country. In regards to these protests affecting businesses, I believe that they can make a change if they bring all their forces behind one main issue. However, like many of my classmates have said, if their issues are all scattered then I am not sure how much power they are going to have. If I was given a chance to participate in a protest like this I would try to take advantage of it. I have never really participated in anything that has to do with politics because of my age, so if this came around I feel like it would be a good experience for me. It would help me grow as a person and help me more fully shape my beliefs.
Americans want change, and one way they think change can happen is through protests. I am not saying I disagree, but like others have mentioned, these protests need more structure. Everyone was there for their own personal reasons and they were not coming together. Sitting on your phone, laptop, eating a catered lunch, or reading a book is going to change America how? I feel like a leader is needed or someone that can bring the crowds together to try and accomplish something. I think if protests became more effective and more organized then yes, they have the ability to sweep the US and bring change to the world of business. However, I don’t think that this will happen. Protests seem to be, for lack of a better word, ‘vent time’ for Americans to gather together and talk about their problems. There are more ways for the people to state their opinions to the government that they want change and are unhappy. Frankly though, our government knows this and needs to step up to the plate. As for myself, I do not think I would participate in something like this. To me it is a waste of time because I try to be a very organized person and this would just drive me crazy.
These protests are kind of confusing to me. I think that they are ineffective because they are so unorganized and aren't really arguing for a certain cause. All the protestors are saying is "we want change." Although I do agree that the rich are getting richer, and the middle class is "crumbling," I think that there are much better ways to get their point across. I don't think that this movement has the ability to sweep across America because there is not a central reason. If I was a business person on Wall Street, all I would get out of watching the protest is people that are unemployed and unsucessful trying to make use of their time. I would definitely protest for something I felt really strong for, but if it was chaotic to the extent of losing its purpose, then I would not participate.
p.s- what's with all the costumes and percussion ???????
As we have explored in class, the approval rates of President Obama and of Congress are seriously low. This makes me think that this movement may have a chance at becoming a big thing in America. However, I also think that these protestors need to establish a main goal that they want to accomplish with these demonstrations. I understand that they are upset with the current state of America but they seem to be all over the place as to what exactly they are trying to accomplish. As I understand it, they are either troubled with their own economic state, against the war in Afghanistan, or unhappy with the way the environment has been treated. I think that their lack of a common cause and their failure to propose what they want essentially want to accomplish with this makes them just a big group of young Americans who are concerned with their own problems. Additionally, the article stated that this is currently a “leaderless” project, which I think suggests the temporary and unstable nature of this interest group. I do realize that they are trying to make changes in America, but I think that they need to pull together and get organized or they aren’t going to get much accomplished. Even so, I do no think that these protests are a waste. Even with their lack of organization and authority, these protestors are bringing to attention some very important changes that need to be made in America. Even though most of the things that they are concerned with, like our struggling economy, are obviously long- term projects that can not necessarily be solved by simple protests, I still do not believe that the protestors are wasting their time.
Right now I can’t see myself participating in anything like this, mainly because I think I underestimate the power of protesting. Hopefully sometime in the future I will be able to stand up for my beliefs a long with a group of demonstrationists and be able to effectively change something in America for the better.
I think that this movement could sweep the nation because of the scope of its complaints. I think that because it encompasses so many things that people are unhappy about, everyone is going to find something that they are unhappy with and join. That is why this protest has gained such a following yet has done nothing to help America. Yes, it is "opening the eyes of Wall Street" but realistically unless they can organize and actually have certain objectives, the big banks and others are just going to wait it out because there is no way that this movement will go on for much longer. I, however, don't think that this isn't a waste because it is bringing attention to their cause. But I wouldn't join something like this especially if it didn't have a direction. Giving up your whole life (job, kids, family, etc) to go on a protest that may or may not change anything is a bit too risky.
While I personally do not support these protests, I do believe that they have a substantial amount of support in America. However, I do understand where the protestors are coming from, they really only want fairness. I feel like the number of protestors will continue to augment until something is done about their concerns. I'm not sure how likely it is that very much action will be taken to appease these protestors, because the majority of them seem to be college students, not workers. My sister knows a lot of people who had or are participating in the protests and quite a few of them have been arrested. I am surprised that the movement has been spreading to other major cities in the United States. However, I think it will start to die down a bit and stop spreading, even if it is still going strong in New York. I'm also surprised that these protests have gained so much attention overseas. I don't see myself ever participating in a demonstration similar to this.
I think that the protests currently taking place have a chance to become very effective on the American people and the economic conditions of America. I think that not only do the protests have a semi-focused idea that can become more narrow as time goes on but they are also at the moment effectively bringing awareness to America that our economic condition needs to be addressed in some way soon. I feel that if these protests had not taken place many Americans would not have realized the potential threat the economy has on us. Many people have already formed in this protest and even sub-groups have formed such as Occupy Los Angeles. I think there are enough people who have been effected by the economic condition, such as homeless or unemployed, that there will be enough people to fuel this protest which will then become massive. For me to participate in one of these protests I think it would take a lot of good reasons. Although I agree with the protestors views and actions I don't think I am the type of person that would go out for any protest. I feel that I would and could support this issue in other ways beside protesting on the streets. Maybe I could instend attend a town meeting or talking to my neighbors about this issue to bring up more awareness.
I think that these protests are ridiculous. The protestors are impressionable hypocrites that haven't got a clue what they are fighting about. However I do believe that our nation holds a lot of these type of people and the fight against this so called "corporate greed" could sweep the nation. But what is it all about? These men and women are going downtown to the businessmen and women and telling them to what? Share their money? Stop keeping all that they earn to themselves? So all while these protestors are asking this to them they are down on their I-phones and Blackberrys tweeting away and updating their status. But where do these online luxuries come from? The businessmen that they are condemning. Those businessmen are driven by one thing, and one thing only; MONEY. So take away the incentive and you take away their drive, which will then force them to quit their jobs, and our technology would be stunted.
Basically what I am trying to say is that all of these people protesting corporate greed need to re-evaluate the issues that they are dealing with and assess if what they are saying is actually a deed that they want completed.
I could see myself acting in a demonstration such as this, though obviously for a different issue. I think these kinds of protests are great ways to express our freedom of speech and let everyone know what our view is on an issue.
I think that these protests reflect the way that most Americans feel about our government today, but I do not think that they are an effective way to express dissatisfaction. As everyone has said, I agree that these protests are unorganized and ineffective as they lack a central idea or theme as well as a strong leader. While I understand that many Americans are frustrated, I do not believe that these protests will bring any change because the people who are participating all have their own personal views about how America could change. Many of the people also seem to be misinformed and upset about their current lifestyle, and they are using these protests to complain to the government without making any suggestions of what they would like to be changed. I do think that this protest is a waste, but I also think that it could easily be turned into a successful movement through leadership and organization. Currently, I do not believe that this movement has any potential to sweep across the United States and make significant changes in business, but over time if organization is developed then I think that it could. I do not think that I would ever participate in a protest like this because it does not have a direct purpose, and I would not take part in something that I believe will have an insignificant impact on the state of our country.
I don't think that these protests have a chance of sweeping the nation. I feel like their issues that they are protesting for/against are very individualized and do not appeal to the masses. I feel like they would need to focus their protest on a more commonly known issue that would allow them to get more people involved. I don't really understand how this is a movement if all the protestors are there for different things. It doesn't really make sense to me. I don't think this will necessarily bring any change to the world of business because these protests do not have a good chance of affecting the nation as a whole. I cannot see myself participating in a protest of this nature, but I cannot rule out ever joining in a protest in the future. I think being a part of a protest could be a very enlightening experience.
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