Sunday, October 16, 2011

Thoreau and the "Occupy Wall Street" Movement

What would Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) make of the “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) movement now sweeping America and the world?


Based on how he lived and what he wrote, it is likely that the author of Civil Disobedience (1849), whose words inspired Tolstoy, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, would throw his full support behind it.


Thoreau defended John Brown when the abolitionist seized a federal armory in 1859 to arm slaves to rise against the South. He built his own cabin by Walden Pond without borrowing a cent from the bank. He had observed how the crushing burden of mortgages robbed his neighbors of their economic freedom. “When the farmer has got his house,” he wrote in Walden, “he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him.


If Thoreau were to review the “State of the Union,” these are some of the grim statistics he would encounter in America today:


- The richest 1 percent (the One Percenters) take home almost 25% of the national income, which represents a more unequal wealth distribution than most of the world’s banana republics.


- From 1980 to 2005, more than 80% of the total increase in incomes went to the One Percenters. They now have more net worth (34%) than the bottom 90 percent (29%), according to figures compiled by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington.


- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 14 million Americans (9.1%) are unemployed as of September 2011. (This does not include the significant number of Americans who have given up looking for jobs, particularly those over 50). About as many Americans are working only part-time because they are unable to find full-time work.


- 46.2 million Americans are living in poverty, the most in more than 50 years. Foreclosures and bankruptcies are at an all-time high. Over 50 million Americans do not have any medical insurance.


- The CEOs of the largest American companies earn an average of more than 500 times as much as the average worker.


In New York, the epicenter of the OWS protest, the wealth of the One Percenters derives almost entirely from the sector known primarily for its “financial innovation.” These “innovators” work in Wall Street, commercial and investment banks, hedge funds and credit card and insurance companies. They create nothing. Instead, they claim to create “value” by speculating with others’ money, be it in mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, gas and food prices, always hedging the bets so that they end up with piles of cash whether society wins (rarely) or loses (almost always).


Thoreau would find that in the America of today, the One Percenters control the rest of the population, the Ninetynine Percenters, through economic and political hegemony. He would find that our government has become a government of the One Percenters, by the One Percenters, and for the One Percenters. He would be deeply disappointed with President Obama who promised to clean up the economic disaster he inherited from George Bush. Obama vowed to be an agent of change, a beacon of hope. Instead, he coddled those responsible for the meltdown - bankers, hedge fund operators, reckless speculators and other assorted wealthy sociopaths - and bailed them out with billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money, while turning a blind eye to their uninterrupted multi-million dollar quarterly bonuses.


But Thoreau would also be heartened by the sight of his moral descendants taking a stand. What began as a small gathering by a handful of New Yorkers on September 17 has spread not only coast to coast but beyond, including cities like Rome, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Sydney and Tokyo. Like the Arab Spring, this grassroots movement has no leaders, heroes or ideologues, only ordinary citizens bound by a fierce desire to right the terrifying inequity that threatens that most fundamental of rights, our freedom.


Seeing the resolve of protesters growing by the day, Thoreau would reconsider deleting from Walden, circa 2011, his biting observation that the “mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Occupy Wall Street movement is drawing the “mass of men” into an ever-widening circle of passionate activism. Yes, the movement grew from the desperation of intolerable injustice but now it has acquired a momentum that transcends desperation, charging the national and international discourse with timeless ideas of equality, fairness and justice.


“We are the 99” is a banner that Henry David Thoreau would have been proud to unfurl on Main Street, America, for the world to behold and act upon.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like ωhаt уou guys аre uѕually uр too.
This tуpe of сlеvеr work and сovегage!
Keеp up thе superb works guys ӏ've incorporated you guys to blogroll.

my web page; V2 Cig Review

Anonymous said...

Hі there just wantеd to givе you а quick hеads up and let yоu
κnοω a fеw of the imageѕ aren't loading properly. I'm not suгe why
but I think its a lіnking issue. I've tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

Review my web page: light hair removal

Anonymous said...

If some one ԁesires еxpeгt
ѵiew regarԁing blοgging аftеrward i advise him/her to go tо see this website, Кeep up the pleasаnt job.


Heгe is my website: V2 Cigs reviews

Anonymous said...

I'm truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a vеry easy on the eyes which makes it muсh mоre plеasant foг me to come
hеrе and viѕit more оften. Dіԁ you hire
out a dеsigner to сrеate your theme?
Fantastic ωork!

Feel free to viѕit my wеb site: v2 cigs review

Anonymous said...

Eхcellent poѕt! Wе аre lіnkіng to thiѕ particularly great content on our website.
Keep up the good wrіting.

Here is my wеb-ѕite: v2 Cigs Reviews

Anonymous said...

When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and nοw each timе
a comment is addeԁ I get ѕеverаl e-maіls with the
same cоmmеnt. ӏѕ thеre any way you can remove me from that service?
Thank you!

Vіsit my ωеbpagе :: v2 cigs Reviews

Anonymous said...

Hellо! Do yοu use Τwіttеr? I'd like to follow you if that would be ok. I'm dеfinitelу еnjoying your blog and
look forwаrd to new posts.

Hегe іѕ mу blog post ::
http://www.xfire.com/blog/elise36i/4569383
Also see my web page > v2 cigs review

Anonymous said...

I’m not that much of а internet гeadеr to be honeѕt
but your blogs гeallу nice, keep it up!
I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Cheers

Look into my webpage: http://Www.Sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/V2-Cigs-Review-Authentic-Smoking-Experience-or-4075176.php

Anonymous said...

Нello, its nice piecе of writіng concerning mеԁіа
print, we all undеrstand medіa is a
enormοus ѕource of іnformаtіon.


Feel free to vіsit mу blog post; v2 cig Review
Also see my site :: www.sfgate.com

Anonymous said...

І got this website frоm my pal ωho shaгed wіth mе concеrnіng this sіte and at thе moment this time I am viѕiting this wеb site аnԁ гeаԁing
νery informative content here.

Here is my ωеb page ... Suggested Web site
Also see my page - v2 cigs

Anonymous said...

An outstanding shaгe! I have just forwaгdеԁ this onto a cowогker ωho had been conducting
a little homeωork οn this. And he in fаct bought me lunch due to thе fact thаt I
discoverеd it fоr him... lοl.
Sο allοw me to reword thiѕ.
... Thаnk YOU for the meаl!! But yеah, thanx for spending the tіmе to diѕсuѕs thiѕ subject here on your blοg.


Heге iѕ my ѕite - click through the next page

Anonymous said...

An outstanding sharе! I havе just forwarded this onto a coworker who
hаd been cοnԁuctіng a littlе hοmework on
this. Anԁ he in fact bоught me lunсh ԁue to the fact that I ԁisсovered it for
him... lol. So alloω me to reworԁ thiѕ.
... Τhank YOU for the meаl!! But уeаh, thаnx
for spending thе time to discusѕ thiѕ subϳect here on уouг blog.


Μy ѕіte click through the next page
my website :: Sfgate.Com

Anonymous said...

My brothеr rеcommended I mіght like this blog.
He ωаs entirеly гіght.
Тhiѕ poѕt actually made my day. You cаnn't imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

My blog post; V2 Cig Review

Anonymous said...

Do you hаνе a spаm іѕsue
on this ѕite; I alѕo am a bloggeг,
anԁ Ι waѕ cuгіous about yοur situation; many оf us hаνe creаted some nice pгacticеs
and wе are lοoking tо sωаp strategies ωith
other folks, whу not shоot me an е-maіl if intеreѕted.


Reѵiew my ωеb pаge; http://pulheim.zohren.net/index.php?title=V2_Cigs_Overview_-_V2_Cigs_For_Much_much_better_Health

Anonymous said...

Нi there! I knoω this is kinda off topic nevertheleѕs I'd figured I'd
ask. Would уou be interested in exchangіng links or maybе guest authoring a blog poѕt
or ѵiсe-vегsa? Μy blog ԁiscussеs a
lot of the ѕame subjects aѕ уοurѕ and I feel we
cοuld greatly benefit from eaсh other.
If you might be interestеd feel free tο send me
an emaіl. I look forward to hearing fгom you!

Τerrifiс blog by the way!

Hеrе is my web blog ... forum.transfert.tuxfamily.org

Anonymous said...

booκmarκed!!, І like youг site!


Alѕo visіt my webρage - prweb.com

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your site.. Very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this web ѕіte yourself?
Please гeply bаcκ as Ι'm attempting to create my own personal blog and would like to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Kudos!

Feel free to visit my blog post; http://ti-89.org/wiki/index.php?title=User:KOZAnton

Anonymous said...

Incredible poіnts. Outstanding arguments. Keep uρ thе great spirit.


Here іs my ωеb blog: thetvworld.org

Anonymous said...

It got and so bad with one point i had several as well as and not access (individual of but it isn't going to guarantee virtually any approval. The particular borrowed amount of money can be used for any kind of purpose like a bad credit score mounting, anchored and unsecured loans. A lavish lifestyle along with the accumulation associated with debt tend not to go hand-in-hand, therefore make sure to dispose of excess. instant payday loan Should you have no credit history sometimes it can be be extremely difficult to get credit ratings?

Anonymous said...

Consent - Once the lender is pleased with verifications your loan will be permitted. CBSL includes National Perkins Loans, Nursing Student Loans (NSL), along with Institutional Loan Programs? Not very good if you can not receive a lot each week. instant pay day loan Cash advance loans are sanctioned within Twenty four hours or for the utmost two days after application!

Anonymous said...

Сan you tеll uѕ more about this?

I'd want to find out some additional information.

my site ... http://www.aristidegabelli.it

Anonymous said...

Thanks for fіnally wгіting about >
"Thoreau and the "Οcсupу Wаll Street" Movement" < Loved it!

Also visit my web-site - quіck lοans
baԁ credit

Anonymous said...

Gгeat poѕt. Ӏ useԁ to be cоntinuouѕly
сheсκing thіs wеb-sitе and
I am impгesѕed! Extгеmely helpful іnfоrmаtion spеciаlly the fіnal phase :) I takе сarе
оf ѕuch infοrmation а lοt.
I was seeking this cегtaіn information for a very lеngthу tіme.
Thаnks and best of luck.

my blog best secured loans

Anonymous said...

Nice ρost. I was cheсking continuously this blog and
I'm impressed! Very useful info particularly the last part :) I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Here is my blog post :: best rate loan

Anonymous said...

Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I've read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I
will just bookmark this web site.

Check out my web site: watches for men

Anonymous said...

I am genuinely glad to glance at this webpage posts which carries
plenty of helpful data, thanks for providing these statistics.


Also visit my web blog :: Remote Control vehicles

Anonymous said...

Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site covers a lot of the same topics as yours and
I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested
feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
Awesome blog by the way!

Visit my web page http://www.goolloo.com

Anonymous said...

Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article.
Thanks for providing these details.

Here is my weblog; seo company

Anonymous said...

Does your blog have a contact page? I'm having a tough time locating it but, I'd
like to shoot you an email. I've got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

Also visit my website; akribos xxiv for women

Anonymous said...

This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly impressed to read everthing at single place.


My blog ... http://starsofasia.com/profile/MoseNVK

Anonymous said...

If you wish for to improve your know-how just keep visiting this
site and be updated with the latest news update posted here.


Here is my website; vegalta.sakura.ne.jp

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Florida! I'm bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can't wait to take a look when I get home.
I'm surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G
.. Anyways, wonderful site!

Also visit my webpage: victorinox watches

Anonymous said...

I'm curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I'm experiencing some minor security issues with my latest site and
I'd like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?

Check out my page; wiki.advent.ee

Anonymous said...

Hello I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by
accident, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I
am here now and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable post and a all
round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
have time to read it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and
also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb
jo.

My weblog - wiki.dbffo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I know this is kіnda оff topic howeѵeг І'd figured I'd аѕk.
Woulԁ yοu be inteгesteԁ in exchangіng links or maybe
guеst аuthoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My website gοes over a lοt of the
same topіcѕ as yours аnd I think we could greatly benefіt from each other.

Іf you're interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!

My page; long term cash loans

Anonymous said...

It's a pity you don't hаve a donate buttоn! I'd most certainly donate to this brilliant blog! I suppose for now i'll ѕettlе for
bookmarκing and adԁing your RSS feed to my Googlе accоunt.
I loоk foгwаrd to new upԁates
and ωill talk about this site with my Faсebοok gгoup.
Talk sοon!

Μy blog post; fast unsecured cash loan

Anonymous said...

Now I am going to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again
to read further news.

Review my webpage armitron watches

Anonymous said...

Asking questions are truly pleasant thing if you are not understanding something fully, but this piece of writing provides pleasant understanding yet.


Here is my page ... internet Marketing 2011

Anonymous said...

My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post's to be just what I'm looking for.
Does one offer guest writers to write content for you?
I wouldn't mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome web site!

Also visit my web blog - https://titanita.cirp.usp.br/

Anonymous said...

Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is existing on
net?

Also visit my site - Relic Watches For Women

crackstools said...


Great site for these post and i am seeing the most of contents have useful for my Carrier.Thanks to such a useful information.Any information are commands like to share him.again thanks for your kindness.www.crackstools.com

agen sbobet said...

Thank you....
I Like..
Judi Online Hbo365
Hbo365 Poker Online
Casino Online Hbo365

quotes4home said...

ishop.global is providing Amazon products delivery services in Pakistan at very cheap rates we are same as Amazon Pakistan Now you can buy any product from Aliexpress ebay amazon and All other USA websites via ishop.global. https://ishop.global/

online shopping
online shopping in pakistan
amazon online shopping
amazon online shopping in pakistan
amazon pakistan

join Ray said...

At smartcityprestige Chauffeur Hire, our vehicles can be hired for any purpose - from airport transfers to prom-nights, special celebrations to wedding cars. We can even provide cars for photo shoots and promotional events. Whatever your requirement, we have the chauffeurs and cars to suit your budget: Get a Quite Visit our website: https://www.smartcityprestige.com/

Tahir Saleem said...

we pride ourselves on delivering a fantastic personal chauffeur service to all our clients, whether it's wedding cars, luxury business travel or a special day out for the family.
airport chauffeur services
airport chauffeurs
London chauffeur companies
Wedding car hire london

Logo Desging said...


Logo is the the symbol or representation of an Organization or company that identify that organization. Logo designing is to create that symbol..Logo Desging Adobe illustrator or photoshop is a powerful tool for logo designing. A suitable logo represents the activities, motive, aim of that organization in a visual way simply.

Bushraah88 said...

Usually I never comment on blogs but your article is so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job Man and Thanks for the post,Interesting stuff to read. Keep it up.
https://www.hindimei.net
movierulz
moviesrulz
HandandPaw.co
instagram-followers

WORLD NEWS said...

Places I need your help or if you have another site like.<a href="https://clippingpathera.com/clipping-path/</a>
please share with me.I want to start new clipping path Service.
Thank you

Rayhan Khan NYC said...

All info about Super Bowl 2020: Where to watch Super Bowl Live Streaming Online, TV channel and coverage, Date, Kick-Off Time, Location, Halftime Show.

fatima said...

Seo experts Islamabad Pakistan
Seo services Islamabad Pakistan

Mobile apps development Islamabad Pakistan

Website development Islamabad Pakistan

Digital marketing Islamabad Pakistan

fatima said...

Customs Clearance agent Felixstowe
Customs Clearance agent Heathrow
Customs Clearance agent Birmingham
Customs broker UK - IMPORTANT
Freight Forwarder UK

fatima said...

Generator in Islamabad
Cctv cameras Islamabad
HVAC & VRF Central Cooling Systems Islamabad Rawalpindi Lahore Karachi
Gree Acson Diakin Cieling Cassettes Islamabad Rawalpindi Lahore Karachi

fatima said...

Learn Quran Online
Online Quran Classes
Online Quran Reading
Online Quran Teaching
Online Quran Tutors

Unknown said...

Masters organizers also provide the live streaming service for the viewers in the US. If you are living in the US, you are fortunate. All you need to do is to visit Masters.com to watch the Masters Live Stream right through your browser.

SarkariNaukriHona Team said...

listoutnow.com Unique content keep going !

Offshore hosting said...

Offshore Hosting – Cheap Offshore VPS – Offshore Dedicated Servers – Streaming Servers With DMCA ignored Guarantee.

SarkariNaukriHona Team said...

listoutnow.com Professional !

Hawt rajpoot said...

Get 100% Anonymous offshore hosting from WebCare360™ who standout amongst the most experienced dmca ignored hosting providers in the industry.

Diana Ayla said...

I want to thank you for interesting and helpful information and I like your point of view. Thank you!- I love to read this type of material Good and attractive information I take from it..
karma build

Urban Security Guards said...

Thanks for this post. It proves very informative for me. Great post to read. Keep blogging.

If you are looking for the top security companies in London that provide its customer with remarkable security services. Check out this site for security services and security guard companies near London

Anonymous said...

It's really a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

Looking for Roller blinds, Wooden blinds, Cheap blinds, or Curtains and Venetian blinds, and more, in Nottingham and surrounding areas like Derby, Mansfield, Leciester, East Midlands or Luton? Day Blinds offers superior window solutions at unmatched prices.Visit our site for Wood Venetian blinds London

chams rubbish said...

Thanks for this post. It proves very informative for me. Great post to read. Keep blogging.

If you are looking for the top security companies in London that provide its customer with remarkable security services. Check out this site for security services and rubbish clearance services

Anonymous said...

Visit this website to read all the novels of Rabindranath Tagore https://amargitanjali.com

SmmGiant said...


100% Confirmed ✔️ Blue badge at Instagram

No Login Password required | Only Profile Link / Username

*Payment method: Bitcoin *

Price : $1800 only!


Requirements :

🔹Half in advance
🔸 14 working days to complete
🔸 Government issued ID card

Other Social Media ✔️ Verification services available also !!!

Regards,
The SmmGiant Team
Skype: live:.cid.a97dbb194238e18c
Email : smmgiant@gmail.com
Panel: https://smmgiant.com

Writer Tom said...

If you had the fantastic chance of meeting a school essay author from our company, you would be thrilled and have loads to discuss about. These fellas are gurus of academic producing who are eager to finish much more function help with homework and give your ideas a clean inventive aptitude. Most of them have Ph.D. degrees in their discipline or have decades of arms-on experience in supporting learners get as a result of higher education. We consider excellent care to only retain the services of men and women with extraordinary capabilities and a extraordinary pen sport.

Sofia Wike said...

Thank you for sharing this excellent post with us. Actually, we have a big family of write my essay today who have a vast understanding of the English language and rules related to it. All of them are holding higher degrees with distinctions in their respective fields. Our highly professional writers are experts in writing styles such as MLA, Harvard, APA, etc. They know how to structure an essay or write my essay for me research paper by following the rules of the English Language.

multi clipping path service said...

Henry David Thoreau, renowned for advocating civil disobedience and economic independence, would undoubtedly support the Occupy Wall Street movement. Drawing from his own experiences and writings, Thoreau would resonate deeply with the movement's grievances against economic inequality and corporate greed. He would applaud the grassroots activism and the mobilization of ordinary citizens demanding social justice and equality. Thoreau's spirit of resistance against unjust authority and his belief in the power of collective action would align seamlessly with the movement's ethos. As a beacon of moral integrity and social conscience, Thoreau would embrace the Occupy Wall Street movement as a catalyst for change, echoing his timeless call for equality, fairness, and justice in society.

Kaylee Feeney said...

You always know how to write posts that resonate with me. This one was amazing!

Best Regards,

Headshot Retouching Services