I had to take an hour and a half off of work today, so that I could go to a dentist appointment before I no longer have medical/dental insurance because I will be moving and will be unemployed. Then, I drove (yes, I DROVE!) my boyfriend’s car, since mine was totaled by someone facebooking while driving 10 months ago, back to downtown Seattle and had to pay $30 to park my car in a lot across the street from my apartment, but my parking will expire five minutes before I am off of work, which puts me at risk for a parking ticket. Am I the 99%?
Heh.
But, about those Occupiers. I wish they could just get their message straight. I work downtown near Westlake, which had been home to the protesters for quite some time before the majority moved to City Hall and/or Seattle Central’s campus and I’ve got to say they drove this self-proclaimed liberal to be more conservative. In fact, I found myself agreeing with a Republican the other day solely because of the 99%/Occupy movement. I feel like the Occupiers are to the Democrats what the Tea Partiers are to the Republicans.
Here are a few things that just don’t add up to me:
There was a group of about 30 protestors on a Saturday afternoon picketing outside of a downtown Chase branch. Do these protestors understand that the bigwigs, the decision makers, don’t actually work in small, local branches? Wall Street, sure. Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle? Nah. The only people at Chase on a Saturday afternoon hearing these protestors’ cries are the tellers, who are working a shitty job for just above minimum wage, so they can pay their rent for their Capitol Hill studio and buy drinks at Lindas after their shift.
Then there are the signs. I saw a guy with an anarchy symbol painted on a huge slab of cardboard standing next to a woman holding a sign asking the government to enforce stricter regulations on businesses. The contradictions are abundant.
I don’t know, I’m trying not to get political because there are some really valid points, but the movement here in Seattle is just really irritating. Especially irritating because I not only work downtown, but I live downtown. Every night when I’m just about fall asleep, hordes of people march by my building on their way to their tarp tents up in Capitol Hill, beating on drums, telling the police to die, kicking garbage cans and destroying property.
A lot of things need to change. Including them.
I agree, things need to change but they need to be more organized about it. It’s just getting annoying now.
Yeah, social change movements do start out awfully messy and disorganized. Sorry about that. (Call the WAAAmbulance.) If you choose to live in a big city, sometimes you will be putting up with obstructions in your intended route. You are a victim of the inconvenience, but you are even more a victim of a systemic social structure dictating your choices. You either accept their rules and risks, or escape the cage by:
Living in a smaller community, nearer all amenities, and residing near your work there, where there are no “hordes” to pass by your home.
Owning less, using less, and recycling more.
Doing more yourself, instead of relying on either governments or corporations.
Choosing an in-demand profession (such as health care) that serves people directly, instead of one that serves the economy by pushing products people may want, but do not need.
I do sympathize about losing sleep, however. Sometimes the dog or cats keep me up and I’m grumpy the next day. Here’s wishing you both more rest, and a broader perspective.
Hopefully you won’t be moving near Shelby and her followers in Denver
But the sounds of it they just seem like some children throwing a tantrum. Having no real rhyme or reason to do it.
I live in the Bay Area and everytime the local news interviews an occupyer whether from Oakland or San Fran not a thing they say resonates with me. It doesnt help that I am already disgusted with their treatment of police, who are also part of their so called 99%. Oakland has already spent more than $2.5 million maintaining the camps. I dont think that will help them in their efforts to get free schooling and whatever other hand outs they are demanding.