Opinionator 1: Occupy Wall Street?

Images and videos of apparent police brutality in the Occupy Wall Street arouse the sympathies of American citizens, especially middle and lower classes. However, with more reflection the movements’ demands are vague and conflict with the fundamental elements of capitalism.

                Youtube videos of police using force against nonviolent protestors have conjured up to millions of hits on the site. Similar videos are widely used in news media, particularly Fox News. Although such videos create sympathy for the movement, they do not validate the beliefs of the Occupy Wall Street. In fact, they end up stirring anti-government sentiment, which undermines the principles of Liberalism.

                Similarly, the movement claims “we are the 99%” as a catch all for non-rich Americans. However, the demands to destroy Corporate America, don’t benefit all of the “99%”. Government paid workers, including firefighters (besides the now demonized police force) are paid holistically through all Americans paying their taxes, and especially the taxing of big business. Likewise, corporations provide millions of jobs. Thus, the “99%” encompasses small business owners rather than the vastness and uniqueness of all Americans.

                Occupy Wall Street makes many claims on the extremity of corruption in “the corporate state” detailing its robbery of the citizens, pollution of the environment, and overtaking of the government. One must not forget however, that corrupt values of one corruption can’t be used to generalize those of all corporations. If every corporation was not paying its taxes, there would be extreme repercussions, by necessity, in the government.

                Most significantly, one must not forget that the existences of hugely profitable businesses are created from the ground up, the epitome of capitalism. Such fundamentals of Capitalism are what allow for mobility in society. Even if an unskilled worker made more money per hour, what’s the point if he won’t move up in the workforce and make significantly more money?

                All in all, the Occupy Wall Street movement should be advocating modification in the Corporate State, not attempting its destruction.