Welcome to European Tribune. It's gone a bit quiet around here these days, but it's still going.

A Draft Declaration of Demands for the Occupy Movement

by joelado Mon Nov 21st, 2011 at 02:40:52 AM EST

Declaration of Independence

We the people of the Occupy movement state the following obvious truths, that we are all equal under the law, that as humans we have certain rights that are incorporated into our very being. Among these are the right to live, the right to be free from restriction of movement, the right to speak freely and the right to pursue what ever it is that we believe will add to our happiness as long as it does not harm others. We here and now affirm that because of these rights governments derive their permission to govern from the people, and that people to protect these rights create governments. When any form of government acts against these rights it is the privilege of the people to change their government to a new government that affirms the commitment to preserving these basic rights.


For practical reasons government that satisfies these responsibilities should not be changed for fleeting reasons. However, it is up to us, the people to decide what reasons are weighty enough to warrant change. As our history has shown us, people are more apt to tolerate distress as long as the distress is not too great. We are more apt to go on suffering rather than change the things to which we have become accustomed. But when we suffer many abuses and face a callous disregard of our rights, all designed to subjugate us under the rule of the wealthiest 1%, it is our right, in fact it is our duty, to throw off that government and make provision for a new government that is committed to protecting our freedoms and liberties.

The present leadership of our country has allowed many times for our rights to be curtailed. It has even violated our rights to freedom of assembly. It is apparent that they are working their way towards a kind of despotism after having removed all of our rights and prosperity. We have awakened to the realization that we live under a tyranny of the few. With this awakening we have also realized that it is time for us to change our current system of government and what we want is a political system based on genuine democracy and social justice.

To this end we demand:

  1. That specific and effective rules be passed to eliminate the influence of corporations, personal financiers, banks and brokerage houses over elected and unelected officials everywhere in all government. Specifically, that contributions of money, favors of any kind, and promises of employment after leaving office be made strictly illegal. That contributions of any kind, either delivered directly to politicians, or delivered through lobbyists, or made through contributions to campaigns or made through pledges of employment of staff or family also be illegal.

  2.    
  3. That the government enact legislation that reverses the effects of the "Citizens United" supreme court decision

  4.    
  5. That congress pass the "Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2011" (HR 1489) and restore the spirit of the Glass-Steagall Act

  6.    
  7. The elimination of the "Personhood" legal status for corporations

  8.    
  9. That the government enact a taxation policy that does not over burden the majority of citizens and looks to the very wealthy to contribute more for the greater good of the nation

  10.    
  11. That appropriate Federal agencies fully investigate and prosecute the "Wall Street" actors for crimes leading to the current financial crisis

  12.    
  13. That "Flash Trading" be outlawed and the "casino" aspects of business investing currently practiced on "Wall Street" be terminated

  14.    
  15. That the practice of private banks owning shares in the 12 Federal Reserve Banks be ended

  16.    
  17. That public college attendance be free

  18.    
  19. That healthcare be nationalized and available to all citizens

  20.    
  21. That environmental laws be strengthened to guarantee a clean, undamaged environment to future generations

  22.    
  23. That the Patriot Act be repealed

  24.    
  25. That the attacks of 9-11-2001 be vigorously investigated again


We, the people of Occupy Wall Street, assembled here in Zuccotti Park, and in the other Occupy demonstrations being held in cities across our great nation, and the like-minded people, otherwise known as the 99%, in their homes and on the streets all over the United States, and Occupy movements being held in parks and streets around the world do solemnly declare our solidarity in the support of this declaration and its demands to which we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Display:
how did number 13 appear in that lot ?

, there are only 8 demands and an add one of your own option;-

1. Tax Wall Street for gambling with our money. Pass the financial speculation tax.

  1. Support education. Put teachers back in classrooms and ease the crippling burden of student debt.

  2. Keep working families in their homes. Pass a mortgage relief plan that puts the needs of homeowners above the greed of mortgage bankers.

  3. End too big to fail. Rein in the big banks NOW and hold the people who caused the financial crisis accountable.

  4. Fair share of taxes from the 1%. End the Bush tax cuts for the 1% and close corporate tax loopholes.

  5. Businesses should invest in jobs. Corporations must stop sitting on their profits and start hiring again here in America.

  6. Extend unemployment insurance. Millions of Americans are still out of work, and unemployment insurance is a vital lifeline.

  7. End corporate control of our democracy. Abolish "corporate personhood" and restore full voting rights to real people.


keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Nov 21st, 2011 at 08:18:55 AM EST
however, I more or less agree with the sentiments in this diary that the list is unfocussed and difficult to sell. They propose instead;-


  1. Investigate Wall Street

  2. Get Big Money out of our Politics: End Corporate Personhood.  Corporations are not people!

  3. People over Banks: Pass Mortgage Relief.

  4. Extend Unemployment.  Pass the Job Bill

  5. Defend Social Security. Expand Medicare.

  6. Tax the Rich: End the Bush Tax Cuts

  7. Tax Financial Speculation, Hold Wall Street Accountable!

  8. End NAFTA. Support Unions

  9. Get Big Money out of our Politics: Publicly Finance Elections!


keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Nov 21st, 2011 at 08:21:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]


Display:
Go to: [ European Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]