Have you seen Hard Times: Lost on Long Island? The film won the Audience Award/Best Documentary at the Hamptons International Film Festival in October. The documentary follows a group of unemployed men and women, ranging in age from their late thirties into their sixties, who are looking for work while living in certain middle class suburbs on Long Island. I had not seen the film during the festival itself, but when I screened it the other day, I realized the true meaning, for me, of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Hard Times is a disturbing film that puts a face to the unemployment crisis in America in a rather effective way. At times, talk radio broadcasts play over footage of the principals as they trundle off to another day of staring down their own obsolescence. Over the airwaves, voices of people like Rush Limbaugh can be heard exhorting his listeners about the evil of unemployment benefits and how such programs only encourage procrastination and sloth.
In America today, we are told that unemployment now hovers at around nine percent, while other sources insist that those statistics are underreported and are closer to 12.5 percent. At nine percent, we are confronted with a situation where one in eleven working Americans is without an income. At 12.5 percent, we are talking about one in eight.
The rest of us try to go about our business. We wish those who are suffering our very best. We hope that they succeed in finding work. We are grateful, on a daily if not twice daily basis, to have jobs and to be able to pay our bills and to support our families. Then we put our heads down and try not to think about what it would be like to be one of those unemployed people. Especially the long term unemployed.
It is somewhat easier to sidestep the raw helplessness of one in eleven or even one in eight. It's similar to the way we sidestep the homeless or indigent on the street, believing that they got there like a leaf falls from a tree; as if they belonged there through some law of nature, and that we are not responsible in any way. Nor are any of our decisions. But what happens if unemployment reaches twenty percent? What would it be like for one in five Americans to be in serious, bordering on irreversible, financial trouble? How do you overlook one in five people in contemporary society?
We have learned many lessons in the past three years. One important lesson, I believe, is that bailouts of major corporations in any and all industries are counterproductive to long term economic health. And not simply direct infusions of cash as loans, tossed like gargantuan life preservers, in moments of greatest perceived dread. I'm talking about the bailouts the US government gives major corporations every day. The excessive fees forced on customers by certain banks, not to mention the predatory lending practices of the mortgage industry (coupled with the remarkably stupid borrowing of certain homeowners).
Another example is that we have no high speed rail in this country. Typically, you fly or you drive. So airlines are free to tack on fees to remain profitable the way that oil companies are free to manipulate oil production, and thus the price of gasoline. You bailed out the airlines every time you did not demand more effective, intermediate range travel, i.e. high speed rail. You bailed out the oil companies every time you watched (were you watching?) as American troops went to Iraq to fight a war for oil. You bail out American business, and help them maintain an often false veneer of profitability, every time you send nearly every member of the current Congress back to Washington. Maintaining US corporate profitability is the single goal of this Congress. Because that is what the corporations who own the Congress paid for when they bought the Congress.
Everything I have put forth here, I have heard articulated from the Occupy Wall Street movement. Some of it was not news to me. I have grown up in the latter half of the 20th Century. When the Greatest Generation was replaced by the greediest generation and what was known as the Protestant Work Ethic became a quaint chestnut. The definition of success became getting the most for doing the least. It became about getting away with what you can and the only issue was getting caught. Which pretty much defines the Wall Street culture of today. Never have the world's greatest financial markets been controlled by such dangerously short-sighted people as they are today. And never has this country been cursed by a more incompetent and derelict Securities and Exchange Commission as we are today. In the wake of 9/11, America attacked a perceived terrorist community with all it had. In the wake of some of the worst financial scandals in US history, the SEC took a dive, throwing the fight in the first round.
Occupy Wall Street people understand that not only are more difficult times possibly around the corner, they know that the current government will likely do as it has historically done, which is to protect the rich and powerful at the expense of the long term interests of the middle class. Some of the most financially successful people in America continually remind us all that capitalism is a contest. There are winners and losers. And the winners want to enjoy their success and they want the losers to keep it down. The noise of the vanquished is spoiling the victors' fun.
OWS talks a lot, too much in fact, about One Percent versus Ninety Nine Percent. As if success itself were a crime. That's a mistake. But what OWS has helped to remind me is that One in Five is a far more unsettling ratio. Twenty percent unemployment. In the 21st Century United States.
There won't be enough cops anywhere in this country to rip down all the tents that are going to pop up in places you never imagined if we hit that figure. That's what OWS has taught me.
In my next post, let's talk about how Ray Kelly is running for Mayor of New York and how he'll never get there without paddy wagons full of Wall Street money, which is why he had the boys hose down Zuccotti Park.
Robert Creamer: Mayors Who Attempt to End Occupy Protests Are on the Wrong Side of History
OWS Protesters Return To Zuccotti Park, Vow To Press On
OWS Protesters Calling For 'Day Of Action' Following Loss Of Camp In Zuccotti Park
OWS — Dawn of a New Progressive Movement?
And i admiringly support your efforts for the PETA cause.
Yours Sincerely
Muhammad Saad Khan
Confusing and then some__
9th paragraph__OWS understand current government trends will remain to protect rich and wealthy; Capitalism is a contest--rich want to enjoy their winnings and want the losers to basically go away ( be un-heard)
10th paragraph__OWS talks to much about 1% (is a mistake); OWS has helped me remeber itis more like 1 in 5 %;
11th paragraph__There won't be enough cops anywhere in this country to rip down all the tents that are going to pop up in places you never imagined if we hit that figure. That's what OWS has taught me.
12th paragraph__Ray Kelly running for Mayor (in next post)
First paragraph__Film Festival about "Hard Times__Lost On LOng Island", realized what Occupy Wall Street movement means(to him)
2nd Paragraph__unemployment crisis, talk radio airwaves and Rush Limbaugh and obsolescence--- the process of becoming obsolete or the condition of being nearly obsolete
3rd paragraph__unemployment percentage reported and not reported
4th paragraph__wishing those who are unemployed without income and sufferring the best
5th paragraph__unemployemnt rising(what would happen?), compare homeless to leaves that fall fron a tree; how "WE" avoid, bypass or sidestep our role in it
6th paragraph__bailouts by the government to corporations and all industry; bank and loan fees; mortgage industry lending practices and the stupidity of certain homeowners who borrow $$
7th paragraph__No high speed rail in the country; airlines charging outrageous fees; bailout of airlines; bailing out oii companies while sending our troops to Irag; bailout American businessess and help them report false profits by sending current Congress back to Washington; Congress is being paid to keep US Corporate profiteers in being kept in business
8th paragraph__everything mentioned so far has been articluted thru connections with OWS; "Greatest generation being replaced by the greediest"; present Wall Street culture's success defined--getting away with doing the least you can and profitting the most; control of Financial markets by those who are lacking foresight (only in it for themselves__politicians mention, US history scandals and SEC)
As for the second consideration, I will say this: peoples' lives whose homes were near any proposed rail line would see a drastic reduction in the value of their homes. Sure, maybe the government would pay for the purchase of their homes, but they would only get pennies on the dollar. These individuals may be elderly people who had lived in their homes for generations, and would not be able to afford to get a home anywhere else - nor would they want to be forced to do so. Such plans may bisect peoples' farmland or ranchland, which could ruin the only livelihood they have. Maybe some OWS junior or juniorette would want to be able to have a nice, fast commute from a fancy apartment in country neighborhoods to the nearest metropolis, but at whose expense?
The existence of the Internet is the only evidence I need to prove my point.
When Mr 666 took office, we could do an average of 110baud or 0.000110Mbps transfer rate and 300baud was 'fast'. You use fiber that crosses property everywhere, none of which existed then.
The rail between Orlando and Tampa would have followed the same model.
You presume everything but when it comes to facts you have nothing.
Perhaps it is you who is truly the junior or juniorette, and you who should realize how small you really are in the scope of facts and reality as it relates to what truly defines progress on this planet.
ANYWAY your numbers on unemployment is low,, for taking 9.5 % are so, that is the number that is receiving benefits, ""I am sure you know this""!!! , it does not list the number that have gone off. by means of out of benefits or the 75% of our Nation is employed by small business. Those small business people that did not pay for unemployment insurances. They are in the cold, with failed business.
Just as inflation rates do not show cost for Food and Energy it is misleading. On both I think it is best to double that number then subtract by 20%, I think you`ll fine this would be a closer true set of what is out there. 9.5 X 2 = 19 - 20% = over 15% unemployment, Same to inflation rates. If the Dollar falls that is not part of the inflation rate. Look what you could have bought for that dollar 30 Years ago VS now. Could you see a 300% raise in inflation in that 30 year period? 2-3 % compounded would not be that high over a 30 year span.
Thank You , Alec..... Steve JK West, DFW area Texas
I'm not sure what you mean. As a small business owner I paid unemployment taxes every quarter to the State and the Federal government for the 12 years I was in business.
IT~S good to know that we got actors that do care. In my thoughts, our media is not the best in showing us the full picture. I am working on a report and yeah I got Dyslexia , so not the best at it. BUT I am good with numbers and supply and demand.. Short, People like yourself will be able to more in informing people, get more out there to the people VS like myself. FACTS is what needed NOW
I hope you can be able to see my report. It will have some holes but Its my hope that this can be a educational tool to the many that do not even know we got a 3 branch system to out government. Focused on our economy and Finances. Many believe that it was Obama`s Work-plan to bail out the Banks in 08. NOT true, He did sign off on it and we forget how the Markets was acting at the Time, Dow swings, dropping 900 point in one day.
Here's another thought: if we impose strict term limits on everyone, we will always be getting "newbies" in office, who will take awhile to "find their feet".
As things are going, either the Country overthrows its masters, collapses, or divides.
cmontalvo made an excellent point about effective full employment amongst college graduates. Automation and a world economy have eliminated high paying, low skill menial labor. It is not coming back. We have to foster entrepreneurism, hard work, education, and self reliance if we are going to compete.
Does anyone believe that someone who does not complete high school should earn as much as a high school graduate. How about a college graduate versus a high school graduate. How about a law degree from Harvard compared to an art degree at a community college. Is it wrong to reward hard work, and filling a market need? Anytime I see these college kids at an OWS event asking for redistribution, I ask what have they done to earn it. Should they have the same wealth as someone who has worked at Chrysler for 30 years and owns their house and cars and some stock. Of course not.
So Alec, lend your star power to the movement and help guide them towards workable suggestions to improve our country as opposed to an outline for vandalism, vagrancy and violence.
Big Oil had no presence in Iraq. The entire oil industry in the nation was nationalized decades ago, so the only "investor" was INOC (Iraq National Oil Company), who, as it happened was happy to sell us all the oil it had without needing to be invaded.
Ditto your weak analysis on air travel. With the exception of Southwest Airlines, nearly every airline in America loses money on domestic air flights. The profits are made on the transoceanic flights, which are a bit of a challenge to replace with high speed rail.
I'm glad you pointed out that Wall Street sold lots of bad, expensive, and near-fraudulent mortgages. But you left out who they sold them to. They sold them to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who demanded that Wall Street provide them with hundreds of billions of sub-prime mortgages every year (see the Community Reinvestment Act). Barney Frank was the great enabler here, as he had his committee (the House Finance Committee) look the other way as long as Fannie Mae kept funding charities run by Frank's mom and hiring Frank's lover as a Fannie Mae staff economist.
OWS raises important points about America's economics and politics. But as yet they've proposed no serious solutions. Let's see how they evolve before giving them laurels and a victory lap.
Thank you for pointing out this truth and how the liberal leftist ideology of "social justice" is ultimately to blame. Thinking that the gap in wealth is the ultimate evil is what promotes this ideology. There is nothing wrong with wealth inequality.. nothing. Some people work harder than others.. that's why they have more wealth.. some people DON'T CARE that they don't have an expensive car or big house and all the luxuries.. they actually find OTHER things more important. It's so ironic that the Left who claim that it shouldn't be about money.. ARE MAKING IT ABOUT MONEY when they try to interfere like they have. And in doing so, have CAUSED this crisis that has created MORE real poverty unfortunately. Please let the lesson be learned.
It is clear reading your post that you do indeed favor government bailouts. First you bemoan the bailouts given to the airlines and banks, then the everyday bailouts that take place. Then you call for a new bailout for high speed rail. If it was profitable wouldn't someone do it? If it is unprofitable then it will require annaul bailouts.
I'm talking about the bailouts the US government gives major corporations every day.
Alec Baldwin
Politicans will give the contracts to thier buddies. Cough arnold cough.
Since the experts dont know anything about trains the cost will soar. Cough 100 billion now, not 30 billion cough.
In the end it will only benefit the chinese. Cough name a US bullet train manuafactor cough.
Its sounding more and more like another bottomless pit, the big dig in boston.
To most Americans, it is news. Because standard media knows when to avert its eyes - and our eyes. All they tell is is OWS is a bunch of unbathing, lazy beggars living in a park.
Thanks for the truth, Alec.