Occupy...

I had a little conversation with some of my classmates last night about Occupy Wall Street movement. One identified himself as a Republican and the other didn't know what it's all about. And she started the topic as she wonder what people are protesting about. Across the hallway, members of Occupy Birmingham (Birmingham version of Occupy Wall Street) were having a meeting.

It's like Tea Party movement. There is no organization that lead the movement, and it's not like political party, but they are frustrated. Tea Party seems to me concerned about increasing national dept and deficit on government budget, and in contrast, Occupy movement is concerned about economy, jobs, welfare. Certainly Tea Party was one factor that led the Republicans to gain seats in the House, but reaction to that was Occupy movement. When a part of the public leaned to cutting tax and government size to hand money on the market and public sector, others saw the  wealthiest ("1%") take those money to benefit themselves.

I agree with the man in a sense that there is probably little they can change with the movement. If they literally occupy Wall Street and shut down the market, world economy will crush. It would get even worse... But at the same time I also sympathize with them. It's certainly better than doing nothing. Having been already so big and global, they have audience. Government leaders have to listen to them.

I recognize myself as a liberal. As for economy, I don't fully trust in private sector. There should be government involvement in economy. I'm for universal health care. I don't think it's good idea to let private sector alone handle such a critical part of human life.

I understand the argument for flat tax rate. But, I think the wealthy should pay more tax. If every wealthy person voluntarily gave back to society for the lower class, that's perfect. But unfortunately, not every wealthy is good enough to care for the less fortunate.

For me the government is to protect the people, not to harm. In a sense of taking more money from the wealthy, it may be not protecting, but they can afford more than necessary anyway. The government should support the needy, and help them to live.