'76 Blog

It is in times like these that I wish I were a great mind, well versed in psychological theory.  But then again, I feel Freud himself would struggle to rationalize the behavior of most Occupy Wall Street members.  On a recent Saturday, eight CCU students went down to the State Capitol to volunteer for an event hosted by the Colorado Prayer Caucus.  Heading into Denver, we discussed the possibility of a few “Occupy” protestors – when we arrived we discovered a much larger and louder crowd than expected.  Following are a few phrases that were held up on the signs of protestors at the Denver Civic Center Park, directly across from the Capitol.  “Eat the Rich!” “The Order of the People” “Bankers killed more lives than the terrorists could ever dream” “Give me a job” The tone of this movement is bizarre.  I had heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement prior to my first hand experience of the Occupy Denver protestors, but I don’t think I had taken seriously how dysfunctional this movement is.  The campaign can not offer one unified goal or plan that they are advocating, yet all members ban together so closely – those sporting peace and yin-yang signs mingle joyfully with those carrying violent words such as, “eat the rich!” Equally odd is the fact that this extreme, rhetorically violent and vulgar movement is gaining support from established voices in politics.  Obama has showed warm feelings to the movement, Nancy Pelosi has conveyed support and, of course, Yoko Ono is a huge fan of these unhappy dissenters.  As off-putting it is to think that the best response to hardship these people can think of is to demand their debts be paid and time filled with unwarranted employment, it is even stranger to think that they, in large part, accept the support of these people; Obama who receives huge donations from Wall St., Pelosi, who carries her $35 million of wealth from her success as an investment banker, and Ono with her $500 million and family of bankers.   The hypocrisy and irrationality that abounds at these gatherings is astounding, and the thought these occupiers are already being vindicated by celebrities, politicians and media is truly maddening.  I only hope that those willing to embrace such a menacing movement will not be tethered to the abyss of falseness, envy and blame which seems to be their unifying force.

Several hundred Coloradans gathered yesterday at the state capitol to remind our government officials that we pay the bills.  Sponsored by a coalition of independent but like-minded organizations, including the Independence Institute, the rally vigorously reasserted our role 'as citizen-leaders. Important points were addressed.  Paramount were these messages to our state and federal legislators: Stop irresponsible spending and uphold the values of the citizens you represent.  We don't want Obamacare.  We don't want nannyism.  We don't want economy-crippling taxes and regulation. Judges too were called upon to be held accountable.  Because our state supreme court too often condones the governor's and legislature's uncontrolled spending, shouts of "Clear the Bench" rang out. Speakers and banners proclaimed that we just want the government to stick to its job and let us manage our lives ourselves.  Many protesters waved "Don't Tread on Me" flags and "Taxed Enough Already" posters. Others, including me, sported "I Love TABOR" T-shirts.  Defending TABOR, our solitary defense against rampant, ever-mounting taxation, was a primary theme. Another fiscal-restraint rally is scheduled for April 15th, income tax day.  Let's keep reminding them that they work for us.  And, if they don't listen, we'll vote them out of office in November.