Introduction
There are three big movements going on today: the Tea Party Movement, the 9/12 Movement, and the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
Each movement is actually very similar. The people involved in each of these movements actually want similar things.
I am involved with all three movements. I have friends in each movement. I communicate with several people around the nation in each movement. And I fully support the goals of each of these movements.
Unfortunately, there are members of each movement who strongly disapprove of the other movements. Many citizens, political leaders, and major media personalities will strongly praise one movement, then strongly criticize the other movement.
This befuddles me. From my perspective, I see that each movement is branch of the same general ideas.
These general ideas include:
a) returning our nation to original American principles
b) restoring democracy and ensuring that the government truly represents the will of the people
c) focusing on local communities, and
d) increasing personal freedom.
Instead of media personalities and members of one movement criticizing the goals of another movement, everyone should see that the goals of each movement are essentially the same, then combine their forces in voicing their grievances.
To that end, I have created a list below of how the Tea Party and the Occupy Movements are very similar. Below you will find a series of paired statements, which show the similarities.
How the Tea Party and Occupy Movements are similar
1a) The Tea Party wants to get money out of Washington.
1b) The Occupy Movement wants to get money out of Wall Street.
2a) The Tea Party wants to reduce the power of government over our lives.
2b) the Occupy Movement wants to reduce the power of the financial sector over our lives.
3a) The Tea Party wants to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
3b) The Occupy Movement wants to reduce the size and scope of the financial sector.
4a) The Tea Party wants corrupt politicians removed, punished, and replaced.
4b) The Occupy Movement wants corrupt financial elite to be removed, punished, and replaced.
5a) The Tea Party believes that families and local government are the primary elements of society.
5b) The Occupy Movement believes that families and neighborhoods are the primary elements of society.
6a) The Tea Party believes that local communities come first, and that state and national involvement exist only as necessary.
6b) The Occupy Movement also believes that local communities come first, and state and national involvement exists only as necessary.
7a) The members of the Tea Party movement want much greater freedom for individuals, allowing each person to live as he or she desires.
7b) The members of the Occupy Movement also want much greater freedom for individuals, allowing each person to live as he or she desires.
8a) Many members of the Tea Party movement have an entrepreneurial spirit, believing in owning and growing your own business.
8b) Many members of the Occupy Movement also have an entrepreneurial spirit, believing in owning and growing your own business.
9a) The Tea Party believes that the federal government is a major impediment to the growth of small businesses and the local economy.
9b) The Occupy Movement see the actions of the financial elite and the political elite as major impediments to the growth of small businesses and the local economy.
10a) The Tea Party wants the federal government to have tougher law enforcement in certain areas, particularly putting an end to illegal immigration and the violence caused by drug lords.
10b) The Occupy Movement wants tougher law enforcement in certain areas, particularly putting an end to corporate fraud and the large scale theft caused by financial criminals.
11a) The majority of members in the Tea Party Movement preach non-violence.
11b) The majority of members in the Occupy Movement also preach non-violence.
Myths and Misunderstandings
In addition to the similarities above, there are additional similarities which are hidden under myths and misunderstandings. When these myths are exposed, we can see that the movements are very similar in the following areas.
Myth 1: “Occupy Movement is violent”
The biggest myth is that the Occupy Movement is violent. The truth is that the great majority of the members in the Occupy Movement preach non-violence, and are very vocal in their disapproval of the vandalism during Occupy protests.
I have also heard from contacts on the streets that most vandals are simply elements of the city itself, those people looking for an excuse to behave badly, and have no connection to the Occupy movement.
Indeed, the majority of members of both the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party believe in peaceful protests without violence or vandalism.
Myth 2: “Occupy Movement has no clear agenda”
Another common myth is that the Occupy Movement has no clear agenda. The truth is that the Occupy Movement does have an agenda. When talking with members of the Occupy Movement, four common goals emerge:
a) Punish the financial elite who have committed crimes.
b) Return all stolen money to proper owners.
c) Prevent anyone from committing similar financial crimes in the future.
d) Remove and replace any government official who contributed to the problem.
So you see, the Occupy Movement does indeed have an agenda, and this agenda could not be more clear. Any difference you might see is only a difference in specifics as how to best achieve those goals.
Also notice that this very similar to the Tea Party Movement. The Tea Party has general goals of smaller government and greater personal freedom, but what does that mean in practical terms? Individuals within the Tea Party movement debate and discuss the specifics of how to achieve those goals. This is very much the same as individuals within the Occupy Movement who debate and discuss the specifics of how to achieve their goals.
Myth 3: “Leaders of the Occupy Movement want to increase the size of the government.”
I have heard this myth several times, and I am not sure why this myth exists. There is absolutely no truth to it. In all my conversations with members of the Occupy Movement not once have I ever heard anyone express the desire to increase the size of the government.
I refer you again to the main goals of the Occupy Movement: punish the financial criminals, return stolen money, prevent future financial crimes, and remove corrupt politicians. Where in any of those goals do you see the desire to increase the size of the government?
These goals may require additional law enforcement personnel in the SEC and FBI, and more laws to prevent further crimes, yet nothing that could be construed as a massive increase in the size of government.
There have also been proposals floating around regarding taxes, such as closing tax loopholes for corporations, or increasing tax rate for financial speculations. Yet neither of those proposals will increase the size or scope of the government.
The members of the Occupy Movement, like the members of the Tea Party Movement, want smaller government. Members of both movements want only the amount of government necessary to ensure justice and protect personal freedom.
Summary
The movements are really very much the same. The people within each movement agree much more than they disagree.
I see no reason why members of one movement should be opposed to the other movement.
Furthermore, it is important that everyone understands how similar their ideas really are. The future of our nation is too important for us to be divided on these major issues. If we are to take back America, if we wish to grow our economy, restore democracy, and regain our liberties, then we must unite our forces.
Disclaimer
The statements about the members of each movement are generalities, and no statement can apply to every person in the movement.
However, I have communicated frequently with members of each movement, throughout the nation. From my discussions with people in each movement, I have created these statements which represent the most common beliefs of the members in each movement.
Again I repeat: from my discussions with members of each movement, I very much believe that the people in both movements generally want the same things.
