It's a bit more nuanced than that; they really mean 'stomping out capitalism for all values of capitalism that involve political corruption and destroying the middle class'.
Seriously? That seems to speak to a lack of knowledge about how economics actually works. Would they say 'stomping out programming tools that let people write evil code' ?
My confusion stems from the fact that political corruption and the plight of the middle class have less to do with 'capitalism' (an economic theory involving free markets) and more to do with 'some people are evil.' There seems to have been as much 'political corruption' and 'middle class stomping' in the Soviet Union and they didn't actually have capitalism as an economic theory. That is why it confuses me when capitalism seems to be the target.
The institutions in the US that protect citizens have been under served by people who they represent. That I get. How many times have you heard someone ask for ideas for 'avoiding doing jury duty' or 'only one loser is running for school board seat 12'. Those institutions, the justice system, local governments, are the pre-cursor institutions of Congress and federal departments.
What is more impressive to me is that you have to let someone serve who gets elected and a lot of places you can get elected just by throwing your name in the hat (I'm talking various cities and counties around the US, no Congress).
So why isn't it "OccupyLocalGovernment" ? Then you could do stuff like prevent disasters of Bell California [1]. You know, "Think nationally, serve locally." kind of thing. Get some experience running the city, move up to the county, then state, then you'll be well trained and positioned to run for Congress and fix things. Frankly if folks did that it would scare the crap out of the New American Century types.
I can not agree with this more. Take your local government seriously. Serve your civic duty. Maybe you don't like it, but it is like writing documentation. Something that needs doing but few like. Do the job with humility, and then finish out your time. Administration and government need to not be given up to those simply seeking power.
It is interesting -- in a conspiracy sort of way -- that we knee jerk assume that participating in local government is boring and tedious. It can actually be quite fun: makes me wonder about why we try to convince everyone it is boring... maybe so they don't pay attention? ...
Completely agree. However, I think where your confusion lies is the belief that this movement is grounded on a rational argument, its not, its built on emotion.
I don't disagree with you. I was just clarifying what they probably believed.
The power of local government is amazing. What is even more inspiring is how local sherifs, mayors, etc can effect 'big' public policy (immigration for example) by refusing to enforce laws from the state (or fed).
My confusion stems from the fact that political corruption and the plight of the middle class have less to do with 'capitalism' (an economic theory involving free markets) and more to do with 'some people are evil.' There seems to have been as much 'political corruption' and 'middle class stomping' in the Soviet Union and they didn't actually have capitalism as an economic theory. That is why it confuses me when capitalism seems to be the target.
The institutions in the US that protect citizens have been under served by people who they represent. That I get. How many times have you heard someone ask for ideas for 'avoiding doing jury duty' or 'only one loser is running for school board seat 12'. Those institutions, the justice system, local governments, are the pre-cursor institutions of Congress and federal departments.
What is more impressive to me is that you have to let someone serve who gets elected and a lot of places you can get elected just by throwing your name in the hat (I'm talking various cities and counties around the US, no Congress).
So why isn't it "OccupyLocalGovernment" ? Then you could do stuff like prevent disasters of Bell California [1]. You know, "Think nationally, serve locally." kind of thing. Get some experience running the city, move up to the county, then state, then you'll be well trained and positioned to run for Congress and fix things. Frankly if folks did that it would scare the crap out of the New American Century types.
[1] http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-more-high-bell-salarie...
[2] http://www.newamericancentury.org/