Thursday, November 17, 2011

I'm so over it.

I'm sorry, but it's finally boiled over and I am angry.

Protesting is as American as apple pie...if that apple pie is covered in hippies. But seriously - that's what makes America so great.  Freedom. Free speech. Freedom of the press. The fact that you can say anything without persecution. It truly is an awesome thing and I think that people forget that.

BUT there is a difference between a peaceful, meaningful protest and being fucking obnoxious.  You operation wall street people have passed from peaceful to mind-boggling ridiculous.  First, please take a shower. I can't even deal with you if you smell like a garbage can.  No one can take you seriously if you look like Pigpen from Snoopy. Second, please come up with a plan. A cohesive plan which every group follows. Maybe even include a kit with talking points and a colorful, cheery tent. While I kind of understand why you are upset, your message is not clear. You have multiple ows protests happening and yet its only 1 person in the group saying or doing any of the talking. The other 299 just smell (see #1). Third, I know you are here just visit, but I wouldn't come into your cardboard box or ugly tent and make a mess and disrupt traffic.  While you might not think this is a big deal, talk to someone who sat for 45 fucking minutes the other morning for nothing more than rain. RAIN. When a city like DC, who has the worst traffic in the United States, has a major road blocked during rush hour, the whole city suffers and makes people angry.

Prime example - today's fundraiser for Sen. Shelby at a upscale restaurant in DC.  A group of ows people were outside protesting, screaming things at the lobbyists who attend. FINE. Obnoxious, not really the time or place, but ok. However, when they bum rushed thru the restaurant and entered the private room screaming at Shelby that he was the 1%, that is not okay. Number one, you should have never gotten past the maitre d.  Second, once you got past reception, you should have stopped for some delicious crab cakes at $18 a pop. Third, get your facts straight. Shelby makes $175k a year. Yes - while that could be considered a lot (and it is) and he does have stock and real estate, I wouldn't classify him as the 1%. You have to remember that with that money, he has to fly back and forth to Alabama every weekend and have two residences. Boo hoo, cry me a river, I know. But you have to see both sides of the argument.

Wouldn't it be more productive to protest outside Treasury or IRS or the Federal Reserve or the White House?  I know that Congress is the root of all evil, but poor, sweet little Shelby? I don't think so.

My parents raised me to not cry about what I did not have, but to fight for what I want and to remember that I was very lucky to have the things I did. I got a job, became a contributing member of society, and even though it pains me to tears, I pay taxes. I am sorry that you feel that you pay too much and the rich pay too little. Does something need to change if the person making $25 million is paying the same as someone making far less - absolutely. How do you change that? I have no idea, but holding up traffic and attacking Senators is not the way to do it.

I will now get off my soap box. Thank you for listening.

XO,
Bunny

2 comments:

TGD said...

It makes a mother proud to see that she's passed on the passion of tax policy on to her red-headed offspring! Truly, I love that you are voicing your opinion even if I'm a hippie trapped inside the finest classic clothing and might disagree with you, but I love that you are speaking your mind. Isn't America grand! And think about it: their protests have sparked a discussion on tax policy and how people should comport themselves in a democarcy on a sacred Karl Thursday (mon Dieu!!)! So it's making a difference - more than loser reality show celebs! I'll take smelly slightly-confused occupiers any day! (Just please don't send them to my zipcode, because I am a dyed-in-the-wool NIMBY. Knowing the problem is the first step.)
TGD
PS you failed to mention teh Duke is the sexiest most adorable man alive. Please amend post to reflect such fact.
And I love you no matter what you do or say because you are an amazing woman with a heart as big as America!

ricvamatt said...

Really, I don't know why they haven't given you a seat on The View.