Why Occupy?

by Bill Motzel

Why are we here?

Our political and financial systems are corrupt and increasingly becoming one entity. The worldwide banking system has become little more than a tool to suck the wealth out of the common man. Financial capital, the means by which a healthy economy is able to function for the good of all, is being concentrated among a small segment of the population, the elite, the 1 percent. So we, the 99 percent, are gathering together to voice our displeasure. Regardless of age, race, political affiliation, religious beliefs, we gather together to be heard.

The critics of this movement say that we have no coherent central message. It's true that we are many different people from diverse backgrounds, here for a multitude of reasons. What we have in common is a deep and intense frustration with the direction our country is headed, and a sense of disenfranchisement as citizens of a country whose leadership is operating for the benefit of a tiny fraction of the population. Our dissatisfaction has reached a tipping point, and can no longer be ignored. We will be heard. Social media literally puts the irrefutable truth in the hands of everyone, everywhere, instantly and without the involvement of the corporate media. We are not going to go away.

Our message is simple: We want our future back. We want a future for our children.

When the corporate giants and profiteers of war, banking, energy, chemicals, and agribusiness are so focused on how much money they can make as fast as they can -- right NOW, in the present -- they forget the most important thing that all of us need to remember: The future is infinitely more valuable than the present because THERE IS SO MUCH MORE OF IT!

We need an open dialogue, because we’re all in this together.

And the whole world is watching.

The beginning is near.

Occupy Wall Street reaches Europe (Protests taking place beyond Manhattan - INTER-ACTIVE MAP)

Below: More photos from Occupy Las Vegas