What Is Occupy About? One Word . . . INEQUALITY

Yes, there were tonnes of reasons that brought people out to protest all over the world in the Occupy Movement in 2011.  Yes, these reasons often varied and were sometimes not communicated very effectively.  Yes, there was a lack of a cohesive message.  And, yes, there were some "yahoos" who made a bad name for the majority who had legitimate grievances.

But, despite criticisms, one has to acknowledge that a movement of that size doesn't happen unless the level of frustration and discontent is incredibly high . . . ESPECIALLY if there is lack of cohesive leadership. 

And, despite appearances, there was one underlying theme that goes to the root of most, if not all, of the individual grievances . . . INEQUALITY.  And, although many of the protests have been cleared from their sites, it is a mistake to think that the protests are over.  Why?  Because the inequality remains and, until it is dealt with, will continue to manifest itself in a variety of forms throughout 2012.

As Professor Richard Wilkinson demonstrates very convincingly in the following TED Talk, the level of income equality within a developed country has more to do with the overall level of satisfaction of its citizens than the average level of income compared with other countries.  Further, he shows that the higher the level of income inequality, the greater number of social problems exist including higher crime, more mental illness, increased class entrenchment, etc.   My favourite line in the video comes as Professor Wilkinson is noting that USA's very high level of income inequality  leads to much less movement of people between classes, and he states:

"If you really want to achieve the American Dream,
go to Denmark."

It's in the face of these income inequality statistics that I'm disturbed to see corporate taxes reduced again for Canadian businesses.  The rationale for the decreases is that the private sector will do a better job than the public sector of spending money to the well being of all, especially through job creation and new initiatives.  However, as noted in an article today in the Huffington Post, economists from the left and right agree that tax cuts do not encourage corporations to re-invest their savings.  Instead, Canadian companies will likely sit on the $2.85 Billion in tax savings and add it to their current cash reserves of $859 Billion. (I know . . . almost a TRILLION dollars just sitting there!)  Whereas the government could use additional funds to cover the cost of desperately needed social programs which would ensure everyone is adequately fed, housed, educated, and receiving proper medical care; the prevailing thought is the money does more good sitting in corporate bank accounts.  Hmmm . . . I don't think so.

Hey!! I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.

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