The 99%

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Direct from Wall Street in New York City the We Are the 99%/Occupy Wall Street movement made its way up to Toronto this past weekend. While largely peaceful I fail to see the reason behind it here.

While I can sympathize with the plight of many Americans, the situation in Canada isn't quite the same. Our government never had to bail out the banks. Our tax system is different too. It's scalable. People who declare more pay a higher percentage of tax. So what is our beef?

Perhaps we just want to copy what everyone else is doing. The movement has spread worldwide. People in Toronto don't want to feel left out?

It seems like a lot of protesters (no matter where they're from) don't even know what they want. Maybe they're just jealous that there are people who are better off than they are.

I know things are tough out there. A lot of people are struggling. But, I don't think we can blame any one particular group. Some people were greedy, others may have been shortsighted. It all culminated in a catastrophic event that affected everyone.

Unfortunately recovery has been slow. Much slower than people hoped or expected. People are justifiably upset.

I think Americans have it worse than us. But, I also think they have themselves to blame. They're a more self-centred society than us with less social welfare programs. That's part of the reason there's more disparity in wealth there. So, why are you protesting? Isn't this the American way of life you so proudly espouse?

And, to the Canadian protesters... why are you protesting? Really. How badly off do you think we are here? Out of all the G7 countries we're in the best shape. Could things be better? Of course they could. And they will be. Just don't try to blame Bay Street for any of the mess will you?

Dumb Protesters

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I believe some people are confused about how to get sympathy/support for the cause they're fighting for.

In recent years there have been a lot of protests and strikes in and around our fair city. People want support for citizens of their homeland. Or they're unhappy with their working conditions and want them improved. That's all fine and dandy, but I have to say, in most cases, you're going about it the wrong way if you want Joe Public to support you.

For instance... not long ago there was a support workers strike at Ontario colleges. They wanted more pay among other things and possibly more benefits or job security. All I can say is, buddy, in this day and time you're lucky to have a job.

But, I digress... sure, you have the right to strike. You have the right to picket. But, if you think you're going to garner support for your cause by inconveniencing students on their first day back to classes by blocking the roads leading to their campuses you have another thing coming. If you think you're going to gain their sympathies by not processing their loans so that some of them might have to drop out because they can't afford to study any longer, you must be dreaming. If you think the public will support you when you stage a protest march during rush hour in the downtown core, I have to say you're delusional. No one will support your cause. In fact all you're doing is making enemies. People with loathe you and you will get sympathy from no one.

To me this doesn't seem that hard to understand. I don't know why these clowns can't figure it out either. If you want people to like you you do nice things for them instead of pissing them off. Try baking everyone cookies why don't you? Maybe instead of people giving you the finger as they drive by they'll say a kind word of encouragement.

Personally, the activities of this particular group hasn't affected me. But, I've seen long lines of agitated people trying to drive onto campus and heard (on the radio) angry, frustrated students stuck in those lines already late for their classes. I sympathize with them, not the greedy, inconsiderate people who disrupt the lives of others trying to further their cause.

G20 "Protesters"

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The G20 Summit was held this past weekend (June 25th-27th, 2010) in Toronto. This rant has nothing to do with it, rather it focuses on the "protesters" that caused mayhem in our city.

While I fully support the right to peaceful protest these self-proclaimed "Anarchists", the Black Bloc, can't dignify calling themselves anything more than common street thugs. Their only agenda was to break windows of hardworking business owners and generally cause trouble.

That really annoyed me as well as many other citizens of our city. We saw news footage of these black clad people going around smashing car and store windows and setting police cars on fire. Some of us wondered why the police didn't step in to stop it. I believe it's because they didn't want to appear too heavy handed. I can understand their point. A lot of police forces worldwide have been accused of abuse in the past.

Now we're hearing reports from the "protesters" of being "abused". To them I say, grow up. You know exactly what you're getting into when you join these violent groups, when you confront police officers trying to keep order. What do you think would happen? That you'd be given gold stars and a pat on the back? If you don't want to be jumped on and restrained stay home. Are you that dumb? You know full well the risks of going into the security zone. It's like going to the zoo and jumping into the tiger pit and trying to pet it. If you're that stupid you deserve to be eaten.

There are others saying that our "freedoms" are being infringed upon. That "our streets", as some of them are chanting on TV, are being closed off to everyday citizens. Boo-hoo, I don't have any sympathy for you either. So certain streets have been closed off to the general public for a few days. Who cares? Do you even go down there anyway? I doubt it. You're just looking for another reason to complain about the government and other authority figures or whatever. Why don't you get a hobby? Perhaps a pottery class will mellow you out. Important political figures are down there discussing business that affect the rest of us. Of course they have to close the streets off. Anyone with half a mind would understand this, why don't you?

If you don't like living in Canada feel free to leave. Thousands upon thousands of people worldwide risk everything (money, life, etc.) to try and gain citizenship to this country. Think about it. Maybe then you'd realize how lucky you really are.