The crimes they can be charged with are normally punished with fines. Most of those arrested will have to post bond.

Most of those arrested will have a record that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. If they think they had a problem finding employment before, it will be virtually impossible after.

Who actually owns the cancerous parasite called the "Federal Reserve" ?

The ownership of the 12 Central banks, a previously well kept secret, has been revealed:

1. Rothschild Bank of London

2. Warburg Bank of Hamburg

3. Rothschild Bank of Berlin

4. Lehman Brothers of New York (Now defunct, but still owners?)

5. Lazard Brothers of Paris

6. Kuhn Loeb Bank of New York

7. Israel Moses Seif Banks of Italy

8. Goldman, Sachs of New York

9. Warburg Bank of Amsterdam

10. Chase Manhattan Bank of New York

Close the "FED", imprison or deport all "FED" board members.

"...imprison or deport all "FED" board members."

Yeah. Right. For what? What laws have been broken?

You're asking us to behave like a third world dictatorship.

HOW DID THE "FED" BECOME THE CANCEROUS PARASITE ON THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT IT IS?

____________________________________________________________________

After previous attempts to push the Federal Reserve Act through Congress, a group of bankers funded and staffed Woodrow Wilson's campaign for President. He had committed to sign this act.

In 1913, a Senator, Nelson Aldrich, maternal grandfather to the Rockefellers, pushed the Federal Reserve Act through Congress just before Christmas when much of Congress was on vacation .

When elected, Wilson passed the FED.

Later, Wilson remorsefully replied (referring to the FED), "I have unwittingly ruined my country"

_________________________________________________________________

Thank you OWS for taking this protest directly to the "Fed" !!

Until the OWS protesters go to Washington D.C. there is now way I remotely take them serious

Hey Gyrogearloose

"...imprison or deport all "FED" board members."

Yeah. Right. For what? What laws have been broken?

Thanks Gyrogearloose for your amusing note. Got the market cornered on naivity yet?

___________________________________________________________

"An audit of the Federal Reserve has revealed that the privately owned Federal Reserve secretly doled out more than $16 trillion in zero interest loans to some of the largest financial institutions and corporations in the United States and throughout the world.

The non-partisan, investigative arm of Congress also determined that the Fed acted illegally. In fact, according to the report, the Fed provided conflict of interest waivers to its employees and private contractors so they could keep investments in the same financial institutions and corporations that were given emergency loans. The report is evidence that reveals major securities fraud in the embezzlement of $16 trillion by the Federal Reserve."

___________________________________________________________________

Lets throw in fraud, corruption, theft, legalized counterfeiting, embezzlement, pergury just to name a few crimes by the "Fed".

Close the Fed

Don't let your anarchy and lack of understanding get in the way of a good protest. Go for it. This is a free country.

Bill - they've been there since September.

306 million Google results (in .17 seconds) for "Occupy DC" as early as September and as recent as today.

Close the Fed,

Knock off the sarcasm, please. It doesn't help your cause.

Ok. You've got my interest. So the Fed may have acted illegally. I agree this is a problem, if true.

Where did you get your quote? Who is the author? Where can I find the orignal text?

Hey Lar,,,,, Thanks!

Here is some more "anarchy and lack of understanding" you so love;

__________________________________________________________

An audit of the Federal Reserve has revealed that the privately owned Federal Reserve secretly doled out more than $16 trillion in zero interest loans to some of the largest financial institutions and corporations in the United States and throughout the world.
The non-partisan, investigative arm of Congress also determined that the Fed acted illegally. In fact, according to the report, the Fed provided conflict of interest waivers to its employees and private contractors so they could keep investments in the same financial institutions and corporations that were given emergency loans.
The report is evidence that reveals major securities fraud in the embezzlement of $16 trillion by the Federal Reserve.
$16 trillion is 10 times more than what the U.S. Congress authorized and Bush ($700 billion) and Obama ( $787 billion) signed off on. The Federal Reserve was only authorized by Congress to use $1.487 trillion in federal tax dollars in bailouts. The Federal Reserve embezzled another $14.5 trillion.
The Congressional report determined that the Fed secretly hide most of the embezzled money into their own banks. The rest the Fed unilaterally transfered trillions of dollars to foreign banks and corporations from South Korea to Scotland. Foreign banks and corporations which the Federal Reserve bankers had a personal financial interest or stake in.

The report reveals that the CEO of JP Morgan Chase served on the New York Fed’s board of directors at the same time that his bank received more than $390 billion in federal money from the Fed – conflict of interest. Moreover, JP Morgan Chase served as one of the clearing banks (money laundering banks) for the Fed’s emergency loans programs (aka – embezzlement schemes).
In another disturbing finding, the Government Accountability Office said that on Sept. 19, 2008, William Dudley, who is now the New York Fed president, was granted a waiver to let him keep investments in AIG and General Electric at the same time AIG and GE were given federal funds. One reason the Fed did not make Dudley sell his holdings, according to the audit, was that it would have exposed the Fed’s conflict of interest and major securities fraud in the embezzlement of $16 trillion.


The investigation also revealed that the Fed outsourced most of its embezzling to private contractors, many of which were rewarded with extremely low-interest and then-secret loans.
The Fed outsourced virtually all of the operations of their $16 trillion embezzlement scheme to private contractors like JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. For their part the same firms also received trillions of dollars in Fed loans at near-zero interest rates. Morgan Stanley helped the Federal Reserve banker launder embezzled $trillions into AIG.
_________________________________________________________________


We wouldn't want to criticize our dear benevolent "Fed", now would we "Lar" ???
(You consider that information "anarchy and lack of understanding"?????? Smart !)

Hi again Gyrogearloose,

Your request for information;

Just start by goggling; "Government Accountability Office audit, missing 16 trillion."

The GAO audit of the "fed" took place last summer and the results were successfully squashed by all major U.S. news sources.

This should have been front page news across the country.

Thanks for your kind note Gyrogearloose. Best regards.

the biggest scam perpetruated on he american people is in direct violation of what the founders of the US and its people at the time knew would lead to success and freedom. the violation is the federal reserve itself; this is a for profit corporation formed by an association of large US banks. the name itself was design to deceive people into believing it was a federal entity with the sole interest of the american people. anyone who tells you it is obligated to the US government rule, tell them the US government isobligated to the rule of the federal reserve and its owners (maybe .1% US population). why is it a problem? Well along with the elimination of the gold rule and creation of fake money (fiat dollar) and the classification of corporations as human beings entitled to the rights of humans without morality, our system is strategically designed with the three elements to break down the value of the USA, its inhabitants, cripple democracy around the globe and remove the rights of the 99.9%. we are witnessing the break down of the "american dream", which is more about freedom and rights, and secondarily about economic justice. if you doubt this, go deep within to quiet your own mind and witness without judgement. the people with the occupy movement, whether on the streets or everywhere across the globe, are doing just this; they are witnessing and giving alert to the world. it sounds alarming, because it is. it is uncomfortable, anxiety arousing and stirs helplessness; the option for our children and frankly ourselves (its going to fully be visible to all within 10 years) is to occupy.

Gyrogearloose;

They don't want jobs they want the government to TAKE MONEY from people and give it to them. Lock them up and throw away the key I could care less if these commies rot in jail for ever!

I am sure they will find out they don't share their stuff in JAIL! And try and take someones sandwich in there see what you get!

Close the Fed

Wow, dude, stay away from that stuff!!! See what happens - you burn the last little grey cells up. But, your choice.

All of you that want to end the federal reserve should go to Washington and camp out in front of the WH.

If you want the federal reserve employees/owners to go to jail, you will need to include the Commander in Chief. The feds do not exist without his knowledge and approval. I guarantee you that he would laugh in your faces about any prospect of removing the Federal Reserve, no matter who they really are.

The republicans want to replace Ben. But what does that matter who is the figurehead if the entity is corrupt and destroying the US economy?

Other than Ron Paul, nobody in Washington wants to see the Federal Reserve disappear. This why the dems and republicans are really the same just with different t-shirts on.

The Fed gives loans to financial institutions. That is what they do. If the rates are low maybe it's because interests are low. If it wasn't for the fed, we would be in a whole lot worse shape. They have kept inflation out of the picture. They have made mistakes, but their charge is not an easy one. If you don't like the fed, take a look at the financial condition of other countries. If you think they are better off, move there.

This is still the greatest and strongest nation in the world. And the fed has contributed to that.

It's been terrific to watch how courageous Obama has been defending OWS demonstrators. One time he actually looked around nervously before he spotted a reporter with a pro-Obama opinion As a former lifelong Democrat I am glad he is in favor his own reelection He should get his own vote, his wife and maybe 10 people employed at the White House. Jeepers I hate voting for a coward like Obama. I thought as Commander in Chief he might do something to help the economy. Instead he loves to fill up my lap top with sniveling demands for money. Hey Obama, I am as broke as everybody else in America. Get the Koch brothers to adopt you. You will then be another brother from another mother. 9 9 9 you @!$%#. America will soon go Kaput thanks to stupid politicians and media hustlers on the constant prowl for money. Let's start a betting pool and see who comes closest to picking the last day the American economy can survive to. I want a date in 2012 that's for sure. All pagan calenders end in 2012. We can all start over with nothing. That sounds like fun. I was born with nothing on and survived 65 years. I may survive but America definitely WON"T

Gyrogearloose

Most of those arrested will have a record that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. If they think they had a problem finding employment before, it will be virtually impossible after.

Gyrogearloose,

The protesters lives should not be ruined because they were exercising their 1st Amendment right.

The Occupiers know that the elite theives that deliberately wrecked the American economy should be held criminally accountable.

The Wall Street crooks that plunged America into our bottomless economic abyss continue to squat comfortably in corner offices, resting in leather swivel-back chairs, enjoying their panoramic views - while the occupiers sit in jails.

This is a double standard and most of us here know that this is wrong.

The GAO audit of the "fed" took place last summer and the results were successfully squashed by all major U.S. news sources.

Yet somehow you found out about it?

Either they didn't "successfully squash" it, or it didn't really happen and someone made it up.

There certainly ARE some charges due for some of the protesters, if what the article said about spitting on police is true. The crime is assault on a police officer with bodily fluids - should be a felony. I can't believe they released those people with the others.

sigh.... These guys are still at it?

I thought I would never see this day come. Thank you for bringing awareness of the FED RESERVE to the people OWS. If I could, I would pay your bond a 100 times over for your dedication. To those unfamiliar with the fed. If our Treasury's are good, then why do we have to sell them at interest to a private bank for the BILLS we keep in our pockets? Why can't the treasury bypass the fed and print our own dollars interest free? The interest on our Treasury's right now is so large it consumes almost all tax revenue and the ongoing expenses are financed with new debt issued. Think about it.

I love the myopia of the Fed backers here, are you truly that naive to believe that those private banks are working for anyone other than themselves? They are no more Federal than Federal Express. Look up the shortage that the Fed had right before the media hyped Swine flu epidemic pushed that news to the back burner.

If the Fed was truly doing so great, shouldn't the market have continued to climb w/o ever stopping?

Not even close to over and done wait until spring

@ paranoids; Done with what?

Just yelling at rich corporate types will not change a thing. The guys and gals they are yelling at might have came from the ghettto, slums, and started out with nothing. You can only ask them to change in the way they distribe their wealth, not demand, as the occcupiers are doing.

There are better ways to stick it to the corporate world, they have yet to find them.

cannabinoids,
Interesting handle. It reinforces the image of OWS that many of us have.

Winter is traditionally a time of planning and focus for any foot army. Too much snow to fight but plenty of time to plan. See you in the spring.

And what's planned for the spring? Are we going for an entire year of voluntary unemployment as a form of protest.

Comparing this scum to an army is an insult to armies. Armies generally have goals. These people are defined only by their lack of one.

OWS does NOT speak for the majority in this country. Get a life and quit co-opting my voice.

@ crone and cannaboids; You see you both type but say nothing , except see you in the spring, to cold for us we have no determination.

"Through endurance we conquer!"

You see this is the Shackleton family motto, that came from Ernest Shackleton, famous Arctic explorer. One that I used when I was having to work double shifts to keep my daughter in private school, among other mountains I have had to climb.

So I guess through staying warm you guys will conquer? I think not. Enjoy your winter, I will enjoy the peace.

Obviously OWS is alive.

Obviously OWS is dumber than a box of rocks. What kind of an idiot protests a bank at 4 AM on a SUNDAY MORNING? There's nobody there. The bank isn't open. It won't be open all day. It's CLOSED.

These illiterate OWS jackasses are too dumb to read a calendar. Arrest them for felony STUPID.

No wonder they can't get jobs. If they apply for jobs with the amount of brains they show in staging a protest, they're probably finding the places closed!

OWS is full of hippies and idiots, but then I repeat myself.

OWS is a bunch of p---y's by letting a little snow stop them. My guess a spring rain would stop them also, it gets their marijane wet.

Yankiwi and Dasvet - I number myself among those "stupid" people in the OWS movement you refer to with such sarcasm and contempt. You are both extremely frightened people who are reacting to something different from your own narrow viewpoints. Why not take some time to look into what's happening and then if it's at all possible, formulate an opinion based on reason and knowledge. Thanks for calling me "stupid". Coming from your ilk, it's a supreme compliment!!

I formed my opinion by attending one of the Occupy protests, just to observe. I am not frightened in the least. How could anyone be frightened of that pitiful little group? They were just the run of the mill socialist/communist, university professors trailing along kumbaya little propagandized twerp students. They were just reading from Che Guevara's handbook when asked what they were looking for.

Get a hearing aide, it's not our fault you're deaf. Of course if you are a low income American you probably can't afford a hearing aide.

@crone;

"if you are a low income American you probably can't afford a hearing aide."

I have many low income customers(seniors), and not one is without a hearing aid, that needs one. You as most other occupiers have no clue what you are talking about. Your post comes off as very pompous for one whom seems to be an occupier.

I gaurantee you also, you would have not seen any of them on the streets crying poverty, they made their way and were happy with what they had, not with what they didnt have.

See now there is a message, something your movement lacks.

Hey, Coral, if you cannot hear what the Occupy movement is saying, you are as deaf as you are blind. Careful, your intense fear of that which you do not understand (and which you doubtlessly have no intention of trying to understand) is showing mightily!

@ Sarita; You guys love talking but not saying anything.lol Please enlighten me, I understand they are against big corporations and their ways but what do they want?

(and which you doubtlessly have no intention of trying to understand) is showing mightily!

Have you not read my post they are all asking what their message is(then you say i am not trying to understand??), and what their solutions are,just one or two examples would be nice,but all you guys do is insult me and call me deaf for not understanding. I am starting to believe you guys are as mean as the corporate barons you oppose.

You guys are really backing up my first post about your lips moving but not saying anything.lol

The only thing showing "mightily" is your ignorance, and arrogance against those that do not understand your movement. In the words of Steve Martin.

"Well excuuuuuuuuse me!" lol

Boo hoo. Who said it's true. Steven, you're such an @$$.

Lee, you do realize that spitting on another person is assault ? If I was spat on by an OWS scumbag, I would be going to jail and the OWS scum would need lifesaving medical treatment.

It is true that people should not spit on the police.

It is also true that multinational banks (or domestic ones) should not be allowed to knowingly sell mortgages to anyone who can't afford them. Nor should they be allowed to bundle bad mortgages, get them a AAA rating, sell them on the false rating, then bet against them the way Goldman Socks did.

Multinational banks and corporations shouldn't be allowed to contribute (bribe) candidates for US office in order to have the rules under which they operate changed to make fraud legal (or to bail them out at OUR expense via TARP or the Fed give away of 16 trillion) , or to have their industry given taxpayer subsidies (like British Petroleum)

Both the police and the squatters are American citizens who are BOTH being screwed by these parasitic banks and corporations.

It is also true that multinational banks (or domestic ones) should not be allowed to knowingly sell mortgages to anyone who can't afford them.

The government forced banks to make these loans.

No one held a gun to the heads of these people who signed for these loans.

It's all about greed alright. The greed of people who bought homes they couldn't afford, in the hope that the home would soar in value and turn a nice, fat profit.

And, now that their little schemes have not worked out, these people are walking away from their promises.

Yes, the banks lobbied to get the right to sell mortgages that people couldn't afford so they could have their pyramid scheme.

Many greedy and foolish Americans took these loans.

They had their homes foreclosed on, and the banks got bailed out via the American taxpayer (TARP and the Fed's 16 trillion dollar interest free give away to multinational banks)

The rules were not adequately changed to prevent this from happening again.

So the Banks can repeat the process in a decade or so.

Ban corporate funding of American elections!

Ban all funding of American elections. If the unions can do it, why can't the corporations? As is said, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Yes we should ban all nongovernmental sources for American elections.

I don't know why people think unions have the reach of international banks.

There are very few Americans working for unions (7% or so)

At his rate by the next decade most unions will cease to exist.

Both the republican and democratic politicians work for the federal reserve and the Multinational banks.

Agreed, OWS undermine themselves when this happens.

First amendment doesn't permit illegal behavior.

The First Amendment protects peaceful assembly, not indefinite squatting.

It also doesn't protect scumbags who spit on police.

I love it how the concept of free speech is constantly being revised based on the habits of these morons. Can't defecate on a cop car?

Infringement on first amendment.

Can't ruin public property and obstruct traffic?

Infringement of first amendment.

Can't trespass and take what's not yours?

Infringement of first amendment.

What's going to happen when private citizens start 'talking' to this OWS filth using bullets and gunpowder?

Raisa - I'm guessing you spend a considerable portion of your day in that position.

Really? You think that every single person who has been arrested was doing that? You're living in a fantasy bubble, my friend.

While I've always disagreed that it's necessary to disobey an unjust law in order to get it changed, the laws that OWS has been breaking are just. Trespassing, break and entry, illegal camping, etc, are only meant to preserve order. There is nothing about these laws that compares to the segregation laws in King's era.

Your comparison is an insult to everyone you just likened to this collection of human waste.

These are not activists. They're overgrown children complaining that they can't continue their parents' socioeconomic advancements by studying basketweaving and 18th century French literature.

If they want to do something revolutionary, they should get degrees in engineering. If they did that, they'd be too busy working to engage in this circus.

If OWS were to follow the rules of order written to protect the multinational banks and corporations, no one would know they exist.

If the Multinational banks didn't rewrite the rules they used to work under by contributing (bribing) US office holders, OWS wouldn't exist.

I am not against freedom of assembly, but I believe strongly in law and order. Work within the system and you might earn my support. Break laws that you don't need to break in order to make your point, or spit on the police, and you earn my contempt.

Gyrogearloose did the banks mortgage pyramid scheme earn your contempt?

Dan, yes. I'm quite angry about predatory lending too.

A lot of people got mortgages that they shouldn't have gotten. The lenders (not necessarily banks) made it too easy to take on unreasonable debt, and the borrowers should have known better.

....but don't expect me to support spitting on police, breaking and entering, etc.

That is great to read!

We agree!

310 million more Americans to go!

That is true, but how do we protest the take over of the American government by Multinational banks and corporations when they write the rules (by funding the American election system) for both themselves and us?

Corporations and unions are prohibited from making donations to a candidates's political campaign, and so are lobbyists. That is why politicians spend so much time trying to raise money from individuals.

If you choose to carry a sign up and down the sidewalks of one of the nation's cities with your message, feel free to do so. Just don't block traffic or interfere with people trying to enter and leave buildings and the police will leave you alone.

The Citizens United ruling allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections provided they don't coordinate their campaigns. (like when John Huntsman's father spent millions in New Hampshire on his son's behalf. They said they didn't coordinate which made it legal.)

I am all for getting corruption out of government. When will Maxine Waters, Charlie Rangel, Tm Geithner, Nancy Pelosi ,etc... resign due to their corruption? You libs love pointing fingers, but always deflect when your party is a bunch of crooks.

I'm not scared at all. And I agree with some of the issues surfaced by OWS. However, when I read of people spitting on the police, of private houses being 'liberated', of posts that advocate jailing people without citing laws that were broken, of people advocating violent revolution, and so on, I am totally turned off.

We need to make some changes. Sure.

I'll support good change that comes through working the system. Contrary to what some people think, this works.

You guys are funny, "just wait til its not cold then we will show you."lol

Saying wait til when, shows lack of determination. I am almost tempted to lead your occupiers so you can get the message you are trying to get across, across.lol

A vast majority of Americans are not getting behind you, even though they agree the larger corporations should be more giving. eg Stop Tom's 5 million dollar bonus, and keep a few more workers employed. Will Tom give up his bonus over your pressure tactics, I think not.

Should Tom give up a few Mil to keep some families fed, I think so, but the bottom line is that it is their choice not yours.

The vast amount of Americans have been trained to scapegoat each other, rather than address the real problem that the corporate funding of American elections has wrought.

@ Dan; You know the old saying, "he or today, she, who holds the gold. makes the rules."

If the impovershed want to change the rules they must use their numbers and wide demographics to their advantage, they are doing neither,they are like a fire that burns bright for a moment but just cant stay lit.

Coral Taxi that is true, but I am not going to contribute to the problem by staying silent.

@ Dan; I can dig the "anti establishment" thing, it is inherent in all of us, directly from the creators of the establishment.

My point is, that if you come to me with a problem(corporate America in this case), and no solution, then all you are doing is complaining.

Get it. I have solutions, they do not include squatting in the park, they do include helping out your fellow man with a hand up, and not out, in the form of innovation, and hardwork. Make a new way, with your own corporation, show like Bill Gates that people are the backbone of the company and deserve the lions share, not the paper pushers whom get something for nothing. Be the example.

I have made it a point with my company to always put my people first, and not loose touch, when I leave the field. ie I will not follow suit of all the corporate big wigs and their ignorance of their peoples plight, and the burdens they put on them by greed and not sharing the wealth or profits of a company properly.. Ther message should be aimed at the scrooges heart.

It's an anti crime thing, not an anti establishment thing.

Just because the criminals (in this case bankers) take baths regularly and wear suits doesn't mean we should ignore the billions they are sucking out of the American economy.

Americans need to promote a constitutional amendment banning all non governmental financing of elections.

This can't be done without the American public coming together, put our other differences aside. The effort can't be led by politicians because their political opponents would then be funded by the corporations.

OWS and the Tea party started partly as a reaction to the corruption the current corporate election system has wrought . The reason the Banks not only were bailed out, but the reason they needed to be bailed out was because the banks have been able to rewrite the rules they do business under.

The reason we can spend trillions on wars, but only millions on cancer research, or education, or infrastructure or anything that would benefit those of us here at home, is because military contractors and oil companies (who don't want to spend their own money on security in risky nations) spend taxpayer money on electing people who will keep certain conflicts going that stand to improve their bottom lines.

Conservatives, liberals, and moderates are all being screwed by this problem.

@ Dan; First off mine and your freedom and the right to the pursuit of hapinesss are priceless, so 2 trillion 3.7 trillion to be closer to the true number over the last decade(since 911)on wars, to me is a small price to pay so I can live in peace and not fear.

Should we have saved our money,and left ourselves prone to another horrrible attack? Quit bitching like others whom enjoy their freedom, and cry about the cost of it, it is priceless, do not forget this, or put a price tag on it, not proper for an American whom enjoys the fruit of it.

Every bank that was bailed out has paid or is paying back with interest fully. Do you not understand the repurcussions on the"little guy" if these banks could not pay on CDs, interest etc, apparently you nor most occupiers do not, so knowing that many would have suffered losses would you still be against the bailouts?

The reason the banks were bailed was because alot of people walked away from their debts, guess who was left holding the bag.ding ding ding the banks!!

You can rest easy knowing that this procedure will probably not happen again.

Private donations are that private, not our tax money. Military spending is not as big a percentage of our overall spending as you think, check it out.

You need to be more informed as do the other 80% of occupiers.

I was not against TARP or the Fed giving 16 trillion in interest free money to the Multinational Banks, because it was the least worst option.

I am against the system that allowed them to put us in this situation in the first place.

That system is the funding of American election system by multinational banks and corporations.

This corrupting influence has created an environment where banks intentionally created a mortgage pyramid scheme where Americans were offered mortgages that they could not afford and were designed to fail. (and guess who was left holding the bag, ding, ding , ding, the American taxpayer!) (yes I know that TARP was paid back, will the public get the value back on the depreciated dollar after the fed created 16 trillion dollars to plug the hole?)

Goldman Sacks bundled these bad mortgages, got hem labeled AAA, sold them, then BET AGAINST their own "product". This was legal because they successfully lobbied to make it legal. (it easy to be a successful lobbyist when you have millions to give away)

2 to 3.7 trillion dollars on poorly thought out wars that made certain companies rich (Halliburton, Xe) doesn't seem so "priceless" to me.

Military action is not only to protect our liberties, it is also to protect the bottom line of military contractors that lobby congress and contribute (bribe) money to American politicians campaigns.

Talk about a conflict of interest, when can we tell if action is needed to protect the American people or if its needed to get a bigger campaign contribution (bribe)

You will have to forgive me for not enjoying the freedom of having multinational banks suck the life out of Americas economy via corruption.

Military spending is 20% of the US budget.

Eisenhower created the interstate highway system by cutting back on the military budget. He warned us about the military industrial complex, too bad we didn't listen.

I am not an Occupier, I do agree with them that the relationship corporations and banks have with the American people must change if America is going to be successful.

Ban corporate funding of American elections!

@ Dan the problem with banning coroporate funding of elections is that it is against the first ammenedment, as in freedom of speech. Yes the way it is now can and does corrupt the system, no argument there.

This is where the right to petition comes in, ie "grass roots lobbying" and encourages this, Have you tried this,or even looked into it? How many lobbyists does the OWS, have?

We are the ones to make change. One strategy the occupiers could use is to boycott one corporation at a time and get more on board, until they(the corporation) makes the changes to benefit the little guy, or whatever issue there is to be resolved.When you get a few thousand to not shop or by from a certain entity, they still lose money, albeit a dollar or 3 million.

Which goes back to my point. what do they want? What is their message?

"2 to 3.7 trillion dollars on poorly thought out wars that made certain companies rich (Halliburton, Xe) doesn't seem so "priceless" to me."

Well that might not be, but like I said your freedom is. Our troops have fought bravely and professionally in all of these wars, they follow orders, and were far from poorly thought out. You are safer today because of their actions, this you can not deny.

As you surely know "freedom is never free".

The Supreme court has ruled in citizens united that unlimited corporate funding of elections is a 1st amendment right.

This ensures that the voice of Americans is based more on the amount of money one can throw at the system as opposed to lobbying congress (without bribing them).

Hence the need for a constitutional amendment to override this corrupting decision.

I have lobbied congress before, including this issue.

I do agree that not all corporations are on board with the citizens united decision. Smaller companies can have the regulations tilted against them via a more powerful older corporations bribing congress to give their company the advantage.

I'm glad someone thinks the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan made us safer, I thought it made Iran more powerful in the region.

@ Dan; Although we digress. yes I believe destroying the terror traing camps that were used to train Al quaeda in Afghanistan to attack us, made us much safer, just as I do in taking out a leader whom tried to asassinate one of our presidents, and had nuclear ambitions,and killed thousands by gassing them, yes I feel safer.

Not to mention crippling Al queada in Iraq, where at the beginning they were strong enough to create much sectarian violence, and bring Iraq close to a civil war, that our troops miraculously stopped, so yes Al queada and Taliban weaker = America safer.

How can you argue with that?

Over 3000 Americans dead in Iraq alone thousands more with severe injuries, 3.7 trillion dollars all to get rid of training camps?

You forget that Al Qaeda in Iraq happened as a result of our collapsing the Iraq government.

Taliban seems to be doing well in Pakistan and has helped to screw up our relations with the one Islamic country that has nuclear weapons.

It's nice that you feel safer.

I know a bunch of companies that feel richer.

It is difficult enough during times of war to disseminate the truth, allowing corporations that stand to profit off a war to contribute (bribe) members of congress in favor of said war makes a murky picture murkier.

If all was as you say were true, (it would be better for all Americans if it were so) how could we trust congress to tell the truth when we know they can receive limitless campaign contributions as a result of approving these wars. It is a known conflict of interest in the highest order.

You could argue that they would never do anything bad for the American public just have a large amount of reelection money, but I would have trouble believing that all members, or even most members would not allow money to change their perspective.

@ Dan; Oh Dan must I school you some more. You continue to put a price on our security. The Taliban in Pakistan are weaker than ever, as we have just recently taken out top leaders. Al queada is definitely weaker. These are facts not my opinion.

There was an Al qeada presence in Iraq before we invaded in 2003, no doubt about it, how you say there was not I do not know.

3/1/98 Al Queda envoy visits Baghdad from Sudan and extendes trip another week to further plan visit from Bin Laden. [Author's note: it is later alleged and well-supported that the Al Queda leader who visited Iraq was Al Queda's second in command, Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri. It is important to note that such a high level meeting would have undoubtably involved multiple Al Queda members for security and communication, a good deal of pre-planning communications, a substantial level of trust on the part of Al Queda's #2 man, and topics of a nature so important as to require direct communication rather than couriers.]

You see Dan, please educate yourself,not saying you dont know your stuff, better than I on the economy,but now you are in my world.lol

Excellent change of subject.

After that meeting Al Qaeda declared Saddam Hussein an enemy.

As for Pakistan:

"After a Nov. 26 NATO airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan immediately shut down NATO supply routes and demanded the U.S. vacate Shamsi Base, which had been used by American forces, including the CIA, for operations to attack militants linked to al-Qaida, the Taliban and Pakistan's home-grown Haqqani network.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been strained since the deadly drone attack. Though U.S. officials and Pakistan's prime minister have said they believe the ties between the two countries can be rebuilt eventually, military commanders on both sides say the relationship is the worst it has ever been.

We have since abandoned that base.

Sound like the Taliban are helping us win friends with the only Islamic nation that has nuclear weapons.

While I applaud Obama's efforts with killing Al Qaeda members, it is important to remember that Al Qaeda is more of a concept than an organization.

Having said that, we still need to ban corporate funding of American elections.

The left right divide crap can wait.

@ Dan ; You are misinformed Dan. The Taliban and Al queada are weaker now than 10 yrs ago, no question. Are we through with them no. Is our country safer due to the due dilligence of our fighting men and women over seas? Yes.

To deny this, or even argue it ,is a slap in the face to our armed forces, you know,the ones that are giving the ultimate sacrifice, so you dont have to, and so you and I can debate as we please on the vine.

Coral Taxi,

I do believe that Al Qaeda is weaker, partly from our efforts, and because of the Arab Spring which undermined the idea behind Al Qaeda.

I hope Afghanistan can escape Islamic extremists.

There was a range of military options in reaction to 9/11 other than invading and occupying two countries.

I hope we don't destabilize Pakistan to the point that the extremists take over there.

Wake up now is right, our enemies are also domestic.

End the corporate funding of American elections!

I get that your outraged at the behavior of some of the protestors.

Are you also outraged that the banks bribed the politicians to rewrite the ruled that allowed them to run the mortgage pyramid scheme that almost collapsed the world economy?

Allison, it isn't that I don't disbelive you, but are you sure he was a real protester, or a plant, inserted into the crowd to create problems? Just like some people spitting on police officers, were they real protesters, or a plant? So far, no one really knows.

And you, and like minded people, probably feel the same way as the King of England did way back when. Only problem then, people used their weapons, today they are not. I'm not saying the protesters are correct, or incorrect, everyone can make up their minds on that. What was it Gandai said, "first scorn, then violence, then you win." So far, we have seen the first two, but will they win, that is the question.

And no, most of the people are not living on welfare. A large bunch of them have jobs, and are protesting when they aren't working. Bet that surprises you, right?

Will you people with your "plant" conspiracy please produce a genuine "plant"? I'm sick of hearing this used as an excuse for anti-social behavior. We already know that OWS attracts people from across the political spectrum, including homeless and anarchists. OWS not only rehashes tired socialist rhetoric from the 1960s and 70s but now they are digging up alleged police tactics from 40 years ago. If OWS are so uber savvy with computers and hip to social media, then it will be simple to identify the idiots spitting on the cops. Cops don't need to infiltrate your "oh so dangerous" organization, because your OPSEC is non-existent. My God, what do you people think you are, the "Weather Underground"?

Just how much more in taxes are you willing to cough up for politicians to spend on campaigns?? If you don't need to raise your own money, ANYONE could ask for millions to run for office.

The maximum anyone can donate to a politician's campaign is $2500. I doubt that buys many votes in Congress. Corporations and unions are prohibited from making campaign contributions to politicians.

Corporations and unions have influence in Congress for other reasons. Let me give you an example. If you are a politician in the state of Washington, do you listen to the CEO of Boeing?? Of course you do, but not because of campaign donations. That CEO controls tens of thousands of jobs in that state. If you are looking after the constituents who you represent, you are very much concerned with how Boeing is doing, where they are expanding, where they are laying off employees, etc. It is not money that gives that CEO influence, it is the impact his business has on the economy of the state of Washington and the communities in that state that benefit from their presence.

it's all ready here,

http://www.phibetaiota.net/2011/10/electoralreform-ows-two-sided-hand-out/

Hi Peter17,

Rules would have to be applied to those candidates that are eligible for funding like there are rules to get on the ballot.

Other countries have done this with great success. (Singapore, New Zealand)

The Citizens United ruling allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections provided they don't coordinate their campaigns. (like when John Huntsman's father spent millions in New Hampshire on his son's behalf. They said they didn't coordinate which made it legal.)

I am not for banning lobbying, I am for banning lobbyists form giving cash, in any form, to politicians.

Banks and corporations play an indispensable role in the economy, this in and of itself, means that those who run them would have to be taken seriously even if they weren't bribing office holders.

First take the Bag off your head, then go to this web site http://www.zerohedge.com/ ,5 million users and growing. There you will find news , financial and political,and opinions that are not the official media crap that they report on in the Main Stream media. Read, read a lot . Then read some more. If you still can't believe the truth then continue living in the governments make-believe, dreamland. You will sleep a lot better believe their lies. Here are two short videos that also help explain to people who just don't get it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGk5ioEXlIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A&feature=related

If you are a troll, a paid government and or Bank stooge spreading the Bullsh*T then good luck when the SHTF. When ever that will be?

Not in the 1%

There are many Americans who sincerely believe the current economic system is valid.

If you want to change minds you shouldn't call people trolls.

It is better to point out that we are all Americans getting screwed by the status quo.

And look for jobs they shall.

As multinational banks and corporations pay for our elections and write the rules for themselves and Americans, it will continue to make getting a well paying job more and more difficult.

All societies have parasites, America has the biggest parasites of them all.

As the banks suck up more and more money while not providing the services they were supposed to provide, the capital needed to invest in America is dwindling.

dan, I think you confused her with your correct statements.

Kathryn, some of those protesters are over 40 yrs old, and some older than that age. And right now, very few, if any jobs are available for them, no matter how qualified they may be. They want younger people, so they can pay less, and no benefits available. So right there, many of them are SOL. Want to try again with the talking points?

It is because of Congress and government agencies and all the rules and regulations they write that large corporations get a competitive advantage over smaller companies. Large corporations have a size advantage. They get to spread the cost of compliance over a much larger sales base than a small company that must fill out and submit the same forms.

Evidently the 60s movement did nothing for your mastery of English.

Back then they had an agenda. Today their only agenda is not working and getting their faces on youtube.

Big difference.

Large corporations and banks can contribute (bribe) American office holders better than smaller poorer banks and corporations.

Raisa, They do have an agenda, and it's very easy to hear. That is why the master talking point Lunz's of the GOP told the GOP governors, he was scared of them. So are some politicians, and bankers. You need to listen more and shout less, you also might hear their agenda.

SallyAnn? Then what is it? Give it to me in one short sentence.

Ah yes, government agents everywhere and infiltrating the movement. Although it was done in the 1960s (and then was hammered by the hearings on the FBI in '75-'76), there is little need of that this time around since OWS people are so keen to broadcast everything via social media. As for the anarchists that are getting violent, those aren't "plants". If they were, then wouldn't OWS have outed one by now? I'm waiting for OWS to parade a captured "plant". The rock throwers' faces are all over you tube and facebook; OWS is so brilliant, so who are they? These allusions to the movements of the 1960s are growing tiresome. You guys really need to get a new playbook. Most of us have that book. This movement and all of the rhetoric associated with it is about as original as when they tried to hold a Woodstock II concert. OWS says, "see you in the Spring". Fine, we'll be waiting. We'll even let you have time off for Burning Man.

It is not legal to protest on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC. Any more questions about government being able to control where people can excercise their 1st Amendment Rights??

Why is it not legal? The country was created for the people was it not?, "We the people" should be able to protest anywhere we want. I did not vote my representatives into office to Tax me and then pass laws to restrict where and what my taxes pay for. Is the tax system just the governments way to extort money from "We the people"?

You put to much of your faith in government and corporations to do the right thing. They will not, especially if they are feeling threatened that they will not be governing. History has proven this over and over again and if you keep ignoring how governments always abuse their citizens when they are threatened. Then you will be just as much to blame as the government when the SHTF? When the SHTF it will be because the math does not lie, but people do and always do when threatened .

Just where do you see the right to protest anywhere you want?? There is no such right. Stand on the sidewalk that circles the White House with your signs protest whatever you choose. But you are not permitted to protest inside the fence that surrounds the White House, even though it is public property.

When is it OK for multinational banks and corporations to bribe American politicians to rewrite the rules making fraud legal?

The banks mortgage pyramid scheme almost collapsed the world economy.

Isn't that more pressing than violating park rules?

daclhill - thanks for validating my post with your non-comment

What did he validate? It was a question which you really did not answer? Have you or have you not been reading the news? Or did you just wake up to comment here about something every intelligent American should know? You live here don't you?

Not in the 1% - and yet another one refusing to back up their claims...

I'm neither criticizing nor supporting the Federal Reserve. I'm merely asking fo the basis of the many complaints I have read on this board. So let's hear your argument. Assuming you have one..

MARK T

im not sure but i think what people are upset with the federal reserve, is prior to the 1930s, our monetary system had a gold back standard. it actually had value. look closely at your paper money, it says federal reserve note.. whats it backed by? a note is a i.o.u. by spending these notes we are putting the merican people further and further in debt. each american with a social security number is in debt by the federal reserve to the tune of 195,000$

No, it's just less disruptive for people, businesses and travelers nearby if they disperse the illegal encampments at night. Stores closed, less traffic to deal with, etc.

Yes and when they need to take care of anyone that is a problem they will most likely come in the night. How long do you think it will be before you or a relative or someone you know will be considered a problem? Maybe someone that has a gripe against you will make a call and make up something to get back at you. Maybe you are venting your frustration on the internet in response to news stories. They are giving rewards for info. How are you sleeping these days.

It's also safer for all concerned as many protesters are sleeping and/or relaxing and their guard is down. This means less chance of injury to everyone involved.

Those were UC Davis Campus Police and not Berkeley PD. There is a difference. You act as if all law enforcement is part of some evil arm of the state. If you believe that "the man" needs to silence you, then you are either overly narcissistic or overly paranoid. No, the police are not going to come for your relatives in the night. I swear you guys have beaten historical police state references to death (and erroneously as well). Well, if you really want a historical reference which is actually closer to reality: what happens to movements which are led by malcontents and coopted by anarchists or which allow criminal elements to operate within them? Right, they fail. The violent elements within them get arrested and everyone else gets nailed with guilt by association. It's not that I don't dislike corruption, it's that I really, really dislike OWS and everything associated with it.

......and allow the Multinational banks to create more pyramid schemes that screw Americans.

Who would even want a tent that smelled of marijuana, patchouli oil and B.O.?? Those tents are flat out ruined.

poor tax payer

really,? if you were really a poor tax payer perhaps you would see things diferently...

horsepucky .....If you were a real horsepucky, you would see things differently.........I think you're high on something......Your name says it all. Horsepucky is that the best you can do for a name? Smoke another joint, horsepucky. Ahhhhhhh! LOL! horsepucky! I can't get over that! What does it mean?

PTP

im astounded that you had that much to say about horsepucky, ending your blog with what does it mean? lol... the name was meant to make people laugh..

horsepucky, what a gay name. Just be accountabile and pay your bills, especially your college loans. This country is broke because, people like you overextended yourselves, and now can't pay your bills. Too bad, So sad!

PTP

your a total idiot, i pay my bills always have, i have never overextended my financial means, i live within my budget, i pay taxes and have now for 25 years, im not a to debt society. im very concerned that people like you might be voting in this country... grow up.