I’ve been watching with some interest the various
“Occupy Wall Street” protests that are taking place across America. As near as I can tell –
and from what I read from the OWS website, I think these folks are hoping to foment a revolution of some kind.
I’m usually moved by reading about
– or even watching on TV – “good” revolutions. For instance, being the history
nut that I am, I’m always moved when I read about the revolutionary war or the Civil War – both revolutions in
our country’s history. Those two wars are foundational to what some refer to as “the Great
American Experiment”. I love reading about our founding fathers or the great men since then, such
as Abraham Lincoln, who selflessly gave of themselves to start or maintain this great country.
In
the last century, the civil rights movement – personified by the late, great Martin Luther King, Jr. – was a revolution
of sorts – taking bold steps to finish what the end of the Civil War started. One has to marvel at
the greatness of Reverend King and wonder what could have been had he not been cut down in the prime of his work and life.
There
have been other noble revolutions around the world in modern times with logical and well-founded goals in mind when they started.
Regardless of your view of history or politics, one can easily see that the great revolutions were founded on principle
and achieved with boldness and bravery.
I wish that
I could say that the OWS folks were in that category but I can’t. I’ve seen video of the protests.
I’ve read their signs. I’ve seen pictures of “revolutionaries” defecating on the
American flag and on a police car. Maybe they’re hoping that, years from now, after their revolution
is over and presumably successful, there will be statue of them in their heroic, hunching pose ala “The Thinker”.
Now
there’s a visual for you.
Come
to think of it, I just don’t remember seeing the next Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Reverend King, Ghandi or Walesa
among those heeding nature’s call. For that matter, I don’t recall any Patrick Henry-like lines
from any of the protesters. Somehow, “I’m so angry that I made a sign” just doesn’t inspire me to pick up a musket and head for the battlefield.
In
all seriousness, I really do believe change is in order. However, while I am sickened by the abundance
of “crony capitalism”, political ineptness from both major parties, endless wars that don’t look like they’re
going to have a positive outcome and the huge unemployment problem in this country, I’m just not seeing sound solutions
being offered by these folks. I find it especially ironic that a big chunk of these crowds want horribly flawed politicians
to be in control of their lives when it’s the very same kind of politicians who have exasperated the problems.
I’m of the sincere opinion that
what this country – this world- really needs is a revolution of the heart. However, I think that
this kind of revolution requires going back to the basics. Perhaps living by the “Golden Rule”
would be great start but it must start with each individual. It can’t be legislated.
Since
the OWS movement who like the whole “Arab Spring” tactic of their movement (see here), perhaps they would heed the words of a Middle Eastern revolutionary when was asked a couple of thousand years ago what
the greatest rules were. I’m summarizing but he said something like, “Love God with all your
heart, soul and mind. The second is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
In
today’s world, those two thoughts are pretty darn revolutionary. Heck, even if you atheists and agnostics want to ignore
that first rule, can you imagine what the world would be like if each and every one of us purely and sincerely (and without
being legislated to do so) followed the second one?
So,
as far as revolutions go, this one by the OWS doesn’t impress me too much. To steal the words of
the late John Lennon, “ . . . you can count me out . . .”.
