MESSAGE TO OCCUPY WALL STREET

    MESSAGE TO OCCUPY WALL STREET 

    Clarify your MESSAGE – Select your MESSENGER(S) 

Traditionally, I have always taken an apolitical stance in my featured articles.  However, the challenges of today’s economy and the stressful demands of our increasingly complex world require us to not only focus our attention on making health lifestyle choices (to improve our personal health and well-being), but to become more involved in the political process which effects all of us - to improve the health of our great country. 

The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement may represent the evolution of an idea whose time has come – FAIRNESS. And while I’m not a political scientist or economist, even I recognize the disparate impact of an economy favoring the wealthy few over the 99%.

The problem: How does the idea of fairness morph into something that can precipitate change? The answer may arrive this spring as the leaders of the OWS movement gear up for the 2012 general election. The question I have is – how do they (the leaders) plan to recast the OWS movement, with its wide range of issues, into a unified force to be reckoned with? 

Several Suggestions: On a recent trip to Paris I was surprised to see an Occupy Paris demonstration near the Eiffel Tower. Surprisingly, this rally appeared to be very similar to the vast number of OWS demonstrations held in American cities. They (the Occupy Paris movement) too promoted the idea of FAIRNESS, however, their message was clouded by extraneous factors that threatened to nullify the positive effects of the movement. In my opinion, the same problem is present state side threatening to torpedo or minimize the effectiveness of the OWS movement.

By not delineating the message to its core issue, the message may turn on some – and turn off others. Hence the argument - What do they stand for? Who do they represent?

 If FAIRNESS is truly the key idea (issue) that unites the movement, then why not spend this crucial time focusing on ways to elicit positive change to improve FAIRNESS. Perhaps you should consider the following:

• Create a FAIRNESS DOCTRINE – A document that outlines the key elements promoted by the OWS movement to help level the playing field – and return FAIRNESS in governmental policies favoring the majority of Americans – and not corporations or the privileged few.

• Designate your MESSENGER(S) -  While the uniquely democratic governing structure of the OWS movement is admirable, sometimes there are ‘too many cooks in the kitchen.’ Often the clarity of the message is diluted or misrepresented by so-called leaders who have a personal agenda that may not be philosophically in synch with the movement.  

• VOTE for FAIRNESS – How do your local and national candidates measure up against the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE?  Do they truly represent your interests? Or those of the banks, corporations or privileged few. While some might refer to this as a  ‘litmus test,’ I would argue – what better way to elicit change than to VOTE for candidates who truly believe in – FAIRNESS.

  Barry M. Stein, President

      Get Fit For Life, LLC

http://www.MyTrueAge.com

Comments

[Greg]

Spot on !!!