I'm proud of Portland AND Occupy Portland (Eugene, Gates: schools, camping)

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Whether you make minimum wage or six figures you would have a higher standard of living but for the existence of billionaires. A billionaire is like a 10th level white wizard. Even if he means you no harm his very presence is lethal. America has around 400 billionaires and their very existence is draining the life force from this country at an astronomical rate. Unless you are 80 years old you will see the result of inaction as to the existence of uber wealthy individuals.

So tell me exactly how Bill Gates and Paul Allen have destroyed our way of life in the Pacific Northwest?

[Minervah]

My main concern is for what used to be and still may be called "The Little Guy." Or maybe now they are called the "99%ers." They often times may not always be treated fairly by those in better economic circumstances as well as by those like the so-called "Occupy" people who use them as pawns for their own agendas. Everyone is H*ll bent on using them.

Right now it is the "Occupy" posers who are keeping "The Little Guy" away from his job by blocking the streets and making him fearful of going downtown with the violence they are now perpetrating. So our "Little Guy" can't get to work to earn a living to feed his family. He can't get to the day care center to pick up his kid on time and so will be charged extra. He will ultimately have to pay more tax for the damage being done to his city. And so on.

If they, "the Occupiers," have solutions, like changing from a bank to a credit union or anything else that would help the 99%ers lets hear them. But it appears by their actions that their agenda is nothing but chaos.

Why scare workers (99%ers) out of their wits? Why insult veterans by commandering a flag? Why antagonize those very people whose support they may have once had but now have lost as their credibilty has been lost?

Tell me, how is this helping the "Little Guy or Gal" or the 99%ers? other than alienating them.

[roneb]

Couldn't agree more Minervah! I find it ironic to watch the news and see Occupy PDX protesters chanting "We are the 99%" while blocking public transit and access to small businesses - basically hurting their fellow 99%'ers!

The push to get everyone to move their money to local CU's is a GREAT idea that can truly apply the kind of pressure that will lead to change. But that was started via Facebook and the internet, not by Occupy PDX in the streets.

March on the state capitol and you might get my support. Block traffic and businesses downtown and make life difficult for you fellow 99%'ers and your message is lost on me.

[EnricoV]

Lol. The Willie Week that just came out ... that bastion of all that is liberal and forthright ... had several articles, none of which gave a great a great impression about the Occupiers or their efforts.

[Cyberguy1950]

Couldn't agree more Minervah!

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

So tell me exactly how Bill Gates and Paul Allen have destroyed our way of life in the Pacific Northwest?

Where do I start. Did you not read my earlier post? To that you can add: failing to hire representative numbers of Northwest Americans, or even plain old Americans to work for them. Microsoft does nothing for the northwest. The northwest pays Microsoft to exist and all the money they make goes to Bill Gates and/or Microsoft shareholders. Once upon a time with an entity like Microsoft on its books a state would be golden. Instead, Washington struggles like any other state. Nike does even more labor outsourcing than Microsoft. Microsoft spends more money every day than Portland makes in a month lobbying the U.S. government for a lifting of the H1B Visa caps that are in place. Were they to be lifted Microsoft would employ no Americans whatsoever. That Hynix plant that closed in Eugene dumped about a 1,000 Korean nationals onto the public welfare system of Oregon. They were brought over just to work at Hynix but along the way became wards of Oregon when their company abandoned them. That's the 1% for you. Always using the 99% to clean up after their messes.

H

[davemess10]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Microsoft does nothing for the northwest.

H

I'm fairly confident in saying that without Microsoft, Redmond, WA would probably not exist. Do you even understand the money they influx into the greater Seattle community with their tens of thousands of employees.

They are one of the best companies to work for, benefits and pay-wise. And I think we all can agree that Bill Gates is easily the most philanthropic rich-guy in the world.

You also live in town that draws a large proportion of it's funds from a computer company, thought you might appreciate this more.

Yes there are things they could be doing "better or more equitable", but in general I do not view them as the enemy compared to big banks and Wall Street firms (who are cutting more jobs the way (not that those jobs are really needed)).

I agree with a lot of the principles of the 99% movement (though I wish they would pinpoint their message AT ALL), and I think many people miss the point that most of people at the top got their through exploitation of lower class citizens (executives at McD's can only make their huge salaries BECAUSE they pay their burgerflippers such cheap wages). It's all one closed system, and people (for the most part) really only get ahead by keeping someone else behind. The execs haven't just "worked really hard" or "lived the American dream", they were complacent in a system that did not give live-able fair wages to so many, so they could have two houses and a Ferrari. THAT is the big problem of income inequality.

SO as you see, I'm not anti the "movement" (whatever it has become). I just don't understand your "black and white" statements.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The problem with all this Microsoft bashing is that Gates and Allen STARTED OFF JUST LIKE THE REST OF US.

I'm sure that there was no secret cabal of billionaires that determined their destiny at birth.

For all I know, my grandson might end up a billionaire.

You hate them just because they made it and you didn't?

How about billionaire Phil Knight?

From Wiki:
Phil Knight was born February 24, 1938 in Portland, Oregon. Knight attended Cleveland High School in Portland, and then the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Does that sound like a uber-privileged upbringing?

Do you think he was groomed from the start to become a billionaire by a secret society of ultra wealthy capitalists?

[sayulita]

I'd have to say that my beef is generally with billionaire corporations and their greedy shareholders rather than individual billionaires.

[Luv2byte]

You're proud of a wimpy mayor, destruction of our beautiful parks, rampant drug use & sales, lice, rats & scabies infestation? These 99% are keeping other 99% from getting to work, longer commutes (means the other 99% who are working now must spend more for gas), prevents the small shop owners from a successful business, terrorizes bank employees who are also in 99%, blocks bridges for other 99% ability to get to work.

If they were in the 99% then what the $500k, & growing, bank accounts they have, must not be too poor, not to mention that bank account is also feeding everyone daily & still growing in vslue.

Then there is the poor rape victim that had to wait THREE HOURS for help because these selfish 99%'rs were blocking bridges & storming banks! Feel good about that! If so then go find that rape victim, give her the chance to tell you "thank you for causing me prolonged fear & suffering". I hope she sues forthat $500k bank acct balance, she deserves it.

Protest but do it in. A way nothing is damaged, nothing is harmed, disease isnt spread, innocent people not included by crime or interference w their life. You want to protest? Then do what I do, educated people about Proctor & Gamble animal testing & all the various big name companies they own like Iams & Eukanuba. Have you bank account at a credit union, don't patronize businesses that don't support your beliefs (I don't shop where there is an ilwu sign, they are few but the sign says crime & violence is ok & they support it). Recycle, reuse & regift. Educate. Make wise choices.

Collectively these will have a larger impact than the crowd of druggies, homeless & hippies Occupy is drawing & will not prevent other 99%'rs from going about their life. I'm about as far from the 1% as you can get but I worked hard, got & paid for my education & I have a fantastic life.