A few days ago, on this site, I suggested that we have a big “Occupy” event outside, or perhaps in the lobby of, an Ypsilanti branch of Bank of America. Well, given an unfortunately timed parasite infestation, and a cold that seems determined to hang on forever, I never got a chance to pull anything together. Fortunately, though, I have a friend named Jeff who wouldn’t let me just sit home tomorrow, hacking sadly into a filthy handkerchief, as somewhere between 200 and 950 other communities around our nation launch events inspired by the Wall Street occupation. (To find the event closest to you, click here.) So, I’ll be marching tomorrow, with Jeff, and our daughters, around Ypsilanti. I don’t expect a lot of people to come out with such short notice, but, if you have the time, and the wherewithal to make a coherent sign, you’re welcome to join us. We’ll be meeting at the water tower at 2:00.
And, if you can’t join us at 2:00, or just don’t like being around other people, you can feel free to follow our route whenever you want. You’ll find a map at the bottom of this post. We’ll start by going down Cross Street, and then cut over to Michigan Avenue. Then, after crossing the Huron, we’ll take a left on River Street, and head into Depot Town. And, from there, if we have the energy, we’ll climb back up the hill to the Water Tower. I’m not telling the girls, but I think it’s about 2.4 miles… We’re probably stop for hot chocolate somewhere along the way too.
So, I’ve spent a good part of today, talking with Clementine about the civil right’s movement of the 60′s, which she has some context for, having read about Martin Luther King, and visited the Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum, and trying to explain how important it is that, at this point in history, we stand up and demand an end to corporate influence over government. I wouldn’t want for her to march for something she doesn’t understand, but I think she gets it. She knows that corporations play by special rules, and that many of them don’t pay taxes. And she knows that, while the rich are paying less in taxes than they ever have, public libraries are closing and class sizes are swelling in our public schools. So, we’re going to talk more tomorrow morning, and she’s going to decide what she wants her sign to say. I have what I think is a pretty brilliant idea, but, knowing her, I suspect she’ll have other thoughts. (I’d like for her to carry a sign that says, “Too Small to Fail.”)
So, if you drive by and see two middle aged guys and their daughters walking around town tomorrow, waving “99%” signs, and yelling about the growing income inequality in America, take a second and honk your horn, or give them a thumbs-up, OK?
Oh, and I know I don’t need to give you any more reasons to take to the streets in protest, but did you see how the Senate refused to pass the President’s jobs bill yesterday, and how today the House passed new anti-abortion legislation? Clearly our leaders in Washington aren’t listening to what the American people want. If they were, the men who crashed our economy would be in jail, the irresponsible Bush tax cuts for the wealthy would have ended, comprehensive campaign finance legislation would be passed, and we’d be using the money we’re now spending in the middle east on rebuilding our infrastructure, making our schools the best in the world, and funding alternative energy research… There’s more that I’d like to say, but I need to say some vitriol for you sign making.
