Needed: One Single Compelling Message

          Transitioning from principles to practice, does the Manhattan movement have what it takes to make major changes. Yes and no. It taps into many major sources of existential frustration. However, their gripes are all over the road. What is the single clear outcome sought?

          A single clear message was heard during a protest at our State capitol….“No corporate money in politics”. Underlying messages, Government is owned by Wall Street and Big Business…..best Government money can buy…..put the “power” back in the hands of the People.

          Ok, clear message. Now resonant compelling language has to be crafted which provides alignment, impetus and support. Our gentle readers are encouraged to ponder and post such language, which shall be forwarded on.

          All successful movements need symbolic heroes and events which galvanize popular attention and affections. Rosa Parks and the death of a nameless Tunisian merchant (he has a name, I just forgot it) both sparked civil conflagrations as public sentiment converged with zeitgeist.  

          Currently, national protesters have many gripes, which may well be valid. Pick one, people. If this “one thing” was solved a bunch of other stuff would get solved. What might that be?

          The media portrays movement members as fragmented in their messages, and are thus marginalizing protestors as extremists. It’s easy for mainstream America to not “get it”. Republican front-runner (at least this week) Herman Cain told protestors in Manhattan that “if you don’t have a job or you aren’t rich it’s your own fault”. See, it’s easy not to “get it”. In my opinion, that comment doesn’t sound very Presidential. With 25 million unemployed and 5 people literally applying for every job, it’s hard to make the case that protestors are the “lazy” folks. No, they’re the pissed off folks.

          To their credit, I have not seen this movement snuggle up to power (political or corporate). If your core message is in fact that politics is owned by the corporate, that might be a bit detrimental to do so.

          Ok, we may be narrowing down a message. The next question is if you go up against Big Business, the Government, and legal precedent, is that fight realistic or winnable?