‘Occupy Wall St.’ demonstrations extreme, but understandable

Viewers can scarcely turn on the news and readers can hardly open up their newspapers without seeing "Occupy Wall Street" in some way, shape or form among the headlines. Depending on the source, these protesters appear either dangerous rebels or trail-blazing patriots. They seek to either irrevocably damage the American dream or drastically improve it. Careful, well-informed observers, though, see the merits in both sides of the debate. They recognize the necessity of American big business and banks, yet acknowledge that, in order for our country to prosper and flourish, Wall Street must play by its own rules.

Though we bemoan big business, Americans cannot deny its necessity. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Dell provide us with the electronics we need in our everyday lives. Where would we be without our commercial food providers? Financial institutions like Citizens Bank, Bank of America and Sallie Mae allow us to take out mortgages and student loans, thus providing an education and a roof over our heads. Moreover, our system of capitalism and competition forces these businesses and institutions to better their products and lower their prices to attract us, the consumer. Furthermore, Wall Street and big business allow the common man (in theory, of course) to earn money despite the class into which he was born. Such as with Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Edison in the early 20th century, people with products and ideas, not high birth, can create companies and inventions, generating wealth in the process. The stock – market, too, can allow people to expand upon their hard earned money through shrewd investments. I cannot pretend that we have a classless society, but Americans enjoy one of, if not the, highest levels of social mobility thanks to Wall Street and big business. Thus, this author commends the theory of Capitalism, big-business and competition.

Of course, I oppose much of today's Wall Streets realities. Insider trading creates an unfair environment for everyday investors. Big – business constantly avoids anti – trust regulation and government refuses to crack down, allowing monopolies to destroy healthy, necessary competition. Banks, not wishing to relinquish their record profits in the least, either loan irresponsibly, or now, hardly at all. Loans, which ought to help young poor college students like us, wind up crippling us after graduation. Other loans come with safeguards in case of emergencies, so why should student loans not offer the same options? Moreover, I take great offense to the new banking fees likely to emerge, such as a monthly fee for carrying a debit card. The government bailouts, too, show that great change needs to overcome Wall Street. Weeks after receiving government funds, companies handed out billion dollar bonuses and million dollar retreat "seminars." Every two weeks, I cringe as I see how much Uncle Sam takes out of my pocket in taxes. I want this money, which could purchase several new pairs of shoes, to at least go to good use, and not be mismanaged to simply allow wealthy billionaires to grow wealthier. With all this corruption and mismanagement, it is no surprise that our economic "recovery" stalls and even reverses by the day.

Now, as for the protesters themselves . . . I cannot say I share such an extreme position as many of them. In particular, I must stand opposed to those calling for a socialist financial system. I most certainly agree with the ideas of capitalism and implore Wall Street to play fairly, but I do not see it as necessary to completely and totally break from our age – old system. By the same token, I heartily disagree with those stronger critics on the right who call their protests anti – American. I invite them to glance over the Constitution, and pay particular attention to our right to peacefully assemble. By posts on their own website, they are absolutely opposed to violence in any way, shape or form and mean to conduct themselves peacefully. I also invite these opponents to consider the advice of Thomas Jefferson (a conservative hero) that "a revolution every five or so years is healthy and necessary." I find this opposition extremely surprising too, considering many of these opponents align themselves with the Tea Party. Though I cannot say I agree with either the Tea Party or the Wall Street protesters in their entirety, I respect both these groups, and any non – violent group, who wish to peacefully bring about change. And, I think everyone must in some way, shape or form acknowledge that change must be enacted on Wall Street, though the degree of change remains a question for serious, intelligent debate.

When a child misbehaves, parents endeavor to teach the child how to alter that behavior in accordance with their personality. They help them make amends for the offense, but would not and cannot disown or change the child in his or her entirety. The same can be said for Wall Street, the "child" of America. Clearly, Wall Street's misbehavior led to an economic recession of grand proportions, and this offense must be remedied. Capitalism, though, like a misbehaving child, cannot be beyond hope if given the proper direction and instruction. I implore government and Americans as a whole to listen with open ears and minds to the proposals of the protesters. If both sides, opposed as they are in today's day and age, regard Wall Street with critical, unbiased eyes, we can enact necessary financial reform without destroying the elements which make America the most prosperous, innovative nation in the world.