#OccupyVancouver

Good evening,

I am a supporter of the Occupy movement. I am not there every day but try and go when I can.

I am unemployed student living in the west end off of my savings. I quit my job since I wanted to educate myself… and the corporate life was sucking the soul from me.

I feel that the Occupy movement is an extremely important tool for the acknowledgement and progression of important issues.

The reasons for not having an absolute leader is understandable. However, I propose that there be a conveyor for the voices. I feel that for the movement to progress and move forward, a person who speaks on behalf of people should be in place. Im not thinking of an elected person, but more of a regular person who realizes that the power comes from the ground up and not from the top down, and is willing to speak on behalf of the people. I feel the occupy movements must have a voice that represents the wishes of the populations. Look, I'm not saying I have the answer or that this movement will change things over night...

We are living in a society where the state has a monopoly on the use of force, and corporations are heavily invested in the government. Anyone can see that the government acts to the wishes of the corporate before the people. So, in a system where corporations and government collectively rule, the current movement needs to adapt to these conditions. Unless an uncontrollable portion of the population strike or join the movement and cause a total collapse of the city, it's highly unlikely that there will be any disruption to the current political routine which is why I feel there must be another step to further this movement. Occupying, unfortunately, even though I am in supporter, needs something more to push it to another level. Something where even the people living at home in the suburbs or the common working man can agree that their issues are being addressed by the movement. The ambiguity of the movement is clever, yet is so ambiguous that a majority of the population just doesn't understand it's true intent or purpose. Until more people are able to understand the purpose and are also able to relate to a voice that is conveying the wishes of the movement it will be difficult for the movement to go forward.

I whole heartedly support and will still come when I can, I REALLY just don't want to see the movement stagnate, which is why I am writing, i just feel deep down that something more needs to be done other than occupying and I hope I am not being offensive or disrespectful in any way.

Anton

I agree with much of what you are saying Anton, and I am in similar circumstances. However, I don't think there needs to be a total collapse of the city to make a difference! I think little by little, whether Occupy remains Occupied in parks or not...the Occupy idea has been planted. Little Occupy initiatives can be ongoing that actually make steps towards change without even demanding change: engaging outreach, PR, really creative non-aggressive activism, public forums, marches..anything and everything on an ongoing basis as changes unfold. I think OV needs to think of next steps too. They need to draw more expert help into the movement who are in the 99%, to help with PR and legal education--to seek it out as well. I think the problem is that Occupy got so big so fast, and we live in an instant gratification world, that people are expecting huge changes overnight. It might take years to change attitudes, and they are not going to change with behaviour and confusing demands that totally alienate the 99%...all the people who you need to get on board to make change happen! So many peope are totally addicted to money and consumerism and they are not going to let go and embrace sudden change. People are still pretty comfortable in Canada ,still getting their fixes, and the really harsh economic realities of the world haven't hit most of them--yet. You and I , and the occupiers might already forsee it...but many of them don't feel it coming yet. So they agree with OWS in theory, they agree that things are bad in the US, but for them to put ideas fior change into practice here is something different. They kind of have one foot at the art gallery and another in Pacific Centre. OV needs to make small steps forward and not expect too much too soon. Get to know your politicians, work with them to make change. I think that's just a reality as well.

Then there are others who are really really desperate for change, but want to see more things and different things, new ideas happen...I am in that category as well...we need to renew the sense of enthusiasm that people felt on October 15th somehow and keep it going!

Canada is one of the best countries if not the best to live in. Many 1%ers live here and the U.S. The wealthy countries will be the hardest to bring awareness to, with the least behind us. Don’t be discouraged by the small size of our representation or even if it seems messy. The fact that we exist in this country shows the resolve of the few intelligent caring and kind souls left in the first world nations. Just because we are comfortable in the moment we should never ignore the rest of our world as to ignore will only allow the problem to spread to all our front doors.

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If its not for the world its not for you

PM me and get involved in organizing the Occupy Provincial People's Assembly, let's prepare to move beyond the tents before they are torn down and we are left with nothing but dissatisfaction and disenfranchisement.

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When people are more important than possessions we will have a truly fair society.