July 2, 2012: Franklin Park, Philadelphia, PA - Occupy Cape Ann

HOW TO DISMANTLE THE FINANCIAL PYRAMID

OF THE 1% OVER THE 99%

Presented by Joseph H. Bryan-Royster of Occupy Cape Ann at the 1st Occupy National Gathering in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 2, 2012

We, the members of our local general assemblies in the Occupy Movement have gathered together here in Philadelphia - at the birthplace of our independence and liberty to collectively seek a new vision for the United States of America; one that is transparent in nature, founded in horizontal direct democracy, reached through local consensus, and then implemented by our elected representatives as authorized by the Constitution of this Republic.

We the people are sovereign individuals - acting collectively for the common good. Personhood belongs to individual people - not to corporations formed for private profit. Election of candidates for political office must be funded publicly and equally by the people and these rights have to be protected and preserved with amendments to the Constitution. However, before this is able to happen here in the USA the 99% need to wake up to reality!

The 1% has methodically constructed a Financial Pyramid of mind control over the economy. In the United States of America since the age of the “robber barons” back in the 19th century. Decentralized family farms and local shopkeepers were soon replaced by industrial factories taking the common people away from growing their own food and providing for themselves. With the refining of oil came dependence on fossil fuels and convenience of the automobile. With the harnessing of electricity came radio, television, and an addiction to entertainment. We did not see the deliberate consolidation of resources by corporations behind the scenes. We no longer have the means to provide for our needs because we allowed them to take it!

Here is a one dollar bill – A Federal Reserve Private Bank Note - with no true monetary value because it is fiat currency - printed without any backing of silver to establish its actual worth. All transactions within the market economy are based on this unit, or its foreign equivalents. We, the 99%, are forced to earn, spend, and borrow money in order to survive in this system. The Democratic and Republican parties have failed to promote economic equality in America and we the people can no longer count on them to represent us, especially since the Citizens United decision by the U. S. Supreme Court allowed unlimited private funding of candidates.

Public funding of elections, on an equal basis for all candidates running for office, is the only fair way to ensure that there is a level playing field for everyone involved. Corporations are not People! Money is not Speech! To reverse this, Constitutional amendments are required. If the two political parties are unable to serve the collective will of the people, then we need to create an alternative alliance of Independent candidates committed to uphold consensus decisions made by community assemblies. Organize this effectively like a third political party.

Establish a co-operative decentralized network of local economies to provide material needs for the people and reclaim our right to produce goods and services for ourselves at fair value. Consensus-based Intentional Communities and General Assemblies in the Occupy Movement have the opportunity to synthesize localized Solidarity Economies by sharing their resources.

We will build a parallel grass-roots system separate from the inter-corporate market system. Eventually, we will not have to support the Financial Pyramid of the 1%. We will not work for private profit of corporate shareholders, nor will we buy their goods or services. Sustainable, open-ended boycotts will be possible once the decentralized alternative is strong enough to dismantle the Financial Pyramid of the 1%, causing it to collapse of its own weight when the 99% ceases to serve the inter-corporate market system and starts to create a new economy.

Wall Street operates like a gambling casino in Las Vegas. The public trading of stocks, bonds, and derivatives are bets made against the collective future of the 99%. In 2008 the economy tanked and we took the hit. Then the investment bankers who profited were bailed out and we the taxpayers are expected to pay. The market economy is now proven to be bankrupt!

Establish an Interface between Inter-Occupy and the Fellowship for Intentional Community. Transform all local Occupations in the movement into functioning Intentional Communities. Build an alternative decentralized network of green worker-owned co-operative industries. Create local currencies and start exchanging goods and services without use of U. S. Dollars. Monitor politicians at all levels for compliance with local consensus decisions by the people. Forge a Communitarian Alliance of Independent Candidates running as a virtual Third Party. Mobilize a sustainable open-ended consumer boycott of inter-corporate goods and services. Practice principles of Solidarity Economy as Co-operative Decentralism emerges in the USA!

Occupy Wall Street! Occupy Philadelphia! Occupy the United States of America!

LET US JOIN TOGETHER. NOW!

Occupy the Economy!! Introduction to the Solidarity Economy. Class led by Julie Matthaei at Occupy Boston, Oct. 15, 2011

Important Resource Material Local Community Self-Reliance Manual

Occupy Wall Street ~ Occupy Boston ~ Occupy Cape Ann