Dialogue of authors: Occupy Wall Street - May Day 2012

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Characters

Ted Glick is a 63 year old progressive activist who does support the occupy wall street movement believes in power for the people. He also has been a demonstrator protester participant in community efforts for things like environmental issues, tenant rights, community development and racial justice. He is now focusing on stabilizing our climate and energy use. Many years of his life have been devoted to social justice. He would be found in the far left side of the political spectrum.

Zachary Bell is a 22 year old graduating senior who does support the occupy wall street movement. He believes that the world we live in now can be changed. He is not as extreme as other activists but questions things that he studies. His goal is not to side with the left or right but to address social problems by means of research and different opposing perspectives. He critiques the world and make smart decisions. He would be found in the middle of the political spectrum.(centrist)

Barry Rubin is a 61 year old conservative professor who does not support the occupy wall street movement. He feels no sympathy towards the movement and feels as if posses instability and extremism. He fears the government will take over too much of society. He believes that the people of occupy wall street are out of hand and should work with the system or else it could be bad for the obama administration. He would be found at the right side of the political spectrum.

Pat Henry is a 25 year old conservative who does not support the Occupy Wall Street movement. He feels that they are just people looking for power and government interference. He also thinks they get away with breaking laws and complain too much. He is way on the right of the spectrum.

Setting: An email has been sent to 3 people from Ted Glick to speak on the Occupy Wall Street movement and whether or not it should be supported by Obama and Romney in the upcoming election. The four characters are in a conference room downtown on Wall Street. This is an important matter and the four have different views and opinions on the topic. It's 5:30 pm Ted Glick walks in and is feeling happy. He sits at the conference table across from Barry Rubin while Zachary Bell and Pat Henry sit and listen.

TED GLICK
So Mr Rubin I understand you are not a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

BARRY RUBIN
No i'm not for it at all and I have no sympathy for those”people”.

TED GLICK
Ok that's understandable, we each have our own opinion but what do you think of Obama or Romney supporting the movement?

BARRY RUBIN
Ugh complete disaster. They'd better not have anything to do with them people. They represent instability, extremism, and foolishness. I think that they should be denouncing the movement and not supporting it. This movement is just a ridiculous way for the radicals-claiming to be liberals to give government more power. Well obama can support them but I know Romney got us. What do you think Ted?

TED GLICK
Well I’ll have to disagree. I believe in power for the people. That is what a democracy is all about. The occupy wall street movement needs the help of the government to protect them from people like you. If Obama supports the movement maybe we can see some type of change in society.

BARRY RUBIN
Now this, you can't be serious. It's guys like you that make me so upset. Always yapping on and on about power for people and we need this and we need that. Get over yourselves, you are just like the occupy wall street people; in denial. If you guys really want to support those people then go ahead but if this continues we'll see how many people will oppose Obama’s re-election.

TED GLICK
Go somewhere with all that mess. We'll see what happens if Romney gets elected. You rich guys are just looking to take advantage of people in any way that you can. That's why you're on the side of the guy they call “Mr. one percent” if he gets elected were all done for.

ZACHARY BELL
Can I give my opinion now? The both of you sound foolish. You guys need to respect each others opinions and keep the tension to a minimum. Not only that but I have some suggestions about if Obama and Romney should support the OWS movement. I think Obama and Romney should stay silent.

TED GLICK
Why do you say that? If they stay quiet then the OWS people will think that the government does not care about what they want.

BARRY RUBIN
Thats because they shouldn’t. Why should government side with people who are breaking laws and making fools of themselves by demanding what they need and want?

ZACHARY BELL
Good questions, the reason I believe they should stay quiet is because although OWS has been a major thing going on, I feel as if there are too many contradictions around its infrastructure. What I mean is that the OWS protesters are not sure what they want. There are too many opposing perspectives for a group of people who “want the same thing.”

TED GLICK
So how would staying silent help anything?

ZACHARY BELL
It would lessen the rising tension between Obama and Romney. It will also help politicians focus better and not center the attention on the movement. Lastly being quiet will cause people to wonder, which can stall time until the actual election.

BARRY RUBIN
Well since Obama clearly supports the movement I say let him support it. When everyone sees that he's on the side of those extremists, nobody will vote for him.

ZACHARY BELL
You do have a point Mr Rubin some people may feel like that but others don't.

TED GLICK
I know for a fact i'm voting for Obama this upcoming election no matter what anyone says. In the end the people will vote for who's on their side.

PAT HENRY
I've been listening for some time now and i'm honestly getting a headache. The only person who actually makes sense is my good friend Barry. The rest of you are talking nonsense.

TED GLICK
Well what's nonsense to you is important to us. I've been working for years dealing with matters of the people plus more. I'll be damned if i sit here and let you talk down on us.

PAT HENRY
I'm not talking down I've been quiet a long time but now its my turn to speak. I'm tired of the OWS protesters with their communist ideas. They can't be rich so they want government to take money from us to give to them. Their whole movement is hands out: “gimmie this” “I want this” “we need that” “ya’ll have this” etc. They need to stop complaining and get on with their lives and quit worrying about ours and maybe then things will change. This is not the way to do it.

BARRY RUBIN
You can say that again.

ZACHARY BELL
Now that that's out of the way, how do you feel about whether or not the movement should be supported or denounced in the upcoming election?

PAT HENRY
I think it should be denounced completely. Romney should use the fact that Obama is supporting the movement in the upcoming election. That will hopefully gain votes for him. Obama is foolish. He must be supporting the movement to hide the fact that he is radical and extreme. He wants to seem like he is for the people and will bring change like he did last election but nothing will ever change with him in office.

BARRY RUBIN
AMEN

TED GLICK
Not to cut this meeting short but I have to go soon. Are there any more questions or concerns anyone would like to confront before our departure?

ZACHARY BELL
Yes I'd like to thank you all for coming and giving your opinions it really helped me to critique the world better.

TED GLICK
Anyone else?

BARRY RUBIN
I'd like to thank you guys as well I had fun sharing my views with you.

PAT HENRY
Yea me too.

TED GLICK
Ok I guess that wraps this up for today hope you all have a great day and drive home safe. I will send you guys emails for the next meeting.