InnerSelf.com

October 2nd was Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. As we write this, on October 2nd, it is the "International Day of Non-Violence ". And it is also the beginning of the third week of Occupy Wall Street whose first official release states: "We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right..."

We at InnerSelf, are focused on personal growth and creating a "better world", and we feel that it is important to focus on the common good. We hope that people across the world will see that the Occupy Wall Street movement is not about partisan politics or "us against them". It is rather the people standing up for the people. It is an exercise in speaking out for the well-being of all.

Focusing on Solutions

When discussions center on making a difference in the world, many complain, and complain some more, about the financial and moral corruption in our governments, our banks, and our businesses. While we need to be aware of the problems, we also need to focus on the solutions. Now, some of "we the people" are protesting the imbalance and dishonesty of our political systems, on both sides of the aisles, where, unfortunately, corrupting influences have become the norm.

The group of people congregating in New York City for Occupy Wall Street are making their voices heard. They are asking for their government to be returned to the people as opposed to special interests. While it is easy to sit home and complain, it takes inner courage to stand up and be heard. More and more individuals are joining in support in New York and other cities across the US, as well as on the internet. We the people are now waking up from our naps in front of our TVs and realizing that we are the ones who are at the controls. We vote, we pay taxes, we speak up.. or we don't.

Economic Justice & Human Rights

Economic justice is an issue of human rights, just as slavery was, just as women's rights were. People from all walks of life are joining together with the intent to make their opinions and needs known peacefully to the people "in charge". What we are discovering is that we had abdicated our power by letting our politicians, and the big money interests who support them financially, be in charge. What we are  remembering is that we are the ones in charge.

In 2008, as well as 2010, Americans voted for change. However, for change to occur, we must "be the change that we wish to see in the world" (Gandhi). It should no longer be me and mine, but we are are in this together. Whether we are a union member, a tea party member,  a PTA member, or not a member of anything except the human race, we must have control of our destiny. Our government needs to represent all of us, and not only the lobbyists with their special interests.

Recommended sites and actions:

Go to GetMoneyOut.com and add your vote to the petition to get money out of politics. When we return to one person, one dollar, one vote, then we can truly have Lincoln's vision of our democracy: "government of the people, by the people, for the people."

For more information, the official press release from Occupy Wall Street is at: http://occupywallst.org/forum/first-official-release-from-occupy-wall-street/

The list of Occupy Wall Street demands is at: http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-please-help-editadd-so-th/

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