If you pay attention to the news and Internet video current events, you may have noticed all the enticement on various blogs and social networks to join in the protest against Wall Street. How would a JEDI respond to such an issue? Is it not the JEDI way to actively encourage proper behavior in government and corporations and community? Are we not to free the oppressed?

The concern from citizens seems to be wrapped around the idea that if enough people protest that someone in government will listen and limit corporate influence in congress, regulate the corporations, enforce fair prices and be forced to provide reliable local products.

Corporate diversification since the 60's has almost evaporated as smaller companies get purchased by larger corporations. A few large corporations own most of the business you see in the market today. Small hometown shops are closing down enmass not being able to compete with cheap imported products and mega corporation superstores.

Consumers are sick of inflation and mismanaged government but let's examine the nature of the implied requests. It's like asking an employee to tell his boss not to give him a raise.  People do not bite the hand that feeds them.

Some protesters think that if enough people hold up a sign, the media will listen and perhaps this for them brings hope but again, this is not the 60's anymore, most media are corporations as well which have all a few been swallowed up by the larger ones. News Correspondant Keith Olbermann made this a point an issue in a commentary where he covers the media blackout on the Wall Street Protest. (See video at the end of the article.)

The bankers and stock holders could care less as well, their primary concern is maintaining the penthouse apartment and putting their children through college which is more important to them than you are. They mockd the protest by drinking champagne on a balcony overlooking the protest while onlookers shouted. (See video at the end of the article.) No doubt they drank in glee as the protests drive up security product stocks. For them, it is a win-win situation, protests give reason for larger law enforcement and prison budgets while Wall street sits back and profits.

It's not the 60's anymore, corporations and governments do not treat protesting the same since 911 either. In a large enough group of people there are always bound to be a few violent radicals, governments and corporations know this. There is so much confusion during protests that unwanted friction builds between the police and citizens. The protesters are already irritated or they would not be there but also become tired and hungry leading some to irrational actions. The police just want to go home to their families and to go back fighting real crime. The sooner protesters go home, the faster the police get to live a normal life too.

Mega corporations are run by a system of rules and regulations where the decisions are made by whatever raises the value of the stock. When evaluated in a video research documentary, the corporate system was examined by applying the system rules to a psych exam that is normally given to human beings. The psych test results showed that a corporation had the mental personality of a psychopath.

Now think about this, when you go shopping for groceries, clothing, building supplies and tools; do you give power (your money) to the psychopath or do you purchase from local vendors to keep your money in your own town? When we purchase cheap imports from stock owned corporate retailers, we are giving a psychopath more money to lobby more power with congress. Yes, it's our own fault, but we can fix it.

If you want to protest, do it with your wallet. There is a wise business saying that goes: keep your money at home, buy local be local. What does that mean? If you want to be able to keep your money, don't spend it with retailers that send that money out of town. When you buy your groceries from your locally owned grocer, the money goes directly back into the community when the retailer restocks on local products and possibly purchase from you should you participate in local commerce.

Locally owned business are usually more hospitable, helpful, flexible and generous than large corporations. To give you an example, locally owned clothing stores often have services like free alterations which the big name brand stores do not usually provide.

If you go protest Wall Street, you have given the corporations money for fuel, food, hotel rooms, parking, and if you get arrested you will have to pay for attorneys, fines and court fees and more food, fuel and hotel room bills before you even make it back. If you are not put on a no-fly list you might just not be 2 weeks late getting back for work (if you still have a job). Then all that money goes to empower the corporations and lawyers to do more of what you are complaining about.

Now on the other hand, if we occupy a garden instead of Wall Street, think of how much further ahead we will have come to both empowering our self and others around us. With the earnings and savings one could easily purchase enough organic seed and grow equipment to eat on for a several years. Free the oppressed? The answer is yes, but to do so we must start with ourselves and our own communities.

Buy Local Be Local
TIP SHEET: Think Local First Campaign
http://sustainableconnections.org/about/consulting/tlftips

Build a Professional Grade Hydroponic System For $50.00

Don't have room for an outside garden? No problem.

Complete plans and Parts list to build your own NFT PVC Hydroponic System for about $50

MORE VIDEOS