Occupy the Lazy Boy!

Occupy the Lazy Boy! Originally published November 25, 2011 The Frederick News-Post By Steven R. Berryman

For those not toiling in the materialistic world of "Black Friday" today, I'd like to offer some more spiritual thoughts on the continuing saga of the anti-materialistic movement, Occupy Wall Street. It's a study in contrasts with reality; I'm for giving OWS a chance, despite the irony that they want -- in the true entitlement sense -- what you have. I notice the OWS archetypes shopping for iPhones and tablet computers in my store quite often, self-identified by their dress-down garb. They occupy the "wants" side of the store, as opposed to the "needs" side. This is further explained by what we call consumers' search for either the "wants" or the "needs" sides of our merchandising. A 60-inch Samsung LED flat-screen TV is a want; a major appliance like a refrigerator or laundry pair is demonstrably a need, unless you live in a tent city, protesting in some park, of course. Despite the example of irony above, I want to further amplify my best wishes for OWS, as I have stated in previous columns and on Facebook posts. The over-indulgers of Thanksgiving calories -- taking on the Lazy Boy recliner today -- do not get the same respect from me as do the newbie-activists with agenda still infirm and often self-opposed. At least they are physically taking action -- as opposed to simply complaining. The occupation part is a formative mode of operation as well as a media stunt. Yes, I'm willing to accept that the youthful idealism of OWS is not of the same caliber as the pragmatic maturity of the tea party, but that should be expected on generational lines alone. What bothers me is the lack of depth in considering the origins of what they protest, and a proper strategy of where to do so most righteously. For example, since crony-capitalists from Wall Street, The Fed and the banking sector came on board full-scale with the Obama administration, why not Occupy the Rose Garden or the Ellipse? I know, too thorny. But Occupy on behalf of free housing, free food, free college, or free health care for all as an entitlement? Seeking ill-defined "social justice" is how we got here, $15 trillion in debt. Another OWS want is to forgive all bank debt and just start over; right! Should the fundamental primal and emotional urges of the original OWS be granted, see capitalism be replaced with wholesale socialism; been there done that in Europe. Do admire OWS for sensing that we are a failed political model now. Praise them for knowing that something must be done! Acknowledge that they got up out of the Lazy Boy -- or sleeping bag or futon, or whatever. But help them to aim at the systemic corruption currently creating a leadership vacancy in our Congress and White House. Hold the right groups accountable. Fix the two-party system revolving door; no doubt their leaders are reading this from Lazy Boys today! --------------------------------------------------------- Steven R. Berryman writes from Frederick, and is occupied professionally with retail today. (srbmgr@comcast.net)

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