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Posts Tagged ‘Occupy Wall Street’

The Price We Pay: How Hiding Wealth Offshore Robs The People At Home (Video)

When it comes to sheltering the wealth of the super-rich, the United States is moving up the ranks. A new study says the U.S. is now the third most secretive country for offshore finances, trailing only Hong Kong and Switzerland. While recent U.S. laws force banks and other firms to disclose assets of American citizens, Washington has been criticized for failing to share that information with other countries.

Well, a new documentary tackles the issue of tax havens and their cost to the societies losing out on trillions of dollars in revenue. The film is called The Price We Pay. This is the trailer.

Kicked off by that intro and trailer, part 1 (above) of this episode of Democracy Now to explain how big business and the law of the land allows the USA and other countries to take money that should benefit its citizens and keep it. Some might call that theft (and yes, the tone you note in that last statement is sarcastic). Come on now, no one is saying that winners have to give back all their chips; but winners should play fair. Too bad the players (big business) and the rule-makers (law-makers) do not see things that way. Oh, and by the way, the U.S. is not ‘playing’ in a league of its own. Looking at you Switzerland, UK and others.

Individuals and small businesses pay taxes that fund the construction and repair of roads and bridges, that fund public services like firefighters and police… BUT big business entities – Google, Chase, and others – get access to these essential services without paying taxes on HUGE chunks of income. THAT IS NOT FAIR, player (even if it is legal).

The conversation continues in part 2 after the jump. Watch and go… damn. Link to this episode’s transcript follows.

MORE: THE PRICE WE PAY (DEMOCRACY NOW)

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Politics/Economics: America Hates Its Poor (Video)

The hard truth about America: We are at war. All of us. It’s internal… and just barely civil. We have already seen an occupation of strategic grounds (Wall Street) and the battle lines have been drawn. But don’t think Democrat/Liberal vs. Republican/Conservative (there are battlefields within parties anyway)… and don’t think (as we have) of haves vs. have-nots… The truth is simple, but not because it is oversimplified. It is hard because it is harsh. It is hard, like difficult – not to understand, but to understand how citizens/humans/institutions could allow this and allow it to continue. And it is hard, because it will be difficult to end the war. To think, all this from reading an article (that you should read, too) at Salon.com…

This is an excerpt from the just released second edition of Noam Chomsky’s “Occupy: Class War, Rebellion and Solidarity,” edited by Greg Ruggiero and published by Zuccotti Park Press.

An article that recently came out in Rolling Stone, titled “Gangster Bankers: Too Big to Jail,” by Matt Taibbi, asserts that the government is afraid to prosecute powerful bankers, such as those running HSBC. Taibbi says that there’s “an arrestable class and an unarrestable class.” What is your view on the current state of class war in the U.S.?

– Salon

So, that’s how we should view the sides in our modern civil war: The arrestable vs. the unarrestable… and you KNOW most of the sh!t the unarrestable (e.g. the 1% and those protected by them) gets away with would land most of us in prison. Now, no one is saying ‘be mad at the haves for having’ … no more so than you want anyone less fortunate being mad at you for walking/driving by when you have change/time to spare. Nah, be mad at how they do you… how they lie to you. You know, the stuff that you’d be mad about if someone did it right to your face… because they DO THAT SH!T… ev-er-y day! Watch the clip above (from a ‘have’ who has chosen to give a Ted Talk on the truth). Read the article we read… Hell, read the book it references (both linked below)… Then take time to think and decide for yourself, while you can; before that comes under attack!

NOAM CHOMSKY: AMERICA HATES ITS POOR (SALON)
OCCUPY: REFLECTIONS ON CLASS WAR, REBELLION AND SOLIDARITY (AMAZON)

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Evitan (Dres x Jarobi) – “P.T.I. (Occupy Wall Street)” [Video]

The homie Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest & Dres formerly of Black Sheep have formed a new group together called Evitan. Evitan spelled backwards is “Native” which is short for the iconic Native Tongues movement they were all a part of. “Occupy Wall Street” is the first single from their forthcoming, soon-to-be-titled album, which will be released in 2012. The video was shot on location at the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City.

Yelawolf Talks Occupy Wallstreet (Video)

While out on his “Hard White” Tour in preparation for his upcoming album release on Eminem’s Shady Records, Yelawolf spoke on the OccupyWall Street movement that’s engulfing the entire country right now. I wasn’t surprised to hear Yelawolf’s response in this interview as he’s always came off to me as the type of dude who is very much in tune to what’s going on in the world unlike most of that fake crap you see most rappers talk about day in & day out.

David Banner Visits Occupy Wall Street (Video)


David Banner visits Occupy Wall Street…well in this video he does a brief interview while en route towards the Occupy Wall Street protest areas talking about how artists have failed the people.

Immortal Technique: No More Free Passes For Our Government (Video)


www.DemocracyNow.org – Among the many artists supporting the Occupy Wall Street encampment is the Hip-Hop artist Immortal Technique. He shares his impressions of the protesters demands with Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and performs his song, “Toast to the Dead.” “People say that you know what, I want concrete solutions, I want people held accountable for what they did wrong,” Immortal Technique says. “I want governments to realize that they’re not just going to get a free pass for their horrific record of human rights, even if you’re supported by America, because we have deals to exploit your national resources. I think that’s what people are genuinely concerned with.”

Bun B Joins the OccupyWallStreet Movement via Houston (Video)

I really respect Bun B in being able shine light on the OccupyWallStreet movements that have been taking place all over the country. Recently Bun B, real name Bernard Freeman, spoke from the Houston offshoot of the movement #OccupyHouston weighed in on what’s going on in the country.

Kanye West & Russell Simmons Occupy Wallstreet (Video)

Kanye West & Russell Simmons made a trip down to support the protesters at Occupy Wall Street. The movement is growing & getting larger everyday all over the country. #OccupyWallstreet

Talib Kweli Shows Support For Protesters at Occupy Wall Street (Video)

Talib Kweli attends Occupy Wall Street on Oct 6, 2011. Kweli preforms an exclusive new rhyme titled “Distraction” and by request “Thieves In the Night.” He also speaks heart-felt words in support of Occupy Wall Street.”

Russell Simmons Says He’s Paid Less Taxes Than His Employees (Video)


Warren Buffet was the first & one of the few billionaires to speak out about what’s going on in America with billionaires, millionaires, & corporations getting ridiculous tax breaks while the average American citizen is paying more in taxes year after year. Russell Simmons spoke out recently about these disparities that are serious affecting the country and later added in that he’s paid less taxes than all of his employees combined. He also lent his support to the protestors Occupying Wall Street.

Lupe Fiasco Speaks On the Fall of Building 7 on 9/11 & more at the Occupy Wall Street Rally (Video)

“Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change was recently at the Occupy Wall Street event and noticed Lupe Fiasco hanging out with the crowd of protesters. Lupe wanted to know who Luke was and after talking for 20 minutes about the past work of We Are Change and our mission, Lupe gladly agreed to do the interview. Lupe gets into great detail about 911 truth, the new world order and most importantly solutions to the problems we face today. We thank Lupe for not only his words but positivity and knowledge he shares with millions of people through his music.”WeAreChange.ORG

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