Where I Occupy

Recently, a friend "unfriended" me on Facebook. It was in response to what he said is my "constant trolling" on his Facebook page regarding politics, specifically regarding the "Occupy" movement, in which he recently became quite involved. I wasn't interacting, just being snide, he said.

I realised that perhaps he had a point; perhaps I haven't articulated my position on the whole matter. Allow me to rectify this, in point form.

1) The "Occupy" group claims to be the "99%" as they claim to be opposed to the fact that 1% of the population controls so much of the wealth in the USA. Sure, I get that. Here's the thing: being one of the 99% in the USA still puts you into the - what? - 10% of the world's population in terms of wealth? If you're standing out there, living in a tent like a hobo, claiming that you've been wronged because you don't have enough money to pay your student debt, you need to realise that to the majority of the world you're complaining that your wallet is too small for your fifties, your Ferrari won't fit in your new garage, and your diamond shoes are too tight. There is no way that you can have this fact in mind without appearing like a whiny child.

2) 1% of the population pays approximately 40% of the tax in the USA, and the corporate tax rate is near 35% - the highest in the world. Yes, there are loopholes that exist that allow the richest to escape paying even more, but that doesn't seem to be the point of the protests. A more fair solution, perhaps, would be to increase the sales tax, thus "punishing" the evil people who consume more than their fair share. No one's making that claim.

3) So many people I've seen in the "Occupy" movement seem to have a ridiculous sense of entitlement. Change that aspect of society, and you'll never have to have another one of these protests. So we're clear: the government owes you nothing except law and order. If you wanted that education, and you agreed to take out a student loan, that's no fault of anyone else. Either don't take out the loan, or expect to pay it back yourself.

4) Listen, live within your means. I went to school and attained a Master's degree. I took out $9000 in student loans, and worked like a dog. I went to school, worked 35 hours/week, and then worked 50+ hours over the summers. If I can do it, anyone can; I mean it. And why do so many of these protestors seem to have no job? There are jobs out there, you just have to go get them. If a job pays your bills, then there is honour in it; beggars cannot be choosy. If working 80 hours at Burger King was the only way I could put a roof over my family's heads, I would do it. I would have to.

5) The "Occupy" Movement seems to have started out as a protest against the huge payouts given to banks and big corporations by the American government. What's interesting is that I'd wager the majority of people involved voted for Obama, and will vote for him again. Remind me: who was it that gave all that money to those corporations? A conservative would say: Listen, if you can't make a profit, don't come to the government for money. Make the changes you need to.

6) The "Occupy" movement seems to have been co-opted by the anti-capitalism crowd. I find no Scriptural basis to support socialism or capitalism.

7) Scripture allows Christians to break the law in only a pair of specific circumstances. If the law requires that I do something God prohibits, I must break the law; if the law prohibits me from doing something God requires, I must break the law. Trespassing is not covered by this; vandalism is not covered by this; refusal to pay taxes is not covered by this. A Christian who believes the Bible is true is not permitted to break the law. Don't believe me? 1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 22:17-21; Titus 3:1.  And this is my make-or-break for any "movement;" what does the Bible say about it?

There. Discuss.