Here's a comment I posted to Aaron Overfors' article in the Minnesota Republic, Occupy: Give up your money.
1. Demanding that a commission try to find a way to "end the influence money has over representatives in Washington" does not equate to "asking people to not be motivated by money." In fact, it's an acknowledgement that people are motivated by money, and a reaction to that fact in light of the widely held belief that government would function better if representatives were more focused on their roles as lawmakers and less distracted by needing to attend fund-raisers, call donors, etc. Does your love of the free market extend to outright buying of votes? Assuming your answer is no, why is it not worth considering that beyond banning outright bribery, we might also enact other barriers between powerful government officials and rich individuals or organizations?
2. Your article is filled with indications that you do in fact have almost "no insights into the thoughts and feeling [sic] of the protestors [sic]." In no place is this more evident, nor more disheartening, than your assertion that the one thing that unifies the occupy protesters above all other is hatred. Nothing could be further from the truth. I hope that rather than continue to debate with your crudely-crafted straw men, you will seek out opportunities to engage in actual conversations with the people whose concerns you don't share, and thus far don't even understand.
Regards,
Ryan
To feel much for others and little for ourselves; to restrain our selfishness and exercise our benevolent affections, constitute the perfection of human nature.
Adam Smith
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