Taken from recent article on MSNBC News, an alarming census completed in 2010 shows that 1 in 5 children in the United States live below the poverty line. Based on the federal poverty threshold defined as an annual income of $22,314 for a family of four, children living in poverty rose 1.6 percent from 14.7 million in 2009 to 15.7 million in 2010. Despite the country's position as being one of the wealthiest in the world, the number of people living in poverty has reached an all-time high in the United States.

"Children who live in poverty, especially young children, are more likely than their peers to have cognitive and behavioural difficulties, to complete fewer years of education, and, as they grow up, to experience more years of unemployment"

A little shocked and concerned by this news as I hoped more would be, I hasty researched to see what more I may find about child poverty and poverty in general at home here in Canada. Spending a little over an hour or so looking through Statistics Canada for some answers I could not find, I did stumble upon an out-dated response from the Chief Statistician of Canada, Ivan P. Fellegi on poverty and low income. The most recent version dated September 1997, (Yes I did say September 1997) states the following:

 “Statistics Canada does not and cannot measure the level of "poverty" in Canada"...

Confused? Shocked? Perhaps we shouldn’t be knowing the current level of transparency within our Government. WTF are they talking about? How in this modern day and age with all the advances in technology can a country not compile and record better statistic’s as to the state of our economy? What have they to hide? There must be some kind of records on the current state of poverty and the decline of income over the years, even if they are afraid to talk about it. The response from our Chief Statistician reads more like a disclaimer for the Government more than anything else.

I can certainly understand from a Government’s point of view as to why they may not want to make this kind of information public yet in a free and just society, shouldn’t this be the norm? People have a right to know where we stand in the world on such issues compared to other countries. Personally, I want to see the numbers for myself. We must demand more transparency in the Government and agencies who collect this data and do away with the vague disclaimers which are meant to cast doubt on the authenticity of the data being collected. We need change… and we need it NOW!

An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics. — Plutarch (46-120 AD)

In a movement which started in Kuala Lumpur on July 30, 2011 with Occupy Dataran which then migrated to New York City and San Francisco on September 17, 2011, with Occupy Wall Street and Occupy San Francisco and has now spread to more than 95 cities around the US, Europe and Canada. The grassroots demonstrations against corporate bailouts, illegal foreclosures, corporate greed, income inequality and high rates of unemployment have flourished recently online and have become a significant presence in Canadian cities like Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. The people or the 99% as they like to be referred are simply demanding change and rightly so. After years if not decades of social injustice and inequality, the 99% are beginning to speak out.

As I continue to monitor and watch the movement unfold, I’m baffled by the lack of commitment to the Occupy Movement Everywhere. A very compelling movement which is long overdue, yet lacks the momentum needed to bring around real change.   

"Resistance has always been most effective when exercised by those taught that they were the most powerless."

Just who, and where are the 99% who want and demand change? Where are they hiding? Has the Occupy Movement fallen on deaf ears or are people just too afraid to speak out against their oppressors? Perhaps most are contented with paying exorbitant taxes and earning pittance wages while corporate greed has become abundant and commonplace, hastily destroying the very fabric of our society for future generations. And still… their voices stagnant.

I watch in disgust as even among their own there is no solidarity to the cause. The backbiters and wannabe’s more worried about their own egocentric aspirations than those to which would benefit all mankind. They believe they belong to the 99% yet they want little if anything to do with the movement except to share in the rewards, should their be any. Depending what side of the percentage your on, the rewards could be irrefutable.

I read in disgust how lately the politicians and their henchmen now only want to quell the Occupy Movements as they become afraid of the growing momentum. How the corporate and government controlled media downplays the movement instead of airing and talking about the real issues at hand. (How often have we seen the media actually talking with the occupiers and telling their side of things?) Not often enough I’m afraid! What ever happened to Freedom of Speech and Freedom to Assemble as defined in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Oh yeah… That was written for the 1% to oppress the 99%

I have to wonder though… With all the determination of the 99% where will this movement lead? Can anything good become of it? What will it change? What legacy may it pass down to our future generations? Personally, being part of that 99% I would hope that this movement continues to flourish and prosper. We desperately need change and we need it now. My heart goes out to everyone in the occupation who strive to bring about real change and I pray we can achieve our common goals without prejudice, violence and with much dignity.

Remember, we are the 99%!



Perhaps David Suzuki says it best.

“The course of human history is constantly changing. It's up to all of us to join the conversation to help steer it to a better path than the one we are on. Maybe our one demand should be of ourselves: Care enough to do something.”