Forum: Occupy TC makes a difference

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December 14, 2011

By Betty K. Bushey ---- The Record Eagle Thu Feb 09, 2012, 11:45 AM EST

There are many folks in our community who are apathetic about what is going on in our country and the world. There are people who only get information from news and entertainment programming like MSNBC and Fox, without exploring or researching other sources. And yes, there are plenty of folks who do not want to read about or discuss the state of our state, country and world because it is "too depressing."

However, I know there are many, many of us who are engaged and involved in making a difference. We are involved in community projects, in county government, in issues that go far and wide ... beyond our own towns and communities.

We are active in Democrat, independent, and Republican organizations, the Green Party, men's groups, women's groups. We are involved and active in community service organizations; and we are also involved and engaged in a new movement in Traverse City: the Occupy Traverse City movement.

We are not jobless, hippie losers who have nothing better to do with our time. We are citizens from all walks of life who want to make a difference ... in our community, in our state and in our country. The Occupy Traverse City organization has been making a difference in our corner of the world by enlightening our fellow citizens of how they, too, can get involved in making a difference.

Not only do we walk with protest signs, but we meet to discuss ways of making a positive impact on our state and country.

As a member of Leelanau Independent Women for Democratic Action, I am proud to announce that our group is bringing David Cobb, national organizer, leader and spokesman for the Move to Amend coalition, to Traverse City on Jan. 11, 2012.

Move to Amend is highly organized and is the premier movement in our country working at the grassroots level to amend the United States Constitution to repeal corporate personhood.

Corporations are not people. The U.S. Supreme Court said corporations are people, and as such, should have the same rights as individuals. We believe corporations are not people; the Constitution must be amended to repeal this law.

If you are fed up with the current state of the country, you can do something about it. It may seem to you that one voice, one person, cannot make a difference; but together, we can and we will. Occupy Traverse City is a non-partisan, compassionate, active and friendly group that meets two times a week in an effort to change the status quo. We stand for liberty, free speech, equality, civil discourse, and above all, helping to alleviate despair.

About the author: Betty K. Bushey is a member of Leelanau Independent Women for Democratic Action and its subgroup, SNAG, State and National Action Group.

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