Today's Employers Need More than Job Occupants

I know very little about the Occupy Wall Street protests other than what is printed in the papers. By all accounts, the majority of the participants in the demonstrations are unemployed and they feel as they have been victimized by corporate greed. Demonstrators claim to speak for "99 percent" of Americans rallying against the wealthy 1 percent. I can promise you that I am not in the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, and yet I flatly reject the notion that any of these demonstrators are speaking for me. But perhaps by saying they are in the 99% makes them feel like they are a part of something much bigger than it is.  Misery loves company, you know.

This ugly recession has adversely affected millions of innocent people who work hard and contribute much. Unquestionably, the root causes of this global economic implosion can be traced back to corrupt politicians and greedy bankers. However, outside of being street therapy for those involved, this Occupy-branded protest is not going to change anything. What will change each protester's unemployment dilemma is to channel that same energy in a more productive direction. Instead of merely occupying space, they should work to improve the space they are occupying.  Raising a sign that claims you're entitled to a job is a waste of cardboard and markers. Employers aren't looking for entitlement-minded employees; they're looking for employees who have a great work ethic. I believe in American's right to protest. But more than that, I believe in America. And I know she rewards hard work more than idle chit chat.

Related articles

• "Saturday Night Live" Actress Victoria Jackson Shows Up At Occupy Wall Street To Rail On Poor People And Call Obama A Marxist (VIDEO) (businessinsider.com)

• Should Occupy Wall Street Occupy Silicon Valley Instead? (forbes.com)