Know The Enemy

"If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril." Sun Tzu

The quote above came to mind when watching the growing protests on Wall Street and throughout the country. A relatively articulate, seemingly bright, young recent college graduate was at the protests in New York when a news reporter and cameraman focused on him. He yelled "Where are the jobs Mr. President?" Now these protestors with energy and enthusiasm are railing against corporate wealth, the disparity between rich and poor and have a populist message antagonistic to Wall Street. Yet this man's comment was against the President? When I teach my Advanced Placement Government students in school, my message is consistent. I do not care what position they take, as long as they know why they are taking that position and that the basis is sound. Unfortunately, this one outburst as referenced above does not meet that standard. President Obama like him or not, has consistently asked for shared sacrifice, for a more regulatory environment on Wall street, for a Buffett tax, for giving the lower wage earners a shot, for building things and expanding loans for college, and additional commitment to training young people at community college etc. etc. etc. To be against corporate greed and also against the President, is nothing more than a lazy man's approach to this populist energy. Know the enemy as Sun Tzu says, because if you don't, your enemy will become your worst nightmare. The Republican party stands against taxing the rich, against any regulation and against reigning in the greed of the investment community. They want to cut the programs that would best support the populist theme and are passing laws in states to deter groups from voting. These are facts. Obama's policies did not get us into this mess, but have started to get us out of it. You have the right to support the Republican point of view, but if you do not know the positions of the people in power, then your protest is nothing more than a circus act. Daniel Patrick Moynahan once said "you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts". Where are you Americans for reason and truth?