COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Dear Readers,

On the twentieth day of the Occupation of Wall Street, I read a tweet that summed up my feelings for the burgeoning movement.

'The important thing about #occupywallstreet for me is that everything is on the table.'

The limitations of the political discussion in the United States have been insanely frustrating ever since I can remember. But something has fundamentally shifted in just one month.

While candidates for president get into heated arguments about who cut whose lawn, the 99 percent of Americans who cannot afford a landscaping team, let alone a lawn, are getting down to business reinventing the unjust systems of power that has governed our lives for too long.

From day one, I knew something about this movement was different. On day one, I found myself in Zuccotti Park, sitting on the ground in a big circle with young, smiling people. Discussing the deep, fundamental discussion of the horrifying ails of our country and our world and the formulating a stunningly optimistic and intelligent list of reforms. These ideas were then taken and synthesized and discussed in a massive group meeting called a General Assembly, where anyone who wanted to speak could be heard.

The model of this movement is its strength, elevated and fueled by the platform of independent media who have been covering it correctly since the beginning. This is what democracy looks like. And it’s beautiful.

Truthout has been on a mission to fundamentally expand the political discussion for ten years. We strive every day to cut through the noise and the gossip to bring out the truth. With unyielding passion for our mission, we will continue this work.

Our model is also our biggest strength. We don’t seek profit. We are not sponsored. We are not run by people in suits. Instead we are funded by the contributions of our readers and every dollar that comes in is spent in pursuit of our mission.

Please make a tax-deductible donation tonight, if you are able. We cannot do this without you.

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In Solidarity,
Matt Renner, Director of Development