Fans of Friedrich von Hayek may be surprised to learn that the Austrian economist is the talk of Occupy London. Hayek’s observation that distributed intelligence in a voluntary co-operative is a hallmark of real economy rings true beneath the bells of St Paul’s. Occupy is often criticised for not having a single message but that misses the point: we are committed to incorporating different preferences before coming up with policies. In this sense, it could be said we work more like a market than the corporate boardroom or lobbyist-loaded politics – our ideas are radical but also just and democratically decided.

Since ownership of the debt will utlimately be passed on to future generations (ignoring the portion that is held by foreigners -- which a function of the trade deficit), the debt itself is not a generational burden.

It can raise important issues of distribution within generations and the taxes needed to pay for the debt can create economic distortions, but many other things also lead to economic distortions (like patents and copyrights).

To carry this point a step further, since deficits that stimulate the economy today are likely to increase investment (especially if they are used to finance public investment and education), they are likely to make out children richer. Furthermore, the Fed could simply hold this debt and use higher reserve requirements in future years to stem an inflationary impact from a greater volume of reserves in the banking system. In that case, interest on the debt would be paid directly back to the Treasury. Where is the burden on our kids?

Occupy the Courts – Pre-Events, March & Rally

Contacts: Don Dressel, Atlanta Move to Amend, 404-307-2405

Darlene Jones-Owens, Everyday People Occupy Atlanta, 770-328-9036

The January 21, 2010 Supreme Court ruling, Citizens United v FEC, outrageously equated corporate money with "free speech." Political cash from corporate sponsors is used abundantly and anonymously in campaigns, drowning out the voices of “We the People.” For three days this week, Atlanta organizations including Atlanta Move to Amend, OCCUPY Atlanta, Everyday People OCCUPY Atlanta, MoveOn Atlanta Council, GA Peace & Justice Coalition, Teamsters, AFL/CIO, Green Friends/Atlanta Friends Meeting, 350.0rg/Atl., GA Sierra Club, Georgia WAND, Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Environment Georgia will join together to protest the second anniversary of the Citizens United ruling. Speakers and artists will deliver short but powerful messages on the impact the decision is having on our politics, jobs, schools, environment, public services, military, and basic freedoms.The press is invited to all events.

Event #1: Sign-Making Party

Wednesday, January 18: 5 – 9 PM
American Friends Service Center, 60 Walton Street. 

Event #2: Shoe-Toss at US Supreme Court

Thursday, January 19: 2 – 6 PM at 
Woodruff/Troy Davis Park, 91 Peachtree Street.
Bring an old shoe to toss at an image of the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court.

Event #3: Occupy the Courts March and Rally

Friday, January 20, 2012 1 – 4 PM

• March from Woodruff/Troy Davis Park, 91 Peachtree Street to

• Rally at the Courtyard of the Richard B. Russell Federal Building, 75 Spring Street,

• “Mourning Democracy” Funeral March back to Woodruff/Troy Davis Park