OWS, The American Dream and You

Taking a cue from the 99 percenters, some conservatives are hoping to make their own play on demographics by redirecting the national discourse about class struggle and revising the cherished American story of meritocracy for these, our troubled times. Here’s a take on “We Are the 53%” from across the Atlantic. –KA

BBC:

But not everyone is angry at Wall Street. Conservative reaction to the movement has resulted in counter-protests and new memes, like conservative columnist Erick Erickson’s new site, We Are The 53%.

The site is a reaction to We Are The 99 Percent, a website that allows citizens to upload photos of themselves holding a sign with their story – such as too much student debt, trouble getting a job, or no health insurance.

Contributors claim they stand in opposition to the 1% of Americans who control the majority of the country’s wealth, as well as the big business and government systems they say allowed the economy to flounder.

Character test

The counter site doesn’t defend any of those institutions. It’s doesn’t defend bonuses for bankers or justify the rich’s low tax rate. The 53% refers to the percentage of Americans who currently pay federal income taxes. The unifying theme of the site is of a rejection of entitlement.

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