Are You Smarter Than a Wall Street Occupier?

New York Magazine

Are You Smarter Than a Wall Street Occupier?

written by Alex Klein

October 18, 2011

Over the past month, the crusaders at Zuccotti Park have braved the elements, tussled with police, and stood their ground against Mayor Bloomberg. But how much do the protesters actually know about the economic system that they’re fighting to change? To find out, we asked 50 occupiers a series of questions about Wall Street, taxes, and government.

1. What is the Dodd–Frank Act? 84% don’t know the answer
   
   
2. Does President Obama control the Federal Reserve? 26% don’t know the answer
   
   
3. Who is the chairman of the Federal Reserve? 62% don’t know the answer
   
   
4. Is the U.S. economy currently experiencing inflation or deflation? 24% don’t know the answer
   
   
5. Who is Elizabeth Warren? 76% don’t know the answer
   
   
6. What is the “S.E.C.”? 72% don’t know the answer
   
   
7. What is the top marginal income tax rate for the richest 1 percent? 90% don’t know the answer
   
   AND THE BEST ONE IS... DRUMROLL PLEEEEASE...
   
   
8. What does the government spend more on? Health care and pensions, education, or the military? 96% don’t know the answer

So, to recap: The main “targets” of this protest are that the top 1% isn’t paying their fair share and more economic justice from Washington, yet more than 90% have NO IDEA what Washington spends our taxes on and have no idea what the evil “rich” 1% pay in taxes.

I'd like to share a few comments made in response of this piece:

@TBeast wrote: 50 people? seriously? and you think that's statistically significant/not a load of crap? THIS IS GARBAGE.

@HeadHunt23 replied: @TBeast Actually, any number of instances over 30 is considered statistically significant.

@The8thDayMan wrote: What an _____hole you are for even going there with that poll! You think I have to know the names of the all fallen angels to be aware that devils are afoot?

The great poll would be how much more outraged and how much larger the protest if they did know more.

These people have compassion and virtue and they believe in something besides money--that makes them among the golden ones--how dare you try to belittle them!

@Renellin replied: @the8thdayman - Seriously, maybe the reason they are on Wall Street is because they're so ignorant about who and what is responsible for their pitiless plight.

They don't know what the SEC is yet they are protesting wall street. They are selling merchandise on the internet and amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars (which is NOT being shared with the people at the site), but they claim not to believe in capitalism.

Criminals are having a field day, because the organizers won't let anyone report crimes against them. You don't know them personally.

You really can't know them all to claim they are all noble. You sound like someone watching porn and fantasizing about the probable personality of the girl you are watching.