Occupy Wall Street, the Tea Party, and loosely associated opponents of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the emerging U.S. police state: listen up.

Federal government: you should read this as well.

This is important.

Thus far, Occupy and Tea Party elements have wielded large amounts of political and public sphere influence, but both movements risk becoming extinct if they continue down their current divisive and leaderless paths. Apathy, division, infighting, and harsh police crackdowns will eventually wipe out your movements. Nothing without leadership and a clear list of grievances lasts forever.

Similarly, the federal government faces almost certain extinction if the aforementioned movements continue to grow at their current rates in the near-term, which they are likely to do.

There is a way to end all of this. We will have our American Spring, after all, but it will be non-violent, bold, and swift.

The two major protest groups must come together, at once, and adopt this list of demands (or something substantially similar). Keep in mind, I've spoken with Occupiers and Tea Partiers. This is what many of you want. Will it please everyone? No, of course not. But compromise is essential here.

We will also adopt the list of promises contained herein, a renewed pledge of loyalty to the federal government and the union for which it stands.

1) The Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2012), and who vocally supported the morally bankrupt censorship bill, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), must immediately resign from public office. This is non-negotiable. After all, they are traitors of the highest order, and are lucky to escape this scandal with their lives and assets intact. In exchange, the American people -- including the Tea Party and Occupy -- will affirm a commitment to our current democratic system. The power structure remains fully intact; we just want new representatives within that power structure.



2) The federal government, which had enough power to execute an unprecedented bailout of the banking system several years ago, is assumed to have the power to influence ongoing bank policy. As such, legislation must be passed within six months which would substantially relieve the plight of homeowners who risk eviction, or homeowners who have already been foreclosed on, or homeowners who are paying mortgages on homes that have lost more than 40% of their value over the past six years. No hardworking middle-class American willing to work 50 hours per week, and willing to do their best to pay the mortgage, should be subject to foreclosure. An "occupied" home (no pun intended!) is more profitable to the banks than a home left empty and in disarray for months, or perhaps years. Banks are in the business of lending, they aren't in the business of being de facto landlords. In exchange, the American people -- including the Tea Party and Occupy -- will affirm a commitment to the American system of capitalism which has led to unprecedented innovation and wealth creation over the past two centuries. We acknowledge there will always be winners and losers within this system; there will always be some disparity in wealth in a free market system. A vitriolic witch hunt against "greed" and financial prosperity is not advantageous, and will not be pursued.

3) Outstanding student loan debt needs to be addressed in a meaningful way; up to 100% loan forgiveness for those willing to complete two years of national service, either in the military, approved non-profit capacity, or a civil corps. Such service will also be paid, and will provide the opportunity for advancement and career development. The alternative is dire: a massive spate of student loan defaults, as unemployed recent grads simply cannot repay such debt obligations under existing repayment terms. In exchange, the federal government receives a loyal workforce of young and intelligent Americans willing -- and able -- to improve our standing around the world, safeguard our national security, and improve our ailing infrastructure here at home.

4) Finally, a corporation is not a human being, and never has been. It does not enjoy unfettered freedom of speech protection. It is not allowed to contribute funds or substantial resources to politicians or political parties, since it is not a person and most certainly not a citizen of the United States of America. Money and politics must be divorced, once and for all. In exchange, the American people -- including the Tea Party and Occupy -- will affirm a commitment to the many other benefits corporations enjoy, including preferential taxation, preferential organizational ability, and enhanced ability to raise capital. The earliest corporations on Earth were designed to maximize innovation, maximize the output of talented labor, and advantageously spread risk across a large pool of interested investors, increasing the odds of favorable return over time. They were not designed to become political kingmakers.

5) The attack on the Bill of Rights ends once and for all. Strict adherence to the Bill of Rights is to be taught, and passionately enforced, at all levels of government. It's the bedrock of our nation and should not be abandoned or desecrated. Our uniquely American civil rights are, indeed, rights and not privileges.

Let us show Russia and China and others that their cynicism is profoundly misplaced. Rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

This will be an American century, after all.

We are at the height of our technological, cultural, and humanitarian abilities -- and 307 million Americans refuse to allow our grand destiny and shared prosperity to be derailed by a handful of misguided career politicians stuck in the past. A strong central government is admittedly necessary given the complexity and dangers of 21st century life.

But we demand it be staffed with leaders who have greater vision, and shared values.

A fresh start. A new America. We'll show the rest of the world what we are truly capable of -- without violence, without strife, and within a matter of days.

Repost and share this if you agree with the 5 People's Grievances of 2011.