I met Michael Steel during the NH Primary at JD’s Tavern, the bar inside the Raddison Hotel, across the street from Veteran’s Park.
I was with a few Occupiers in the lobby when I saw Mr. Steele near the exit of the bar, and I told them I intended to ask him a question.
A couple of the occupiers walked over to introduced themselves, to break the ice and engage him about the movement.
At this point Mr. Steele said that he had always been very supportive of the occupy movement, since day one, adding that he saw an energy which the early days of the tea party had, and that he respects us for tackling the rampant corruption within our system. With that, I asked,
“Sir, I have a question for you on that note. Would you support the criminal prosecution of the top level banksters which made away with the american dream?”
He said that with criminal charges it could be a slippery slope, one we would need to be prepared for if we were to go down that road, and that he wouldn’t want to see anyone prosecuted for simply making a lot of money.
I pushed further, asking,
“What if it was proven that these banking executives wantonly abused systems with which they had privileged information on to the detriment of our entire society?”
“Well, if that was the case, then I would support it. But you need the evidence, show me the evidence.” Adding “You wont find it, because no one is looking for it.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because the system has a way of protecting itself.”
“Well, what should we do?” an occupier asked.
“Just keep doing what you are doing. You guys have it right.”