The Occupy Wall Street protestors are the echoes of a louder voice we've all heard for the last four years--the voice of President Barack Obama.
The protestors refer to themselves as the "99 percent," highlighting one of their primary complaints against modern-day American society--the top 1 percent--the wealthy.
They are protesting social and economic inequality--capitalism.
There are several other grievances on the movement's many lists, and while the protestors have been criticized for having no unified goals or demands, I think Occupy Wall Street can be boiled down to one protest--the rich.
They are protesting the rich and the government's role in providing an environment that enabled the rich to get rich.
It is hard to believe a movement that goes against the foundation that has made our country work for all these years is taking root across the same nation.
What happened to the Puritan work ethic? When did the American Dream become something to which everyone is entitled?
Our country became what it is today because people were willing to work for what they got and accept what they deserved.
This promoted a level of competition in our society that motivated people to work even harder, but also revealed a distinction between those who were willing to rise to the challenge and those who were not.
This principle--this system of capitalism--is the heart and soul of America. With hard work and commitment, someone can reach the top from rock bottom.
This used to be an inspirational possibility, filling Americans with hope in their futures, but now the "99 percent" feel this is not enough. They would rather protest their way to the top.
Luckily, they have chosen the time to protest during the most sympathetic of administrations.
It is no secret Obama agrees with much of what this movement stands for. He wants to lessen the gap between the top 1 percent and the rest of America, spread the wealth and take from the rich and give to the poor.
When he addressed Congress in September, advocating the passage of his American Jobs Act, he claimed the bill would provide tax breaks and "cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business."
Not five minutes later, he assured the public the bill would be paid for through trillions of dollars of spending cuts, adjustments to programs like Medicare and Medicaid and finally, raising the taxes of the wealthiest citizens and biggest corporations.
How does that work, Mr. President? Are the wealthy not included under the umbrella of "every working American" anymore?
Obama has been claiming the sky is falling for months now, trying to get this bill passed by frightening the public with continuous statements that the economy is collapsing in on us.
He needs this movement as much as it needs him.
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