Political protest is one of the oldest ways for people of any country to come together and express disagreement with government policies and programs. Since the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, there have been a few small grown swells of protest. Notice civil protest has once again come to light. This time in the face of growing economic dissatisfaction with the legislative branch of the government and corporate structure of the American economic system. The people are poised to directly change the economic policy.
From the early 16th century Protestant Rebellion to the French and American Revolutions, there have been times when oppressive governmental decisions have become too much for the populace to bear.
Picket signs are something not been seen in America for a long time. Whether it be due to ambivalence on the part of Americans comfortable with their lifestyle or glued to reality TV, this basic American tradition has been asleep.
The Wall Street protests against corporate greed and over zealous police intervention that affect the economic base of the country has inspired national action and attention. Starting with college students, as is traditional in America, this protest resulted in the arrest of 700 people on the Brooklyn Bridge. Americans are frustrated knowing corporate America continues to bonus itself while oppresive tax policies close small businesses and multi national super banks refuse to lend a hand to help everyday Americans keep their homes and lifestyles intact. Political protest rallies are being held in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Santa Fe.
We are a country whose roots remain deeply and firmly tied to helping not the individual but the whole. This is start of the 2012 political conversation.
