Editorial: Emerging message from Occupy Wall Street (Press-Democrat)

[struggle4progress]

Published: Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 1:03 p.m.

... In much of America, the recession hasn't ended. Incomes are falling, unemployment is not. Yet the rich are prospering, and Wall Street banks that made a killing during the boom haven't paid any price for their role in the bust.

As it's grown, Occupy Wall Street has started focusing on disparity, fairness, justice. These could become powerful campaign themes, causing discomfort for both major parties. But it remains to be seen whether the upstart movement can be harnessed into an effective political force for the 2012 election ...

These demonstrators may not represent the 99 percent they claim, but they aren't uninformed. And if they're waging class war, as some critics say, they have some compelling numbers on their side ...

Financial institutions have effectively blocked nearly all of the regulatory reforms that were proposed when they lined up for federal bailouts. Adding to the public's contempt are nickel-and-dime fees, such as Bank of America's new $5-a-month charge for debit cards ...

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111013/OPINION/111019798