Dad!  The liberals have won, the liberals have won!”

“What are you talking about?”

“All the restrooms say ‘Occupado!’”

Occupy

I wanted to like this movement.  Occupy Wall Street originated from a magazine article by Adbusters Foundation that challenged people to challenge corporate greed and economic disparity.  With the economy in the doldrums, politicians in gridlock, and more and more people unemployed, a movement that asked that we reexamine our basic social contract seemed welcome relief to the shrill voices that cared more about winning political power than  about restoring prosperity. I wondered whether the movement would demand politicians agree to compromise or present a bold vision that rivaled the New Deal.  I recall the Civil Rights Movement that protested discrimination and the lack of equal access to education, transportation, voting, and housing.  I appreciate the Gay Rights Movement that protests inequality and mistreatment while promoting legislation and litigation for equality under the law.  Our nation has a long history of movements that engage in lobbying, protests, referendums, litigation, guerrilla theater, and political action to demand an end to abuses of civil and human rights.  It was not so long ago that suffragettes demanded voting rights for women.  I marched and lobbied to end our involvement in the Vietnam War.  Despite my disagreement with its lack of compassion and refusal to compromise and shear ignorance, I understand the Tea Party’s demands for lower taxes, less government, and a balanced budget.   I also see them engage in political activism to achieve their goals. 

Begun as a peaceful protest, the occupiers have devolved into more style than message.  Testing the limits of free speech in public places and employing cute hand signals are not substitutes for an articulate agenda.  As the economy rebounds, will the moment be lost?  Will the casualties of this most severe recession – including the thousands of newly discharged veterans - continue to suffer without meaningful help?  Will the Occupy organizers have squandered their fifteen minutes of fame with catchy demonstrations and memories of what might have been?  

Perhaps I am too critical and from chaos shall spring transformation.  While I prefer a clearly articulated movement, I guess I will have to settle for mainstream Democrats to become energized by the Occupiers’ outrage and craft a message with inspiration and understandable goals for the “movement.”