The President answered questions about Occupy Wall Street yesterday, and several other Democratic politicians have given statements in support.
The Boston Globe carried an AP article which reports that people involved in the movement are non too happy with either party. I fall in that group.
Wall Street protesters disgusted with both parties
By Beth Fouhy and Verena Dobnik
Associated Press / October 7, 2011
NEW YORK—Although their main concern is Wall Street practices and economic inequality, some demonstrators in New York and across the U.S. say politicians from both major parties are to blame for policies they say protect corporate America at the expense of the country's middle class.
"At this point I don't see any difference between George Bush and (Barack) Obama. The middle class is a lot worse than when Obama was elected," said John Penley, an unemployed legal worker from Brooklyn.
The Occupy Wall Street movement, which began last month with a small number of young people pitching a tent in front of the New York Stock Exchange, has expanded nationally and drawn a wide variety of activists, including retirees, union members and laid-off workers. As new groups continue to organize, demonstrators Thursday marched in Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Anchorage, Alaska, carrying signs with slogans such as "Get money out of politics" and "I can't afford a lobbyist."
Some here at DailyKos predict that the terrible economy will be The President's downfall, and that downticket races may not fare better.
Got this email yesterday that had an interesting subject line:
There Aren't Many Incumbents Worth Keeping In Congress
10/06/11
Digby, John and Howie, Blue America Pac
We were planning to spend our Blue America session this Saturday talking with Alan Grayson, but Alan suggested we move his date back and talk with another old friend, North Carolina Congressman Brad Miller. Blue America isn't looking for incumbents to endorse this cycle--unless they're really good... and really in trouble. Brad has been really good for a really long time and the crazed right-wing North Carolina state legislature just cut his district to shreds, pushing him into a tough primary. He needs our help.
When Grayson suggested we have him over at Crooks and Liars Saturday he told us that "Brad Miller is exactly what people hope that their representatives will be: thoughtful, independent, selfless, smart, and completely committed to their wellbeing. There are very few Members of Congress who are willing to tell a well-connected lobbyist to get lost; Brad is one of them."
Brad serves on the House Financial Services Committee and he disquieted many of his colleagues by writing, very publicly:
“The interests of the financial industry and those of working- and middle-class families appear irreconcilable. That doesn't leave much room for consensus. Congress may just need to pick a side: the financial industry or working- and middle-class families. Why not put it to a vote?”
That's not a vote conservatives-- of either party-- are eager to ever see happen. This week Brad introduced the Freedom And Mobility Banking Act of 2011 in response to the new policy of big banks punishing consumers with higher debit card fees. It aims to give real choices by modernizing and streamlining the opening and closing of personal checking and savings accounts. Brad:
What will progressives do this election cycle? Sit it out? Work for individual candidates? Support the President because he's the best ever/he's all we've got? Will a new party emerge? Will the Democratic Party be transformed?
Exciting times....
One thing is certain:
Occupy Together