Occupy Movement Spreading to Our Nation's Capital

Many of us witnessed the beginning of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement several months ago, where protestors marched and camped out in front of the banks and multi-national corporations headquartered in New York City. The protest was organized by citizens who were fed up with bank bailouts, illegal stock swaps, outrageous bonuses and the excessive salaries that are associated with big business in the 21st century. Now the movement is heading to our nation’s capital to “Occupy D.C.” 

Protestors have been descending all week on the nation’s Capitol building, nearby congressional offices, the Supreme Court and the White House to express their dissatisfaction with our elected officials, who seem to represent wealthy special interest groups rather than the citizens who elected them. Some of the main goals of the movement are to separate money from politics and to educate citizens about the corruption in our government. Because of this movement, average citizens are now more aware than ever about the wealth gap caused by our crooked economic system, crony capitalism and unlimited and anonymous campaign donations allowed under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United decision.   

In Missouri, it is clear that special interests influenced the fate of our special session this fall, when the General Assembly failed to reform our state’s tax credit system. Special interests said no and lawmakers caved. It’s a vicious cycle - a corporate donor may contribute to a lawmaker’s campaign if they sponsor or support certain legislation. Conversely, a lawmaker may not vote or sponsor legislation unless a significant donation is made to his or her campaign. Both groups are using each other to perpetuate the current political climate here in Jefferson City and across the nation.

This is why I fully support the current protests around the country and in Washington, D.C. These Americans are fed up with traditional leadership and the institutions that want to control our democracy. Elected officials should represent the 99 percent, not the top 1 percent who already have all the advantages massive wealth confers upon them, and these protestors are shining a valuable light on our nation’s lost democratic ideals and the dangerous path we are heading down. I commend you if you’ve spoken out against the current system and I urge you to get involved if you are still standing on the sidelines.