Occupy Wall Street Protesters -- the People's Message to Politicians

COMMENTARY | It's interesting how the tea party protesters were embraced by conservatives as the people's right to voice their concerns while the Occupy Wall Street protesters are un-American progressives, old wannabe hippies and a mob of disorganized complainers with no central message. Our political leaders have effectively divided the country into an us against them mentality with wedge issues and fear. Critics and politicians who want the OWS protesters to go away are missing a central and crucial complaint staring them in the face. It's not about a political party; it's about a growing discontent with a corporate, financial and political system that no longer functions for the people as a whole.

We are the United States of America. Each state an individual among the many. One state alone cannot survive without the other 49. Our power is spread over 50 states and bound together under one central government. United we stand, divided we fall. The OWS protesters have diverse complaints and the only way to send a message to politicians is through peaceful protest.

Both political parties and greedy financial and corporate institutions are endangering the middle class and people are frustrated and angry. The 99 percent are workers who labor in coal mines, factories, steel mills, on family farms and in schools to educate our children and we are the people who bind this country together for a strong and stable economy.

The OWS movement has nothing to do with envy of the rich, but it does have everything to do with fairness and opportunities for all Americans. Once upon a time in America, the average person could run for the highest office in the land. Today, only the corporation or religiously approved have that opportunity. Politicians are now beholding to their benefactors and the people's voice is lost in the shuffle of corporate and special interest cash.

America is the land of opportunity and immigrants migrated to this great land for a variety of reasons. Our forefathers had the good sense to provide we, the people with a Constitution and Bill of Rights that put the power of the nation in our hands. Politicians believe they control political agendas -- until a grassroots movement of dissent begins to grow and demands social change. The OWS protesters are sending the people's message to politicians and trying to silence a legitimate protest will not heal the disease of discontent.

Why Politicians Fear Peaceful Protests

The Bill of Rights

The Constitution of the United States