Revolution USA: Occupy Wall Street movement has grown quickly - by Michael Muskal

Those who think that the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement is just a traffic annoyance with nowhere to go should remember that the same was said at one time about protest movements around the world throughout history, including the tea party movement in the United States.

In the nation’s capital, progressives on Monday kicked off their “Take Back the American Dream” conference at which the almost month-old Occupy Wall Street movement was one of the topics of discussion. Over the weekend, demonstrations of one sort or another were held in at least half a dozen cities, including New York, where 700 were arrested. No place seems immune, and even in Washington, a group called OccupyKSt has called for demonstrations this week against the avenue associated with big lobbying firms.

Many societies, including the United States, have seen this type of scenario before. The tea party movement began with a lot of anger at the political system that was fed by cable television and some politicians and institutions.

The current round is no different. Polls show perhaps four out of five Americans are unhappy with the political system, which is seen as ineffective in dealing with domestic issues such as the economy. The anger seems to be directed everywhere, but especially at Congress, though President Obama’s approval ratings have also fallen sharply since he took office.

In a political system with so much anger sloshing around, it is hardly surprising that some on the right -- and the left -- would look for targets. Conservatives, including some of the candidates running for the GOP presidential nomination, have attacked central government, federal economic stimulus efforts and tax reform proposed by Democrats as a new type of class war. Led by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, some Republicans have also singled out the Federal Reserve for special attack.

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