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As protesters have occupied Wall Street to exact their rage against our societal elites, one question remains; why are they doing this? In the post-Arab Spring world is the American youth really sending a message or are they just masturbating?
The army of disaffected youths that have laid siege to the nation's financial capital may have awakened the imagination of the Millennial generation but in this action the movement is also exposing the demographics' greatest weakness: coherency.
Without a clear and concise message or list of demand the media and political elites are getting the message that the U-30 demographic is not only unsure of what they are doing but too incompetent and ignorant to make any real difference.
News agencies have had to relay messages from protesters that range from demands for an outrageously high minimum wage to the complete abolition of the free market system. The lack of direction within the Occupy Wall Street protest may be fostering a sense of community among the disenfranchised but is having little effect in political circles.
It is truly amazing that something as mundane as the economy has set my generation to action. However, it seems more like a temper tantrum as none of protestors apparently know anything about economics.
The Millennial generation needs to come to grips with reality. We will always be ignored so long as we do not grow up.
My generation, in general, is very self-involved and unaware of what is going on in the world. One only needs to look at the average Facebook profile to prove this point. I can almost certainly find posts covering every facet of this evenings shocking television programming but would be hard pressed to find anything of real value.
It is not that the protesters do not have a just cause; rectifying one's expectations with the brutal reality of a depression era economy is difficult. The protestors however are ignoring the plain truth that they are being ineffective because of their lack of a message.
The protest organizers in New York are simply playing to the emotional undercurrent within a certain demographic but they are doing my generation a disservice by undermining our credibility as a political force.
If the millennial generation is so moved and would like to make a real change then it is time that they become involved, informed, and empowered.
There is no quick fix to the nation's woes. This task will require hard work. Sitting around smoking pot on Wall Street won't cut it.
Mark R. Seme studied political science in college, is a veteran of several campaigns, and is a life long student of politics. In 2011 Mark founded the website Saturday Night Politics, a political commentary site that takes the spin out of politics by focusing on pragmatism instead of partisanship.
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SNP homepage: http://saturdaynightpolitics.com/blog/
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