What is different about the latest demonstrations and demonstrators?

There have been demonstrations against our government almost since its beginning. In my memory, most demonstrations concern people who want the government to do or give something to the demonstrators. The civil rights demonstrators wanted full representation. The demonstrators during the Vietnam War wanted the war to end and especially the draft.

There have been rallies for the government to raise the minimum wage, pay for abortions, increase support for college education and education in general. Most of these are from the left and want money to be spent for them by the government( Taxpayers). From 1969 to 1973, I was assigned to Marine Barracks in Washington, DC and saw first hand some of these demonstrations and the people involved. One of the missions for the Barracks was security of the Capitol and we were deployed for that mission. The exact location of the Barracks was selected by President Jefferson and the Commandant of the Corps in 1801 within marching distance of the Capitol and adjacent to the Potomac river and the naval base.

The 60's and early 70's saw numerous demonstrators in the DC area and other major cities in the country. Typically, the demonstrators left the areas in total disarray that cost huge amounts of money to restore. Many of the groups were anything but concerned for property or appearances. In the recent past, demonstrations were held any time world organizations met concerning the environment or finances and were quite destructive. They were all from the left portion of the political spectrum.

The demonstrations and demonstrators that have occurred during this year seem to be totally different. These people are extremely vocal and demand that the government stop the outlandish spending on bailouts, for banks, auto industries, insurance and all the other enterprises. They don't want more spending on pet projects, they want the spending to stop. They have written and called their representatives demanding that this foolishness stop and nothing has happened. They have gone to Town Hall meeting- whenever the politicians have held them- and they were ignored. They have held gatherings throughout the country, and surprise, surprise, they generally did not leave a mess and were quite cordial. They are not there to destroy or create a mess, they want the government to understand that it is the people who are the strength of the nation along with their ability to innovate, and create. They are extremely upset that many of these politicians have forgotten that they are supposed to represent us.

They are not being heard and that is making them more and more angry. Congress and the administration seem to be living in a different world. I continue to read that the American people support a government run healthcare system. Who are they talking to in that regard? I am convinced that they listen to no one except those within the Washington beltway and that is a different world. It is Disney Land as far as reality is concerned.

I believe that many Americans are beginning to realize that far too many of our representatives and members of the administration have never done anything in the private sector. They have no idea about how businesses work, how the economy works, how capitalism works, and what effect excessive regulations and taxes have on behavior. They apparently have not understood what made this country great. People are really listening to what many of these politicians say, and they realize that it makes no sense. Most Americans know that when times are tough, one must watch every penny spent, and yet they listen to supposed leaders talk about borrowing and spending more money in order to end the current recession. DUH!!! When has that ever worked?

We borrowed money to bail out banks and the banks are repaying those loans early. The response from Washington is that "We have extra money to spend." This is money we borrowed and when it was repaid, it was supposed to reduce the deficit. It is fast approaching the time when all of these politicians will face the polls. What is fascinating is the number of these who are deciding to retire. Good riddance.