To the editor:

For decades, the 1 percent has managed to focus our attention on those beneath us financially. For example, President Clinton’s welfare-to-work initiative in 1999 kept us from looking critically at the 1 percent.

In only a couple of months, Occupy Wall Street has turned our attention completely around, from looking down on the poor to looking down on the super rich.

Those supporting the 1 percent are attempting to denigrate the Occupy Wall Street movement in many ways, including calling out law enforcement to support them and disperse those who are calling out for justice: economic, social and political.

Our Constitution sides with the 99 percent, saying that “Congress shall make no law prohibiting the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” (No, it doesn’t mention tents.)

Had Occupy Wall Street not existed when the Bank of America added a $5 fee to credit card holders, the public would have grumbled but would have succumbed.

The same applies to Verizon’s “Convenience Fee” and November’s “Bank Transfer Day.” But the 99 percent has encouraged the public to revolt.

Remember, our “Civil Rights” were not successfully achieved in two months.

Eliot J. Chandler,
Hampden

letters@timesrecord.com