Stop violent raids on Occupy camps

Every major change in this country started with the brave few - the patriots of the American Revolution, the brave souls of the civil rights movement, and those opposed to the draft and Vietnam War come to mind.

The protesters of Wall Street, whom I refer to as patriots, have started the conversation regarding the economic disparity between the 1 percent who control the wealth and the rest of us, that the system is rigged. “The banks got bailed out, we got the shaft.”

Why should a guy on Wall Street get a huge bonus when he has decimated my 401(k), which is supposed to be my retirement? Get the money out of politics. Corporations should not own our lawmakers, and lobbyists on K Street should not be crafting our laws.

Profit should not be a component of the delivery of basic health care. Access to health care is a right. Chief executive officers should not make more than their corporation pays in taxes.

Newt Gingrich's ignorance shows when he arrogantly states that he will listen to these patriots when they get a job and take a bath. Statements like that reflect how he and those in Washington are out of touch with Americans.

Stop the violent raids on these Occupy camps, and listen!

Kristen Roland

Cedar Rapids