Just over one year ago a young Tunisian, Mohamed Bouaziz, set himself on fire in protest.  In doing so he not only sparked the revolt that toppled Tunisia’s dictator, he ignited a BLAZE which has spread throughout the Middle East. Mohamed  inflamed peoples  to revolt against greed, corruption, repressive, and polluted governments

All this young man wish to do was set up his cart and sell his fruit and vegetables on the local street.  The police kept trying to stop him, his government harassed him. He, like most of his neighbors, knew how corrupt with money and contaminated with power their government was.  In his  individual sacrifice, Mohamed unknowingly ignited peoples around the globe to challenge their governments, the parliaments, corruption, the military power, and above all the leaders.

Occupy Wall Street inherited its spark from Mohamed, inflamed from the growing inequality of of the 1% vs the “others”.  This movement mushroomed and grew fueled by the greed of corporate America, an out of touch do-nothing congress, and the self serving bonus- granting banks.  The “you’re on your own” and “I’m all right Jack” attitude of the politicians and congress added kindle to this explosive growing inequality.  Occupy Wall Street spread across America and into Europe.  Protests not against the democratic institutions BUT against the money that now controls those institutions.  Not surprising when 400 American BILLIONAIRES have more $$$$$$$ than half the 320 million Americans. THAT IS RIGHT 400 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES OWN AS MUCH AS 150 MILLION AMERICANS COMBINED. Not surprising when  corporate giants wallow in immense profits and pay NO Federal taxes.  Not surprising when the billionaire can legally pay a lower tax rate than his or her employees. Not surprising when the American government willing budgets over 700 BILLION PLUS taxpayers money for the Pentagon and the military machine while crying for cuts in education, chiseling at health care, hacking social programs intended for the poor, the less fortunate, the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly, and the youth – Not surprising when the citizenry is lied to repeatedly and finance and give the ultimate price of life for two unnecessary costly futile ego driven wars.  Not surprising when the government  undertakes to distribute billions to “nation build” in the Middle East while the of the bridges, roads, rail system, school rooms crumble at home.  Not surprising when valid employment and opportunity for this and future generations disappear, except to the 1%.  Not surprising when the legal system from the highest court levy laws catering to the incredibly wealthy, serving the  powerful minority with their political ambitions, and benefiting the tax avoiding corporations.

The media has become owned and operated by the corporations, the same TV, radio and publications, citizens historically relied on to  investigate, to scrutinize and expose any wrongdoing of these corporations.   With few exceptions the TV and radio stations promulgate their self serving ideology and political doctrine, of service to their owners.

Mohamed has made us  think, to examine and ask the question HOW? and WHY?

In America growing inequality didn’t seem to be noticed or even matter as long as poor and less fortunate were getting help…… most importantly the AMERICAN DREAM was always there, dangling in front of all,  supplying the dreams,  aspirations, hopes, making the rigors and misfortunes of  many easier to bare.  “One day I too will own the big house on the hill”!  The American Dream  has become the American Mirage, and for too many the American Nightmare.  Reality has transformed the aspirations and dreams to hallucinations. It is REALITY time for the 99%.

WHY, because for over two decades the political system has been dominated, subjugated and purchased, by the growing self serving 1%. More dangerously they now control  the legal system even anointing judges who serve their needs.  A society that makes it lawful to fire US workers and move corporations over seas while continuing to receive US government handouts, subsidies,  and contracts. Then through legal loopholes pay little or NO taxes to the Federal Government, has much to answer to its’ citizens. Making it acceptable for the 1% to “grant” the American political system approved candidates for congress, even the President, and “allow” the citizenry “to choose”…. using the press, media, and politically motivated restrictive voting laws, to convince the 99% it is their choice.

THANKS Mohamed, let us all hope your sacrifice has fired citizens worldwide to question, to examine, not sit ideally by, NOT accept corruption, inequality, monumental disparity but to work on, solicit, DEMAND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ,parity, equity, and THE RECOGNITION OF FAIRNESS FOR ALL CITIZENS ON AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD.