As I write this editorial, I can hear the chants of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators outside of my office. In fact, my colleagues and I have had the privilege of listening to the cacophony of protesters’ rants, whistles, drums and, yes, vuvuzulas several times a day for the past few weeks.

When they first showed up, most of us thought it was a fleeting thing, just a bunch of kids with nothing better to do. As time passed, the protesters attracted more attention and some people who actually started listening thought that they may be on to something, and joined the effort. Eventually, what began as a march against “The Man” turned into a nationwide movement, a rebellion against everything from corporate greed and unfair taxation to unemployment, foreclosures and labor union disagreements.

The OWS protesters tout the fact that the movement has no leader, no hierarchy. Its central complaint, loosely, is that big business and the wealthiest 1% of the country have an unfair influence over US laws and policies. They want to raise taxes on corporations and the rich; protect Medicare, Social Security and other public welfare programs; end corporate welfare; protect labor unions; make affordable healthcare available; put an end to the war and spending on it; protect the environment; reduce student debt; create more jobs; and abolish the World Bank and Federal Reserve; among other demands.