By Megan Crotty

I like a protest as much as the next gal, but I think I have had quite enough of the Occupy movement nationwide.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree with the underlying tenants of the movement. I am part of the 99 percent, and chances are, you are too. But, I fail to see how these protests are forwarding the cause of the greater good at this juncture. I have been told by a Russian Emigre that when a protest is held in Europe it will end quickly if no one gets up to speak, no matter how grand and important the cause. The clock has been ticking for two months now, and we have had no speech, no outlining of major ideas, no leadership in the Occupy movement.

Someone in support of the movement may tell me that “I don’t get it.” That I do not understand that they are all equals and they do not want to play into politics, to which, I would respond (and I think Jack would have my back) that they do not get it. You need to play the game to effect the game, and the Occupy silence coupled with the Occupy bongos and ponchos and damage to public spaces, has caused the movement to become a nuisance at best, which is a shame considering that what they originally stood for should be of concern to us all.

While some may not agree with me, I think New York City got it right this week by removing the Occupy Wall Street protesters and their $300 tents from Zuccotti Park. I think it is prudent for them to allow the Occupiers back in with new rules as well, and I wish more cities nationwide would do the same. Why, you may ask? Because as winter rolls around, these Occupy movements will be taking away desperately needed services from the other 1 percent in our nation – the homeless.

Not the homeless that choose to be homeless so they can discuss economics and buck the system from the comfort of their temporary, North Face-designed home, but the truly homeless. Those who have really fallen on the hardest of times, which, in this economy, has begun to include more and more families with children. As volunteers descend upon Occupy camps with blankets, food, coats and free health checks, others will be neglected.

Furthermore, the movement is causing a strain on our local services, as police details, garbage and cleaning services – among other things – become necessary at each of the camps. Let us not forget that this uses valuable state money at a time when states do not have money to waste.

So, whats the answer? I am not sure, but I hope it includes clearing out of these parks and actually getting organized. Tell me something Occupy Wall Street – tell me anything, – and I would probably be behind you. But continue on like this and you will likely lose the members of the public that have not already forgotten you are camping in their major cities. Shed the public persona of the spoiled, upper middle class rich kid that can’t get a job they love and has decided to pout it out in public, and don the attire of the passionate advocate for the 99 percent.