Are general strikes that shut down cities the way for Occupy Wall Street to get its point across?
From Jack Cafferty, CNN
It's starting to get ugly – when it comes to those Occupy protests going on around the country.
In Oakland, California, violent protests succeeded in shutting down the fifth busiest port in the nation last night.
Officials used tear gas on protesters who refused to leave the port. Hundreds of protesters threw rocks and shot fireworks at the officers who asked them to leave. Dozens were arrested.
The late-night violence in Oakland came after thousands marched in a largely peaceful protest during the day. They effectively shut down the city – calling it the first general strike in the U.S. since the 1940s.
And - the protests aren't only heating up in California:
Seattle police used pepper spray on protesters who disrupted rush-hour traffic. Hundreds of demonstrators surrounded a Seattle hotel where JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was speaking. Protesters clashed with police in riot gear.
As for New York, where it all started, the Occupy Wall Street protesters have been at it for almost 50 days now.
And it looks like Mayor Michael Bloomberg may be getting tired of them. He's using a tougher tone... saying the city may quote "take actions" against protesters who are disrupting the quality of life.
Meanwhile - a growing number of Americans are identifying with the occupy movement as they learn more about it.
A new ORC International poll shows 36% of those surveyed say they agree with the overall positions of the movement - that's more than one-third of Americans.
19% say they don't agree... while 44% are unsure.
Here's my question to you: Are general strikes that shut down cities the way for Occupy Wall Street to get its point across?
Tune in to "The Situation Room" at 5 p.m. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air.
And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Is Greece a preview of what's to come for the U.S.?
From Jack Cafferty, CNN
The United States is on its way to being Greece one day, and no one wants to acknowledge it.
Our national debt increased by more than $200 billion in October alone.
That comes out to $650 for every man, woman and child in this country.
The U.S. debt is now at more than $14.9 trillion … and likely will top a staggering $15 trillion by the end of November.
The congressional “super committee” is trying to cut $1.2 trillion over 10 years. That's not even a drop in the bucket - and lawmakers are still whining about how hard it is.
The whole idea that the federal government is in any way serious about the national debt is a joke. Even after America's credit rating was downgraded, our leaders continue to spend money at an unsustainable rate.
And, if they don't get serious - and very soon - you only need to take a look at Greece for a glimpse of our future.
The Greek government is on the verge of collapse in the wake of its debt crisis.
The euro and European banks have been thrown into crisis by Greece's debt and by Prime Minister George Papandreou's actions.
First, Papandreou announced there would be a referendum vote on the European bailout - and now he says there won't. Meanwhile, his government might vote him out of power Friday.
Greece has been holding the world hostage because Papandreou's government doesn't have the stones to make the tough decisions.
Sounds kind of like the politicians here who don't have the stones to tell the American people the party is over and it's time to pay the tab.
Here's my question to you: Is Greece a preview of what's to come for the U.S.?
Tune in to "The Situation Room" at 4 p.m. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air.
And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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