This will get lost in comment oblivion, but you ever wonder why these kids resort to lashing out with unjustified violence at all these protests?

Older generations have mortgaged their future to ensure those in the present get what they need, so these kids are well aware they will probably have no social security or MediCare when they get older.

They just spent 8 years with a pretty progressive administration, making slow but measurable progress for the LGBT community, racial minorities, etc. Now in 11 days all that seems to be coming undone, and on top of that is the immigration ban, the "alternative facts", etc.

It's nice to say get involved at the local level, write your congressman, but let's be real; these are young kids, and no one is running for office at 20 with no qualifications, and no senator is rushing down to support a protest because of a letter.

The only recourse these kids see is destruction. You ever read that short story "The Destructors"? The idea is when left with no way to change your circumstances, turning to destruction is the only way of obtaining progress. That was the author's idea anyways and I thinknit describes the kids in these protests.

Their vote doesn't count in many states for President, they are watching, in their opinion, just about the worst candidate being appointed to every job, and realizing that there is no strong check/balance on the President. He controls Congress, and has enough Supreme Court openings to turn the Court his way too. They see bad going to worse, then going to shit. Notice how even in different cities the same businesses keep getting attacked (i.e. Starbucks)? They are picking overt representations of a system they think doesn't work, although they should realize the irony of attacking a giant corporation most of them probably buy their coffee from daily.

Not saying this justifies beating defenseless people or destroying property, but if you talk to kids in thos age group it sounds like Nixon, only worse. They feel they have no power, and that the government and economy sees no worth in them because it is more important to preserve the present than protect the future.