Soon you may be able to signal your unhappiness with the growing inequality gap every time you pay with plastic: An Occupy Wall Street debit card is in the works.

Colin Moynihan reports in the Times that the goal of the Occupy Money Cooperative is to provide many of the same services as big banks but without the high fees and any attachment to the bloated Wall Street casino that is looking more toxic every week.

Founder of the cooperative, Carne Ross, explains:

“There is no profit here,” said Mr. Ross, adding that once the cooperative raised about $900,000, it would make the cards available to anyone who signed up on the group’s Web site. “The only revenue we want is to make the thing sustainable and eventually expand our range of services.”
There will be no upfront cost for the card, Mr. Ross said, but there will be fees, including $1.95 for A.T.M. withdrawals and 99 cents for balance inquiries.

Aside from stamping your purchases with the imprimatur of a grassroots protest movement, the way you might with a photo of your golden retriever or stock image family, it's unclear what other benefits the card provides. It's understandable that someone would want to help the underbanked, but why not just join a credit union?

Well...

What is the difference between a Credit Union and The Occupy Money Cooperative?
Credit Unions are financial institutions that take deposits, offer loans and other banking services. Both entities are democratic in nature. Credit Unions are excellent institutions, and we encourage people to use them. Credit Union members are usually required to share a common bond, such as locality, geography, profession or any defined affinity. The Occupy Money Cooperative will be national in scope—anyone can become a member.

National in scope say, like a bank?

Just join a credit union.