In the case of Texas, other Big 12 Conference schools objected when they learned, thanks to a radio interview with an ESPN representative, the Longhorn Network planned to show high school football games, fearing that would give Texas a recruiting advantage.

FORBES: Longhorn Network Conflict Has NCAA Looking Into Youth Sports on College-Owned Cable Stations

The protesters, late last year, were the owners of smart new properties in the Atlantic Place apartment complex in north-eastern Beijing, who objected when they discovered that the parkland, lake, tennis courts, swimming pools and clubhouse they had been promised were being scaled back in favour of more flats.

ECONOMIST: The well-off stand up for their rights

Few objected to the tax changes when they were announced.

ECONOMIST: The Labour government

Last week, Congress weighed in when members of both the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees told Shinseki at separate meetings that they objected to the plan.

CNN: Veterans groups irate at Obama's private insurance proposal

But regional bank presidents draw more attention when they're among the ones who cast votes, as Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig showed when he formally objected to the Fed's current policy at all seven of the committee's meetings this year.

WSJ: Dissenters at Fed Will Gain Clout