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frazzled

(18,402 posts)

67. But OWS has no intention of working inside government

Sat Aug 11, 2012, 07:51 AM

Aug 2012

That has been one of the few expressed positions of the movement. It is essentially anarchist in its outlook, spurning government institutions in equal measure to the economic system. Besides, even if a member wanted to run, OWS is just not a moniker they could hang their hat on for a general public. Chalking sidewalks and camping in public parks are just not the kinds of relevant experiences or causes that the average voter wants to see in a candidate.

In my (humble) opinion, OWS was a good idea that burnt itself out through its own excesses and indifference to real-world political and policy concerns. It's too bad, but that is the reality of the moment. It doesn't even have much support on a place like DU. And the Kochs have nothing to do with that.

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OWS has meant just as much - if not more- than the teabagger movement to politics... [View all] jillan Aug 2012 OP

Really? I don't think they made any difference at all 1-Old-Man Aug 2012 #1

What do they say when you're at Tea Party rallies? UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #2

It doesn't matter if people know who they are or not - that bottom line jillan Aug 2012 #4

I agree with you 100% Voice for Peace Aug 2012 #41

It's possible that it had a greater effect on politicians CJCRANE Aug 2012 #6

That may be true, but I think there is a sign that it is not 1-Old-Man Aug 2012 #24

Are you saying that all those hours I spent at Occupy Los Angeles (and coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #8

Yes, out here in the country you weren't even a blip on the radar 1-Old-Man Aug 2012 #22

What does 'in the country' refer to? A rural setting? I ask coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #26

You know, flyover country. UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #30

Yes, northeastern WV, about a two hour drive to DC 1-Old-Man Aug 2012 #57

I live in the country, too. Zorra Aug 2012 #31

And there are some very good Occupy movements UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #33

Out there in the country is probably Republican territory anyway. JDPriestly Aug 2012 #54

Spot on. raouldukelives Aug 2012 #70

Thanks. That's great news. JDPriestly Aug 2012 #73

So you think tax equality would be an issue without OWS uponit7771 Aug 2012 #34

LOL there's no way to RATIONALLY believe that tax equality would be an issue without OWS. Zalatix Aug 2012 #89

That's strange, because all polls taken on OWS showed that over 80% had heard of them sabrina 1 Aug 2012 #49

Blame your media, I can tell you right now nadinbrzezinski Aug 2012 #97

Whatever happened to that big spring surprise you promised us? zappaman Aug 2012 #98

Occupy was also international. CJCRANE Aug 2012 #3

The movement could only be ignored for so long by M$M nc4bo Aug 2012 #7

Hmmm salinen Aug 2012 #5

Weimar had proportional representation in its Reichstag. U.S. has 'winner take all' coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #10

Could you please explain this point in very simple terms? I don't get it.... (nt) philly_bob Aug 2012 #14

Um, in the Weimar Republic a poltiical party needed to only secure about coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #21

It is a myth that proportional representation had anything to do with the Nazis taking power. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #61

Proportional representation had something to do with the Nazis taking power, as Hitler would not coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #65

The Nazis were largest party in both 1932 parliamentary elections (July & November) JackRiddler Aug 2012 #68

Your point is valid for a hypothetical winner-take-all system with multiple viable parties. I might coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #71

Thanks, Coalition and Riddler, for interesting (if opposed) replies. (nt) philly_bob Aug 2012 #72

When the Nazis first came to power the Social Democrats and Communist had a combined majority. Puregonzo1188 Aug 2012 #75

Amen My Friend... KharmaTrain Aug 2012 #17

But the Baggers are not a 'movement'. They were a creation of big money interests sabrina 1 Aug 2012 #50

The Weimar Republic lasted less than 15 years RZM Aug 2012 #53

We get it. Give OWS a gold medal. randome Aug 2012 #9

LOL! You are definitely going to hold the DU record for most anti-Occupy posts by a country mile. Zorra Aug 2012 #36

nonsense. yes, coining the one percent line distilled the cali Aug 2012 #11

Your argument is an exercise in SHEER DENIAL. Zalatix Aug 2012 #23

No, my argument is factual. cali Aug 2012 #25

Your argument is as factual as Mitt Romney is a leftist. Zalatix Aug 2012 #29

wow. couldn't possibly argue with that brilliant gem cali Aug 2012 #37

Well hey at least my arguments don't come from Bizarro Land Zalatix Aug 2012 #42

Which of the following is true: onenote Aug 2012 #46

OWS has pushed a number of Dems to the left. Zalatix Aug 2012 #48

The people who turn up at Democratic Club meetings are the same ones JDPriestly Aug 2012 #55

I don't see any facts. Quantify them. nt Union Scribe Aug 2012 #76

OWS has helped bring together people to help those being illegally thrown out of their homes... midnight Aug 2012 #12

The tea party was sponsored by Fox News. Blanks Aug 2012 #16

I agree... midnight Aug 2012 #60

Yes, the Occupy Caucus in Congress has really accomplished so much! frazzled Aug 2012 #13

Frazzled you make an impressive point... I'm wondering if that list would not be so long if not for midnight Aug 2012 #64

But OWS has no intention of working inside government frazzled Aug 2012 #67

My humble suggestion-keep reading what you can about OWS. It is a world wide movement regardless if midnight Aug 2012 #78

how many OWS representatives have been elected? NightWatcher Aug 2012 #15

The teabaggers are heavily funded by the Koch Bros and more. OWS does not have the $ behind jillan Aug 2012 #18

sure, but that doesn't make the claim in your op any more accurate cali Aug 2012 #19

OWS never intended to become politicians. UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #32

The fact is, Democrats are supposed to represent OWS. Zorra Aug 2012 #40

Even my Republican friends throw around "the 1%" Patiod Aug 2012 #20

Has the OWS movement figured out how to balance the budget? Southerner Aug 2012 #27

that's an absurd non-sequitur cali Aug 2012 #28

Yes. Zorra Aug 2012 #38

Yes. Blanks Aug 2012 #69

for the first time in a generation - OWS made the subject of inequitable distribution of wealth a Douglas Carpenter Aug 2012 #35

i agree samsingh Aug 2012 #39

OWS is 'movement' politics while Teat Party is electoral politics. TahitiNut Aug 2012 #43

You exaggerate their value and "success" kctim Aug 2012 #44

Gotta disagree. Beautiful concept. Disastrous execution. Tarheel_Dem Aug 2012 #45

1+ patrice Aug 2012 #80

No, and drop the fantasy. One side mobilized and elected 60+ people to congress, the other side cecilfirefox Aug 2012 #47

There is no comparison between a real Grassroots, International Social Justice movement sabrina 1 Aug 2012 #51

"The Tea Party" is an old, old part of the Republican Party... JackRiddler Aug 2012 #63

So how many congressmen/women in their caucus? badtoworse Aug 2012 #52

Electoral politics by itself has given us a congress.. Teamster Jeff Aug 2012 #58

That's pretty difficult to argue RZM Aug 2012 #56

Well, Obama hasn't told us to eat our peas in a while DerekG Aug 2012 #59

Indeed. And "Teabagger Movement" is a laugh in itself. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #62

Yep, woo me with science Aug 2012 #84

I'm one of the guys that decry OWS as a waste of potential. MrSlayer Aug 2012 #66

So get out there and show them how to do it. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #74

Every time I've seen an interview with an OWSer... Scootaloo Aug 2012 #81

That would be true if you didn't ignore what happened. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #82

And why are they bowing their heads to that authority? Scootaloo Aug 2012 #85

Go out and lead the charge, tough one. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #92

By the way, are you comparing today's US urban police to Bull Connor? JackRiddler Aug 2012 #93

Do I approve? You really want to try that? Scootaloo Aug 2012 #94

I do appreciate the part where I'm a kid! Thanks! JackRiddler Aug 2012 #95

+100! zappaman Aug 2012 #96

I tried. I got crickets. MrSlayer Aug 2012 #87

Lol @ how HARD some push against Union Scribe Aug 2012 #77

OWS & President Obama!!! That's hilarious. The single biggest trait of OWS has been Obama hate. patrice Aug 2012 #79

Before I call bullshit, I'll ask a question to be sure... JackRiddler Aug 2012 #83

I'll be honest - I don't understand fainaent Aug 2012 #86

First of all, Welcome to DU. jillan Aug 2012 #88

Ah, I see... fainaent Aug 2012 #91

No, the OWS movement became an unfocused mess without force CabCurious Aug 2012 #90