I've got this friend, see...

[dwalters]

1. You should consider the opposite perspective...

Namely, that the two movements are not at odds with each other philosophically. Some OWS supporters have been (and are) misguided; this is also true of some Ron Paul supporters. The fundamental underpinning of OWS is the desire to put an end to corporate welfare (Bailouts, Quantitative Easing, Military Industrial Complex, etc). This is one of the beasts that threaten our liberty. The only way monopolies and oligopolies can be sustained is through selective government sponsorship. When a particular business is backed by the force of government and the treasure of the tax payers, it makes it difficult for competitors not receiving assistance to compete. Meanwhile, those companies receiving subsidies can afford to maintain large market shares while still employing less efficient means of production than a free market would demand. Tax payers are looted while the Federal Government plays the role of a rookie venture capitalist. Corporate welfare is a real danger to us all, and OWS supporters are right to go after it. Now, if you will take a moment to consider the Austrian School of Thought regarding economics, you will find that these same principles that motivate OWS also motivate the modern Libertarian (Individual Liberty) Movement. The People are hungry for freedom. These two groups have grown from similar philosophical roots (although Libertarianism has been more concretely defined).