Will the "occupations" (OWS) move the Democratic Party to the left?

[kentuck]

Or have they moved so far right that they cannot find their way back home? Perhaps some think that the left is not their home? Perhaps they are right?

But when the people are supporting a movement by 2 to 1, then a political Party is suicidal to disregard those numbers. Republicans are already giving credence to the occupiers, however insincere they may be. Will the Democratic Party move only in words or with actions?

These folks are not loyal Democratic or Republican voters. Both Parties are making a big mistake if they think so, in my opinion. The time for talk is over. The time for action is now.

[xchrom]

1. No. They will make symbolic moves.

Whether that's enough for the rabble remains to be seen.

It shouldn't be enough - but this is America.

[RKP5637]

2. IMO the parties as they exist today will do nothing. They are too much alike and

and both are recipients of $$$$ from similar benefactors. There might be token responses, but of little substance. We muddle in the same mess.

That said, OWS is a gallant start. However, nothing has power like lots of money, and in America, sadly, only money counts. The rest is just wallpaper.

[Warpy]

3. None of the Koch funded Democrats (the DLC) will budge

because they don't want to derail the gravy train. The rest of them will try to get a few things through.

This Congress won't do a damned thing. The House is too busy attacking health care for 50% of the population to bother with little things like another Great Depression.

[Selatius]

4. Most people supported the Public Option in the health insurance bill. Didn't matter.

My main beef is with right wing Democrats who run away from the most decisive battles.

[Scuba]

5. No. This movement will eventually either...

...replace the Democratic Party leadership beginning at the grass roots level, or culminate in a new party.


Either option will be far left of today's Republicans in Democratic clothing.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. it certainly has the potential. If the OWS can change the conversation and make discussing

the distribution of wealth that would in itself be a major breakthrough and open the door to all kinds of possibilities. To change political policy you first have to first change the political culture especially when challenging deeply established and entrenched political and economic power. What the OWS movement is doing is putting back into mainstream discussion the whole issue of economic justice and equitable distribution of wealth. There was a time when this was very much a part of mainstream political discussion - but with great effort that whole discussion has been relegated for the past thirty years or so to the fringes of respectable opinion. The struggle for economic justice is not going to simply end some day when a set of limited demands are met anymore than the civil rights movement was successful and could end when civil rights legislation was passed. Fundamental change is a process which requires a change in peoples thinking as much as it requires a change in legislation. But there can be no process at all if it is not even part of acceptable mainstream political discussion. This is the start of something that has the potential to be the start of something very big.

[TygrBright]

7. Inevitably. BUT.... not very far.

It helps if you think about the number of GOPpies who've taken refuge in the Dem party as their own party went further and further off the crazy rails. A lot of the Dem establishment fears that if Dems actually act like Dems, the refugees will bolt back to Crazyland, and we'll lose slender majorities in critical districts.

They, too, are mired in an outdated paradigm of thinking and acting. One of two things must happen: A committed core of new thinkers needs to infiltrate the Democratic Party and re-shape it, or viable third parties will start to emerge and re-shape the political landscape.

I'm an old fart and my head tells me the first is preferable, but I'm also a veteran of the Formerly New Left and my heart beats a little faster at the thought of the second.

Damn, these are interesting times, though.

fascinatedly,
Bright

[JanMichael]

8. It would nice but I doubt it will. I have zero confidence in Corpo held parties. nt.

[City Lights]

9. I highly doubt it.

Both parties are bought and paid for by corporate 'Murika. Corporations rule the world.

[fascisthunter]

10. the idiot leadership is co-opted by corruption so they won't

however the majority will eventually!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. No. But, they'll get all misty eyed and say they "support the ideals"..and then beg for money.