Critics of OWS protestors say they're the fringe of the left

[bigtree]

. . . but they are beginning to look more and more like the mainstream coalition that ushered the nation's first black president into office.

The depth and breadth of concerns expressed by protestors and supporters is reminiscent of the populist movement which swept the Democrats back into power with so much optimism in 2008. It also resembles the coalition of mainstream Democratic voters who gathered in Washington at the behest of the comedian John Stewart before the midterm elections which swept Democrats out of power in the House and lessened their influence in the Senate.

All of those politicians who so arrogantly ignored the will of the folks who so enthusiastically and convincingly changed the political landscape by sending them to Washington should be on notice (watching the growing protest movement) that this generation isn't about to automatically recognize them the next time the voting comes around.

The new reality for politicians is that they may well be able to glean millions of dollars from corporate sponsors to play the candidate. They may even be able to squeak their way into office, but this generation can mobilize against them so quickly that they'll barely have time to warm their new seats before voters take to the streets to demand the politician's undivided attention to their concerns in office that they were promised in the campaign.

. . . talkin' 'bout a revolution!

[TheWraith]

1. And yet, I keep getting told that electoral politics is somehow "beneath" OWS...

Never mind the fact that that's how things get done--unless you want to break out the guns and stage an actual revolution. Either the people from OWS are participating in electoral politics or not.

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. The General Assembly replaces leaders and electoral politics. With us.

[TheWraith]

7. Uh huh. And when that has the force of law, let me know.

:eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. You might want to dust a few history books

on how populist movements influence law... start with the most obvious example, the New Deal and then graduate to the Civil Rights movement.. and that is only the 20th century. You want more? Try the ten hour and eight hour movements.

[TheWraith]

17. Guess what: the New Deal and civil rights laws were passed by Congress.

Not by sitting down in a park declaring your moral superiority because you're not going to be involved in electoral politics.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Guess what there were people in the streets.

Really read a little history.

[bigtree]

3. I think there's another element

The protestors are generating expectations of change which will either persuade folks to the polls or dissuade them away from the politicians who ignore their concerns.

Legislatively, you're right. There will need to be some sort of merging of the complaints with some sort of legislative initiative for the protests to transform from agitation to action.

[TheWraith]

8. "Expectations" don't get people to the polls...

Which makes it so much collective masturbation unless there's real world effect.

[LeftyMom]

4. Electoral politics didn't fucking work.

I guess changing who's fucking you is variety, but I wouldn't call it a win.

[Kaleko]

6. Ha!

Slam, bam, thank you Mom.

:rofl:

[TheWraith]

9. Right, because Democrats and Republicans are exactly the same!

And there's no difference between Bush and Gore! :eyes:

Try peddling it to clueless angry Democrats circa 2000.

[LeftyMom]

12. I'm opinionated enough, you don't need to put words in my mouth.

Thanks.

[Gman]

5. Yeah, right... those two WWII vets I saw a picture of protesting

are the epitome of the radical left.

[bigtree]

10. that was a great photo

many more just like that one . . .

[hobbit709]

11. TPTB always try to marginalize the opposition.

[mmonk]

14. Yep.

Desperate times have a way of getting people out into the street. Recommended.

[Odin2005]

15. The the morons anything to the left of Mussolini is "Fringe"

[snooper2]

16. Critics of stupid fucking teabaggers say they are the fringe of the right