Re: Occupy Seattle - Pictures of the 99
I only know a handful of people who participate in protest events, but they are uniformly those who are the most engaged - not the least engaged. It is only when one DOES vote, but sees no one on the ballot with an interest in creating real change, that one becomes frustrated enough to protest. The people you refer to who are too disengaged to vote are logically also too disengaged to protest, since that requires a much higher level of energy. Sorry, but blaming their disaffection on their own inaction is at best misguided.
As for running their own slate (which you admit sounds trite -- and it is) it completely misses the point that to do so in the current system requires accumulating the large pools of money which they are trying to get out of the system. In other words, you are suggesting that they give in before they even start. Small change can indeed be implemented within an existing system. But only if it is indeed small change. The spectacular failure of previous attempts at campaign finance reform, including McCain-Feingold, are proof of this.
I'm not saying that I agree with the demands of the protestors. (heck, I'm not even sure if THEY know what those demands are!) But to dismiss the frustration that is evident on the street in the manner quoted here is merely to show that one is either entirely missing the point, or more likely, pre-judging their concerns before bothering to hear, let alone understand, them.
For my part, I will continue to watch with interest, and try to learn more. I suspect that this is just the beginning of something, and am not sure yet just what.
Originally posted by GRG55
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As for running their own slate (which you admit sounds trite -- and it is) it completely misses the point that to do so in the current system requires accumulating the large pools of money which they are trying to get out of the system. In other words, you are suggesting that they give in before they even start. Small change can indeed be implemented within an existing system. But only if it is indeed small change. The spectacular failure of previous attempts at campaign finance reform, including McCain-Feingold, are proof of this.
I'm not saying that I agree with the demands of the protestors. (heck, I'm not even sure if THEY know what those demands are!) But to dismiss the frustration that is evident on the street in the manner quoted here is merely to show that one is either entirely missing the point, or more likely, pre-judging their concerns before bothering to hear, let alone understand, them.
For my part, I will continue to watch with interest, and try to learn more. I suspect that this is just the beginning of something, and am not sure yet just what.
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