Occupy This
Firstly, let me say this: I am writing from the perspective of someone who was an aggressive supporter of candidate Obama in 2007/2008. My politics have changed quite a bit since then. Not as much on this issue as others. Ultimately, what I’m trying to say, however, is that the “movement” that has grown out of #OccupyWallStreet has failed to strike a chord with me.
I guess my issue with the Occupiers is that these people’s time and effort would be more effectively spent identifying a candidate and mounting a primary challenge to the President or a serious third-party run. If they truly have the nationwide support that they claim, it should be a cakewalk.
Clearly, occupiers aren’t going to vote overwhelmingly Republican in 2012, but how can they be taken seriously unless they challenge the man who took more Wall Street cash in campaign donations in 2008 than any candidate in history and has already taken more than any candidate in this cycle. Not to mention, Wall Street has already profited more in 2.5 years of President Obama than 8 years of President Bush.
I’m tired of being told that this in not a political movement, when it is very obviously drawn on very old political lines. I can find plenty to agree with the Occupiers on, and I’ve found plenty of points with which to disagree with them as well. Yes, we’ve seen deplorable behavior from authorities in places, but let’s stop pretending that there are not also miscreants in your midst.
If you’re not going to turn #occupythis and #occupythat into #occupythewhitehouse, then please, everyone pick up 10 pieces of trash on your way out of your occupation so we don’t have to clean up after you. But seriously folks, you can’t in good conscience vow to fight The Man in the streets and turn around an vote for him to stay in the White House.
