Occupy the Democratic National Convention?

[Township75]

Just a thought. And a good way to remind our pols who ultimately says if they can go back to DC or not.

Thoughts?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I dunno. The 1968 "Occupy the Democratic Convention" in Chicago

got us Nixon. All those people didn't persuade Hubert Humphrey one iota.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

8. I don't think the Democratic Party ever recovered

from Chicago. But the statement of doing it showed that the people still have power. The Democrats under Obama have made themselves largely irrelevant. After the disaster that was his first term, why should we expect anything better in a second term? The meaning of resistance is first and foremost to stop abusive government. Sp I'm all for the OP proposal.

[no_hypocrisy]

12. Yeah, you're right. The Party more or less split in two, weakening its

political power. And it was a mixed blessing as Nixon was elected but the war was discontinued much sooner than later. If the war had been extended, Reagan would have rededicated our efforts after his election.

As for the OP proposal of Occupy Charlotte/Democratic Convention, it makes a statement but does it get policy written and supported? I know, I know, doing nothing is not an option. I'm just saying that Occupy Charlotte could have an impact if it had a faction ready with indisputable information (excuse the alliteration) and lobby democratic officeholders who attend.

[Township75]

20. For your last paragraph

"As for the OP proposal of Occupy Charlotte/Democratic Convention, it makes a statement but does it get policy written and supported? I know, I know, doing nothing is not an option. I'm just saying that Occupy Charlotte could have an impact if it had a faction ready with indisputable information (excuse the alliteration) and lobby democratic officeholders who attend"

That coudl be applied to the OWS movement in general. Do you think the movement is a waste? I for one won't bash you if you do, but I somehow doubt you will it is a waste.

I wasn't around in the 60's so I can't comment much there, but I just think the movement will have the biggest impact here, and it isn't for very long.

[no_hypocrisy]

26. No, no, not a waste at all.

I just want it to be more proactive, as successful as time will allow it to be and that requires doing several things at the same time.

I've marched lots of times in D.C. Maybe I made a difference, maybe not. But I do call my Congress representative and do other things with different groups to effect change, even if it's incremental.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

44. Well I have indisputable information.

Extreme wealth inequality is unsustainable and leads to societal instability:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ7LzE3u7Bw

But I don't think lobbying is a good strategy. I can't remember one single major reform that came from lobbying. Progressive change comes from taking to the streets. Anyway, it takes boatloads of cash.

The Democrats (with rare exceptions) are simply too comfortable. Occupying them will raise their level of discomfort and is therefore a good idea. Maybe they'll start asking to caucus with Bernie Sanders.

[Le Taz Hot]

11. The Democratic Convention was not occupied

in 1968 the demonstrators were not allowed in, the riots were started by Daley's police force and the assassination of RFK is what got us Nixon. The Democrats are just as culpable in the raping of this country and they deserve to see the faces of those they've sold out. OCCUPY! OCCUPY! OCCUPY!

[WinkyDink]

18. What?! Yes, Chicago was a certified "police riot," but if you think the mood of the nation

was for the protestors, I think you are very much mistaken.

[Le Taz Hot]

24. There was no unified "mood of the nation."

This nation was split right down the middle and in 1968 The Party Democrats had their fingers in their ears singing, "La-la-la-la," much like they're doing now.

[H2O Man]

60. HHH lost the election.

He played his hand wrong. Way wrong. The most obvious example was his allowing himself to be viewed as LBJ's lap-dog, until late October, on Vietnam.

Thank you for posting accurate information.

[coalition_unwilling]

25. Hear! Hear! - n/t

[H2O Man]

59. Yep.

[coalition_unwilling]

27. Um, Tet '68 got us Nixon. Love your language though: "those

people". Humphrey eventually broke with LBJ over the Vietnam War and how much of that was due to "those people" is open to dispute. What is not open to dispute is that historians and political scientists have pretty much concluded that, had Humphrey broken with LBJ sooner on Vietnam in the General Election campaign, Humphrey would have defeated Nixon.

[H2O Man]

58. Well said.

Thank you.

[Telly Savalas]

61. Why would this be a repeat of Chicago?

If there's so much dissonance between OWS's mainstream message of economic justice and the platform of the Democratic Party that it damages Obama's chances, that's a huge problem which would solely be the creation of the Democratic Party and a sign of its moral bankruptcy.

But I doubt it would play out like that. An OWS presence outside the Democratic convention meeting halls would likely complement a lot of the rhetoric going on inside the halls. (I'm rather skeptical about such rhetoric being transformed into much meaningful action, but given that the alternative is the lunacy of the GOP, the choice is still clear.)

The point of a demonstration isn't necessarily to influence Obama, but rather to be another voice in opposition to the economic policies of the radical right. And given the way things have trended the last several decades, we need all such voices we can get. Occupying the DNC and RNC are logical continuations of what the movement is doing now.

[nc4bo]

2. I wouldn't mind taking a ride to Charlotte for something like that.

Plenty of time to organize something.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

3. Hell yeah!

Obama deserves no respect from the people. If he and the other 1%ers in the Democratic leadership want to keep walking away from the people, maybe we should start holding them accountable.

[MedleyMisty]

4. Our occupy doesn't seem that active at the moment

That could definitely change when the convention comes to town.

I've found that #occupyCLT is a better hashtag than #occupycharlotte for Twitter discussion.

[nc4bo]

6. Medley....

Our occupy in Fayetteville is tough going too. Not sure if it's fear, apathy, or no one feels they're part of the 99%. We're a military town and there are people coming home seriously messed up and I hear complaints from some close friends about how they're treated medically leaves alot to be desired.

Lots of college students here that have remained silent too.

We're going to keep at it though perhaps more people will wake up and I hope you guys do too.

[Leopolds Ghost]

56. Medley - what's CLT?

I had relatives in the Charlotte area but they've passed away.

[LynneSin]

5. Have fun. I want to go to the convention to finally see one live!

:D

I am thinking of going to Tampa - I'm sure there will be plenty of protests at the GOP.

[Township75]

10. If you're protesting you will see it live!

and probably have more fun that sitting with a bunch of stiffs watching boring speeches.

I thought about making the OP "occupy the conventions", but there is actually a chance the OWS movement has an impact on the Dem Conv, and the only thing I don't see OWS having any impact at the repub conv. But I wouldn't discourage anyone from doing it!

[LynneSin]

16. Are you kidding me? I've waited years to do the DNC

I am all for protests - I had fun with all the protests at the RNC. But as another poster mentioned earlier - you create another Chicago 1968 we might end up with another Nixon. And with the batshit crazy candidates vying for the GOP nomination - thats' the last thing we want!

[bvar22]

37. I NEVER thought I would EVER say this,

but I would LOVE to see another Nixon!
That would move our current New Democrat Centrist Party waaaaay to the Left.


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Admiral Loinpresser]

40. +1 n/t

[dionysus]

43. jetpacking over the shark....

:rofl:

[bvar22]

46. Really?

I was THERE!

"The story of modern American politics writ large is the story of your father's and your grandfather's Republican Party now being way to the left of today's leftiest liberals."

But the whole of American politics has shifted so far to the right in the last 50 years that what used to be thought of as conservative, what used to be thought of as a conservative position, is now considered to be off-the-charts lefty."

<snip>

"Who called for comprehensive health reform legislation during in a State of the Union address in 1974, a program that was well to the left of what either Bill Clinton or Barack Obama ultimately proposed? That would be Richard Nixon.


http://www.alternet.org/news/149700?page=1

Under Richard Nixon the Tax Rate on Wealthiest Americans was 70%,
Unions were STRONG,
Jobs with Benefits were the NORM for anyone willing to work,
Anyone could attend the State University and graduate DEBT FREE if willing to work Part Time,
The Working Class was protected and revered by our government.

I hated him with a passion at the time,
but America WAS a better place for the Working Class before "Free Trade", Deregulation, Privatization, Tax Cuts, Bank Bailouts, and Trickle Down Stimulus.

On most Issues & Policy, the Republican Party under Nixon & Eisenhower was well to The Left of today's Democratic Party.


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[LynneSin]

50. You think someone with Nixon's credentials would get elected today?

Let's overlook the fact that Nixon was a crook and had a bit of paranoia to him when it came to his enemies.

Nixon had some of the best records like you stated and even was good on civil rights issues of the times. Heck one of his nominees to the SCOTUS was Harry Blackmun who authored Roe V. Wade.

You eliminate Nixon's bad stuff you probably have a candidate that would appeal to both parties.

Question is this - you think someone who has Richard Nixon's ideologies (again, not considering his criminal ones) on Civil Rights would ever win the GOP nomination today?

[dionysus]

52. and you credit NIXON for that?

:rofl:

[LynneSin]

49. Really? Cause that theory worked so well when Reagan and Bush Jr were elected.

:eyes:

[sabrina 1]

62. Sad, isn't it, but you are so correct.

The Dem party is so far to the right, on the wars, worse than Bush now, on the environment, on education, on health care.

There are still some good Dems in Congress but they have zero influence as the money has taken over more than half the party. To get more real Dems elected would help them.

First thing that needs to be done is to stop the money flowing into DC.

Nancy Pelosi, demonstrating how deaf they are to what the people are trying to tell them, was boasting recently about 'how much more money they have than the Republicans'. Does she not realize what an indictment of them that is??

To get the money out of politics, the message from the people needs to be 'we will not vote for a Wall Street Candidate'.

[mmonk]

7. My thoughts are that it is a great idea.

Especially since at every political convention, corporate lobbyists throw bribery parties at many of the local hotels. Conventions are great places to face the enemy head on.

[Magoo48]

9. Grand idea...show up at both conventions.

Or not...hopefully by then, OWS not showing up will sound a louder bell. Either way....we keep moving, we keep doing...

[WinkyDink]

13. Thatm worked so well for Democrats in 1968. Why didn't you suggest the RNC one? "Just a thought."

[Township75]

23. See #10.

.

[tama]

14. Nah, boring nt

[cally]

15. last time this was done, we gave the Pres. to Reps for decades

I never want that to happen again!!!!

[NYC Liberal]

17. No "Occupy the Republican National Convention"?

[Township75]

21. See #10.

.

[boston bean]

19. Occupy the Democratic Convention and the Republican Convention.

They both deserve it!

[bemildred]

22. Is it our party or is it not?

If its our party, why not all go to the convention?

[coalition_unwilling]

28. An Occupy the Nation General Assembly in Philadelphia

on July 4, 2012 would consign the Democratic Party to the dustbin of history and make it the 21st Century's Whig Party.

I vote for Philly on July 4, 2012.

[SheilaT]

29. First of all, it's too soon

to even be thinking about that. We need to have a sense of where this movement is going to go, what it will accomplish in the next few months.

Secondly, a better strategy would be for the Occupy people to start running in local elections, get active in the Democratic Party and become delegates to the convention. Basically, take over the party.

[bigtree]

36. that's the balance I'm looking for

organize!

[FarCenter]

30. The Democratic Party is a fragile coalition of multiple interest groups

Injecting a specific economic viewpoint into it in a big way could easily cause its disintegration.

[bigtree]

35. the party is also made up of folks who care about these issues just as much as you

what's the point in 'disintegrating' the only political platform which has a chance or the potential to advance our initiatives and concerns into action or law? What's the point in tearing the party down and not offering ANYTHING politically to substitute in numbers necessary to do more than just talk about the things we care about. That's all protest which brings us absolutely no closer to where we are now.

It's almost as if you're saying that just because you weren't able to get enough folks to vote for a more progressive candidate, you're looking for some shortcut to democracy. That's because you haven't done enough organizing of public opinion behind a candidate who represents your beliefs and goals. Trying to tear down the folks who have just seems a cheap trick to those who took the time.

[Ichingcarpenter]

31. I say go for it

but do both conventions.

[maxrandb]

32. How about Occupy the "Effing" Republican National Convention instead?!!

Those are the bastards that need to feel the "effing" heat.

How about Democrats and Progressives start to identify the "real" FRICKIN' enemy for a FRICKIN' Damn change!??

No matter how you spin it...President Obama and the Democratic Party are NOT the ones we need to defeat and harrass.

Guess that's why Republicans have been kicking our asses nationally for the past half century...They know who their enemy is, and they are committed to defeating and destroying them

Want to destroy something that is harmful to our country? Start with the "effing" CONs and Repukes!

[nc4bo]

33. Way too far for me to travel - may be the same for others

but those near or in Az. should - absolutely protest!!

[mmonk]

38. Because corporate lobbyists throw bribery parties at both.

[bigtree]

34. might be alright

. . . try and keep it civil.

As long as it's not one of those deals where a minority of folks work to prevent the convention from operating. Lots of good folks with the same goals in mind as many protestors as far as initiatives and progressive change. Just because some have chosen the Democratic Party to organize behind doesn't justify sabotaging the convention effort.

But, I did see the cheering here when folks like Bill Clinton, Mayor Nutter, and Chaka Fattah were rallying and were supposedly dissuaded by protestors. What a waste (if it was true).

I gotta wonder, though, just how much could be accomplished if we focused our energy on the most pernicious opposition. Focused it on the folks who actually deserve it, not some scattershot effort that makes the adrenalin spike, and little else productive. No sense in disrupting folks who would be our allies. Might as well be a republican, if that's your goal.

[Township75]

39. I picture this as being the same as any other OWS protest.

Which is civil.

[BlueIris]

41. Let me put it this way...I sincerely doubt that will happen. You don't occupy

the house of the group secretly sponsoring you.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

42. BOTH conventions need to be Occupied -

I hope plans are being made as we speak.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

45. Maybe, unlike '68, the Dems will listen rather than sic the thugs on them.

But, they'll probably try to corral them in the ironically named "free speech" zones.

[Blue_In_AK]

47. Chicago redux?

That was NOT a good scene. Would Rahm Emanuel respond any differently than Richard Daley did? I doubt it.

[Township75]

51. This year's convention is not in Chicago.

So that nut won't have anything to do with it.

[Blue_In_AK]

53. Of course, you're right.

I spaced it out for a second.

That being said, if the convention WERE in Chicago, I suspect Rahm would behave much as Daley did.

[Puzzledtraveller]

48. Occupy both

Make it an event, "Which one were you at?"

[Township75]

55. I'm all for that. I guess I just see it being easier to get people to go to the Dem conv at this...

site. Also, if you want your message to be well received, my money is on that occuring at the Dem Conv....at the Repub conv, my guess is it will be recieved with tear gas.

[PoliticAverse]

54. Has OWS resperved their space at the free speech cage yet ?...

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2008/0827/protesters-at-democratic-convention-fly-the-cage

[Bill Samuel]

57. Yes, Occupy DNC

I got an appeal a few days ago by email to set aside the dates to go to the Convention. I replied I thought it might be a good idea for me to go to protest the President, the signer of the appeal, all the corporate toadies appointed by Obama to key positions, Obama's wars, Obama's violations of the Constitution, etc. I said Occupy the Democratic National Convention would be a good idea.

And then I found the idea was being promoted here!

Many people in 2008 ignored Obama's positions and record and voted for him despite supposedly being anti-war and anti-corporate. Of course, we got the real Obama not the progressive dream.

The Occupy movement is of course a protest against the political establishment as well as big business. So it should be at the two establishment party conventions.

Obama remains the candidate who attracts the most Wall Street support. He will never be on our side.

Corporations pay for much of the cost of the National Conventions. Corporations who oppose our interests. Let's protest it!