Occupy Elections, With a Simple Message

[PETRUS]

I'm posting this and hoping for comment and discussion - both from fellow OWSers and from the sidelines.

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From the article:

"Whatever Occupiers may think of the Democrats, they can gain power within the Democratic Party and hence in election contests all over America. All they have to do is join Democratic clubs, stick to their values, speak out very loudly and work in campaigns for candidates at every level who agree with their values. If Occupiers can run tent camps, organize food kitchens and cleanup brigades, run general assemblies and use social media, they can take over and run a significant part of the Democratic Party."

http://www.truth-out.org/occupy-elections-simple-message/1322490268
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Good idea? Bad idea? Workable/unworkable?

[tabbycat31]

1. well the occupy movement did not help turnout this year

[PETRUS]

2. Maybe not.

I haven't seen those stats, but I assume you have.

The article is suggesting a level of political involvement much deeper than voting, though.

[deutsey]

3. "a level of political involvement much deeper than voting"

That's precisely what needs to happen, which I think makes a lot of people (especially those in the political establishment) nervous.

[tabbycat31]

4. I can only speak for my state

Which just had its entire statehouse up this year in their new districts. Statewide the turnout was 26%, which is down from the last similar election in 2007.

I don't know municipality by municipality numbers yet (they have not been posted) but I keep a keen eye on those things. I'm a field staffer for campaigns so turnout numbers mean a lot to me and I love analyzing them.

ETA 2007 statewide turnout (the last time the state senate was the top of the ticket) was 32%

[bigwillq]

5. CT had 30.67% turnout

It was 36.4% in 2009

[JackRiddler]

8. What? Are you suggesting low turnout was caused by Occupy?!

Or that Occupy should have caused higher turnout? (Note: Movement started on September 17th, 2011.)

[tabbycat31]

13. I'm not suggesting that

But the state that I was talking about neighbors the birthplace of Occupy. I know that on my campaign, we lost quite a few volunteers to Occupy when it hit a large city in a neighboring state. Now if there were a large enough Occupy movement in the district I worked in, then I would have been there registering voters. Now granted 2011 was an off year and state senate at the top of the ticket lacks the glitz and glam of a federal race, but it's still important (I always tell people that the smaller the race, the more of a direct impact it has on you). I just wonder how many of the Occupy people voted this year.

I think it should have caused higher turnout on the left the same way the tea party did on the right.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Mmmm, we'll have to vote in 2012 but unless it's Dennis Kucinich, it's really not important

as it appears all of the Klowns are bought and paid for.

Meanwhile, we're working obsoleting the dead system. Look for coalition_unwilling's upcoming report on this weekend's #Occupy Los Angeles happenings. Last night, a few propositions gained consensus with over 1,000 people participating. It shows that true democracy can work...right now.

[PeaceNikki]

7. Those of us in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Michigan vehemently disagree with you.

POTUS isn't the only race that matters. And DK is not the only Democrat worth a damn. This state is full of Democrats who are fantastic and deserve our full support.

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. No no, I'm only talking about POTUS. I vote Dem at all other levels.

Peace, PeaceNikki!

[NNN0LHI]

10. You vote for Dems for every office except president?

That is interesting to know.

Don

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. Geez, you folks are certainly assuming much from very little. Here:

I vote Dem at all levels, Because.

I voted for Clinton, for Obama, etc.

I'm not sitting out the next election and will vote Dem even if it's NOT Dennis Kucinich. Even if it's someone bought and paid for who won't say shit against the utter brutality being foisted upon peaceful citizens activating their Constitutional rights in a time of utter crisis. Ahem.

And I will continue working on the new model which so very obviously and joyfully obsoletes the present, until it is utterly victorious.

Cheers! No need for hostility.

[PETRUS]

15. Hi PeaceNikki!

I'm in MI. Yay OH for SB5. And good luck to y'all in WI.

[PeaceNikki]

16. Thanks... and all the best to you guys, too!

Except in football, natch. ;)

I can't speak for other areas, but the Occupy movement here is pretty well politically divided D and R. There is a clear delineation of good and evil between the 2 parties. Sure we get the crazy Ron Paul lunatics, but the Tea Baggers only show up to pick fights and support Walker.

[PETRUS]

11. You and coalition are awesome for being on site!

Thanks for that.

[JDPriestly]

14. Great idea.

The anti-war demonstrators made a big difference in the California Democratic Party. They insisted on having local clubs and won their battle.

Join your local Democratic Club and make a difference.

Your voice will be heard if you go with a willingness to listen to others and speak yourself.