Post by occupymissoula on Oct 23, 2011 12:36:57 GMT -7
(Crossposted from occupymissoula@gmail.com email account)
Dear Occupiers,
I think my reason for supporting Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Missoula is simple: we don’t have a functional democracy because big business bought out the whole system, and re-wrote it to work to their advantage. While we bicker over this part or that part of the ‘message’ big business continues to write the rules and extract wealth from the shrinking middle class and from the growing numbers of working poor and unemployed in this country. That’s not a conspiracy theory – it’s a factual statement that no one – and I mean no one – that I have ever met disagrees with. Even the Tea Party agrees with the core assertion that Congress members are bought and sold. We don't need to spend a significant amount of time bickering about this message, because we all already know that it’s the *truth*. Complicating this message with anything else risks alienating parts of the 99% that Occupy Missoula claims to represent. I ask that you think about one thing carefully: no matter what you believe about chem trails, genetically modified food, vaccinating your children, the 9/11 truth demands, the federal reserve, or any other issue, you must recognize that those movements are not representative of the vast majority of Americans or the opinion of the "99%". I hope you can recognize that getting rid of money in politics is representative of the 99%. Maybe after this movement reclaims a functional democracy we can start to discuss the differences in opinion about other issues that are apparently creating resentment among movement supporters and occupiers.
I have said this same thing over and over and over again. I will continue to say it, despite my personal belief in the importance of other concerns - because I know this particular message is something we all agree on. I am willing to put my pet issues aside in recognition that not all will agree with me - are you? I do not have to convince anyone of the severity and magnitude of the problem that corporate money in politics represents - now essentially unlimited thanks to Citizens United v. FEC - because the citizens of this country know that it is a staggering assault on the idea of democracy in America. That is why it is such a powerful message, and should represent the core of any popular movement that seeks to restore functional democracy to America.
Best,
Dan Barton
Dear Occupiers,
I think my reason for supporting Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Missoula is simple: we don’t have a functional democracy because big business bought out the whole system, and re-wrote it to work to their advantage. While we bicker over this part or that part of the ‘message’ big business continues to write the rules and extract wealth from the shrinking middle class and from the growing numbers of working poor and unemployed in this country. That’s not a conspiracy theory – it’s a factual statement that no one – and I mean no one – that I have ever met disagrees with. Even the Tea Party agrees with the core assertion that Congress members are bought and sold. We don't need to spend a significant amount of time bickering about this message, because we all already know that it’s the *truth*. Complicating this message with anything else risks alienating parts of the 99% that Occupy Missoula claims to represent. I ask that you think about one thing carefully: no matter what you believe about chem trails, genetically modified food, vaccinating your children, the 9/11 truth demands, the federal reserve, or any other issue, you must recognize that those movements are not representative of the vast majority of Americans or the opinion of the "99%". I hope you can recognize that getting rid of money in politics is representative of the 99%. Maybe after this movement reclaims a functional democracy we can start to discuss the differences in opinion about other issues that are apparently creating resentment among movement supporters and occupiers.
I have said this same thing over and over and over again. I will continue to say it, despite my personal belief in the importance of other concerns - because I know this particular message is something we all agree on. I am willing to put my pet issues aside in recognition that not all will agree with me - are you? I do not have to convince anyone of the severity and magnitude of the problem that corporate money in politics represents - now essentially unlimited thanks to Citizens United v. FEC - because the citizens of this country know that it is a staggering assault on the idea of democracy in America. That is why it is such a powerful message, and should represent the core of any popular movement that seeks to restore functional democracy to America.
Best,
Dan Barton
