Did OWS Just Abandon Political Neutrality? A Step Backward?

One of the things that gave me some hope for OWS was their promise to attack left and right. I don't think we have enough attention paid to the wrongs of society in general, without focusing on a particular party..

"Hunt out and destroy evil, wherever you find it!" was my cry, and I thought it was theirs. But it looks like I was wrong.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Occupy Des Moines demonstrators want to meet with the Democratic National Committee chairwoman before the Iowa caucuses get started.

A couple dozen Occupy protesters took a letter on Sunday to a downtown Des Moines hotel where the Democratic National Committee has set up operations.

The protesters say they want to meet with chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Monday to talk about putting the majority of Americans at the top of the party's agenda.

An Iowa Democratic party official said Wasserman Schultz wasn't in Des Moines on Sunday. National committee spokesman Michael Czin (zihn) picked up the letter and said he would be back in touch with the Occupy protesters.

The Iowa caucuses are being held Tuesday.

OWS goes Democrat?

So now that the 99% has decided to throw in with the 40% (or whatever the Democrats claim for strength) where do we go for change?

Sure, we can say that this isn't the whole movement, but I haven't heard of any OWSer approach the Republicans. It looks like OWS fooled me, and many others.

deleted: undeservedly sarcastic...
I can't say I'm surprised....

Hello Charles,

I happen to live in Des Moines and took part in the local Occupy for much of its existence. That was until things began changing within the conversations and mindset of local occupiers.

There is still a large group of people that come to support the basic idea that change is needed, but those people that made it their "job" to speak for the DM Occupy have taken their own political aspirations and made it part of the Occupy movement.

I have seen this coming for some time, and I am ashamed that they are trying to form an alliance with any of the political parties. They don't even camp anymore. The "tent city" that is setup is just for show, and you see very few people there unless a march is planned.

It's sad to say the least.

reply to post by sheepslayer247 and 46ACE


Dear sheepslayer247 and 46 ACE,

You both are leading me to believe that this alliance was inevitable. Please tell me it wasn't. Say that at sometime in the past, the movement had a chance to get it right but this decision, or that event, changed its path. Persuade me that we've learned from this and can do it right the next time.

I just don't know.

With respect,
Charles1952

reply to post by charles1952


I'm surprised this thing is still going?
Its basically disbanded here in Australia.

reply to post by charles1952

I don't think that it was inevitable, but just happens to be where this one Occupy ended up. Not all hope is lost, but it does not look good. It hasn't for some time.

We learned from this go-round, and I think it will go much better when the time comes for all Americans to stand up together......and make the change happen.

I think it will blow back up in the spring, something will happen to put that drive back in people.

To make a difference. Cold weather is.. discomforting for most people, so im not surprised a lot of them are disbanded from camps, but talks are still happening most likely.

Occupy Congress?

reply to post by charles1952


Not everyone was duped..............

reply to post by charles1952


Maybe now people will believe the information that this was bought and paid for by George Soros. How could any one not see this coming when Al Gore called for it just prior to the OWS movement s appearance. I had personally posted here on ATS that it had been reported in Egypt through information sent by the OBAMA Administration that the OWS was designed to support the Obama upcoming election. We were all called crazy and liars and a whole multitude of names for simply reporting and warning the general population of what was going on. another thing I feel is strange is the very day Obama signs into law the NDAA. The OWS appears once again this time starting trouble. Hopefully the American people comprehend this has an agenda that is been carefully planned and staged.

reply to post by charles1952


There's a reason I've been against OWS for some time.

First, it's the violence, the alliances with socialist and communist elements, and criminal activity.

Secondly it's the total illiteracy in economics.

Thirdly, and probably more importantly, it's the "We are the 99% You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile" mentality that I've seen out of this group time and time again. And if you don't tow the line you're a "fascist".

Now that OWS has lost legitimacy they want to suck it out of what's left of the democratic party.

reply to post by redrose123

Dear redrose123,

You've brought up some good points that help me understand my own frustration.

I know Soros was a big, maybe the big, influence in this. But remember, OWS was rock solid in their claims to be opposed to the corruption of money, and the influence of either party. Sure, their progressive attitudes led me to think they'd be more warmly embraced by the Democrats, but I thought they'd go after everyone. They knew the whole world was watching them.

If this was orchestrated to be a movement for the recruiting of Obama campaign workers, then the OWS leaders are more cynical and corrupt than I thought possible. If true, they were lying to their followers and corrupting their "innocence" and enthusiasm.

With respect,
Charles1952

A few people from Occupy Des Moines speak to a Democrat and all of a sudden you're saying all of OWS was "orchestrated" to get "Obama campaign workers"?

Get real and drop the conspiratism for a second. The motto of this site is "deny ignorance." Denying ignorance doesn't mean jumping to absurd conclusions just because a few people from Des Moines spoke to a Democrat. What they do does NOT reflect on OWS as a whole, especially since one of the most notable things about OWS is how decentralised it is. OWS camps regularly disagree with each other on major issues.

The actions of people in Occupy Des Moines reflects only on people in Occupy Des Moines.


Also to the Australian guy who's surprised it's still going since it's disbanded in Australia - As an Australian myself I can safely say I'm not surprised. One of the main differences between Americans and Australians, as much as we talk # about Americans, is that they aren't chicken# cowards who back down and let the government do whatever the hell it wants. Most of the people in this pathetic country (Australia) will sit there and take it up the ass no matter what the government wants to do - internet censorship? only a thousand people nationwide turned up for the national day of protest. That kind of # causes riots in the US. It causes national movements.

Hell, in the US - just the THREAT of violating their rights is a big deal. In Australia we literally have no rights guaranteed - since there's no bill of rights in our constitution - and nobody fights for it, nobody cares, and everybody just sits and rolls over when the government wants to violate us.

So no, I'm not surprised OWS is still going. Americans are not cowards like our country.

Neutrality in OWS? This is news to me. Since the very beginning most of these protesters have been hailing Obama while detesting the Republican congress. Some have even called for Marxism. They are definitely to the left of the Tea Party movement.

Originally posted by ForeverDusk
Neutrality in OWS? This is news to me. Since the very beginning most of these protesters have been hailing Obama while detesting the Republican congress. Some have even called for Marxism. They are definitely to the left of the Tea Party movement.

I do, however. Like your avatar.
And the occupy movement here has nothing to do with the US at all, so i dont think they're obama supporters.

I think the OWS needed a step in this direction....they need to organize if they take themselves seriously.....and if they want to be taken seriously.....dialogue is never an excess or goes against getting an idea out of your own box head......if it is common sentiment....then the fact it is self evident is enough so as to retain its message throughout the process of bureaucratization ....legislation eventually must take this form....everything else is fantasy..

Did OWS Just Abandon Political Neutrality?

What do you mean ... did they 'JUST' abandon political neutrality?? Nothing since after the first week has been neutral. It's been far left socialist and plain ol' hippy I-want-it-all-for-free rants for many months now. Nothing 'JUST' about it ...