CNN reporter claims most OWS protesters are libertarians that support Ron Paul

[emr1028]

We are digging our own graves if we write these people off and just assume that there is no point trying to reason with and educate these people.

It seems as if most of the people writing off the protesters have not actually been to the protests. It isn't all hippie leftists. Please understand this. There is a lot of misplaced anger, sure, but one thing that I found when I was actually talking to these people was that they are friendly, open minded, and are willing to hear alternative viewpoints. There are a lot of issues where we can find common ground. These people are not all leftist college students. There were doctors there. There were teachers. There were financial people. There were people of all different backgrounds. Given the diversity and the numbers, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that many of these protesters are registered republicans. If we choose to ignore and demonize these protests, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

What does Ron say, people? BUILD COALITIONS. Some of Paul's best friends in the congress are liberal democrats. Paul seems to be very good friends with Nader, with Kucinich, and with Barney Frank. If Paul can do it, why can't we?

 

[Philosophy_of_Politics]

I keep hearing that ows is against corporatism but i don't believe that. I haven't seen a single sign or heard anyone bitching about solyndra? Since it's a group with lots of different people i can't label the entire group but i can say with a lot of confidence that 50% of them at least, are just there to hang out and have fun. Out of the other 50% I think probably 90% of them are brainwashed lefties

Their list of demands so far is fairly close to what we have in mind for Ron Paul's movement, but not quite. They don't believe in free-markets, the opportunity to create wealth, and they think capitalism is the problem. They think that what we've been experiencing for the last 97 years is capitalism, when in-fact, it's far from it. It targets many of the same issues, but changes it in a way to completely remove the rich/upper class.

Leaving only 2 classes.

Government
The rest of us.

What does that remind you of? At first it sounds like what we want. Except that they don't want to limit Federal power. They just hate the rich so much, it is class-warfare, yet they deny it.

 

[tribute_13]

I keep hearing that ows is against corporatism but i don't believe that. I haven't seen a single sign or heard anyone bitching about solyndra? Since it's a group with lots of different people i can't label the entire group but i can say with a lot of confidence that 50% of them at least, are just there to hang out and have fun. Out of the other 50% I think probably 90% of them are brainwashed lefties

That's because none of them know what Solyndra is, the few that do are the ones keeping it hush hush.

 

[Philosophy_of_Politics]

My issue with this movement is this. They want to change the constitution to say other things.

If they go after my constitution, I'll be fighting these people on the streets myself. I want them educated and for them disperse, then I want them to vote for Ron Paul. We have to play the voting game first. What most people forget is that if Ron Paul doesn't win, or doesn't succeed as president. Then full-scale revolution will happen regardless.

 

[AgentOrange]

You guys complaining about RP supporters at OWS don't get it.....the media will lie to make RP look bad. If they think it will hurt RP to link him to OWS, then they will, regardless of whether there was even 1 RP supporter at OWS. Support OWS or don't support OWS (based on your own personal beliefs), but don't be making your decision based on what you think the media will do. Think of the media like a an abuser....there is *nothing* the victim can do to change the abuser's behavior. All the victim can do is get away from the abuse.

 

[emr1028]

You guys complaining about RP supporters at OWS don't get it.....the media will lie to make RP look bad. If they think it will hurt RP to link him to OWS, then they will, regardless of whether there was even 1 RP supporter at OWS. Support OWS or don't support OWS (based on your own personal beliefs), but don't be making your decision based on what you think the media will do. Think of the media like a an abuser....there is *nothing* the victim can do to change the abuser's behavior. All the victim can do is get away from the abuse.

We didn't make it this far by being pussies.

 

[parocks]

Excuse Me!!! If wall street was down the road from my house I would be right there with them. Why would I be there with them. The reason why I would be there with them is because I see past the divide and conquer strategy thats spread on to demonize these people. I'm sure some of them are communists and some of them might be democrates but I can assure You a larger portion of these people are people whom are pissed off and hurting due to this economy. Hell I'm pissed off the government is destroying my job because the government refuses to release permits. Hell to keep from loosing my house I am probably going to have to work in Africa or China just so I can pay my bills....


So think before You talk or write because You are not in those people shoes and You don't know everyones story thats at the protest. I am willing to bet there are plenty of Ron Paul supporters there and I am willing to bank on that and if not then where else are You going to find a better place to recruit people?

Every college campus is a better place to recruit people. You know where they live, so you can work with them throughout the entire election process, from voter registration to GOTV.

 

[TheTexan]

Besides, it doesn't matter. It's too late. Ron Paul people are up in there loud and proud. So either get on board and move it in a positive direction or continue saying what a bad idea it is while none of them are listening.

 

[parocks]

We are digging our own graves if we write these people off and just assume that there is no point trying to reason with and educate these people.

It seems as if most of the people writing off the protesters have not actually been to the protests. It isn't all hippie leftists. Please understand this. There is a lot of misplaced anger, sure, but one thing that I found when I was actually talking to these people was that they are friendly, open minded, and are willing to hear alternative viewpoints. There are a lot of issues where we can find common ground. These people are not all leftist college students. There were doctors there. There were teachers. There were financial people. There were people of all different backgrounds. Given the diversity and the numbers, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that many of these protesters are registered republicans. If we choose to ignore and demonize these protests, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

What does Ron say, people? BUILD COALITIONS. Some of Paul's best friends in the congress are liberal democrats. Paul seems to be very good friends with Nader, with Kucinich, and with Barney Frank. If Paul can do it, why can't we?

The key thing to remember is that Likely Republican Primary Voters do not like these protesters one bit. So, do whatever, but leave Ron Paul completely out of it. If you don't want to do actual campaigning like the campaign wants, that's cool, but don't hurt Ron Paul while doing it.

Our movement is called "tea party". Their goals and outlook are identical to Ron Paul's. Some people in the tea party have a different view of foreign policy, and it's probably not a good idea to keep reminding them that they disagree with Ron Paul.

The tea party was mighty in 2010, getting Rand Paul elected, and will be a mighty force for a candidate who is not seen as a buddy of socialists. The tea party bloc is essential, and it might not be a good idea to antagonize them.

 

[TheTexan]

The key thing to remember is that Likely Republican Primary Voters do not like these protesters one bit.

Likely Republican Primary Voters also despise Ron Paul's foreign policy. Should we just not speak of his foreign policy, so that they don't get turned off by it?

Or should we expose them to it, so they can begin to see the merits of his position?

 

[Philosophy_of_Politics]

Besides, it doesn't matter. It's too late. Ron Paul people are up in there loud and proud. So either get on board and move it in a positive direction or continue saying what a bad idea it is while none of them are listening.

Ron Paul isn't associating himself with them for good reasons. You can't move it in a positive direction by supporting their movement. Educating them and turning them into Ron Paul supporters however, that would be a positive direction. But they would have to end their protests in order to do that.

 

[parocks]

Likely Republican Primary Voters also despise Ron Paul's foreign policy. Should we just not speak of his foreign policy, so that they don't get turned off by it?

Or should we expose them to it, so they can begin to see the merits of his position?

This is something that Ron Paul is going to have to deal with. I'm sure he's thinking about this. Certainly, we don't want to talk about Ron Pauls foreign policy to the wrong people. They will not be encouraged to think about that very much.

What Ron Paul didn't do is voluntarily link himself up with socialists who are demanding things like jobs. This isn't at all consistent with Ron Paul's message.

It's the same incoherent Leftys with the same incoherent Lefty complaints. This is not new or particularly interesting. Except to see how badly grassroots can screw things up for Ron Paul this time. Maybe an expensive Blimp hanging over the protest area.

But, I read on another thread a while ago, the purpose of campaigning is to do what you enjoy. And if it helps the campaign, great. But your own personal enjoyment of what you're doing comes first. I disagree with this. But there are many who disagree with me.

There are so many fun things Ron Paul supporters can do. No Ron Paul signs and tshirts. I recommended "sign packs" where you make up and distribute a few signs, not Ron Paul signs, but signs with a similar theme, and try to twist the debate that way.

But Ron Paul supporters rarely come up with clever things like that.

I recommended an open letter to the protesters from RPF and daily paul, to try to get the ron paul supporters organized. Or anything that combines the need for ron paul supporters to protest and enjoy themselves with the desire not to hurt Ron Paul.

But Ron Paul supporters, often, suck, are stupid, and fuck things up.

Which is what is happening now and it seems to be getting worse.

 

[JoshS]

Besides, it doesn't matter. It's too late. Ron Paul people are up in there loud and proud. So either get on board and move it in a positive direction or continue saying what a bad idea it is while none of them are listening.

^best post in the thread

 

[parocks]

http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/10/o...stakes-out-spotlight-at-gop-economic-debate
/

HANOVER, N.H. — Barely 48 hours before nine Republican presidential hopefuls are scheduled to debate at Dartmouth College, signs began appearing on campus Sunday evening announcing a demonstration in support of the Occupy Wall Street protests. A “Students Stand With Staff” organization with ties to the Service Employees International Union is organizing the event.

The group plans to hold its rally on the center of campus during the four hours immediately preceding Tuesday evening’s high-profile debate.


Right there, this is an SEIU protest.

Here's my question - do we stand with the SEIU protesters, or with the conservatives?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...love-brigade-hijack-Wall-Street-protest.html#

 

[AgentOrange]

We didn't make it this far by being pussies.

I fail to see how acknowledging that kissing up to the media is a losing battle is "being a pussie". People shouldn't be making decisions based on how they think the media will react, but the media works for our opponent, the status quo. The media will never be on our side during this election campaign.

 

[good_brown]

Ok, first of all, I support Ron Paul and Occupy Wall Street and I fit none of the stereotypes that ya'll are throwing around. I'd even go so far as to say that people in these forums have given me more reasons to abandon the RP ship than anything I've seen coming out of New York.

Second of all, as Ron Paul supporters, dont you all believe we should return to the Gold Standard and sound economics? If so, dont you see you have place in the Occupy Wall Street movement?

My point is this... bankers have manipulated our monetary and political systems to funnel money into a few pockets at the expense of many. That includes mine, yours, OWS, Tea Party, and whoever else. The sooner people realize the things we have in common, the sooner we can make a genuine push on behalf of working, liberty loving people.

You win elections as an underdog by building bridges, not walls.

 

[Tina]

You can help in your individual area. I just looked up my city on facebook and I see that they are organizing a ows protest in my area. I've already joined and given suggestions on how to steer the protest and it's helping. Don't complain about the movement, help the movement go in the right direction, jeez.(this has already been said a hundred times)

I didn't tell them I was a RP supporter, just directed them towards the FED.

 

[Cabal]

Ok, first of all, I support Ron Paul and Occupy Wall Street and I fit none of the stereotypes that ya'll are throwing around. I'd even go so far as to say that people in these forums have given me more reasons to abandon the RP ship than anything I've seen coming out of New York.

Second of all, as Ron Paul supporters, dont you all believe we should return to the Gold Standard and sound economics? If so, dont you see you have place in the Occupy Wall Street movement?

My point is this... bankers have manipulated our monetary and political systems to funnel money into a few pockets at the expense of many. That includes mine, yours, OWS, Tea Party, and whoever else. The sooner people realize the things we have in common, the sooner we can make a genuine push on behalf of working, liberty loving people.

You win elections as an underdog by building bridges, not walls.

You have it kind of backwards, in a sense. Bankers aren't really manipulating anything; really, they're just playing the game. The problem is the game is rigged. The system is corrupt and broken... bankers just happen to be among the beneficiaries. So, honestly, while I support everyone's right to engage in civil disobedience regardless of their cause or purpose; I think this whole OWS thing is a misallocation of resources, if you will. The banks and bankers being protested on Wall St. are not the root of the problem, they are just a symptom of a much deeper-seeded problem that lies within the federal government first and foremost.

IMO, demonstrating at Federal Reserve banks, Washington, or even the MSM news media outlets would be much more beneficial, and would demonstrate a much better understanding of the issues at hand. Tbh, OWS seems to play into the hands of the establishment as they continue to vilify everyone but themselves, even while they continue to redistribute wealth and run this country and its people further into the graves they've so kindly prepared for us.

On another note, I don't understand people who threaten to jump ship on RP just because they may disagree with some of his other supporters. That doesn't make any sense to me. My support for a candidate, for instance, is based on who that candidate is, the message they advocate, and the positions they take... not whether or not I agree with some random guy on a forum who also happens to like said candidate.

Bridges and walls are irrelevant to those who are airborne.

 

[icon124]

And we've got Ron Paul supporters, right here, saying it's a good thing that they're there spreading the Ron Paul message to a bunch of socialists. It's not only "they" who are doing something wrong.

FOR THE 15TH TIME THEY ARE NOT ALL SOCIALISTS...you guys complain about not listening to the media and see it for yourself, but yet you are doing that with OWS.

I WAS THERE ALL WEEKEND. There are just as many Libertarians (or close to that thought) as there is socialists. It is a complete MIXED group. The only thing they ALL have in common is they are tired of the corporatism and the Government mess we have now. SO unless you have been there stop judging by what you hear from the media and being a hypocrite.

 

[silentshout]

Good. The campaign needs as many blue Republicans to cross over and vote as possible. Sorry, we won't win just by courting the neocons. Also, there are plenty of libertarians at these protests, espcially the "occupy the fed" versions. Heck I am libertarian and I plan to go to one next week. (not wearing any RP stuff, it's not the point. I like that it isn't focused on candidates, but on grievances and issues.)