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Forum Post: I suggest this November we “Occupy the Polls”. (and a silver lining for Citizen’s United)

Posted 12 years ago on Feb. 24, 2012, 9:20 a.m. EST by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Later this year registered voters all over the country will be receiving invites to take a job at the polls this November, I suggest we do so. Not to push our positions but to meet the people who are still involved, learn how we can tell them about wealth inequality in America. Learn how the system works, even if someday that means knowing its weak points. Many of these people will be retirees; some will be “leaders” in the community.

This year the SuperPacs will remind people with only 10 or 20 or 100 million just how small they are. It might change some minds on Campaign Finance when a bunch of people who thought they mattered find out they don’t.

27 Comments

27 Comments


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[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

I think it is a great idea. Most of the polls are run by retirees and there are groups of other people (usually running) who are milling about in the parking lots.

That said, why not go to a town or county council meeting?

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

Hey GF are you still with us?

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

That's a good idea too, I was just at a zoning meeting with the locals, and the mayor showed up at one of the meeting, now I went to several, she was only at one near the end, but we met and she listened to what everyone had to say. Going down to town hall and just watching some of the hearings, gives you a feel of how you get that lot rezoned or those houses opened up.

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Yes, it sure does. :D

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Many points of action.

[-] 1 points by DSams (-71) 11 years ago

I think this a very good idea. On both counts.

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

If we want to change the system might be good to know what that system is.

The official you meet at town hall may feel differently when they see you in the street making some noise, because they have met you.

[-] 0 points by DSams (-71) 11 years ago

True enough...

[-] -1 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

Oh, do you mean like the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case in Philadelphia? Gimme a break. What is the point of intimidating voters and trying to stop them from voting? I’m sure that would endear OWS in the hearts and minds of the public. Jeez (shakes haed)

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

No, silly.

I think that if you have any group of people that actually want to make changes than they are going to need to at least see how the system works. The TP looked completely and totally ignorant by not even knowing which part of government does what. The New Black Panther Party has no relevance here.

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[-] -1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

You wonder sometimes if the fella above (jbg) could be that dumb and work a keyboard?

[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

I'm trying to at least start out in a kinder, more gentle manner. LOL.

[-] -3 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

sorry, I've been getting picked on, it's putting me in an ill mood, out of town guest just left too, family, so you know....

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Shucks, give me another 15 minutes. And I will jump in.

Could be less though, the way that it is looking.

[-] -1 points by VQkag (930) 11 years ago

nobody said "intimidation", or "black panther". You are twisting the suggestion. I guess you are here to disrupt and malign these good hard working freedom loving 99%'rs. Support OWS. Occupy the polls!

[-] 0 points by jbgramps (159) 11 years ago

Ok, I admit I was a little out of line. But what you expect to accomplish is still not clear. If the public sees this as interfering with the election they won’t be happy; and rightfully so. Remember the New Black Panthers didn’t actually do anything other than stand around the entrance; but the press construed it as intimidation.

[-] -1 points by VQkag (930) 11 years ago

Sounds like they're talkin about volunteering at the polls to understand the process better. not to take part in electioneering. before elections maybe we can engage enough voters and influence them to vote for pro 99% candidates. Support OWS. Vote out anti regulation politicians

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

Hey you guys asked me to put this up what do you think?

[-] 0 points by DSams (-71) 11 years ago

There have been "transparency" problems as well as serious and credible allegations of electronic voting machine fraud...

I think we ought be getting into the nuts and bolts of the electoral process locally, horizontally, to insure not only our access to the polls, but accurate vote counting as well. Many local occupations organized around access to voting, transparency of process and vote count accuracy could become a growing decentralized national movement...

If there is also a realistic possibility of creating democratic change for the better at the 2012 elections.

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

From your other post?

[-] 0 points by SteveKJR (-497) 11 years ago

I believe it is illegal to suggest any position at a polling place. If you do that, in all probability the police will be called. Now you can do that off grounds - I think the distance is around 500 feet away from the polling property.

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

I am talking about accepting the poll jobs themselves not there to be part of the noise, but to learn the nuts and bolts, that way you know where to put the wrench.

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[-] 0 points by SteveKJR (-497) 11 years ago

From that perspective it'll work - but the minute a person starts to get into a political discussion they will soon be booted. Learning the ins and outs of anything is a worthwhile endevour.

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

that's what I was thinking, sort of “the more you know”, and yes it would be a time to just be neutral, that's not selling out really, that's just being respectful, on that one day so all can be fairly heard, after all that's all most (or all) of us want really

[-] 0 points by SteveKJR (-497) 11 years ago

Remember - "Knowledge is power". I have a theory I used all through my life and it helped me be successful. I use the pyramid theory - this applies to all aspects of life.

Everyone starts out at the base of the pyramid. As time goes on and you become more knowledgeable, you move up towards the top of the pyramid - and, along the way, you become part of the few who are the most knowledgeable when you reach the top.

You can apply this theory to anything in life you wish to accomplish -be it learing to ride a bicycle, driving a car, getting a job, saving money the list goes on and on.

And to top it off, you also have a goal that you are working towards and that is the main difference.

Now, I know I am on a rant here but this also applies the the OWS. If you want to beat someone at their own game you have to be smarter then them.

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 11 years ago

You do know the pyramid theory sort of has a bad name don't you? Have you thought of other names?

But yes the more each of us knows the more powerful we are.

[-] 0 points by DSams (-71) 11 years ago

The distance varies state to state.