I'd like to propose something to the group and get your thoughts.  I don't come from either the Tea Party or OWS camp, but I agree with some elements from each.  What I do see, however, is that the very core fundamentals are so similar, that there should be ways to work together.  I think both realize that the government is no longer representing our best interests, and that corruption is far greater than we thought.  The Tea Party and OWS see the solution differently, but I think if we can rise above the typical political rhetoric, these two groups can do great things together.

One thing that I think we need to address is how each group sees each other.  OWS sees Tea Partiers as racists, and Tea Partiers see OWS as lazy hippies.  Neither stereotype is true for bulk of the groups.  Yes, in any organization you can find seedy and horrible people, but overall, both groups are comprised of "average joes" who feel screwed over by the government/situation.

I'm hoping that a truly great man or great woman will rise up and see the opportunity present in working together.  This person will see that the other group is not the enemy – the true adversary is our own representatives.

P.S. Pizza is not a vegetable!

Post edited 1:34 pm – November 18, 2011 by brentwilliams2

Thanks John!  I appreciate the welcome – too much hate-filled vitriol in political forums these days, that it's nice to have a nice talk without someone calling someone else an idiot.  :)

And I actually don't know nearly enough about either of the groups beyond some of the core messages I hear.  I feel kind of like a match-maker – I see potential so I just want to open up the discussion.

I've been talking with someone over at the Houston Tea Party group and showed them this link.  Hopefully he/she will feel comfortable participating in the discussion!

Thanks, Katie.  I specifically mentioned to the Tea Party contact that since this is an open board where anybody can talk, then there will undoubtedly be some fringe extremist who speaks up but does not represent the ideals of OWS.  If any meaningful progress will be made, it is important to differentiate between the fringe person talking and the bulk of the movement.