re: #543 WindUpBird

Once the movement is having its strings jerked by the AFL-CIO, a big part of the grassroots message is no longer valid. Its momentum will be shifted towards union priorities, and the orignal issue set will be paid no more than lip service. The core problem faced by OWS is lack of a coherent set of demands and the inability to identify distinct, coherent policy issues to protest. The idea of “Wall Street” is too diffuse to hold the attention of a large crowd for very long. What do you rally around? The idea that “fairness” is better than “unfairness”? The concept that being plucked by the robber barons is wrong? Noble and just theories, but not much there politically to hang an activist hat on.

I have great sympathy with the OWS movement and am broadly supportive of the ideas and concerns being expressed. My concern is that once the initial tinder burns out, there won’t be enough substance to build a proper “fire” - if you get my drift.