Are We Not the 99%? We Are Not the 99%

I've been thinking about the good 'ol days of Occupy and the original idea that maybe, just maybe, an overwhelming majority of Americans might find some common ground, then find the political will to make some much needed changes.

We never did find that common ground, did we?  I am certainly guilty myself of the same 'mission drift' that took the Occupy movement. That original encampment and everything it represented was ultimately transformed into a series of largely partisan efforts to address issues of relatively narrow interest. I, in turn, shifted my focus towards particular issues and ideas, away from the tasks of building solidarity across partisan lines and increasing the collective impetus to act.

This is both wonderful and tragic.  Being partisan and lacking broad appeal makes an issue no less important. I have nothing but utmost respect for the people who believe in their causes enough to sweat their lives away working towards their noble political goals. I see that so many have been spurred on by Occupy, and for that I am grateful.

It's just, that's not why I personally got excited about Occupy in the first place.  I saw potential for a truly broad based movement of people willing to find common ground.  I saw potential to create collective political willpower and drive where there was only apathy before. When I saw that fail, I lost hope.

I will, perhaps for the rest of my life, be on the look out for something to come along where I can again feel like I'm part of a movement towards that goal.  Maybe it never will.  Maybe it's impossible, for reasons that can't be changed in my lifetime.  But I doubt I'll ever stop looking.

I put up a facebook page today, in an attempt to try to define and recapture some of what I really wanted to see come out of the Occupy movement.  Perhaps no one will see it and nothing will come of it (likely).  Perhaps it will evolve to become the new name and face of the movement I once loved (highly unlikely).  Either way, here it is!

All I know is, we can't keep calling ourselves the 99%, because 47% of Americans will hear that phrase and instantly write us off as left-wing radicals.  The other 53% will just sigh and lament the death of the original movement the way I do.  If the 99% is real, if we really exist, and if there is any shred of hope left that we can find the political willpower to work collectively towards change, we'll have to regroup.

And if I'm completely wrong, and the effort I want to be a part of is under way, please feel free to point me in the right direction!