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Forum Post: Bringing together the 99%.

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 9, 2011, 5:34 p.m. EST by LobbyDemocracy (615)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I have a great deal of respect for Occupy Wall Street. I think they have done a great job bringing attention to issues that need to be addressed. I hope that they will continue to be a presence.

I do, however, have some concerns as to how an organization like OWS can really pull the 99% together for the fight. The vast majority of our country spends its days working to pay the bills and the evenings tending to friends and family. We live in a busy world. I am not saying that this is some sort of a dream or a fantasy. I am simply saying that it is the reality for a great deal of Americans. 99% of Americans will not sleep out in our nations public areas to make a point. It seems like too much effort. Too dramatic a solution to the problem.

How do we bring these people into the conversation? If we do not include everyday working Americans how can we say that we represent the 99%.

I have devised a system to help make the voice of the majority heard. It is a system open to everyone. I have started a lobbying organization to represent the interests of the majority. We do not have a predetermined platform or political affiliation. We are just here to represent you.

The system is designed to fit into the lives of everyday working Americans. It will keep them informed as to what issues are being considered by their government and give them the opportunity to make their opinions heard. It will pull together the strength of numbers, help us find common ground and get legislation passed.

If you are interested, please visit www.lobbydemocracy.com. We opened for membership 3 days ago and are just getting our feet wet. We would like to hear what you think. Please post any comments or questions here so that we can rise to the top of the list and be seen by others.

12 Comments

12 Comments


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[-] 1 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

My respect for OWS begins and ends with the conversation it has started. I agree it has brought awareness regarding the people's discontent... and it has sparked all sorts of conversations...

but I do not support this movement's lack of direction or purpose. And I certainly do not support the post I just read on the main page regarding an anarchist and a writer holding a teleconference talking, in detail, about how we bring our current economic structure down to make way for some "New World Order".

I will check your page out, though. I have checked out many, hoping for one with some potential...

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

Thank you for your consideration. I think you may like what you see. It is a much more mainstream approach to the problem.

[-] 1 points by independentmind (227) 12 years ago

Uh. It appears, at first glance to be a republican approach to the problem. I like the blog/input/response/forward mentality... but it does appear to be geared toward the right. Things like "follow republican candidates" and the like. I will have to spend more time there, and am admittedly short of it currently... but that's the impression I got.

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

The organization is designed to be politically neutral. The Republican presidential race is in full swing and I think deserves some attention. It may have a little too much due to the fact that I lean pretty far to the left personally and may have overcompensated as I tried to reach for neutrality. Thanks for taking the time. Let us know what you think when you get the chance to check it out more thoroughly,

[-] 0 points by justhefacts (1275) 12 years ago

In order for your site to be the TRUE voice of the majority, 51% or more, of the actual citizens of the US would have to become members. And as you pointed out, the majority is pretty much too damn busy to do that.

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

I understand that argument. I think that if we could get a million though it would be a pretty good sample of the country. If not the whole country then at least the voting population.

[-] 0 points by justhefacts (1275) 12 years ago

If that sample is made up of completely real, honest, actual individuals that you can verify are actually real people with real IDs. A "sample" that hears about and responds to and online presence involved in the political world probably wouldn't really represent the US accurately.

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

I think that it would more accurately reflect the interests of the American people that the lobbyists that currently reside on K street do. I also understand that we are going to need to put in place an auditing structure related to the polling process on the site to prove that they are actual members of society and that the voting process accurately reflects their perspectives.

[-] 0 points by justhefacts (1275) 12 years ago

As long as you've got plans to audit the process then it sounds great. Again though, with "samples", it's difficult to get a sample in which "all things are equal" when the people that you get to sign up on your website are going to represent a particular category of people (those who are prolific online users AND politically motivated AND looking for a lobby AND honest about their perspectives AND....) rather than a blind cross section of the actual US population. Does that make sense?

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

Our membership will never be a random sampling of the United States. I am sorry to admit it, but there is nothing that I can do to represent the interests of the people who do not vote and are not involved in the political process. I do hope that the site can eventually accurately reflect the interests of the voting population.

[-] 0 points by justhefacts (1275) 12 years ago

The fact that you ARE willing to admit that, is refreshing and honest. Thank you.

[-] 1 points by LobbyDemocracy (615) 12 years ago

You are welcome. I think the organization can still have a significant place in the political world without being random statistical sample.

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