NPR: OWS DOESN'T ENDORSE PHILLY CONFERENCE: THE TWO-WAY

by EYDER PERALTA

Occupy Wall Street tells The Associated Press that a national conference being planned in Philadelphia this summer was not approved by its General Assembly, meaning the group does not endorse it.

On Tuesday, we reported that the "The 99% Declaration," an Occupy Wall Street working group, was planning a meeting of a "National General Assembly," made up of 876 delegates — a man and woman from each Congressional district. On July 4 in Philadelphia, the group would draft and ratify a set of grievances, which would then be sent to the three branches of the U.S. government.

The group was backed by Michael S. Pollock, an attorney who advised Occupy protesters in New York, but Occupy members from across the country have said the group is simply co-opting the Occupy name.

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Here I have to put in my two cents worth.  The 99% Delegation (99%D) may have started out as a good idea.  I signed up, thrilled that someone was going to pick up the OWS (sort of) banner and do something that will actually affect change.  I signed up because I misunderstood the 99%D's intentions. I thought the 99%D was an effort to actually run people for the US House in the upcoming general elections, not just have a meeting, write up grievances, and hand them over to the seats of power.    I don't see that exercise doing anything other than wasting everyone's time.  It seems like naive young people that think if you explain why your idea is better, that the powers that be will suddenly whack their head and go "Eureka! Of course, how could we have been so wrong!" Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

If the 99%D is intending to start another political party; OK, good luck with that. Personally, I think political parties should be abolished, but having many viable parties is better than having only two, but I digress.

Putting together a coalition of people willing to run for the US House and Senate seats is an effort that COULD actually work.  At least it would be putting your time and efforts where your mouth is.

Time is expiring for the 99% to get up and get on the ballots.  I'm not suggesting anyone run as a OWS party.  I'm suggesting that "real" people run for all of the 400+ legislative seats that are up for grabs.  A mere 1% win rate would mean 4-5 new Congresspersons that were not bought by corporate money.  Imagine what 4-5 truly independent legislators could do.  It only takes 1 to break grid lock.  

In today's world, with social networking,  a person can run and can win without taking corporate money or money from individuals.  Instead of asking for money, money, and more money, candidates can ask for people to make their own yard signs, or take their $10 they would donate, and go buy bumper stickers to give to their friends and family members, and most importantly, to share your on line profile and mission statement with their friends, and ask their friends to do the same.  If people can take the time to forward cartoons, they can also forward information that might make their world a better place.  People are actually willing to help, you just have to give them a way to do it.  Provide printable forms, emails to send, and above all, just enlist them to speak to their network of family and friends.

Most everyone I've talked to in this very RED state I live in, is disgusted with Congress, and the way things are going.  Most don't pay enough attention to know what Citizens United is or if they've heard of it, they don't know what it means.  They just know that Congress has been sold to the highest bidder.  I've had so many people say "I just wish a real person would run; someone who has to work for a living..."

Here in Tennessee, you must get your ballot access form (the petition) turned into the State Election Commission by noon on April 1, and since that falls on a Sunday, best get them in by the Friday prior.  It only takes 25 signatures to get on the ballot as an Independent.  Every State has different rules, so if you are considering running, you should be looking up those rules now.  Do not rely on what you find on the Internet completely.  State houses are changing the rules to make it more difficult to unseat incumbents and are restricting ballot access where they can get away with it.

I personally am taking steps to run for Congress.  My district is misrepresented by a 1 term Tea Party zealot with a massive machine backing her re-election.  It will be a long hard fight.  I probably won't win, but at least I will have tried my very best to do something productive.  I'm tired of griping about the way our political system has become a front for monied interests, it's time to put up or shut up.

If you are reading this and have an opinion, please comment.  I need help to run, and I want to help anyone else who will run as an Independent.  At this juncture I want to start a web site that is dedicated to helping real people run for Congress - all House seats and every Senate seat up for grabs.  

If you want to run as an Independent, (not a crazy in disguise) I will help you; We can help each other.  If you just want to help others run, please comment on how you think you can best assist.  It will take everything we can muster to throw out even a few of these hacks now occupying Congress.  Help me and others run.