OWS vs. Tea Party: Battle Royale

Nah, just kidding. In another thread, I stated that to me, the OWS movement and the Tea Party were similar, in that both movements are (or were, in the case of the Tea Party) grassroots movements started by people sincerely angry at the status quo looking for real, substantive change, but both ultimately failed at actually accomplishing anything due to a lack of leadership and clear goals.

Now, I will admit that the Tea Party started out with very clear, specific goals, when it was still a sensible libertarian movement. But after the GOP co-opted it, it embraced their traditional lack of specificity on policy.

Sadanie disagreed with my comparison, and I rather like and respect her voice in these forums, but didn't want to derail my other thread. So, this is now an official OWS v. Tea Party comparison thread.

 

Actually the Tea Party co-opted the republican party. The Tea Party works within the rules to affect change while OWS works against the rules as a demostration force. The Tea Party chooses to elect people to office that agree with their position while the OWS tries to force current politicians to accept their beliefs.

The movements are completely different.

 

Guess that is why Republicans are now being accused of moving to the extreme right, because the 60 Tea Party members in the House have had no effect. Fighting spending is why they have been called extreme. Seems to be that is one of the Tea Party principles.

OWS? They had to return home for a bath.

 

My point is that I haven't seen that. Very few Tea Party politicians have actually been different than the establishment they are supposed to be against, and of those the vast majority are libertarian Republicans.

I've seen no Tea Party change except the person in office.

 

No idea who you've heard that from, 'cause I've only heard Tea Partiers called extreme for being far-right on social issues, not economic issues.

Actually, at the moment they are doing a better job than the Red Cross at Hurricane Sandy relief.

 

Of course you have, it's called propaganda.

 

There is no such thing as a Tea Party candidate, we don't run our own candidates. We support those that are closest to our views and rally support against those we don't like. Its a slow process of change but hopefully after being consistent for a period of time we can get enough in there where you will see change.

Did you really expect a huge reversal of policy from one election such as the 2010 cycle? It takes time and the fact that Tea Party numbers are growing shows that we are heading in the right direction. It is a movement with a goal of fiscal responsibility whereas the OWS is a reaction to a perceived outrage. They are completely different movements.

 

...no, it's called observation. The only change "Tea Party" Republicans have managed is on social issues. Michele Bachmann is practically the spokeswoman, and she's a wild-eyed crazy old bat when it comes to social issues.

 

How's the tea party doing on hurricane relief?

 

How are the rich doing on hurricane relief?

"A hedge fund manager from the Upper West Side, Roy Niederhoffer, gathered a network of 40 friends through Facebook who helped load a U-Haul truck and several cars with canned corn, batteries, LED lights, over-the-counter medicines and other supplies."

The fact is, a lot of people are helping but I suppose for some, it is only the OWS that matters.

 

But how is the tea party doing on hurricane relief?

I think that any comparison between the two organizations ought to take this into account.

Especially considering some of the things people have said about both organizations in the past.

 

The Tea Party is a political ideology not a disaster relief response team.

But since the Tea Party is not a specific political party and are a representation of people from all walks of life with a common belief I'm sure you can find many Tea Party members who are part of FEMA, Red Cross, volunteers, government emergency aid workers and so on.

So I'm sure they are more than pulling their weight.

 

Sorry, but the OWS just got kicked out of Zuccotti park and had to go somewhere. They have been pretty useless anywhere else.

 

So even when one group proves its usefulness by helping people, and another does not, you continue to mock the useful group?

I mean, what better evidence could there be? Think this is maybe why you guys lose elections? You campaign against your own propaganda, not reality.

OWS has not only proven a willingness to help people, but also an ability. This is a display not only of compassion and generosity, but also of competence. They have a successful network for the distribution of supplies and resources, and you can ask any quartermaster just how easy that is to arrange. As in, it's not.

You guys should be embarrassed about some of the things you've said about OWS. You won't be, but you should be.

 

Who said that?

 

This is one reason I like you. *fistbump*

 

You can always cherry pick a picture to suit an agenda. I've seen OWS camps that were clean and orderly. The people there were of various ages, some with well-behaved children, and they were also clean and well-groomed.

Of course, not all of them are so nice - but then, not all of them are so bad.

 

Thanks, man. *bumpback*

 

Whatever the ideology that spawned the "Tea Party" may have been the truth is that it has devolved into the knuckle dragging wing of the Republican party.

Search in the wild for a "tea Party" member who is

Pro choice
Openly opposed Republican voter suppression efforts
Understands and accepts the science behind global warming
Understands and accepts the need for real immigration reform

If you find them, you won't find many.

If you want to call OWS a failure it is a failure because it refused to compromise ideals to politics. The Democrats tried desperately to co-opt OWS but, thankfully, failed.

Want to screw with a Tea Party type? Demand specifics.

 

I've always thought that also.
They had different ideologies. T party were middle aged wanting to keep what they've already earned and the ability to earn and keep more.
OWSers had nothing, were young, and couldn't get a foot hold into the economy due to the economy itself.

 

The Tea Party is interested in social issues only if you believe the lies of the MSM.

 

Or if you actually pay attention to their words and voting records.

 

Oh, there's no question they are of different ideologies.

 

They both couldn't accomplish anything because the power brokers have rigged the game!

Of course I'm sure if DHS wouldn't have broken up in a co-ordinated effort the growing OWS protests that wouldn't have made a difference, right? Never mind the fact that congress and the house worked together to make OWS illegal in the Trespass law right?

I'm sure if all those big corporate donors wouldn't have came in and hi-jacked the tea-party, that wouldn't have made a difference, right?