Occupy is a leaderless movement. Occupy doesn’t need leaders. Everyone is empowered. Blah blah blah. That’s a load of crap.
Occupy needs leaders. Occupy needs candidates. Occupy needs patriotic citizens to step forward, stepping out of the anonymity of the crowd to take the heat and speak for the many. Occupy needs people at the negotiating table when our rights are being discussed. Occupy needs honest people who can go toe to toe with the 1% and their puppets. And the 99% need good options to vote for, other than the lesser of two evils. We need a concerted push to occupy elected office to reset priorities back to people, not corporations. And the only way to occupy elected office is to run good candidates. And guess what folks? The deadlines are approaching for 2012, so you don’t have time to hesitate.
There are emerging Occupy personalities, some from right here on DailyKos that we are so proud of, because we know they speak truth. And even when we disagree with them, they treat us like humans, and we know their priorities are right. And these folks are stepping up, each in their own way. But we need more if we are going to realign this broken government. We need people who are brave and willing to weather the storm, and frankly, we need candidates who are electable.
I was reminded recently of the “Get Clean for Gene” slogan of the McCarthy presidential campaign in 1968, where the dirty hippies were encouraged to shave and cut their hair to win over voters to the anti-war side of opinion. Now is no different. Corporate interests have branded the Occupiers as another set of dirty hippies and anarchists, which, well, let’s be honest, some of them are. But if you have been to an occupation GA, you have likely met some charismatic folks who would be great leaders. Maybe they need a shave or a new suit, but these potential leaders are among us. Maybe it’s you?
Of course, when I am saying “you”, I mean that to speak directly to those of you who have entertained the idea of running for office, and probably many of you who haven’t but who have the skills. Or maybe it is someone you know. For the Occupy movement to come to fruition, you need to step forward, put your name in the hat for any local office that you can:
• School board
• City council
• Township supervisor
• Precinct committee officer
• Mayor
• State representative
• Governor
• Water district commissioner
• etc. etc. etc.
I bet there are more than a few moms in tennis shoes reading this right now, in the model of Senator Patty Murray from Washington State, who could tie up those laces and head for the halls of Congress. We need some Al Frankens, who use their sense of humor and compassion to surprise us with common sense solutions. We need our own Joe The Plumbers, preferably with somewhat less craven self-interest than the original, who can connect with blue collar voters in swing districts. We need our Iraq and Afghanistan Vets, who have formed the backbone of the Occupy Movement, to step up and run for office. Your military service will be undeniable credentials and your patriotism unquestionable… well, hopefully. We need you to step up from the crowd and be a leader in the battle for our rights and for our nation’s future.
It is only in occupying the ballot that we can occupy the polling places, occupy the vote and ultimately occupy elected office. And it is only in occupying office that we can take power away from the corporate greed that has bought off one party and manipulated the other. A new crop of leaders can grow their skills and move into positions of greater and greater influence. But none of that can happen if you don’t start somewhere.
So… you’re thinking about it. Don’t wait too long. The clock is ticking on the 2012 ballot you should be occupying. I don't care if you run as a Democrat, Republican, Green, Yellow, Red, Blue or Purple Party. Just run.