• http://twitter.com/katemorrigan Katherine O’Dell

    I don’t think you’ve been to an Occupation in person, yet. The people sleeping on the grounds are usually a minority of those involved in the movement in any area. Supporters show up when possible (especially for large-scale marches), donate money and supplies, and contribute to the conversation in a variety of ways. #needsoftheoccupiers is a way for the people inside the camps to communicate to these supporters what is currently useful.

    The “laser beam focus” of the Tea Party has resulted in the election of more hyper-conservative republicans who would rather raid the pocketbooks of seniors than eliminate tax loopholes that only benefit the super rich. I don’t doubt that many Tea Partiers genuinely believe in the American dream, where hard work is rewarded with a comfortable lifestyle and idleness is punished with poverty, but the fact is that the people who do the most work in our country right now are the 99% who are getting screwed. The 1% bought both parties a long time ago, and they love when we fight one another. 

    If you have issues that you think Occupy Wall Street should be including in their discussion, especially with regards to government waste and bailouts, then I urge you to find your local Occupy group and attend a General Assembly. Everyone is welcome to speak, even you :)