Reply #6: I would like to point out that OWS (etc) is engaging people

[Cal Carpenter]

who have been *disenfranchised* from the system. They are not previously apathetic or 'not involved'. They just have no place/no voice in the PARTISAN political duopoly. It is sort of paternalistic to imply that they were previously apathetic.

From where I stand, having been to a couple of the sites including NYC, it looks more like the people who *have* been involved primarily in the partisan system are finally catching up with the millions who have been aware of their disenfranchisement for decades, and all these people are getting out in the streets together, reclaiming the commons and having incredibly important conversations and connecting the dots.