The following is an interview conducted by Paul Pipkin with Meghan Owen responding:1)OFP: What is Occupy the Ballot?
The way I see it? An opportunity for Occupiers to bring their views to the political stadium.
2) OFP: Why do you want to run for Congress?
First off to spread information. What people don't know can hurt them. Secondly because I'd like to see real change happen in our government.
3) OFP: Tell us something about Meghan Owen.
I'm not as nice or as mean as people think. I am however steadfast in my mission to bring about a change in the system. I enjoy too many things to list on here. I consider my day wasted if I don't learn something new.
4) OFP: What is your agenda? I mean, what issues do you want to press?
My biggest points would be Workers Rights and Education. If the workers continue to lose their rights and protections it will set this country back almost 100 years. Should the educational system not be fixed soon, we will never be able to compete with the rest of the world. The best defense is a good education.
5) OFP: Why run on the Green Party line?
Because green party lines are very close to Occupy lines. There is no way I could run on the ticket for the other major parties. I just don't stand where they act.
6) OFP: How do you see the relationship between the Democrat and Republican Parties & Corporate America?
Wow, thats a biggie. Generally speaking (there are some exceptions) It seems that neither party is capable of serving the people of this country. They are too worried about what their corporate backers will say. When you're receiving copious donations which help you keep your job, you usually shy at biting the hand that feeds you. There is no reasonable reason why these parties should continue to accept open bribes and spit in the face of the American public.
7) OFP: Is the Occupy movement entering a more political phase?
In some cases we were already here. Occupy needs to apply pressure on every front possible, both from the outside through action and the inside performing politically.
8) OFP: Do you think political activity can dovetail with Occupy's strategy of direct action?
Absolutely, Yes.
9) OFP: Please address/rebutt criticism from within the movement that occupiers should not engage in political activity.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if we do not act within every avenue open to us, we will lose out. You can't just picket and occupy. You must, must, must use every tool available to effect change. Direct action can come in many forms. An occupier who chooses to engage in political action cannot speak for the whole movement or their branch without general assembly permission. But we can act as yet another force and tool to get Occupy's concepts across to the general public and those in office.
10) OFP: How do you see the impact/outcome of the electoral effort?
I think that depends on how active we are in trying to effect the effort. If we go out full force to get people interested we have a chance to do something new. If we sit around waiting too long, or don't pour every resource we have into getting the word out, the nation will continue as it has.
People don't vote for 3rd parties because they don't think they will win. We need to change this perception. The voters create a self fulfilling prophecy with that mind set and we need to convince them to give us a chance to do something different.
