Mr. Rogers and The End of Politics

ABSTRACT
The Indignatos of the Young and the Old have joined forces in some places around the globe but not in the US. There may still be a path to two halves of the fringe becoming the third force in politics.  I believe we owe this the Fred Rogers.

On this planet, the next generation to run the planet is living in the moment and liking it. The world of the twenty year old person is entirely suited for each twenty year person. For that reason alone,  Being inside the Occupy reality tunnel is a trans-formative experience. It is the Land of Mr. Rogers where everyone is special in their own special way and everyone is encouraged to share and to have good manners.

The first Occupy Austin was like the first soccer practice. Everyone was not clear on the rules at first and no body knew what position they would play or even the names of the other players. The parents got phone and email lists from the other parents and everyone left practice early and went to Sonic. No one scored a goal because this was a practice.

Compared to the Tea Party which has similar proletarian gripes but has not given up on politics, Occupy has not put a slate of Governors, US Senators or Congressmen into office to forward their legislative priorities. Again, they have only been to one practice where they dribbled the ball up and down the field. But they have figured out that the age of political solutions is past and they are constructing a new reality tunnel.

The Tea Party and Occupy both know that "they just don't want to hear from us". Both groups have accurate, first-hand and operative narratives about the bare causes; diminishing liberty from the security state, historic levels of under-employment, a bankocracy drunk on larcenious excess, capitalism for the masses and socialism for the powerful. Each of these categories has a lobbyist. Meanwhile, the Tea Party's political base is drawn from a coat-tail of lost causes, bad actors, poor losers, and ignorant plebes who were always picked last at kick-ball. Oh, and besides all those clowns, they have your grandmother and lots of other people's grandmothers.

What all Indignados have in common is public unrest with plenty of water and sunscreen. Ours are no different. The "opponents misspelled sign" meme exists for Occupy and the Tea Party but there is no flame to the "Occupy Hill Billies" spark. We live in the multiverse where the misspelled sign meme defines the Tea Party

But the imprinting of communitarian commitment is what stays behind when the rally is over.  These are both distinct and functioning social tribes.

This is the wedge that ends politics. The local problems are visible and actionable. National politics is two warring tribes of pundits who never remind you that they were absolutely wrong the last 12 times. Local politics is a road that gets built. The two tribes come back together in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

This was all scripted by Fred Rogers. The Tea Party grandmothers and grandfathers  play the part of Mr. Rogers in real life. The Occupiers were raised on Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers from the cradle. The little town of make-believe was a libertarian utopia with only a post-man and a mayor and no state or national organization. Any everyone knew everyone else but still like each other enough to share a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. When someone from church stands up and talks everyone listens. Everyone is friends on facebook with everyone else.

A Planet of Cities and Antifragile lead me to raise the probability that de facto, working government exists to serve World Cities rather than land masses. The lines drawn on the globe are part of a perverse reality tunnel that exists by the consent of the delusional. Except for Mr. Rogers, who had it all figured out. Then he imprinted a thought that changed a generation; "Things are marvelous when we respect and love each other". If the Tea Party had not sold out to political machine that no longer functions, they would be as pleasant as Occupiers now.

Now, the Tea Party will gnash their teeth and rend their garments with every meaningless vote on procedure, or censure of politician-caught-up-in-Breitbart/HuffPo-scandal, or the analysis of a random poll. These interludes spent in bilious rage come from inside our heads -- we manufacture our own misery. The Hate ride never stops and hate casts out compassion.

The Trolley to the Land of Make Believe

The reason the Tea Party votes is to preserve their existing Social Security pensions and National Health medical benefits. The reason Occupy votes is because the circus does not need anymore clowns.

So in summary:
The Indignatos of the Young and the Old have joined forces in some places around the globe but not in the US. This era could end soon and I believe we owe this the Fred Rogers.