I think politicians believe that protestors are paid to voice someone's opinion because they are paid to voice someone's opinion.

[nike_leonhard@literatur.social]

@larsmb
Sadly this sounds absolutely sound and sensible.

[wakejagr@hachyderm.io]

@martinvermeer @levampyre @larsmb

Ooh. I like that.

[cassandra@ottawa.place]

@larsmb That makes sense. They can't conceive of someone having an opinion that *isn't* subject to purchase.

[raganwald@social.bau-ha.us]

@larsmb SImilar take:

Politicians believe that protestors are protesting on behalf of someone else.

They're right about that, but wrong about whom. We protest for each other and for generations to come, rather than for some corporation that hires think tanks and lobbyists.

See also: "Special interest groups." Damn right we're a special interest group. We take a special interest in the destiny of our fellow citizens.