Election 2008
There's a reason why only half of eligible voters bother to vote in America and why we're ridiculed around the world for our lack of democratic participation. The "no difference" argument is a big part of that reason.
I look at it as more of a right to left continuum. On the far right we have the evangelical-neofascist authoritarian nut-jobs; and on the far left we have the anarchist- socialist. I will always vote for the candidate who has a the best chance of getting elected, who is the farthest from the right-wing fascist, no matter what party he or she is in.
If I thought Nader had a chance, I'd vote for him.
So, while you third-party voters send your "message" to the democratic party, the McCain group gets "elected", attacks Iran and the Mideast explodes into full-fledge war---hundreds of thousands of dead, innocent, people filling mass graves. Sounds like a well thought out plan.
Do you think Al Gore would've taken us to war in Iraq? I don't. And that war alone has resulted in one million dead Iraqis who did nothing at all to deserve that fate.
Do you think Al Gore would've filled the courts with right-wingers? I don't. And look where our civil liberties are going.
Do you think Al Gore would stop all government regulation, and put industry cronies in charge of every government department? I don't. And look what's happened to the economy and the environment these last 8 years.
Do you think Al Gore would've been asleep while terrorists were known to be plotting to attack us here? I don't. And look what happened on 9-11; and all the crap that's stemmed from that---patriot act, guantanamo, rendition, torture...
This is not a question of political parties---it's a question of the PERSON who will lead this country. And I can't believe that any true progressive has any doubt that Obama will be a better leader than McCain.
And if you're voting for Nader or McKinney because you believe that they can really win, then your not looking at the reality of party politics in America today. There are 42 million registered democrats and 30-something million republicans---with huge organizations in each state, and tons of money. No third party candidate will come close. Even a BILLIONAIRE like Ross Perot was only able to get a few percentage points of the vote.
So, if you vote for a third party candidate, just try to realize that votes do have consequences beyond sending "messages". I respect anyone who votes their conscience. I just wonder how their conscience deals with the question of Iraq---not to mention all the other Bush disasters.
I don't revere or have faith in the democratic party. I realize that they have capitulated and that they're far too beholden to the corporations. But I don't think it's as simple as that either. Politics has and is playing a part in funding the war and impeachment. Politics, as in getting elected, keeping a majority in both houses, and increasing the size of that majority. I think the democratic party HAS put it's self-interest before the constitution. I think the party leaders believe that cutting off war funding or impeaching will result in their losing control of both houses.
What I don't believe is that we should hold Obama accountable for every mistake the democratic party has made.
This is the same party that has been high-jacked by conservative blue-dogs and Clinton- DLC types. Are we going to say that Obama is responsible for that?
I look at it as more of a right to left continuum. On the far right we have the evangelical-neofascist authoritarian nut-jobs; and on the far left we have the anarchist- socialist. I will always vote for the candidate who has a the best chance of getting elected, who is the farthest from the right-wing fascist, no matter what party he or she is in.
If I thought Nader had a chance, I'd vote for him.
So, while you third-party voters send your "message" to the democratic party, the McCain group gets "elected", attacks Iran and the Mideast explodes into full-fledge war---hundreds of thousands of dead, innocent, people filling mass graves. Sounds like a well thought out plan.
Do you think Al Gore would've taken us to war in Iraq? I don't. And that war alone has resulted in one million dead Iraqis who did nothing at all to deserve that fate.
Do you think Al Gore would've filled the courts with right-wingers? I don't. And look where our civil liberties are going.
Do you think Al Gore would stop all government regulation, and put industry cronies in charge of every government department? I don't. And look what's happened to the economy and the environment these last 8 years.
Do you think Al Gore would've been asleep while terrorists were known to be plotting to attack us here? I don't. And look what happened on 9-11; and all the crap that's stemmed from that---patriot act, guantanamo, rendition, torture...
This is not a question of political parties---it's a question of the PERSON who will lead this country. And I can't believe that any true progressive has any doubt that Obama will be a better leader than McCain.
And if you're voting for Nader or McKinney because you believe that they can really win, then your not looking at the reality of party politics in America today. There are 42 million registered democrats and 30-something million republicans---with huge organizations in each state, and tons of money. No third party candidate will come close. Even a BILLIONAIRE like Ross Perot was only able to get a few percentage points of the vote.
So, if you vote for a third party candidate, just try to realize that votes do have consequences beyond sending "messages". I respect anyone who votes their conscience. I just wonder how their conscience deals with the question of Iraq---not to mention all the other Bush disasters.
I don't revere or have faith in the democratic party. I realize that they have capitulated and that they're far too beholden to the corporations. But I don't think it's as simple as that either. Politics has and is playing a part in funding the war and impeachment. Politics, as in getting elected, keeping a majority in both houses, and increasing the size of that majority. I think the democratic party HAS put it's self-interest before the constitution. I think the party leaders believe that cutting off war funding or impeaching will result in their losing control of both houses.
What I don't believe is that we should hold Obama accountable for every mistake the democratic party has made.
This is the same party that has been high-jacked by conservative blue-dogs and Clinton- DLC types. Are we going to say that Obama is responsible for that?
posted by jefraldo at 1:13 PM
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