I'm exhausted. I don't even know where to start. I listen to NPR or other news daily and it's all about the elections. It no longer leaves me feeling excited about opportunities to come or thinking about the possibility of change. I really just feel completely burnt out. I don't think anyone is saying anything new or different, and I don't believe extreme changes that are necessary are going to be possible under this two party corporate owned system.
It's so blatant the effect media has on the process. They flat out lie, or ignore important candidates and repeat the names of "leading" candidates until we are all brainwashed to believe they are the only choices. I was appalled when I watched some of the Republican debates to see that Ron Paul was smirked and sneered at by candidates and completely ignored by the moderator. He is the only one who has said anything different, while everyone else is busy arguing about who is the more "liberal conservative." What a bunch of shit! CNN will say there are only two Republican candidates left. Ron Paul is still in the race however, and interestingly has received more money from the troops than any other candidate. I admit that I do not support all of his policies, but boy would he stir things up in the white house!
How do I stay positive when I know the last two presidential elections there have been questions about who's vote is being counted. Long lines for poor black communities and the whole paperless ballot brings out so many new issues. How do I know that my vote is not being altered? And even if it isn't we know (since the 2000 election) that popular vote doesn't matter anyways. It's all about delegates, superdelegates and electoral colleges. We individuals hold no power. And the candidates are puppets to the corporations, so really, where do we even begin?
I still don't know. Nader is running again, which I am happy to hear. I know there will be many who say he is stealing votes from the leading democrat, but really, aren't they stealing his votes?
It is completely overwhelming and easy to see how some people take the "I don't get involved in politics" stance. I couldn't stay out of it, and it is clearly not going to provoke changes to be uninformed, but the more informed I get the harder it is to believe in our system and our government.
6 comments:
Hey Bobbie,
Here's my beef with Nader: his attitude is that if you don't toe his line you're not a good or effective candidate, or not the right kind of liberal, or whatever. Why does he get the right to demand a particular platform for the Democratic Party?
I thought about voting for him in 2000, but I was living in DC and it was a given that DC's electoral votes would go to Gore.
I won't make the case that he's "stealing" votes, but a Nader candidacy could mean that McCain will have an easier time winning. Nader said in the 2000 lesson that things would have to get worse before they can get better.
He was right.
The economy is worse, more people are dead in this country and in the countries we've gone to war with. More people are losing their homes, more people are losing health benefits.
But instead of addressing issues in a constructive way that produces real results, Nader decides he's going to run for Prez again. Why? So he can make a point about what issues he cares about, while nothing good happens in the nation.
So, he seems to be willing to let the class divide expand, as long as he gets to make his point.
He's fine that more people go without health care, as long as gets to make his point.
He's fine with McCain's 100 year war, as long as he gets to make his point.
In fact, Nader's campaign seems to be less about constructive change to make America better as much as it is about his own inflated ego.
He may not be tied to the same interests as the other candidates, but that doesn't make him free of complicated issues.
I wish he'd do us a favor and stick to consumer advocacy. He'd be a hell of a lot more productive.
Me too on election burn-out. I can't even watch the debates anymore. I guess I have known all along that they are not real debates and not even real discussions, but I keep hoping (there's that loaded word again) to see real dialogue, an exchange of ideas that brings about a better understanding for all.
I honestly think I get more value from John Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
By the way did you see the SNL skit on the debate between Obama and Clinton?--hilarious. This clip does not show all of it, but you will get the idea. I cannot figure out how to link it, so I just typed the address in. http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=221776
Bobbie - I highly suggest that you check out the political blogs. Far less BS can show up on the internet, because there are a near infinite number of people willing to dissect it. And if you get down to it, that's really the next wave in what's happening. And they do have strong mechanisms for getting shitty Dems out of office - read up on Donna Edwards' primary victory over corporate Dem Al Wynn in House race MD-03.
There are a LOT of people out there who feel the same way - I know what you're saying b/c I was in the same boat until I started reading.
Some of my favorites are dailykos.com and openleft.com, but there are many more out there - talkingpointsmemo.com just won a Polk award for investigative journalism!
Happy Hunting!
-Mike
Bob,
In my heart I am obligated to vote for Nader for all the reasons you expressed about the flawed, two-party, corporate-media system. Nader is not solely a consumer advocate like Jason suggested. He is a philosopher and pragmatist who does not cower to corporate or political power.
HBO had a documentary about his 2004 campaign. It showed how big names in the corporate, political, and entertainment worlds offered his organizations millions if he would withdraw and support Kerry. But you can't bribe an idealist, and those attempts to make him withdraw only fueled his belief that the American system has to change.
The way I see it, I am wasting my vote if I vote for McCain or Obama. Wasting it because neither candidate is free of the gilded strings that restrict the giant Gulliver that is America. One talks about change, but has done nothing to implement it. The other maverick has been an instrument of change, but not always the type of changes I agree with.
Voting for Nader is not a wasted vote because I know I made the decision to support the candidate that shares my beliefs in the potential of this nation. And, my hope is that very soon the slumbering giant will awake, and we will take back our country.
The day that 99% of our citizens vote is the day that capitals and county seats across the nation will finally listen.
Dude
thanks dude,
i completely agree. i just watched nader, an unreasonable man. it was a really good documentary. i found it interesting that so many turned their backs on nader after the 2000 election. democrats have really used him as a scapegoat, and i think it is completely irrational to blame nader for all of bush's wrongdoings.
everyone is so focused on his ego, which i, like you, take as idealism. why would we continue to vote for the "lesser evil" when we have other choices. if everyone voted their heart, maybe we could stop having a corporate run government and get to what the people actually want.
i guess we would also have to stop the corporations from making voting machines, because the vote is rigged anyways!!!! we don't stand a chance, but if i'm going to get out there and vote, i have to vote my heart, like you said.
Well... as a Nader supporter in 2000 and 2004, I have to admit that my views have changed considerably in the past few years. I agree that the ego tag doesn't ring true...
I wish things were different, but the best argument for not voting 3rd-party that I've heard is like this: It's a two party system, and the Democratic party is merely the vessel we'll use to elect strong progressive voices to represent us.
And the Democratic Party has a lot of flaws, for sure. (Note recent caving on telecom immunity) But it's not the same party than 4 or 8 years ago, and grassroots support from people like you and me are changing facts on the ground. I'm actually pretty excited about the changes occurring right now.
Darcy Burner, congressional candidate: "More and *better* Democrats, please."
Post a Comment