Nice Rant

You said it well.

And you reminded me of 1972 when some of my liberal friends, after the Chicago police riots, decided against voting.  Some even voted for Nixon.  I'm no longer in touch with them but I've often wondered how they felt about their vote in that election.  

Who knows, maybe some voted for Regan and Bush in order to send the Democrats another message.  Maybe by now the Democratic Party has gotten the message they were trying to send, but it seems more like the Democratic Party misinterpreted the message.  Instead they apparently heard the message that they had to become more conservative.

by PrMaine (11 articles, 9 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 393 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:41:46 AM
 

Not Babies, but have Consciences

"Retired on Social Insecurity. Long time grunt in the war on poverty, racism and war itself."---Well, Mr. Cordray, That phrase could describe me, also.

However I must respectfully disagree that if I don't vote for one of the Corporatist Dem's that we've been forced to choose from that I am automatically a Baby. How dare you! I'm sooo tired of this argument that we must just hold our noses, forget that we have consciences and hit the "lesser of 2 evils" button out of fear of Rethuglicans, I wanna go RRRRAAAWWWRR! Until we send a message to the Democrats that there is an alternative to the same old-same old, they'll just keep on going their merry way of business as usual. Not for this Ol' Hippie Radical, who refused to serve in the Military in '70 and payed the price. (conviction, probation, 2 yrs alternate service in a mental hospital that was a priceless experience!) Not for this Adult who has counseled hundreds of young people on alternatives to military service. Not for this man of conscience who will vote for Nader if he runs or write in Kucinich if not. I couldn't live with myself if I did differently. I understand your argument, James, but voting what is my conscience is more grown up that rollin' over for a broken system and phony candidates. I'll pass on Shillary and Mr. Huge Military Obama, thanks. Maybe if enough voters would do the same on both sides we might actually send the message that we need REAL change!

by Papawhale (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 63 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:59:22 AM
 

Same Old Story

My question to you is, will you bring back the dead?  Voting for Clinton or Obama is a vote for continuing combat operations in Iraq and possibly Iran. As the father of an active duty soldier, I not willing to let either pro war Democrats or Republicans kill my son for a failed foreign policy and an illegal occupation of sovereign nation.  Your argument is an old one which supports our corrupted political system in which those who have the corporate backing and money to win.  I don't accept your premise that by voting issues instead of parties that I am a "baby".  I consider it immoral to vote for those who will continue the death and destruction in Iraq, if you choose to do so; the blood is on your hands. 

by Dave Peter (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 24 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 10:40:22 AM
 

well said, David!

It Is a tired old argument and very shortsighted.

I sincerely hope your son makes it home with his body, mind and soul intact and a prayer is in my heart every day for ALL those who have been put in harm's way (including the Iraqi and Afghan people, remember them?) by the damn criminals who put us into this damn war and the gutless Congress who won;t stand up to Chimpy. Hillary and Obama make the right noises but still want to maintain the MIC, which is so deplorable to me that I cannot vote for either in good conscience.

Keep the faith, brother and the good work you do in Las Vegas.

by Papawhale (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 63 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 11:03:28 AM
 

Organizing Not Whining Will Lead to Change

Sorry Jimmy but the fact remains that there is a substantial effort to build a consistent, long-term political strategy to change the American political institutions. A third party effort inherently confronts the obstacles to multi-party government. There is no forward movement that does not run into obstacles from the powers that be. The fact remains that the two-party system has not established any mechanism for representation of minority views. There is no input for policies for a large number of marginalized and mainstream voters.The two parties are in fact contributor-based parties and not constituency-based parties. This means the dollar counts more than the vote.

Cynthia McKinney is running for the Green Party nomination for the Presidency. Her effort is an expression of how even many political officials and public representatives have been squeezed out of the two party system. Just like Nader she once worked within the system. No novice to political realities of America she has come to realize that a third party route provides a mechanism for those who have gone unrepresented for too long. A vote for her goes further than a vote for the two parties and creates a distinct scenario for the future which can be built upon.

by Martin Zehr (38 articles, 2 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 77 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 1:23:03 PM
 

Re: McKinney

I like Cynthia a lot and will definitely consider voting Green.

It makes more sense to me than to vote status quo Dems, neh? 

by Papawhale (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 63 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 1:42:30 PM
 

thanks

Uninformed responses

Thanks for your comment on my Slay the Dragon piece. We both got some silly resonses so I made a comment back on mine. [I thought readers and commentors would be thoughtul and intelligent. Except for James Cordray, none of you understood what the point is. If you don't get it, why comment and appear so uninformed? This article did not tell you to give up your values - it said to get active and change the system so we can all vote our convictions - but until then, if you don't chose the 'lesser of the evil,' you get the 'worser of the evil.' You all seem to think that the 'worser' is the 'better' - silly you.]

by Sharon (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 33 comments) on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 12:28:50 AM