We talk incessantly about election reform, we all know the money is polluting the candidate pool. But we can never effect change because big money outspends us and outFoxes us every cycle.
What would be helpful today is discussion of how to be more mobilized, more reactive to use "people power" to advocate for serious reform. With a majority on our side, it should be time for coalescing ideas into action. I'm encouraged to see the large advocacy groups like MoveOn and United For Peace and Justice, Not In Our Name and others joining forces on initiatives, as we are all basically so alike in the basic desire for cleaning things up.
Just like the North Koreans sent up a nuke to show they could, progressives should signal their strength and solidarity. For example how about if all these sister groups encourage all their iPod owning members to buy the Rolling Stones song "Sweet Neo Con" and rocket it up the charts? For 99 cents, can not we right some of the wrongs imposed on us by a subversive record industry and have a little fun with Mick and Keith? Just one idea.
In considering our own complicity in problems today, I have one last question. And it's not whether you bother to recycle. It's not even whether you boycott ExxonMobil or Wal-Mart.
What I am curious about is exactly how the DNC will choose the nominee in Denver in 08. Who is involved in making the final decision, what consideration is given to the will of the primary voters and whose money is in the piggybank? Will '08's candidate be decided by democratic means, or will money again trump the virtues described in our Constitution?
GW is a proud American from NY State, concerned about ethics issues, media manipulation and overconsumption. He has recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm proponent of curbing overpopulation and international adoption, he hopes to adopt a third child and enjoys history, outsider art, obscure garage rock and vinyl records.
