Not being a typical "undecided" voter but a third party supporter for some time, I by no means expect people to think that my NO vote is indicative of "undecideds". The fact is that I have followed the long campaign trail and have heard all the arguments. Obama has a credibility gap. He has an experience deficiency. He has serious lapses in judgment and has relied on a political strategy that seriously undermines the issues and concerns that I am focused on.
I am talking here to Democrats. I will talk to Republicans as I can on other forums. Obama has come to represent a new form of tax cutter. Obama has shown no evidence of leadership despite his rhetorical and campaigning skills. The $500-$1000/ year in the pockets of "middle class America" remains chump change when seen in the context of the rises in unemployment and the decline in growth.
As the Federal Government withers under the weight of the $1 trillion bailout, Obama has demonstrated both that his party loyalty comes first and that he does not distinguish between the needs of corporate America and the needs of public America. Democrats have not had to pay any price for the bailout despite their respective roles in Congressional committees in oversight prior to the collapse. In the face of 80% opposition to the bailout, Congressional Democrats had a smug feeling that there was no downside with going along with the Bush bailout.
As they say, "What's done is done". There remain substantially unaddressed problems for workers in America and the underlying prosperity doctrine within the American political landscape. These will not be addressed as long as the structural inequities of the economy and our political institutions remain. One only needs to look at the situation in Democratic controlled states to see that change is not on the ballot this year.
After all the hype and drama of the campaign, how can I decide not to vote? That is quite frankly an issue of no confidence. The two party systems is not just broke, it is disastrous in forging policies that can effectively address new solutions to fundamental issues regarding political representation, ecological restoration and creating a new vision. After the debacle of Bush is past, others may sit down and take a hard look but I would be very surprised if that actually happened.
I recognize that my view is in the minority and accede to the demands of the majority and prepare for the tasks ahead. Voting NO means that I will let others play the game, and enjoy the self-satisfaction of Election Night. I hear the voices of Nader and McKinney but have accepted that my vote cannot do as much as my contributions organizationally to promote those voices in the wilderness. There is far too much to be done in that regard to be diverted.
Since the 2004 Democratic Convention, the people of the US have been carefully prepped for Obama. After so many losers over the years, Dems are feeling pumped up by the whole thing. The bailout and the Afghan war and its spread to Pakistan are singularly demonstrative of the continuum we will face as a nation. I prefer a NO vote, thank you very much.
