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November 17, 2007 at 08:35:22
This is What Democracy Looks Like by Kevin Gosztola Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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The march was not initially planned but it rose out of our decision recently to adopt more acts that resemble or are acts of “direct action.” The recent protests in Olympia, Washington, where young activists are disrupting shipments to the military base, the violence against activists at the “No Borders Camp” on its last day, the Morton West students, and our own incident surrounding the arrests of three protesters during the Oct 27th march have brought us together in more solidarity than ever before. We are now growing into a power governments cannot suppress and are reaching a level that students were at during the Vietnam War. Following the march, we held a rally where I stood up and spoke. I wrote out something lengthy, which I will publish here. When you get up in front of people, you start to speak and realize you are preaching to the choir and wonder if you should be wasting your voice. I went on for about two or three minutes but in the cold evening in Chicago and in the heat of the moment, I left out what had led me to this point. I didn’t really know until last night how I got to where I am today, but I have managed to figure out my biography is the story of an optimistic bookish peaceful loving boy that has met betrayal and become greatly disappointed lately. I am not frustrated; in fact, faced with an increasing fascist state, I have become a person who is constantly looking within himself for that creativity needed to take on the powers that be. I do feel let down as everyone has felt in their life. Having found a few political leaders I can trust whose time is now and who should be rising to lead America with support from Americans, I am frustrated that people aren't searching for solutions as vigorously as me. It would be all too easy to demand an end to capitalism and join an anarchist movement but that’s not where I stand on America. I believe in democracy and I like the power of the people. I have followed Democrats closely over the years and I have followed the crimes and misdemeanors of the Bush administration obsessively over the past seven years. And I have an idea of where Americans stand, and we will not be abandoning what our "Founding Fathers" instituted anytime soon. And why should we? 
I owe much gratitude to Bush & Co. for making me the activist and political thinker that I am today. Had they not inspired me to react, I would be a sarcastic tranquil man just pursuing film for his own personal gain. Since Bush's rise to power and relentless grabbing of power that has been met with little or no opposition, I have read over 100 books on the Bush administration, liberals, democrats, party politics, U.S. foreign policy, American history, people’s history, and imperialism/fascism/civil rights. It has been eye-opening and earth shattering to my life. As Henry David Thoreau said, “A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.” Great people's books have taught me well (Zinn, Chomsky, Palast, Moore, etc.) Even several comedians (Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Lewis Black, George Carlin) have had a profound impact on my mind.
I have now made it my mission to fight for regime change here at home the same way Bush & Co. has fought for regime change in the Middle East. This regime begins in three ways: through civic associations (which is why I have been joining and dedicating my time to as many groups as possible seeking to raise awareness on issues and politics), regime-busting protest movements (which is why I marched today and would consider traveling to Washington, D.C. for a future protest), and through supporting the transformation of mainstream parties or the creation of third parties (which is why I support Dennis Kucinich for President and if I had conservative inclinations, I would support Ron Paul and I also am following the Green Party closely hoping they beat many of these weak, spineless, hapless, gutless Democrats who are doing nothing but getting in the way of regime change in America).
America needs impeachment of Bush and Cheney but regime change does not just stop there. Regime change means “no democracy lite.” As Charles Derber puts it in “Regime Change Begins at Home,” we must tear down five pillars: transnational corporations (which turn us from active citizens into entertained passively managed brainwashed consumers), corpocracy (which turns Washington, D.C. over to corporate raiders to run our government for profits), social insecurity (which forces most of us to spend our days running in place just to survive, anxious about whether we can pay the bills, get affordable housing and health care, and afford retirement), empire (which builds American military power while undermining relations with our allies, breeding more hatred of Americans around the world, decreasing our national security), and the corporate mystique (which promotes ideology of freedom but robs us of the values and capacity to escape our condition as servants of the corporate order). We must erect in the place of the five pillars we tear down five new pillars: an active citizen’s network (where ordinary citizens turn the wheels of democracy in communities and in D.C.), a new democracy (where ordinary people run the show), real social security (where tenants get ownership and legal protection), collective security (where Americans create a neighborhood association with all countries of the world abandoning imperialist ambitions), and citizen empowerment (where the America walks its freedom talk).
Can this really happen you say? It has to happen. I probably have more hope than anyone but that is because I know I will be fighting this until the bitter end and making a career out of covering our taking back of America. Evidence in history proves that if we the people of America fight we can win. Our grassroots movements have time and time again kept democracy alive. The American tradition is founded in a Declaration of Indepedence and Constitution that advocate for this regime change in America. And let’s face it, we need regime change for selfish reasons and should not be afraid to stand up for our interests (jobs, health care, education, housing, our environment, poverty, and an end to war and racism).
An end to war as we know it is upon us and within reach but will not be achieved without fighting and utilizing the civil liberties that as Americans we are all entitled to. We must invest and support leaders who wish to throw off the ties that bind us. We must put our money where our mouth is. We must buy responsibly and avoid irresponsible products that contribute to the militarization and pollution of America. We must find ways to not be reckless consumers. And we must not let the bleak midwinter drive us indoors and into hiding at a time when the U.S. government we live under is more dangerous, imperialistic, complicit, and silent in their actions and inactions every day.
As Bush & Co. leave office and corporate money shifts the pendulum of democracy from one side to the other, it is the American people who must defend the future of America. With a Democrat taking office (presumably unless the Democratic nominee runs a pitiful campaign and loses to Giuliani), we face a situation even worse than when Bush was in power because Americans trust Democrats to bail us out after Bush leaves office. A wave will come crashing down upon them when they realize that the DLC and other Democrats have been co-conspirators with the Bush administration all along. Having supported a co-conspirator (John Kerry), I now am in the right place (supporting Dennis Kucinich, the sole power behind impeachment and the sole voice standing up to the DLC).
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr.:
We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but on the positive affirmation of peace. We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the discords of war. Somehow, we must transform the dynamics of the world power struggle from the negative nuclear arms race, which no one can win, to a positive contest to harness humanity's creative genius for the purpose of making peace and prosperity a reality for all the nations of the world. In short, we must shift the arms race into a peace race. If we have a will - and determination - to mount such a peace offensive, we will unlock hitherto tightly sealed doors of hope and transform our imminent cosmic elegy into a psalm of creative.
"Who can be serene in a country where both the rulers and the ruled live without principle?" (Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience)
Let us defend this dear country of ours in the name of peace and freedom for a better future in America.
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You will be
President one day! I wish you well, just be careful by Mark Sashine (72 articles, 19 quicklinks, 269 diaries, 4103 comments [131 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 9:21:03 AM  (0+)
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Reply: Thanks
Peace be with you by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 9:58:30 AM (0+)
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Reply: President
You took the words out of my mouth Mark. I'd vote for Kevin right now. by Bob Gormley (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 1094 comments [65 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 7:40:32 PM (0+)
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Pursuit of peace, the hard fight
The pusuit of peace was, for the most part, the norm in our government's policies after World War II, and was frequently and forcefully articulated by our leaders, while at the same time woefully lacking in our nation and world (Korea, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, the Cold War and its surrogate hot conflicts in Africa, Asia and the Mid East). It was in 1980, with the coronation of Reagan that bellicosity and militarism were proclaimed the new way to peace, and we have been descending in the wrong direction since (Lebanon, Greneda, Panama, Iraq I, Sudan, Georgia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq II and possibly coming to Iran and the wider Mid East, East Africa, Myanmar and who knows what in this hemisphere). It is, nevertheless, refreshing to hear it articulated as a primary goal, once again. One must understand, however, that its realization is the hardest, most stubborn conflict. I congratulate you on your stand in the fight. by John Sanchez Jr. (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 25 diaries, 1796 comments [152 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 11:08:36 AM (0+)
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Reply: Thanks for the congratulations
But while this has an odd way of being self-fulfilling and adrenaline-pumping at times, when I look at the lost souls in America, I continue the fight for them. I believe they deserve better and so I sit at home in my room on this computer brainstorming ways to get them interested daily. It's only the right thing to do right now when so many Democratic leaders running for office can only give rhetoric with nothing to support what they say. I fear for those people who eat up that rhetoric not knowing that these leaders are making it up as they go along. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 12:56:02 PM (0+)
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You have some very good ideas here, but also a few rough
spots that deserve further reflection. Your strongest paragraph is where you cite Charles Derber's "five pillars." That's a very concise formulation of the basic disease that grips our society. It's wonderful that you're reading serious & thoughtful social criticism like that, & that you're familiarizing yourself with writers like Zinn & Chomsky. And it's wonderful that you've gained respect for figures like Thoreau & Martin Luther King, who so richly deserve it. At the same time, however, you contradict the thrust of those positives by unjustified attacks on radicalism in other parts of your essay. The very thing that makes the Zinns, Chomskys, Thoreaus, and George Carlins great is the depth & independence of their perspective. They are all "radicals" -- if they were not, they wouldn't have anything to say that's worth hearing. And while you clearly appreciate the basic quality of their critiques, you needlessly attacked it in other paragraphs. For instance, you wrote (in what I think is your weakest paragraph): It would be all too easy to demand an end to capitalism and join an anarchist movement but that’s not where I stand on America. I believe in democracy and I like the power of the people. .... And I have an idea of where Americans stand, and we will not be abandoning what our "Founding Fathers" instituted anytime soon. And why should we? The entire thrust of this contradicts the great stuff you yourself cited elsewhere. For one thing, you make it sound like "democracy" is somehow incompatible with "demanding an end to capitalism." In other words, you're almost arguing that capitalism IS democracy, and that opposing capitalism is "opposing democracy." That's completely wrong. Capitalism is an economic system; democracy is a political system. It's perfectly possible to have capitalism in a dictatorship (among many examples, Hitler's Germany, Franco's Spain, and Pinochet's Chile were all capitalist). It would be perfectly possible to have democracy under an economic system that was NOT capitalist (for instance, the anarchists in Spain during the Spanish Civil War; or what might eventually have developed in Allende's Chile if the US hadn't overthrown him). Furthermore, the 1st sentence in that passage about "demanding an end to capitalism & joining an anarchist movement" -- that's wrong, too. There are many options besides anarchism, for those who recognize that capitalism itself is the force that leads to wars, inequality, & environmental destruction. For instance, there are various concepts of socialism. There are "mixed models" for economic systems, which combine many socialist ideas with some market features. There is "social democracy," which is what exists in today's Scandinavia -- that's a type of mixed model. Another weakness is that while you see that the Democrats are worthless and gutless, you still have some sort of attachment to them. Chris Dodd, for example, is not really much of an improvement over a complete Bush co-conspirator like Kerry. The only Democrat with any sort of claim to being different is Kucinich -- and even that has serious limitations. by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 11:36:52 AM (0+)
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Reply: My article is from experience
And the "contradictions" you cite are proof that I have much to learn in articulating and speaking my politics to people I talk to. But I would question your premise, which is that (in my opinion) I cannot meld Zinn, Chomsky, etc. with the ideals our "Founding Fathers" claimed to promote when declaring their independence from Britain and when constructing our nation's democracy. I realize that they were classist and racist albeit ignorant people when they were in power and creating America. But that does not mean they were not on to something. I have a profound respect for both the people's movements that Zinn and Chomsky promote and the ideas our nation was "founded on." I believe through creating a blend of the two we can continue in peace, prosperity, and have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 12:51:17 PM (0+)
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Reply: Okay, but just to clarify -- that was not my premise.
I didn't say that you can't meld the Zinns & Chomskys with the ideals of the Founding Fathers (= FF). And I didn't say the Founding Fathers weren't "on to something." They were on to something, of course. (Actually, since you mentioned it, the FF were classist & racist -- but not "ignorant." They were a pretty learned bunch, overall.) There's a strong tendency in the US to always be citing the FF as a fount of unchallengeable wisdom. IMO, this tendency is overdone, & not entirely healthy. The Fathers had many good ideas, but not all of them were good. Many were just clever devices to preserve the privileges of the aristocracy. What motivates radical writers & thinkers (like the ones you named in your article) is their deep feeling for genuine democracy -- combined with their accurate realization that society's current structure makes meaningful democracy impossible. That's what makes them "radicals." They do share something with the Thos. Jeffersons & Benj. Franklins (though there are clear limits to that comparison). The whole question of "How democratic is the US political system?", when analyzed in terms of its basic elements (the Constitution, the parties, the court system, the role of the media, etc) -- this is a very lively subject & there's much to be said about it. When you grow up here, we're all supposed to just accept that our system is a model of democracy -- something close to ideal, with only perhaps a few "flaws." That's hardly the case, of course. A wonderful & probing examination of this topic is Michael Parenti's book, "Democracy for the Few." by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 3:02:01 PM (0+)
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You are embaking on a lifetime quest
Haveing walked the trail you are on myself, I wish you luck. It's hard but worth it. by Robert N Smith (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 153 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 11:48:36 AM (0+)
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Reply: I would not choose any other quest
For what other quest is there worth pursuing in this world? I could just say I am on a quest to join the ranks of people fighting to curb global climate change but that fight I believe operates under the umbrella of striving for peace. And so, I am happy to be pursuing this quest. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 12:53:12 PM (0+)
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one at a time
Dear Mr. Gosztola, Whether in our 20's or 50's, wisdom can touch us if we choose it. I applaud your purpose and the touching respect for what you have found in yourself at so early an age. From this late bloomer, please remember that it is a continuous road you are on, never ending and forever redirecting you with each new step taken and earned. I have awakened much later than you, but no less forcefully. My lessons brought me to this spot where I, like you, have decided to 'act' on something born deep within. As unexpected as it can sometimes feel, I have sensed it growing since I was your age, slowly, methodically, until after 30 years of watching from the perimeter, I find myself standing smack dab in the middle of all I know and don't know. It is an amazing moment, is it not, when one looks at oneself in the mirror and sees purpose? At times, to my detriment, I still carry with me a strong belief in the basic goodness of most people. But, that goodness, I have learned the hard way, can be and is in these days, being threatened by a power that has no purpose. No empathy. No compassion. It feeds on fear, it breathes in truth and exhales lies. Its goal, to bathe itself in only itself. Our time is now. No less or more important than any other. It is simply ours. What we 'do' will affect not only us but even more, our children. They are watching us, searching for their purpose. Perhaps you will one day have your own. You will be honored, not for your greatness, your wealth, your position nor your acclaim, but for your purpose. That you carry within you a concern and caring for others is the greatest human cause. As we take each step forward we do so alone, knowing we are not. Be well. Be strong. Be careful. And, thank you. peace by mikel paul (14 articles, 1 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 570 comments [13 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 1:36:18 PM (0+)
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Impeach or forget it
Not criticizing you directly, but this one kind of reminds me of what they said when they said 'when all was said and done, there was more said, than done'. The war was about oil, how much do you know about building green tech stuff? Got any ideas? That's what it's all about. We have an intractable energy problem that won't be resolved until people stop publishing tracts, and start working to 'green up' our country, north to south, east to west etc. Can you derive something out of all of your readings that looks like a good proposal for a national energy policy? Bush is an oilman, Cheney's an oilman, and they've got this little entourage of other people that were/are/invested in/somehow connected with the OIL business. So, let's not mince words. We've got a foreign king basically threatening to drop the US economy on its' ass if he can't sell us his crap, and it's time to start really thinking and planning how to undo this unholy and decidedly unconstitutional relationship. There's some high-handed, high-finance shitbaggery behind all of this, why not write about THAT? And, don't be fooled for a minute, Queen Hillary's got greasy fingers, too. To retain our global political independence, we need to reestablish our energy independence. Then, a whole string of other countries can pretty please blank off, and start pulling up their socks, put down the pot pipe/tequila bottle/deer leg/concubine/whatever's distracting them from getting to work on resolving their own domestic issues, and we need to do likewise. My opinion is, globalizationer basically blows goats, and has confused our representatives into somehow representing OTHER countries in our Congress. 'Help' is one thing, stupidity is something else. So, toss Bush out, and anyone else too that gets too cozy with the old foreign royalty. For reference, bust open that history book, and reread the founding documents. Foreign royalty=ok as guests, but they have a different philosophyerer that is incompatible with democracyererer, so don't let the door hit em in the assererer... by truthtruffle (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 111 comments) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 1:44:14 PM (0+)
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Reply: Working on an exposè
Piece that will take a look at nuclear power in this country. It's investigative and is taking some time but I am collecting data from all over and working to piece it together so people can see the role it is playing in this upcoming election and understand it better plus know more than what was said at the CNN debate Thurs night. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 2:07:49 PM (0+)
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takin' it to the streets
This reminds me of a few rallys / demos I've attended here on the other side of the big pond. For an American, you're quite exceptional. You will go far. Take it as a compliment how RichM has added his, imho, most trustworthy, honest and constructive criticism. Rich is one of the true patriots on this site (again, imho). Consider yourself worthy, otherwise, Rich would have opted not to bother commenting as he has done. I also agree with Mark. In fact, Mark's comment reflects my very thoughts as I read your article...before I got to Mark's words. The most important part of it all...you were there, you did what has to be done in order to defend our right to take it to the streets and to speak out. That in itself, is more than most any other American is willing to do yet it is our very duty. Stay true to yourself, your ideals and work on using constructive criticism to improve your approach and delivery. I wish I could have been there with you. Go back, Jack, do it again. by Tony Forest (7 articles, 18 quicklinks, 166 diaries, 1429 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 2:08:56 PM (0+)
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Reply: For the record, nothing against Richard
I will frankly admit that he knows more than I do. And while it may have been admitted in an arrogant albeit conceited manner, I can only go by what I know and act on it. If I am wrong, well, hopefully I learn before it matters. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Oh by the way, next time you can join me. Just go out on a street corner and sit down with a sign. Wave it around at people as they walk by and smile when those respond to you gratefully like the people of Chicago did for us. It will make you feel like standing up for democracy more than ever. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 2:25:57 PM (0+)
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Reply: down on the corner
Oh, but I have been on the corner and in the streets with signs and posters and flags and all, just never in the windy city. My latest efforts in saving our rights included joining local students in a sit in out front of the main station (summer 2007, Frankfurt, Germany in protest against tuitions imposed by the state of Hessia) and yesterday, same place, to encourage striking members of GDL to carry on and to stop smiling when the press comes around. Looks like I'll be back there, out in the streets soon to protest a new attempt at setting up a temporary nuclear waste storage nearby. We had a huge movement against them back in the early 80s and we succeeded. Now that (they think) we're old and sleepy, they are back and back at it. C'est la vie ! by Tony Forest (7 articles, 18 quicklinks, 166 diaries, 1429 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 4:32:53 PM (0+)
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Reply: I'm sensing an unfortunate trend more and more
The old and sleepy are doing the work the young and caffeinated should be doing. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 5:51:24 PM (0+)
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No, that is NOT what democracy looks like
No, that is NOT what democracy looks like.Its because democracy has failed or is non-existent that you take to the streets. Its also a sign of impotence. That statement, used so often by powerless leftwing types, is both trite and untrue. Democracy is rule by the people, where the people take part in decision making. So far that can only take place in local communities. What we call 'democracy' is where we elect 'representatives', who we the learn dont represent us, but those with money. If you want REAL democracy, do what Venezuela is trying to do, and establish commmunal councils, and allow decisions from there to flow up to the legislature. Till then all you do in the street is express you impotence in often violent ways by brian (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 148 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 9:57:43 PM (0+)
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Reply: Expressing my impotence?
Is that anything like what Ted Haggert, David Hager, Neal Horsley, Mark Foley, and Larry Craig have done? by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 at 11:18:56 PM (0+)
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After they murdered the Wellstones
After they murdered the Wellstones I knew that we were dead. It would only be a matter of time before they sent us to a camp or just shot us in our doorways. So, I started covering my little white car with plastic lettering and I started filling up my car windows with signs. I don't try to persuade or educate. I just say what I think. My signs say things like "Republicans Always Return to Their Vomit" or "Bush Did 911 to Steal Trillions". Every combat soldier knows that he is basically dead after a month or so. So he does not fear for his life quite as much. He just doesn't want to waste it. by John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1762 comments [39 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Nov 18, 2007 at 10:26:36 AM (0+)
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YOU CANNOT HAVE BOTH CAPITALISM AND DEMOCRACY
Other comments have covered what I would have said. I would just like to emphasize two points. The first is that you cannot have capitalism and democracy. Those who have great wealth will dominate any society. Just as the landed aristocracy dominated under feudalism, those who have great wealth will dominate under capitalism. Just consider that anyone who wants to run for office needs contributions from those with wealth even to let the electorate know that he or she even exists, let alone campaign for votes. It is estimated that the 2008 campaigns will total a BILLION DOLLARS and only members of the ruling class can contribute that kind of money. And of course they are not contributing for their health; only candidates who advocate what the ruling class contributers want will get the contributions. The only solution is to abolish vast accumulations of private wealth and for people to own the land, factories and other means of production in common. Second, don't put your hopes in ANY Democratic Party candidate. even Kucinich. After Kucinich did not win the Democratic nomination in 2004, he supported and campaigned for the Democratic Party candidates. Another poster on OpEdNews has already pointed out that after Kucinich has led his supporters into the Democratic Party to campaign for him, he will urge them to support whoever the Democrats nominate after he has failed to win the Democratic nomination. Kucinich has wonderful positions but that only makes him a more dangerous lure. Regardless of his motives, the EFFECT of his campaigning as a Democrat is only to serve as a more tempting bait to lure progressives into wasting their effort on supporting another ruling class party. Pelosi who took impeachment 'off the table" as soon as she became the Speaker of the House diaappointed thase who had campaigned for Democrats in 2006 to defeat the Rethugs. This is only the latest example of how the Democrats have disappointed us everytime we put them back in power. Another example is my sarcastic remark that's it a good thing Bush, Sr. or Bob Dole didn't defeat Clinton in 2000 and 2004. If either of them had won, they would have ended welfare as we know it! The ruling class in this country has very cleverly managed to have two ruling class parties so they can keep the voters running back and forth between them. Don't listen to those who tell us that a third party cannot win unless we institute reforms such as instant runoff voting and proportional representation. The fact remains is that if we keep supporting the Democrats, we will NEVER win impeachment, withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, single payer health care, ect. So our only alternative to avoid wasting our efforts is to start building a third party NOW, despite the absence of instant runoff voting and proportional representation. Robert Halfhill by rhalfhill (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 327 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 at 1:20:23 AM (0+)
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Reply: I'll take my chances
Thanks for the comments. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 at 8:40:47 AM (0+)
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When Kucinich does not win????
You grasp so most important aspects of our delusional democracy. Of course, regime change must mean getting rid of the stranglehold over our government by the two-party duopoly. The power elites would never let anyone like Kucinich get the nomination. When he loses I hope you see the merits of a boycott on voting in 2008 for all federal offices - TO DRIVE VOTER TURNOUT WAY, WAY DOWN - TO REMOVE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. And come join us at www.foavc.org. by Joel S. Hirschhorn (141 articles, 50 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 546 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 at 8:59:37 AM (0+)
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Reply: Thanks joel
I have had many options presented to me which could be pursued after February's primaries if Kucinich isn't winning any states. I will talk about those options in February and decide what to do. And your idea will certainly be considered. (***Sorry this sounds like something Barack Obama or John Edwards would say.***) by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 at 9:10:18 AM (0+)
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The Boob Tube
I love to educate myself and read books. I suspect I am not alone on this site in that endeavor. As my background is in Biology, Medicine, and Psychology...I must remind 'the human animal' that we are in fact 'animals'. Our culture is tribal, petty, lying, neurotic and TV watching. This is the mainstream...a mainstream that doesn't read books or newspapers. We are animals and affected by our environments. We are not going to dismantle the five pillars until we either 'retake the airwaves' and get rid of the lies and propaganda that currently own it; ...or convincing average americans that they're better off leaving it unplugged or putting it out with the trash. Freud said the fate of the world hangs by a thread...and that thread is the human psyche. It remains to be seen whether mankind can transend the instinctual primary necessity of men to be both competitive and hostile with one another...through this, civilized societies are constantly menaced with disintegration and extinction. I want to see your films. This article gives me hope for transendence. Like Rousseau in 'The Social Contract'. We could all learn a thing or two about real priorities from the french. Ah...but we are so arrogant here in America. Nobody can teach us nothing. by Geno Matthias (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 17 comments) on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 at 1:13:09 AM (0+)
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