A Challenge for you

There is no doubt that Dennis Kucinich offers the American public some very attractive solutions to many of the problems that beset the country. He has introduced tons of bills, which taken together, provide all who care to look with a portrait of a man who cares deeply for those who are struggling to get by, and those who year for a return to the fundamental freedoms that have composed the historical fabric of the “American Dream”

Yet, how much of this legislation has made it to become law, or initiated reform? Much as many yearn to have the evil twins impeached, I would put a fair amount of money on it not happening.

Yet , if you go to the political prediction markets, like Intrade, and look at the contracts on some of the states where a strong showing is essential to any hope for nomination, you will not even find Kucinich listed among the remotely possible winners. This can be said for South Carolina, Florida, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Even some like Bill Richardson, and Chris Dodd, who have already withdrawn from the race still have their names listed as extreme dark horse candidates… But, no Dennis.

Forty years ago, in the same city where you go to school, thousands of young men and women offered themselves up to be beaten, gassed, injured and arrested, as they sought to bring the nomination to the then candidate for peace – Eugene McCarthy. All that passion, and all that pain did nothing then, nor would it appear that you (and many others like you) will have any greater success this year.

Last I looked, my crystal ball has gone missing, so perhaps I am totally wrong in my prediction,

So, let me offer you this challenge:

Present your scenario, in as detailed a fashion as you are able to construct, for taking Dennis from the obscurity in which he finds himself today, to being the winner in the Democratic Derby. If you are unable to do that, pick yourself another horse – the candidate you think can win, and who is philosophically closest to Kucinich. Then, get behind that individual.

Of course, you have no obligation to accept this challenge. But, if you elect to simply walk away, you risk losing the credibility and respect from your readers that you evidently seek.

Good Luck!

by Sherwin Steffin (14 articles, 22 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 73 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 11:28:34 AM
 

Iceman

I will not accept your phony baloney challenge.

I am not writing for a readership---I am writing for me and writing what I feel needs to be written for these times that we live in.

I have been asking Hillary supporters, Obama supporters, and Edwards supporters in my age group why they support the candidate that they do and none of them can really give a personal reason or a compassionate one for voting for the person they will be voting for.

I am not satisfied with Hillary, Obama, or Edwards. Call me greedy but I think after seven years of Bush when a man offers more than all three of them we should take it because we don't want to take any chances that we won't get real reform if a Democrat is elected this year.

I will not be abandoning Dennis. I do not care if he isn't going to win.

Just because he isn't going to win doesn't mean the ideas he is running on or for do not warrant support.

You've fashioned a shrewd call to action for me. But I'm not gonna bite.

Come November, if Dennis is not the nominee, I'm going to register with the Green Party. So guess what that means?

July, August, September, October---those are all going to be months where I seem like a Republican but after looking closely, you will find I am railing against Democrats and Republicans.

Really, I should never have supported Dennis. But I also support Ron Paul.

I support people who do not take advantage of the comforts of their situation and fight for the people even when they might lose.

I support a politician who lives in a 1,600 sq. ft. home not because it's all he can afford but that small of a home allows him to connect and make policies that affect real people while others in the Democratic Party live in 16,000 sq. ft. homes.

Iceman---Sherwin---Whatever you want to be called... Get educated. Fascism is on the rise and we haven't time for corporatized establishment "change" candidates whether they are the only people who can win or not.

by Kevin Gosztola (172 articles, 88 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 705 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 1:10:56 PM
 

My response

You say, “I will not accept your phony baloney challenge…,” but then go on to tell me, “You've fashioned a shrewd call to action for me. But I'm not gonna bite.” Which is it?

In the several comments I have made to your articles, the difference in our world views is quite clear. You seem to want to express your views of what should be done, while I focus my efforts on what I perceive can be done or achieved.

You then say,” I am not writing for a readership---I am writing for me and writing what I feel needs to be written for these times that we live in.” Having written 94 articles in the last six months, (and engaged in additional activity in support of your political positions), that seems an extraordinary effort for someone having no interest or concern for the reactions you elicit from your readers.

Your biographic statement says you are in training to become a documentary film maker. Ultimately, success in that profession requires that you care very deeply for the influence your products will have on those viewing your work.

That said, there would seem to be a much different process at work, than is your assertion of not caring about the responses your work receives. If you are being honest with yourself, you would have to agree that when a respondent fails to agree with your views, your reaction is instantly one of anger, frustration, and antagonism. I think most would agree that the following is illustrative of that interpretation: “Iceman---Sherwin---Whatever you want to be called... Get educated.” If, as you say, you really don’t care, than why strike out, as you so often do?

Your comment to me has some interesting contradictions, which you might wish to resolve: “I will not be abandoning Dennis. I do not care if he isn't going to win.” A couple of ‘graphs later you say, “Really, I should never have supported Dennis.” Want to take a crack at explaining these widely divergent positions?

Later in your comment you focus a good deal of anger and contempt on candidates you see as wealthy (You want your candidate to live in a small house, presumably to better appreciate the lives of those who are poor.) Get a clue! Anyone having the slightest chance of getting nominated is wealthy. If you want an explanation of why Dennis didn’t have a chance, take a look at his financial disclosure statements for 2005, and 2006. He has not, nor did he ever have, the economic clout necessary to mount a successful campaign.

Something else he was missing – the determination to “win at all costs.” All of the leading candidates, whatever they say, are willing to get down in the mud, to become a junkyard dog, to do whatever it takes to win. That’s not Dennis. If you want confirmation of this position, look at the campaign of Fred Thompson. His views are dead on for the nut-ball Neocons. But, early on, he made it more than clear he was not going to exert himself to win. It also took Obama too long to go on the attack, which may in the end leave Hillary on top.

Having read many of your articles, there are things you deeply want. You seek an America which is admired and respected throughout the world. You want all of us to be free of poverty, free of worry about being able to get the medical assistance we need, free of poverty, hate, with the privacy of all guaranteed and respected. So do I, and so do all who write for OEN, as do all of its readers. Perhaps it takes the perspective of age to fully understand and appreciate that changing government doesn’t happen overnight – no matter who the President is.

Abraham Lincoln is perhaps our most revered President. Yet, while the Civil war ended almost 150 years ago, racism still exists, and remnants of the animosity between North and South continue to this day. Change is evolutionary and takes lifetimes rather than days to occur. If you really want to be a player in the political change game, you need to grow an enormously thick skin, have unending patience, total honesty with yourself, and the determination to achieve your goals, over the long term.

You might want to give some thought to those strategies, as opposed to striking out at those who are there only to offer help.

by Sherwin Steffin (14 articles, 22 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 73 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 7:49:51 PM
 

On second thought, I think I'll flip-flop (just kidding)

Of course, you have no obligation to accept this challenge. But, if you elect to simply walk away, you risk losing the credibility and respect from your readers that you evidently seek.

I read between the lines here and deciphered that you wanted me to play som crude game: concoct a scenario where Dennis would win or pick another horse. It was a setup---a veritable "damned if you, damned if you don't" scenario. I opted to not bite or accept your phony baloney challenge.

You've picked up on the difference. I support what should be done. You support what can be done. I have a vision that is not constrained by reality. You have an idea of reality that is absent a vision.  

I do not think I have a readership. I just write. There are people who could be considered "fans", but I do not expect people to read my articles but hope people read so I can hear from them what they think of what I write. Being able to publish articles as a "trusted author" is enough though. People could never read my articles and I still appreciate being able to write news stories that have substance so if people do read it after Googling news or going through stories on Digg! they read something better than the corporate media drivel that is published. 

My articles on the Internet are far different than any documentary I may create. Good try though.

As to your question of why strike out? I'm 19, young, I believe I'm right and older people are wrong. I believe the baby boomer generation dropped the ball by fighting for civil rights, peace, and more and then when the Seventies rolled around they essentially abandoned activism and failed to continue the push to keep this country from undergoing a Conservative Revolution which has led to chaos in the Middle East and ruin to our economy not to mention a widening of an income gap that severely hurts minorities, poor, and working class Americans.  (That's a nutshell message but that's just a bit on why when somebody tells me to give it up and leave Edwards, Obama, or Clinton alone I don't.)

So maybe his wealth is why he'll never be president. Congratulations? I mean, good job putting two and two together? Is that what you want me to say? You're right. Does that make you...

Your challenging an idea or belief of mine that until we fight for Mr. Smiths instead of Daddy Warbucks we're going to continue to have problems. Now, Kucinich isn't a Mr. Smith but Obama, Edwards, and Clinton are princes while Kucinich is a pauper. And I trust pauper politicians right now more so than rich prince establishment politicians.

Define "win at all costs." Does that mean let the system change you and violate your principles to get elected or follow your principles and try to change the system from the inside out? 

I bet Obama and Kucinich were virtually the same when they decided to get into politics. Yet, however, Obama chose money for power while Kucinich chose people for power. He only wants power if the people believe he should be in power. That's how politics in America should work. Money should not entitle you to a special pair of tickets to the District of Columbia Country Club.

Oh, but wait, I forgot you are a person who fights for can while I fight for should. Well, can doesn't cut it for future generations. Can is not good enough. Should motivates people to create a better life for all, and should will be how I talk until the day I die.

Thanks for the history lesson on Lincoln. Thanks for the lowdown on racism and change in America. By the way, did you know Kucinich passed the MLK test and no other candidate did?

Going back to your confusion about I should have never supported him and yet I said I will not abandon him...that was just evidence of the conflict my Green Party friends have created in me. They have fine logic and reasoning for why Dennis should never have ran for president this time in the Democratic Party. I sometimes agree with it fully and sometimes I disagree. It's part my learning in my youth on politics because I admit I am flip-flopping daily on this and doing my best to hide it. You however spotted my flip-flopping.

Look, I appreciate your help, advice, etc. I only respond to you with the thoughts that cross my mind as I read what you've written. Take them however you want and respond. I'll respond to whatever you say back.

And we'll continue to show the generational divide in America. 

by Kevin Gosztola (172 articles, 88 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 705 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 9:11:14 PM
 

The wasted vote argument....

The wasted vote argument....is naive at best. If you don't vote for DK then all your saying is that your willing to go on getting shafted. Why not start practicing the phrase "THANK YOU SIR MAY I HAVE ANOTHER' while grabbing your ankles. 

But if we don't vote for (fill in the blank) then the republicans will win and it'll be the fault of everybody that voted for DK!

WRONG WRONG WRONG! It will be the DNC's fault for only producing one canidate with the guts- to stand up for the US - TO CHOOSE FROM!

Just think, if Obama Edwards or Clinton had the guts to actually stand up for us this wouldn't even be an issue! You could in clear conscience vote for any of them. But the "top tier" canidates are such cowards that they wouldn't even give verbal support to DK"s call to start IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS WHEN MORE THEN HALF THE COUNTRY WANTS BUSH/CHENEY IMPEACHED!

And these are the people we are suppose to trust to stand up for this country and constitution - when they already proved as canidates they won't. So why believe they will when they are elected president?

Why not just admit that your not willing to even think for yourself. After all if the MSM makes all your desicisions for you , you can later claim the Nurenburg defense "just doing what I was told". That kind of logic didn't wash back then and it doesn't wash now.

by RLAnchors (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 4:21:47 PM
 

I don't care about a wasted vote

FYI--- I don't care about "wasting my vote." Just want to see if that comment was directed at me and if it is, I wish to clear it up.

I will be voting in my Indiana primary. But chances are since the campaign has not given specific attention to getting Dennis on the ballot here, I will be voting for Ron Paul because people have done serious campaigning for him here in Northern Indiana.

In November, I will probably vote for the Green Party candidate because Obama or Clinton don't impress me much.

And you want to know something more---I hope the Democratic candidate loses because Americans do not deserve real "change." If they can't go out and get it by demanding candidates who really will change things, they don't deserve better lives.

They deserve another Republican presidency. They deserve to be victim of more spineless, hapless, gutless Democratic party politics. And then maybe four years later in 2012, they might be ready to really demand change. 

Perverted way to think? No. My frustrated and attentive mind cares a lot but I'm an all or nothing guy. You fight for sweeping reform or you just sit back and champion the status quo. There's no in between.  

by Kevin Gosztola (172 articles, 88 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 705 comments) on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 9:18:51 PM
 

At last, we agree on somehting!

What a surprise… we finally agree on something!

“I hope the Democratic candidate loses because Americans do not deserve real ‘change.’ If they can't go out and get it by demanding candidates who really will change things, they don't deserve better lives.

They deserve another Republican presidency. They deserve to be victim of more spineless, hapless, gutless Democratic party politics. And then maybe four years later in 2012, they might be ready to really demand change.”

The best illustration of getting what we asked for was the reelection of George Bush in 2004. The evidence was there, by the ton, of just what his agenda was, and how he intended to carry it out. Yet, we returned him to office, and gave him the crazies in Congress to help him carry out his plans for building an imperial presidency.

Here is where you and I, I think, part company. You have repeated your claim that you don’t write for an audience – that you write for yourself. But, your behavior says something quite different about you. You either know that gaining an audience, and securing agreement has importance for you, but choose not to admit that fact, or if you truly believe it has no importance, you are simply being dishonest with yourself.

· A substantial portion of your disposable time is devoted to your writing here on OEN. If you didn’t care about having a readership, you would not be writing for publication. You could simply jot your notes in a personal journal, seen by no one but you.

· Since all of your articles are editorial (as opposed to news, humor or other categories), and since you engage in active support of candidates or policies, it then follows that you seek to convince your audience of the correctness of your views.

· When you tell me, “I'll respond to whatever you say back…,” the views of your readers apparently have importance for you. Why bother to respond if you are not trying to convince?

· You respond with hurt, frustration, and anger to statements at odds with your own views – “I will not accept your phony baloney challenge,” or telling me to “… “Get educated.” (this to someone with a Masters Degree and 50 years of professional experience including six years as a university administrator). Why go to war if you don’t care about the responses you get? Along those lines, was your comment about the “history lesson on Lincoln,” and “the lowdown on racism and change in America,” meant as genuine thanks, or further sarcasm?

Finally, you seek to hide what is your greatest strength: ”I admit I am flip-flopping daily on this and doing my best to hide it.” When you are certain, that’s when seeking of new knowledge ends. Conflict and uncertainty is the nuclear reactor that powers the search for clarity and knowledge. Please tell me why you see this as an attribute to be hidden from the world.

There is a very large body of research that tells us that uncertainty is connected to fear. The search for certainty, and all that implies, are seen by many social science researchers, as the primary characteristic distinguishing between the Conservative personality and the Liberal. Should you wish to learn more about this issue, I suggest you read an article I wrote, titled, It’s All in the Brain. So, congratulations on your admission of uncertainty!

by Sherwin Steffin (14 articles, 22 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 73 comments) on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 6:00:39 PM
 

I don't wish to go war with a person who

Is 1) far wiser than I am and 2) who cares about this nation as much as I do (which I think is a fair assessment to make).

I write for myself because I have to. It's what I am capable of doing and in these times, I find it necessary to write opinions and talk about the "should" to inspire people. I also find it is a great way to dilute the power of corporate media on the American public.

I do not have money to freely donate since I am not financially stable in my life yet. I do not have a camera to shoot videos on my own yet. I am not a man of the streets so I do not gather crowds to rally and chant. I do however have my brain and writing skills that I have developed over the years and found a way to work for entertaining and educational purposes.

I did use sarcasm with you.

I am not going to really hide my desire to join the Green Party because the Democratic Party is pathetic. I have mentioned it quite a few times here and so already being on the record as saying it, it was silly to pretend this was something you couldn't know.

I am not ashamed of it. If I want to be true to myself, I will register and vote for the Green Party candidate in November (that's just the way things are right now).

As for why I am so arrogant, argumentative, and rude in my remarks, that's my passion and energy for politics and discussion of issues in this nation.

You seem disappointed with me in your comments because I went after you. Well, I didn't know where you were coming from when you started your comments on this article. I still think your challenge was foolish.

I concede I was wrong on everything but I do not concede on this one point. I will not limit my fight for America to what can be done. My fight will always be about what should be done. If it is impossible to figure out a practical way to do what should be done, than the fight continues.

At this point, I got nothing else to live for but the fight. My family and friends live the fight with me. Everyone's invited. If we all band together, I know we can create the America of our dreams.

by Kevin Gosztola (172 articles, 88 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 705 comments) on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 10:44:04 PM
 

The REAL Dennis Kucinich

National banking (see HR 3400 and the FBIM) and leadership in the fight against the rising tide of Fascism are the REAL reason anyone in their right mind should not only support Dennis Kucinich, but sing his praises endlessly as the only FDR Democrat in the race for President of the United States, this no matter his electability and the seeming difficulty of gaining traction with the American electorate ... because the man who upholds the Constitution also recognizes its power to save the nation that stands at the very precipice of utter economic collapse, this as a consequence of its people's despicable submission to a financial tyranny no different than in 1930 or in 1776.

Principle knows no defeat. If every patriot to the spirit of truth this Republic represents were silenced by the Fascist scourge excluding Dennis Kucinich from the national political dialog, indeed, the very stones would cry out.

National banking and the fight against Fascism are the ONLY issues in this race, and if you don't understand this, then stop watching American Idol...

by GoldenT (6 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 51 comments) on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 1:36:06 AM