OpEdNews » Don't Ask Me to Change My Values for Obama or Clinton

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Tag(s): Change; Clinton-Hillary; Convictions; Democratic; Obama-Barack; Politicians; Politics
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February 2, 2008 at 19:43:17

Headlined on 2/2/08:
Don't Ask Me to Change My Values for Obama or Clinton

by Timothy V. Gatto Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Many people, on many websites have been telling me that I should just accept the inevitable and accept either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as my candidate. This is because of the fact that John Edwards pulled out of the race and we now have no Progressive to vote for. This means that we now must fight against the Republicans and swallow our convictions and do anything to get any Democrat elected, no matter how unpalatable they are. This argument is flawed and not only flawed, but dangerous. First of all, we should never just willingly accept the “lesser of two evils” because the media and the corporate politicians have only focused on a few select candidates. There are others out there that still inspire the imagination and may very well hold the answer to our nation’s problems. One of these people is amazingly enough, a Democrat and he is still in the Primary race. His name is Mike Gravel, the first victim of the media’s selective elimination process that they undertook with the knowledge and compliance of the other Democratic candidates.

Perhaps if the other candidates had stood their ground and protested the media’s interference in their own party’s politics, Dennis Kuchinich would not have been excluded later on. If Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama would have stood up to the networks and fought for their party, maybe I wouldn’t be as enraged over the way things stand now. They got away with disenfranchising Gravel, then Kuchinich and it was no wonder that they gave Edwards less and less “face-time” as the campaign went on. Edwards can blame himself for failing to receive equal coverage in the MSM, he should have stood up for Gravel and Kuchinich. Ron Paul is going through the very same thing over on the Republican side. This shouldn’t be happening and we all know it. The problem is that anyone that stands up to the MSM is instantly labeled as someone on the “fringe” (Unless you are someone like me and you don’t make a big enough blip on their radar screen).

The way that the powers that run this country expect us to have “convertible values” and change them to support the one that is in first place is amazing. It’s not trendy to have values that can’t be reverse engineered to fit the circumstances we find ourselves in. If I support Gravel or Edwards, I should be able to support Clinton or Obama the next day. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. If a Republican gets into the White House, so be it. I’m not going to vote for a “Pseudo-Democrat that holds the same value system as a Republican because they happen to have convinced people that they are Democrats because they have a “D” after their name. I feel that supporting Mike Gravel is the right thing to do. This might not ingratiate me with Democrats that promote any Democrat that has a chance of winning; I don’t believe that it’s all that important to sacrifice my principles for. I believe that by supporting Mike Gravel and asking other Progressives to support him will bring his message to more people.

We have no idea what will happen between now and November. Clinton or Obama, along with their corporate sponsors and their platforms that are similar to Republican virtues, just might win the Democratic nomination. This is without hearing them say anything about reversing the Military Commissions Act, or The Patriot Act, or The Insurrection Act or stopping “Rendition Flights” or reversing all of the signing statements that George W. Bush has written. I believe that an Obama Presidency or a Clinton Presidency would not be that different than the one we presently have. If the way that Hillary Clinton laughed in Mike Gravel’s face when he took her to task on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment is any hint of how she will act as President, it really doesn’t bother me that much to see John McCain as the next President. We could also see a viable third party arise with candidates that are much more appealing than the ones we have now. Al Gore could decide to run. It’s too early to make a decision to support people that you don’t agree with.

I will not be intimidated into voting for the lesser of two evils. I support Mike Gravel and there are many other Progressives that do also. If we all decided to stand up for what we believe in, instead of giving into fear, we could actually make a difference. I don’t believe that is such a hard thing to ask of other Progressives.

That’s the way I see it.

http://liberalpro.blogspot.com

Tim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site. Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.

Former Chairman of the Liberal Party of America, Tim is a retired Army Sergeant. He currently lives in South Carolina. A regular contributor to OpEdNews, he is the author of Kimchee Kronicles and is currently at work on a new novel.

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10 comments

Shawn is endorsing Mike Gravel for President in 2008.
Shawn in LouisvilleShawn is endorsing Mike Gravel for President in 2008.

Right on!

The only wasted vote is for someone you don't believe in. I say let the democrats keep loosing because of "spoiler" candidates; maybe that will encourage them to finally overhaul our election process with things like:

- instant runoff voting: where you rank all the candidates, instead of only getting to choose one winner (and voting out of fear).

- electing by popular vote: everyone cared about this after Gore lost, and then forgot about it 5 minutes later.

And of course, something our bipartisan system will never pass, and another good reason for Mike Gravel's National Initiative:

- campaign finance reform: in particular, airtime given to the candidates on TV and radio in all forms. This airtime should be purchased by the federal government at the prevailing ad rates for that year, and divided evenly among all eligible candidates. I'd rather hear more ideas from more people, than carefully focus-grouped advertisements ad-nauseum from the same 4 people.

Mike Gravel is the best candidate, in views, in record, in experience. He's the only true hero of any candidate Republican or Democrat, because he's the only candidate that has put the good of the American people ahead of his own political well-being. He risked going to jail to do the right thing for the country, and that's the kind of politician I'd like to see more of. I'm sticking with Mike all the way.

by Shawn in Louisville (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 8:12:08 AM

Midwesterner, veteran of VietNam era naval service, I still feel an obligation to defend the Constitution against "all enemies, foreign and domestic."
John Sanchez Jr.Midwesterner, veteran of VietNam era naval service, I still feel an obligation to defend the Constitution against "all enemies, foreign and domestic."

Your values aren't the problem.

The biggest problem we have is an electoral system that is skewed from beginning to end and voters who are active while they have no values. This rears its ugly head in the newly fashionable phenomenon of early voting, where citizens who are largely without political conviction vote as if they were betting on a horse race as the main stream media ecourage them to do.

For the powers that be, the only thing better than a non-voter is one that is receptive to their pitch.

by John Sanchez Jr. (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1172 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:00:50 AM

Union Construction Electrician for the past 21 years. Former United States Marine 1982 - 1986 who participated in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force sent to Beirut, Lebanon back in 1983.
SleeperUnion Construction Electrician for the past 21 years. Former United States Marine 1982 - 1986 who participated in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force sent to Beirut, Lebanon back in 1983.

Tough decisions

Tim,

I know where you are coming from because I am one who said that I would not support either Hillary or Obama. I threatened to end my association with the Democratic party and support Paul. I remained a democrat because Mike Michaud sent a letter to Conyors asking to proceed with impeachment hearings on Cheney.

That was enough from my Represenative. I have problems with many of Tom Allens actions but he is much better then Mrs Snowe although I will grant that her insistance on including an unemployment extention to the stimulus package is a good step for her. I may even say some good things about a third party candidate in that race because both candidates are lacking in my mind.

At this point to me it is who can assist the most benificial change in our policy in the next four years. I think Obama will not block progressive legislation if it is brought before him. We may not have viable progressive candidates left, however I think Obama is far better then Clinton and worlds apart from Mc Cain. A wasted vote at this time is what will insure that the Corporate influence is able to maintain its Neo Con political agenda. Please consider the differences in what we will end up with and who will progress our agenda best.

by Sleeper (1 articles, 1 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 276 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:08:22 AM

My name it means nothing, my age it means less. My deeds of activism are mine to enjoy and share as I feel necesary, not as some clown in a small forum's administration thinks I must..This place gets worse each and every visit.
Member banned on June 3, 2008 for repeated abuse of editors.
ardee D.My name it means nothing, my age it means less. My deeds of activism are mine to enjoy and share as I feel necesary, not as some clown in a small forum's administration thinks I must..This place gets worse each and every visit.
Member banned on June 3, 2008 for repeated abuse of editors.

Despite our differences, Mr. Gatto,

we share some core beliefs. I thank you for expressing them so eloquently.

The real problem with the voter today seems to be her inability to think outside the box, to seek to vote for the winner rather than the one who best expresses her own vision for the nation. Its not a damn popularity contest, its an election!

You may prefer to vote Gravel, and I Nader, yet in doing so we show the path out from under our current predicament.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 9:14:04 AM

Richard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.
Richard MynickRichard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.

I strongly agree with you. I'd even say that 'lesser-evil'

proponents -- those who think the whole game is just a matter of automatically preferring the 'D' over the 'R' -- have no idea what democracy really is, and their lack of understanding of it is permitting it to be destroyed.

One can offer a rigorous logical proof that voting for the "lesser evil" doesn't work, when you're only given a choice between 2 evils. You need something "good" to vote for, or the whole thing falls apart.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1168 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 11:55:24 AM

Tim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site.

Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.

Former Chairman of the Liberal ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Timothy V. GattoTim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site.

Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.

Former Chairman of the Liberal ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Mike Gravel Interview

I will be interviwing Mike Gravel TONIGHT on http://blogtalkradio.com/liberalpro tonight at 9PM. (The time is subject to change), Please listen in and maybe ask a question.

by Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 4:23:53 PM

The Time is fixed

9 PM is the time, AFTER the Superbowl for you addicts of sports. Be sure to tune in and make Mike feel welcome. Rob Kall will be co-hosting the show.

by Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 5:40:06 PM

Ed Encho is a free lance writer, activist and consultant who resides in West Central Florida and author of the upcoming "A Monolithic and Ruthless Conspiracy".
Ed EnchoEd Encho is a free lance writer, activist and consultant who resides in West Central Florida and author of the upcoming "A Monolithic and Ruthless Conspiracy".

The DLC Must Die

Because there is no other way that the Democrats will ever be a legitimate opposition party as long as their vested interests are in allowing the existing system of looter capitalism to go forth....and to say "fuck you" to the American people by refusing to hold the Bushreich war criminals accountable.

Enough of the sham democracy and it's pocket media kingmakers.

by Ed Encho (7 articles, 18 quicklinks, 56 diaries, 391 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 5:16:05 PM

Having lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bill SamuelHaving lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Stand Up!

As long as people who want real change give in to the argument that they need to vote for someone electable, always meaning someone who is not for real change, support for change will be hidden. We should have real standards for whom we will vote, and follow them even if it means voting for a major party candidate deemed unelectable, a third party candidate, an independent, or a write-in. What if everyone who was going to vote for a candidate they considered the lesser evil decided that they wouldn't stoop to that level?

by Bill Samuel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 277 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 7:39:22 PM

I guess

That would mean the system is broken, wouldn't it? I guess that real patriots would want to fix that system or others would throw up their hands in disgust and just let it continue much like the Germans did in the last century.

by Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 7:45:48 PM