Is America a corporatocracy -- yes. Is the environment going to hell in a hand basket -- yes. Are there more similarities than differences in the two major political parties -- probably. However, this being agreed upon -- why in the hell would anyone possibly hand this election to the Republican Party simply because they believe themselves to be uniquely informed and educated on issues fundamental to this election cycle (yes, they most probably are) and consequently deliver up the country to a group of people that are racist, fascist, angry, xenophobic, reactionary, absolutely materialistic, hysterically religious, homophobic, misogynistic, purposely socially, historically, environmentally, and globally illiterate -- did I say angry? The Republican Party has exposed itself as something profoundly ugly and inhumane.
The Democratic Party may not represent what we would like to see this country becoming moving forward, but, the Republicans have finally succeeded in framing the discussion in terms of good and evil; they have finally gotten what they wanted, however in a satisfyingly perverse ironic twist -- they, playing the role of the exorcist, have become the possessed, the evil ones. George Bush and all the rest damning and defining evil and evil empires have brought the fires of Hell to the surface and it is their glowering mugs that are being illuminated.
It has been suggested that we, the uniquely informed individuals, either don't vote or vote for a third party. Unfortunately, the Libertarian, Marijuana, Green or Constitution Parties don't have a snowballs chance in hell of winning or immediately influencing things. I never have understood the efficacy of not voting -- it's kinda like boycotting a neighbor's birthday party because you don't like Italian cream cake or strawberry ice cream; the brisket may be pretty good and you may get to influence another neighbor's choice of cake. However, if you stay home it's hard to effectively comment on the cake and party hats.
I don't understand anyone counseling psuedo-anarchist apathy in response to the realities of this election. Voting for President Obama could create the breeding ground for the beautiful plague that wipes out the Medieval Republican Conservative horde. This country will not truly progress and we will never be that shining city on a hill as long as reactionary fools diminish and inhibit real spiritual, fair and humane economic and ecological progress.
I believe the transformative course of action in this election is to vote for President Obama then march in the streets, join the Green Party, write damning exposes, occupy something, boycott Wal-Mart, shout down a crass developer at a city council meeting, name your first child Che, read: "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee", "A Pilgrim At Tinker Creek", or "The Grapes Of Wrath", expose the depravity and cravenness of your Congressman in the local newspaper, denounce war and those that profit from it; be blissfully and purposefully naive -- believe that you can make a difference. Vote and then demand change.
I believe this to be the most important vote I will cast in my lifetime. Finally all the socially conscious, liberal, progressive folks can actually make a very appreciable difference. All the enlightenment of the 1960's has irrevocably come to bear in this moment. We can be apathetic and disgusted, but not apathetic and disgusted and fulfill the dreams of all those heroes we purport to admire.
I live in Lyndon Johnson's hometown. If I don't vote I diminish the civil rights and voters rights legislation he championed and made law. If I don't vote I choose to enable the specter of Viet Nam. I choose to move on with Dr. Martin Luther King and not let the ghosts of the dysfunctional past define my future. Vote, then howl, march and demand a more beautiful system.
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