I never thought of myself as radical but, in the context of US politics, I have to say that’s probably the category most Americans would put me in.
In France, my views and values aren’t shocking. They’re pretty much in line with those of the mainstream Socialists (that’s not a word combo you hear in the US, is it?), which represent about a third of voters, and the Greens.
I’ve really been very conflicted about the upcoming US election. I remember ripping into some Nader voters I knew after the 2000 election. At the time, I thought that there was nothing more important than keeping Bush out of the White House and that, with so much at stake, it was selfish to choose that moment to make a lefter-than-thou statement.
Making that kind of statement is not only not frowned upon here in France, but it’s expected. Here’s an excerpt from an earler post in which I talked about this phenomenon:
The way they deal with the multiple parties here is that if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the first round, there is a run off between the top two in a second round. At least in the first round, people can really vote their conscience. In the second round, the smaller parties can negotiate their allegiance to the bigger ones and influence their agendas. I would love to see this happen in the States. Oh, and all their votes count. What a concept!
Now, after two Bush terms, the damage is done. In the 2008 election, keeping a Republican out of the White House just doesn’t seem that urgent to me. I can’t imagine it could get much worse than BushCo and I don’t believe that the Democrats are that different anymore. If they were, how could they even consider giving Bush more money for Iraq in return for some money for social programs? I’m sorry, that’s just not an acceptable compromise. Progressive my ass.
This time around, I think it would be wrong not to make a statement. I think those of us who are true liberals have a duty to show some signs of life. Even the left won’t call itself liberal anymore for fear of being associated with us. We need to make like the Whos in Horton’s dust speck: We are here. We are here. We are here.
I’ve always gone with the mainstream Dem candidate because it made victory more likely. But this year, like the Nader voters in 2000 and like the French, I’m going to vote my conscience. That means I’m voting for Dennis Kucinich, who shares my views on the things that are important to me. If, because of my vote, you end up with another Republican or if, in spite of it, you get an elephant-in-ass-clothes Democrat, will you even notice the difference or care?
Of course, you could be radical and vote for Kucinich too. What have you got to lose? It’s not like any of them will take your Starbucks away.
The Nation recently had an issue with positive reviews of all the Dems. Each candidate had someone arguing why this particular Dems would make a good next Pres. I have to agree with you that Kucinich looks the best out of all the Dems. Gore Vidal wrote the pro article on Kucinich. What cinches Kucinich for me is that he’s the co-author of HR 676 (health care). If he doesn’t get the nomination from the Dems, then I’m not voting Dem (again, and I haven’t for years). Last election the Greens didn’t have enough sigs to get on the New York ballot. Which leaves the Socialists.
Here’s a link to the Gore Vidal article I think you’re referring to: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071126/vidal. Kucinich is true to his principles. More importantly, he HAS principles. And in voting for him I’ll feel like I’m being true to mine.
And, he’s got a 29-year-old British wife with a tongue stud. He has my vote — even without his courageous position on healthcare.
Absolutely. She’s a red-head too! All definite proof that he’s got the kind of, eh hem, energy a president needs. (Or maybe it means he won’t have any left over to do his president thing…)
Pam, I just saw Oprah Winfrey endorsing Barack Obama on TV. Much like yourself, I don’t believe that the Democrats are that different anymore: it has all become such an insane media circus (“Oprah for president!”) that many Europeans feel it’s too late to undo the damage done by Bush&Co.
America had made a turn to the right, and there’s no going back.
Peter, it sure feels like there’s no going back. But I’m still hoping that fascism won’t win. I’m very curious to see just how bad the American population will allow things to get in that country before they yank that pendulum out of the fascists’ hands and swing it in the other direction (by ceasing to be apathetic and starting to speak out, vote, demonstrate, etc.). But I don’t know if they have it in them anymore. They’re too comfy. At the moment, the whole culture just reminds me of “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. In 2006,
Obama talked to a bunch of evangelicals and said there was a “need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.” That’s such bullshit. No discussion necessary. Keep your bible in a drawer with your dildo, and I don’t wanna hear about it. Religion has no business in any part of American life. Unfortunately it will never go away because humans are afraid to die. The only place it belongs is in your house and your church, end of story. Nobody has a right to inflict that crap on anyone else.
Here’s what religion gets you: http://www.blognow.com.au/mrpickwick/79636/