Why we should hold our noses and vote for Kerry to engage a potentially more moderate administration.
In the waning days of October, and the fast approaching fateful presidential Elections, the American people find themselves thrust into a political storm of historical proportions and importance, here and abroad.
A virtual reality has been created, marketed, and sold to the American people by narrow interests whose control over our civil servants and political discourse has reached alarming levels detrimental to our constitution and democracy. The overriding message emerging out of the political arena by a pliant media is clearly that of fear and insecurity at home, and total mayhem abroad.
So, with the validation of this created reality, we are prompted to believe only drastic measures are to be implemented, even at great personal sacrifice. I have nothing against personal sacrifice if we, likewise, require it of those very fortunate and least needy amongst us.
While we are paying for the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, and loosing our civil rights here at home, the current administration finds it wise to give large tax rebates to the wealthiest Americans, and corporations who skirt tax laws in overseas tax shelters and loopholes in the antiquated tax code.
How is that possible, and is it acceptable?
The Republican and Democratic leadership has being tamed by the special interests in Washington DC; and consequently, this leadership has lost sight of the public interest. Only when elections get close, do politicians turn to the public. Both parties bring forth the heavy political guns and savvy, made available to them by their financial backers, into the political theatre to mold and shape public opinion.
The task to manipulate the electorate is made easy by the simple fact it was started many election cycles ago, and pounded ever since into the American psyche, thanks in part to the corruptive and undue influence of big money in the political process.
When a large segment of the population still believes in our government’s discredited assertions against Iraq, namely weapons of mass destruction and 9/11 link to Al Qaeda, how can we pretend not to be manipulated and purposefully divided by the powers to be? Otherwise, how can you explain why we vote against our best instincts and interests and for representatives that later betray our trust?
How is that possible?
The electorate feels caught between Iraq and a hard place, with no reprieve in sight. Both Kerry and Bush are pushing the same perpetual war agenda on us, while pretending to be moved by internal concerns. How can you promise to fund domestic programs, including homeland security, and concurrently spend hundreds of billions of dollars on an unnecessary war faraway from our shores?
We need alternatives to the presently ensconced political elite, but we are far from getting there, yet. The citizenry has a firm and unshakeable belief that it can rise to and handle any challenges put before it. So, as long as citizens are willing to stand up to special interests, and fight for legitimate constitutional and governance issues, the nation will remain healthy, and amenable to positive change-a desirable course.
Although choices in the political races are limited in scope and substance, I realize that, not unlike a sculptor, we have to continuously chip away at this amorphous political mass before us, until we can fashion it onto an acceptable and pleasing political model, responsive to our needs and wants.
As an ardent supporter of the independent Nader, and the greens, I painfully believe that time has come to set aside all squabbles and fire Bush, then replace him, unfortunately, with Kerry-a lesser evil at this stage of the game. I know it is not an easy statement to disgorge given that what drives me and my cohorts is not what drives Kerry; But, It is not a compromise that I am proposing to the progressives among us, those truly disgusted with the political discourse, only an incrementalist’s approach to resolving complex, delicate matters. The progressives and the centrists of all ilk will have a better chance to engage a Kerry administration, and possibly move their agenda of change forward.
Time and time again, the lies and deceptions fed to the American people have been exposed, but not put to rest. We have the opportunity, as a responsible citizenry, to take action and fire the instigator of the present lamentable state of affairs, and replace him with a more moderate and approachable administrator. So, for the moment, we should set aside our differences, and unite our efforts to bring a regime change here at home.
On November 3rd, all of us who voted for a regime change have an obligation to engage the new administration and demand an immediate end to the illegal occupation of Iraq, the safe return of our troops, the repeal of the unconstitutional parts of the Patriot Act, the review of our domestic and foreign policies, and the establishment of a Citizens For Truth Commission that would look into the lapse of security that lead to 9/11, post-9/11 government policy, the Iraq debacle, violation of the Geneva Conventions, loss of credibility around the world, degradation of our constitutional and civil rights, corporate job outsourcing, media misinformation, etc.
I know that sounds like an insurmountably full agenda to tackle, but it's the only way we, the people, can address and remedy all the wrongs that have been committed in our name. For too long, we have been pitted against each other, to detract us from what really matters to our nation and its proper functioning, namely: Jobs with livable wages, affordable housing, educational reform and accessibility, health care, environmental protection, corporate welfare reform, fair international trade; all issues that concern the average American voter.
By our example, we set the tone for the unfolding 21st century. Unlike the PNAC (Project for the New American Century) that opened the doors of hell with its ideological demagoguery, our political model should be based on fairness to all Americans, and all those who contribute to the prosperity and well-being of our society. Our role in the world should be to shore up existing international laws, strengthen cooperation between nations to tackle global problems. We bear moral and ethical responsibility when our prosperity comes at the expense and suffering of other nations and peoples.
This coming election day, all of you who believe we can do better, should go vote for the beginning of change, and vote to dislodge the clique in your White House; Then, on November 3rd and beyond, we shall all join efforts to peacefully reclaim our Democracy. A more hopeful future is possible, for the sake of our progeny and humanity.
Original: CONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR KERRY