On the ballot will be what seems like the scripted tale of American
governance: The "maverick" war hero Republican and the smooth talking
young Democrat.
Who really wins in this ballet of moderation?
I know who will lose:
People seeking effective universal healthcare.
McCain plans on tearing down any real way to assist people in getting
healthcare with what is the most conservative healthcare plan I have
ever heard be promoted nationally.
Obama has a plan with a lot of specifics that don't add up and when
they do add up, it doesn't equal universal healthcare and sounds far
more expensive than it is helpful.
People seeking marriage equality.
McCain and Obama agree – gay people should not get married.
People seeking an end to war.
McCain and Obama have both voted, whenever possible, to continue the
War in Iraq. Obama was not in the Senate when it started, but he has
voted to fund it every time.
McCain and Obama agree, we need more troops in Afghanistan. Not a
different strategy on combating global terrorism, but more troops in
Afghanistan.
People seeking education reform.
McCain and Obama agree with Bush – charter schools are a good solution.
People seeking privacy.
McCain and Obama voted to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act and for FISA.
People seeking clean energy.
Both McCain and Obama have expressed support for the oxymoron of an idea of "clean coal".
Both McCain and Obama have expressed support for nuclear power.
Both McCain and Obama have expressed support for offshore drilling,
even though Obama had clearly been against it until he made his recent
switch.
Senator Obama voted FOR the Energy Policy Act of 2005 – which amounts
to a $12,300,000,000 subsidy for big oil and nuclear power.
People seeking budget reform.
Both McCain and Obama have voted consistently for Bush's budgets.
People seeking electoral reform.
Both McCain and Obama have supported excluding people from the debates that do not agree with their corporate agenda.
People seeking corporate accountability
Both McCain and Obama supported the bail out. The same one that
continues to allow people to do the same things that led to the current
economic mess.
You get the idea: John McCain and Barack Obama win – the majority
continues to lose. I will not vote for this. I cannot consciously
support either major party candidate.
So what will I do? I will vote for the candidate that represents me best.
This radical idea was not mine first, admittedly, as George Washington
himself opposed the party system. I do not oppose the party system, I
oppose the TWO party system.
So, I registered Green.
The Green Party, like many other third parties, is funded by the people (not corporations) and provides answers:
YES to Single-Payer Healthcare – accessible to all citizens.
YES to a living wage.
YES to marriage equality – no more discrimination.
YES to ending wars.
YES to education reform.
YES to privacy.
YES to clean energy – no oil or nuclear money.
YES to budget reform.
YES to electoral reform – more than two candidates!
YES to corporate accountability.
I, no longer, have to wonder what will happen to the poor family that
can't afford healthcare, the working mom that just can't make enough
money, the gay couple ready to tie the knot, the brother in Iraq, the
children who need to learn, the conversations I have in private, the
planet I love to live on, the money I spend, the people I vote for, and
the unchecked corporate fat cats that have squandered our future for
their own gain.
The Green Party has the answers to the questions I asked.
Maybe the Green Party doesn't answer questions in the way you support,
but a different third party probably does. I URGE you to look up a
party that supports what you want NOW, not tomorrow.
Yours,
Jeremy Cannon
ok…I have a couple of issues with this letter, well written and earnestly offered as it is.
First, as one of many people who volunteered for Ralph Nader in 2000 and worked as a staffer on the campaigns of 3 Greens running for state office,I understand how Jeremy feels. I agree that Democrats, even liberal ones, fall far short of our ideals.
However, I have to say that any similarities between McCain and Obama are superficial at best. I’ve heard this refrain before. It was wrong in 2000, and it’s wrong now. If you think there is no difference between McCain and Obama, the Democrats and Republicans, you’re simply not seeing the world as it is. Democrats are not as progressive as Greens, but they are very different from republicans.
As for your comment:
“I, no longer, have to wonder what will happen to the poor family that can’t afford healthcare, the working mom that just can’t make enough money, the gay couple ready to tie the knot, the brother in Iraq, the children who need to learn, the conversations I have in private, the planet I love to live on, the money I spend, the people I vote for, and the unchecked corporate fat cats that have squandered our future for their own gain.”
I assure you, if you truly care about these issues, and I believe you do, John McCain’s presence in the White House will be disastrous, far more than an Obama presidency. You DO have to worry about these issues. Voting Green doesn’t give you a free pass. Until we Greens can build upon our successes at the local and to a lesser extent state level, we won’t be able to be effective players on the National scene. Voting for someone who can’t win may seem like a principled act, I know from experience that it certainly feels that way. But, in an election that is this important,that will likely be decided by razor thin margins and be marred by voting irregularities , every vote can make a difference.
Jeremy, I share your passion for Green politics and values.I understand how you feel. Many Greens I know are deeply conflicted about this election. I urge you to consider your choices carefully. I hope on November 5th we can talk about these issues without a Republican victory hanging over our heads.
I’m a newly registered Green. Here’s my proposal about how to handle the no choice ballot:
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/fensterm/2008/11/03/left-of-obama-but-afraid-of-mccain-a-proposal/
Where are Cambridge Greens gonna hang to watch the returns?
-r