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So this is potentially a short diary, and it’s a slight rehash of an earlier one i’ve written, however I have to get it off my chest.
I was not thrilled to see Coakley lose in MA, let me start there. I wasn’t sobbing for the loss either, mind you. In the weeks that have followed however, i’ve heard some awefully populist rumblings from the administration so i’m actually leaning to thinking it was actually a good thing.
However, it’s opened a huge sore on my psyche that the Bush years had plastered over. I am not content not being represented in government any longer.
I am a dual citizen. I hold U.K. and U.S. citizenship. I have lived in the U.K. ( for a decade ) Canada ( over a decade ) and the U.S. ( just over a decade ). That makes me…well, over 30 anyway. It also means that i’ve experienced 3 political systems quite intimately.
So I wonder to myself, why is it that the ONLY way I can vote for a political party that matches my ideology is when I vote in U.K. elections? When I vote in U.S. elections, I feel like i’m voting against the party that matches my views the least. I don’t feel that way, actually. That’s how I have approached it, year after year. Each election cycle, i’m filled with a sinking dread that i’m going to end up voting for a centrist democrat ( I live in Republican California, the Southern bit )if I want to exercise my vote at all.
Year in and out I watch my elected representatives move this country away from serving the needs of it’s people to that of the corporate masters either very quickly (R) or less quickly (D). It’s soul crushing, to say the least.
So i’m done with this abusive relationship. I’m not going to listen to the mealy-mouthed platitudes of "I can change, honest" that stream from the Democratic party’s mouth in the run up to elections. I’m done firing off donations to a party that hasn’t ever represented me, merely not actively hosed me like the other party has. Basically, i’m doing the only thing I have in my power to do, and that is giving my vote to no one unless they actually DO represent me. I’ve already felt the ire of Democrats who don’t like to hear this. I’m met with "oh sure, let the GoP win…that’ll show them" or some other such refrain whenever I state my view that i’m done supporting the status quo.
Let me be very clear: I Don’t Care. As long as enough people continue to enable this sick farce of a democracy, we will continue to have similar results. We will continue to have HUGELY popular Democratic presidents who actually sell us out ( NAFTA, repealing Glass-Steagall ) and immensely effective Republican presidents who finish us off with the help of Democratic representatives.
There are two silver linings for me in all this. The first of which brings me back to Coakley’s loss in MA. The electorate ( on the Democratic side ) apparently had similar feelings as I do and from what I can tell caused some quaking in corporate sponsored boots. Sure, there are some who have taken the message to mean that the dem’s need to be more centrist but at least it shows that they WILL listen when you exercise your power over them. The second silver lining is, I can still vote in England and eventually retire in Canada should I so choose. I’d rather help make this country a better place for everyone, and will continue to do so, but it’s nice having options.
36 Comments
wow, what a concept.
perhaps Phoenix Woman will appear to set you straight, explaining how your vote “belongs” to the Democrats, and your withholding it from them is tantamount to theft.
it is about time common sense like yours makes headway amongst people of good will. the enabling has gone on too long – 30 years by my estimate, but everybody’s mileage may vary.
I’ve never been anything but American, but I agree 100%. No more enabling.
Keep your eye out for the Interactive Voter Choice System (IVCS), where you are defined (or represented), in the system, by your policy option choices.
You will have an easy time of finding like-minded citizens who are also in the system, and thus initial joining of voting blocs will be ridiculously easy. But that is just the beginning. At some point, the process will get more messy, as overlapping but non-identical voting blocs will have to have their members vote on policy option compromises, either for purposes of a ‘permanent’ merger, or else just to be able to pick a compromise candidate.
Even so, compared to the more or less completely corrupted, plutocratic system we have now, which can kill or hopelessly water down almost any good legislation, an IVCS-enabled democracy will be a walk in the park for activists and citizens. Citizens who aren’t thrilled with either the Democratic or Republican parties, in their current dysfunctional state, may actually get enthusiastic about politics.
In the meantime, you can support Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), and/or the up-and-coming Full Court Press (FCP)(which will be much more agressive about running primary challengers than PDA has proven to be; this is made possible by the fact that FCP allows candidates to be minimalist.) These groups will have a natural and easy transition into an IVCS voting bloc, but note well that they can have an effect even in the complete absence of an IVCS. Thus, it’s not a good thing to wait around for an IVCS. Better to organize, now, with an eye to electoral success sometime in the future.
Just ‘blogging to the choir’ won’t change anything.
Thanx for the links. Very helpful.
Yep, supporting new voting systems is the best first step here.
IVCS doesn’t replace real-world voting. How can it? Rather, it allows citizens to form voting blocs efficiently, who then utilize their cohesiveness to dominate real-world voting. Voting blocs can conduct instant-runoff voting say a couple weeks before a primary, to choose a compromise candidate, or else to determine that they can’t control the outcome of the real-world election. In the latter case, they can still use their size to try and wring concessions out of the likely primary winner. If he or she is not compliant enough, or has a record of dishonesty, the voting bloc (or voting bloc alliance) may choose to vote against such a candidate in the real-world general election. (Or not. Or not vote as a block, at all.)
One could think of this as a citizens’ end run around the lack of fusion voting in almost all states (save 8 of them).
I agree. I abhor this two-party monopoly. Makes you feel like it’s democracy in name only.
I’ve taken to referring to it as the Fisher Price democracy.
Is our nation really so absolute that our politics aren’t as nuanced as say…Canada ( who have more parties than a drunk after winning the lottery )?
Part of the problem is institutional, mind you. However it’s not insurmountable.
I don’t think it’s a great surprise that nations with multi-party systems are FAR more responsive to their populace than our two party system ( it’s like business…customers win when there’s more competition ).
No one owns our votes. If Democrats can’t give us a good reason to vote for them, then we shouldn’t vote for them. No one ever questions why we don’t vote for Republicans for precisely the same reason.
Nor does the lesser of two evils apply. The Democrats currently in office are enacting a Republican agenda. Trillions for banksters, the wars, disdain for the Constitution, ignoring the needs of ordinary Americans, anti-choice (the Democrats do it in healthcare legislation; the Republicans do it in the courts), the attacks on Medicare and Social Security. There is no reason for a progressive to support a Democrat here and many reasons not to.
Looks like lots of us are on the same wavelength tonight. Please read my thirty-point proposed platform for a new progressive political party, put on your thinking caps, and contribute.
After all, if not now, when?
Great Concept.
Would be great if Your vote really meant something.
Also would be great if You had a better choice of who to vote for.
It will still be pick the best of the two assholes, and hope Your vote doesn’t get shit on.
I feel at least as disgusted and marginalized as you. But by NOT voting, you are enabling the controlling powers even moreso. There is NOTHING more irrelevant to the political system than a non-voter.
I have voted in every election I have been eligable to vote (except when overseas for a number of years). I will continue to vote!!!
I cannot vote for the enemy of my children’s future well-being, the Republicans, nor can I vote for their quisling enablers, the Democrats. Those with horses in the race will deride that as “Throwing away one’s vote.”
Not at all. It is a vote of rejection of both candidates, of both parties, a rejection of the status quo. It is about the only way the marginalized can be made made visible, at least on Election day. It is the closest the U.S. citizen can come to a Vote of No Confidence. In some non-corrupt political systems, that vote can bring down governments.
We simply have to avoid the demigods that will materialize when the Rejection vote gets large enough. They are already sprouting up like poisonous mushrooms – attractive yet totally, totally inept and self-serving people like Sarah Palin. The Tea Baggers have already made their looney selection, just falling for another media-created stooge, believing that she will bring about change.
I can’t disagree with you more.
The only reason our current system is the way it is is because we allow it. The Democrats will never start doing the right thing unless forced, and the only way to force them is to take them out of power.
Yeah we may be banished to 4 more years of the dark ages, but so be it.
Because if that can’t fix it, revolution is the only option left.
No, you are wrong.
Your enabling (of torture, militarism, and all the worst aspects of our nation) starts, because YOU pay YOUR taxes. Once you pay them, the only counterweight you have left, is your vote.
If you are as fed up as you claim, STOP PAYING YOUR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.
Not voting (a write in for example, provided it is done intelligently, can send the appropriate message to the Democrats) in the general, primaries and local elections only destroys what remains of the left at all levels. It strengthens the FAR right as a power in local, state, and national government.
I disagree. It is far worse to place in power the rabid right by voting wrong…which is ready to take us straight to fascism. They got really close. They’ve got the Court, nearly control the Senate (there are about 10 DINOs)and were too close for comfort on the healthcare vote in the House. So we need to tip the power back to teach ‘em a lesson, huh? Wasn’t the last 8 enough?
Contribute correctly, vote correctly. Stop them or they stop us forever. Once we lose our rights…and they’ll surely do that with a new Patriot Act, we have lost. Think, fer crissake.
dems not worthy of votes –republicans, democracts and banksters are the axis of evil
Congratulations iphelgix. You are no longer a sheep. You have correctly concluded that there is no virtue and no future in being a Democratic Party Partisan. Thank you for this witness. I hope Democrats in increasing numbers will abandon Lessorevilism. It is a pact with the Devil.
The problem we have is this. The Corporatist have a far easier time with the far right because the far right is pro-Big Biz no matter what they say about bail outs etc. We are really the only ones that are anti-Corp. If we split the Dem. part y by breaking away we end up forever with the far right’s agenda. Right now we have the center rights agenda and the Corporate agenda. It sucks and isn’t much better then BV$H and yahoos of the wacko right but its still not anywhere near as bad IMO. That said we stikll have a shot IMO of taking back the dem. party from the Corporatist and thats were we should concentrate our efforts. More Progressive Dems. and fighting to primary the Blue Dogs.
Most Republican voters support the Republican party because of cultural/social issues. Not because they love big business.
The corporations get a free ride with the majority of Republicans because corporations don’t really care one wit about gays in the military, school prayer, evolution/creationism, abortion, gay marriage or gun control.
Anyway, Obama missed the boat on maintaining broad public support when he decided to continue the bailouts and basically sweep the fraud under the whitehouse carpet. Law&order and meritocracy are strong themes in this country.
I’m with you, iphelgix. After thirty years of casting lesser of evils votes I am finished. Anyway, since 2006 it has become apparent that the margin by which the Dems constitute the lesser of evils is rapidly vanishing.
I don’t think anyone would argue with the assessment that Brown’s election in Mass. produced almost immediate modified behavior on the part of the Democratic establishment in DC.
This simple fact flies in the face of those who argue that the only way to produce meaningful change in the party is to work from within, rather than without. Massachusetts simply said ‘no’ to DC, and in Obama’s words, the Democrats were “running for the hills“. Obama should know all about the hills. He lives there.
If true change is the desired outcome, I personally think that the ‘withiners’ have the weaker argument than those who are prepared to actually do damage to specific Democratic officeholders. While rejection may cause short term disruption and damage, it also sends a much clearer signal, with a better chance of being heard and understood.
While I accept that working within a given party to change it is a viable argument and strategy, ‘withiners’ tend not to return that favor. They tend to view their approach as the only strategy, and that any other approach is either naive, ‘purist’, or Unserious, deluded, etc., etc.
Working within the Democratic party has not produced meaningful change of any degree, imo. In fact, the Party has inexorably moved to the right socially, economically, and in foreign policy. While those committed to ‘change from within’ have every right to continue on that track (with all hopes for success), I can’t believe that such is the only tool available to us in the toolbox.
Support instant runoff voting, an improved voting system that eliminates any so-called ‘spoiler effect’. IRV is spreading across the US and enables better elections with more voices and choices. Also, support proportional representation for legislatures if you want a system that is actually representative and responsive.
For those looking for a new political home, the Green Party is the only national progressive party in the US. Greens refuse to accept corporate money, so they can be accountable only to voters and the public good. Check out gp.org for more information.
I’m f—ing retarded. And I vote. I doubt it will be for Democrats. Bring on the apocalypse. Let’s get it over with.
Stop the world, I wanna get off.
gix, how is the view from the limousine?
Abraham Lincoln was an unapologetic white supremacist. He believed in legalized white supremacy and state enforced segregation.
Abolitionists understood they had to support Lincoln to get rid of the larger evil, slavery.
ARE YOU STILL PAYING YOUR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES?
Don’t give me this holier-than-thou bullshit, if you don’t FIRST stop paying taxes.
You want all the luxury of the decadent west, without the responsibility.
Bravo, you spoiled brat.
Not voting is not an ETHICAL option. Tell me what primary candidates you are supporting to pull the Democrats away from the far right. Tell me what third party candidates you support.
Make a frigging argument.
Tell me what your plan is to pull the Democrats away from the far right.
If you want to stop paying your taxes, I will definitely listen to your concerns about the Democrats.
Your defenseless cowardice is consigning the Middle East to more US sponsored terrorism, PAYED for with YOUR tax dollars. It is PAYING for rendition, assassination, torture and imprisonment. You are supporting our continued dependence on foreign oil. Osama thanks you too.
No one provides more aide and comfort for the oligopolies, who run our country than you. It is because of cowards such as you, that the Democrats have to take money from PayDay lenders, legalized loan sharks, because if they don’t the GOP will. Wave goodbye to choice and civil rights for the GLBT community. With your attitude, the GOP can bring back the chain gang. See SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME, by Douglas Blackmon, the Atlanta Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal. It won the Pulitzer in history last year.
The GOP is counting on you to ignore that they will start privatizing things like municipal water. They want to sell what the taxpayers have built over decades to the oligopolies. And you’re just the selfish moron to help them.
In Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson can beat Feingold if he decides to run. The cut from the same cloth as Sarah Palin, Scott Walker, can win the race for Wisconsin Governor. This little pr*ck is to the right of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He makes Grover Norquiist look like Martin Luther King.
Don’t you have golf lessons or equestrian to attend to?
Yes, that’s right, iphelgix, every evil in HISTORY is EXACTLY YOUR FAULT because you REFUSE TO VOTE DEMOCRAT.
I do not intend this as a response to your comment, which I know was snark.
I consider any absolute statement regarding how others should cast their vote immature. Whether a person votes, abstains, casts a protest vote, the decision belongs to the individual and I wish everyone could accept that.
gix,
Back in June, we were within a very few votes of killing the War Supplemental. That would have cut off funding for the occupation of Afghanistan. As a limey, you know a lot about occupying foreign countries. Fortunately for the GOP, ethical morons such as yourself sat on the sidelines.
Jane is trying to build a third party within the larger edifice of the Democratic party. A third party will not work at the national level in the U.S.
I want to apologize for not being more direct with your sorry ass about the damage a post such as this can do.
What really pissed me off about your shameless waste of bandwidth, was that you refuse to donate money to candidates who can block what is essentially legalized white (male and heterosexual) supremacy. That is what the GOP stands for.
I had a good laugh at your determination to vote in England. Maybe you can use the Tate to bring peace to the Middle East.
gix, a slightly less malevolent position would have been to encourage liberals and progressives to vote only in a Democratic primary, where they have infinitely more leverage.
Rahm thanks you for a really terrific post.
Check Their Name Off ONLY
If You’re Voting FOR the candidate.
1980- I checked off carter’s name,
1984- I checked off Tip O’Neil’s name,
1984- I voted FOR mondale,
1988- I checked of my governor’s name – dud-kakis,
1992- I kind of voted FOR clinton-gore,
1992- I voted FOR patty murray,
1996- I checked off clinton-gore,
2000- I checked off LIE-berman-gore,
2000- I checked off cantwell,
2003- I caucused FOR howard,
2004- I checked off some guy who voted for and against whatever,
2006- I voted FOR jim mcdermot (for the 6th? 7th? time) to be told ‘impeachment off table’
2006- I wrote my own name in, to hell with cantwell.
2008- I checked off gregroires name,
2008- I voted FOR obama (even though the evidence was – sell out!)
++++++++++++++
2010- right now – I can NOT vote FOR mcdermott or patty murray – I do NOT give a flying fuck about their excuses about stu-pid-pak and holy joe.
=> I am NOT checking off patty murray’s name or jim mcdermotts name – I do NOT give a flying fuck about their excuses about stu-pid-pak and holy joe.
oh, did I repeat myself?
rmm.
Yeah, I know! The problem is that most of our most ‘fervent’ politicians can’t seem to make it all the way to truth. They get derailed or, like too many “liberals” decide to compromise. Compromise makes peace and isn’t that what we are all about? Sadly, that is not what the WORLD is all about and you are right. We’re being sold out because not enough of us actually get up and support candidates who want to beat the shit out of these middle of the roaders who are ‘electable’. The problem with Obama is that he was not electable, got elected and now refuses to do what we wanted…because he never believed it. He took in $69 million from Wall Street on the way. Edwards might have but… Dennis was fine but he looked funny and his wife (smashing though she is) spoke funny. Kerry, before him, never shut up. Exactly what the hell was Gore???? Some of the other guys we looked at were deluded and Hillary just made stuff up. We compromised. We’ve been compromised.
I just got an email from a bunch of guys called leftpac. Their credentials, such as they’ve let us see them, are okay. FireDog is saying the same types of things. Now, the DNCC is saying something different because Rahm decided we needed to tack to the right which is why 20% of the Dems in the House are not Dems. The DSCC gave us Coakley. I won’t give a dime to either of these ‘mainstream’ crapocrats. Maybe we can build this thing with the Weiners, Graysons, and some of the other folks at the top of the list and get rid of the Caseys, Stupids and others who can’t read a party platform. Oh, and we have to look at that old saw by Will Rogers and see whether it is still true. There can be an organized party…it can be Democrats. If you vote any other way, regardless of the candidate, you get something far worse. Now ain’t that a sad thing?
A WRITE IN for Elizabeth Warren instead of Coakley was a very defensible position.
1. Brown only has three years left on his term, not SiX. That is huge.
2. It sent a message from the blueest of states about the filibuster rule.
3. It sent a message to unions that they need progressive/liberal support.
Equivocating sellouts in the Senate, such as Bayh, who deserve the criticism, with progressives and liberals in the House, who blocked the feudalism that was the Senate version of health care, is an abomination.
If I won the lottery tomorrow I could only think of two incumbent Dems in the house and no sitting senator which I would contribute.
I expect I will continue to try supporting those who seem sincere about changing the D party from within, but I doubt I will ever vote Dem again in my lifetime. (Considering the state of the Arkansas Plantation protectionist Dem party).
I will vote to the left of them at every opportunity… be it Green or Socialist,whatever. Only choosing not to vote if there is no left option at all or no blank for a write in… which is often the case..
The Dems still have a chance to correct course but it does not look good so far. Perhaps if we had more answers to the redistricting issues of some of the Senators in the tough states, campaign finance laws with teeth, and a President that is willing to get involved with congress before issues get twisted. [Nancy and Harry are not trustworthy babysitters]I will also have to see a reasonable HCR bill without a mandate to consider voting Dems again. Whatever happens I think I will vote to replace all incumbents!
I think the disempowerment of Nancy Peolosi and the House of Representatives was intentional. Reid and the Senate to be used as window dressing pawns.
Just on opinion; but I think the more relevant question may be, “how soon will authentic liberals within the Democratic Party have any voice?” I believe there is a full court press by the Obama administration to suppress and marginalize liberal progressives. Not only do they not want us, I think they have fantasies they don’t even need our votes. The coalition they have in mind is not the bland “center right” but hard right libertarian and neo-conservativism..
Your Readers might consider joining our new Centrists Group at Linked In and might like to look at my new blog for and about Centrists, The Rest of U.S.
Extremists have become so loud, they’re deafening. And because they shout in perfect sound bites, the media birddog their every rant, however irresponsible or outrageous.
But we believe the political tide’s about to turn with a vengeance. No matter their party affiliation or lack thereof, Americans are disgusted with those who harass to harass, obstruct to obstruct, tear down to tear down. Compromise, consensus, bridge-building, and respect for differing viewpoints have been the hallmarks of American life as long as there’s been an America. We’re certain they will be again.
Please read: The Rest of U.S. – Who We Are and What We Stand For
http://newcentristera.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/the-rest-of-u-s-who-we-are-and-what-we-stand-for/
If you like it, please circulate to your family, friends, and colleagues. Or perhaps to your favorite extremist!