The Formula For Winning In November
By Timothy Gatto
05 August,
2008
Countercurrents.org
I’m sure that everyone has heard the same argument put forward by the Democrats at least a hundred times or more; “A vote for a third-party candidate does nothing but insure a McCain win” (or a reasonable facsimile thereof). If I hear this ridiculous argument one more time I will probably need stitches in my tongue from biting it.
First of all, the premise behind the argument is irrational. The worst thing about advancing this kind of black/white, either/or argument is that the argument becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. When people advance the idea that only a Democrat or a Republican can win a Presidential election, it helps to reinforce that idea in people’s minds. The more this argument is echoed throughout America, the more people believe it. There are a number of reasons why the next president doesn’t have to belong to the duopoly that has taken this nation to the brink of disaster.
1. The
American people, not just people on the left but people from ALL political
persuasions, realize that the Republican and Democrats are controlled
by special-interest groups. When I speak of special-interest groups
I’m talking about the military industrial complex that virtually
runs this nation. It consists of defense contractors and all of their
lawyers, advertising agencies, suppliers and other peripheral concerns
that make the majority of their profits from these contractors.
2. The American people are also becoming aware that the media is also
controlled by these same entities. They are using the internet in
ever-increasing numbers because they are tiring of the narrow corporate
view that the MSM is offering as “news”.
3. The
gains that the Democrats made in the 2006 election resulted in no
change at all. The administration realized all of its major goals
as far as funding the war as well as advancing the agenda of the MIC.
The Democrats did not offer any real opposition to the disastrous
policies of Bush/Cheney. This did not go unnoticed by the electorate.
4. The ascendancy of Senator Barack Obama came before a single vote
was cast in the primaries. This has caused even loyal, lifetime Democrats
to question where his support and money came from, even before they
voted, leading them to understand that control of the party was coming
not from the voters, but from corporate sources.
5. The Democratic candidate’s constant shifts in policy on vital
issues that pertain to constitutional rights and continuing this “Global
War on Terror” by increasing the military presence in Afghanistan,
has caused many voters to become wary of his dedication to any real
“change” in government policy.
These are just five reasons that many Democrats and moderate Republicans are concerned about the where direction of Senator Obama is heading. The people that caution against voting for a third party candidate may genuinely believe that the Democrats and Republicans are the only viable political parties in the United States, and history will bear these arguments out. What these people don’t realize however, is that times have changed, the political landscape in this country has changed in radical ways.
Americans have lost much of their trust in traditional political institutions. They have seen a radical shift in the fortunes of the middle class. The disparity of wealth between the rich and poor is no longer something that one can ignore. The policies of George W. Bush, with the collusion of a Democratic controlled Congress has tripled the national debt and has led to many nations refusing to deal in dollars because of its falling value. The way America is looked upon by the majority of nations in the world because of its violations of International Law and its warlike policies have caused many Americans to re-evaluate our role in the world.
We are supposed to believe that if Senator McCain wins this election, we will be subject to another four years of Bush policies. I deeply believe that if we continue to support these two political parties that have worked together to eviscerate the 1st Amendment by setting up “Free Speech Zones” for demonstrators and tasering people that ask questions of our politicians and gutting the 4th Amendment by passing the FISA law, things will indeed get worse. These are developments that happened recently, I could write pages on how our rights under the Constitution have been violated in the past decade. If we continue to support the duopoly, after all that has happened, what incentive will they have for listening to the people? They will see it as a green-light to continue their anti-democratic behavior.
Even if McCain wins the presidency because of defections from the Democrats, once McCain realizes that it was a third party candidate that was responsible for Obama’s defeat, he must realize that the GOP will be the peoples next target. I believe that Cynthia McKinney, because of her ballot access in 40 States and possibly all 50 by the election, would be the best option. If the Democrats saw their loss as directly attributable to her, don’t you believe that the next Democratic candidate would be infinitely better than the corporate shill they are offering now?
A showing of more than 20% would put both corporate political parties on notice that the American people are tired of business as usual. This would also give the Greens matching campaign funds and usher in a new dynamic of another strong political party to compete for the American vote and change the current paradigm. If Senator McCain became President, it would be logical to assume that most of the people who gave their vote to McKinney would have also voted for progressive candidates for the House and Senate, it’s doubtful that they would vote for conservative Republicans.
I see no negatives in voting for McKinney. I also see no good results if Obama wins because of the fear mongering by Democrats. An Obama win without a strong dissenting vote for McKinney would cement their view that they can always count on those that decry the loss of our constitutional freedoms to fall into line. Sometimes we must suffer a defeat in order to obtain a victory. A Democratic loss because of a strong showing by McKinney would change the way the Democrats do business forever. This is something we must do in order to bring this nation back to the people, and convict the corporate duopoly that we must not be taken for granted.
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