Well, finally, finally, something went right for progressives. Oregon voters look to be approving both measures 66 and 67, showing that they value state social services such as education, health care, and emergency services. Which shows us that if you actually leave things up to average Americans (except, apparently, Massholes), they actually make pretty reasonable decisions. And while no one is going to sit here and pretend that it is just totally awesome to have to raise taxes, it is a win for the lower and middle classes, who absolutely cannot afford to take cuts to their only way to reach a higher standard of living: education. So to the businesses and rich assholes who say they are going to move out of Oregon, you better get packing you stupid fucks! Believe it or not, Oregonians will still need to purchase goods and services, and there are still profits to be made from doing so.
Unfortunately, there have been a number of political horrifications that have taken place recently that make the vote in Oregon a little less savory. First, Massachusetts elected Scott Brown, a Republican who ran on the simple premise that he would stop the Democrat's health care reform. What a great guy to be swept into a lucrative (I'll get to this) political office by the promise to ensure that thousands of people, including many children, will die due to a lack of proper health care.
And what a bunch of stupid fucking idiots the voters of Massachusetts are: do you people not forget that the Republican party, not the Democrats, are responsible for two wars, the erosion of civil politics (which has essentially capsized our government's ability to pass almost anything), the housing bubble, the bank bailout, and, ho-hum, the ENORMOUS AND INCREDIBLE DEBT OUR COUNTRY IS IN AFTER 8 YEARS OF BUSH AND REPUBLICAN RULE! All of which, not surprisingly, they are now blaming on the Democrats. Any voter at this point who is willing to support this party is committing the political equivalent of the woman who breaks up with the boyfriend that beat the living shit out of her for 8 years, and then, after 1 without him, decides to give the psychopath another shot.
Speaking of debt, Obama is set to announce, in his state of the union address, that he is going to institute a domestic funding freeze. Is he going to cut the military budget or foreign aid to contribute to this cost cutting measure? Of course not! Like the high school girl that always has a crush on the guys that think she's ugly and tell her so, Obama is falling right into the Republican trap. Does he actually think they are going to help him in anything that he does? What an absolute fool! He's a Democrat, he's well educated (although, we may have to call that into question now), he's eloquent, oh, and HE'S BLACK! Unless he picks up a garden tool and some old overalls, he isn't ever going to see any support from a Republican.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself--I had to save the worst for last. Last week, the Supreme Court announced a decision that reversed 100 years of campaign finance law, basically awarding the keys to our government to the highest bidder. This means that any corporation can spend as much as they want to support or defeat a political candidate, even corporations that are based and pay taxes in a foreign nation. Who can you thank for this? The two recent Bush appointees, Alito and Chief Justice Roberts, who lied to Congress about their view on this matter, as well as their view on overturning established court precedent. Awesome.
I don't know about you, but I've totally lost faith in our political system, and especially in our politicians. Any decent human being has by now written off the Republican party, but at this point, I'm not so sure we can trust the Democrats either. The Democrats are simply too corrupted by corporate money and old politics to be a champion for the middle class. And, as the Massholes have shown, we are likely going to get stuck in a see-saw battle where party majorities change constantly and nothing gets done for the good of the American people. The fact is, we need a new party. The Independents don't really stand for anything, the Greens are dumb, and the Libertarians are a lost cause.
Yes, I am aware that third parties almost never work, but if there was ever a time where one could, it is now. Most people are aware that the Republicans aren't going to do anything but take away people's rights, spout Christian propaganda, discredit science and education, start more wars, spend more money, and support the corporations and banks interest over those of the little guy every time. And if Democrats are in office, Republicans are going to try to shut down government completely.
The Democrats, on the other hand, are masters at waffling, hemming, hawing, and not getting shit done. And because of this kind of behavior, people just don't like them. No one want to elect the big pussy nerd, who only wants to win class president so he can add it to his list of accolades, along with his chess and debate trophies.
Again, the only solution I can think of is to form a new party, and it should be founded on four basic selling philosophical stances: Socially liberal, Academically conscious, Fiscally conservative, Environmentally responsible. I suppose it could be called the SAFE party--that would appeal to all the nervous soccer moms out there, right? Of course, I have a few more ideas about the parties platform and the planks that it's made of, but I'd like to hear from my dear readers:
1) Is this something that can actually work?
2) What are the issues that you care about (Immigration, Health Care, Education, Defense, Taxes, Etc.)?
3) What other principles should our party promote?
4) Am I wrong about the Dem's?
2 comments:
Jeff, I agree with you that there needs to be a change in politics. I am tired of getting disappointed by the democratic party. They need to stop making promises and actually get something done. I was always told growing up that life isn't fair and the dems need to realize that they can't/won't please everyone. Politicians need to send less time worrying about getting elected and more time fixing our country. I like the sound of a new party, one that is socially aware and composed of intelligent people.
Jeff, I don't think you are off base. I was actually going to ask you to list the top 10 things a party should stand for, but you beat me to it. I just have some ideas that would maybe support your four founding principles.
1. We cannot bankroll the world policing organization and expect to compete against all those who sit on the sidelines.
2. If healthcare was under control, maybe corporations could be financially freed to expand and grow.
3. Most of us don't need 2 cars that eat oil; I technically own 4. Let's fund the research to figure out the battery problem, not put another person on the moon, and support our car industry to develop the electric car once and for all. We could license it to everyone else.
4. Make education financially feasible to anyone who has the ability, in all states.
5. We need an organized plan of attack to shore up the infrastructure that we all take for granted. Letting the "free" market dictate how our energy system gets developed is just f'in nuts.
Just a start...JPL
Post a Comment