Many people are so repulsed--- and justifiably repulsed--- by the
domination of Wall Street over the political process that they are
calling for boycotts and burning presidential ballots.
Most
people in this country are repulsed by Obama who can't defend his record
and Romney's arrogance and lies with both being nothing but mouthpieces
for Wall Street's dirty imperialist wars and austerity measures here at
home to pay for these barbaric wars.
This is my response to
those who would withdraw from electoral participation which is an
important part of the struggles for peace, social and economic justice:
While
I join you in your disgust over Obama who deserves to be defeated and
Romney who should not be elected, in my opinion burning your ballots or
boycotting the election instead of casting your ballots for one of our
fellow activists for peace, social and economic justice--- Rocky
Anderson, Jill Stein or Stewart Alexander--- is counter-productive.
There is time to re-think your decision and I hope you do.
How would you feel if Rocky Anderson, Jill Stein or Stewart Alexander were to shit on a struggle you initiated?
Rocky
Anderson, Jill Stein and Stewart Alexander are trying their hardest to
raise our concerns and we should support them, not abandon them; because
their voices bring unity to our causes.
I would be interested in hearing a response to my concerns.
I offer my opposition and opinion to "burning ballots" and "boycott" on the friendliest of terms.
I
would note that because some liberals, progressives and leftists have
betrayed us (examples: Progressives for Obama/Progressive America
Rising, Campaign for America's Future, Progressive Democrats of America,
etc.) in supporting Obama there is no reason we should jump without
thinking to the opposite extreme; thereby adding more confusion to the
mix when we--- as liberals, progressives and leftists--- should be
contributing leadership and clear thinking to the issues, problems,
movements and struggles for peace, social and economic justice;
constructive participation in the electoral process in defense of
democracy as part of our struggles is part of our responsibility.
Between
Rocky Anderson, Jill Stein and Stewart Alexander, certainly there is an
alternative any liberal, progressive or leftist can support.
My
preference, voiced a number of times, would have been that these three
candidates should have united with one voice in a single united ticket
but this did not come to be. BUT, these three candidates have agreed to
sign on to the "Unified Platform" < http://newprogs.org/unified-progressive-platform-ratified > which all of us should be able to unite around.
Again, I welcome discussion.
I
don't voice my concerns as an attack but rather to stimulate
discussion, dialog and debate with the understanding that in the short
and long terms we are going to have to find a way to work together if we
are going to defeat our common Wall Street enemy in achieving peace and
justice.
When all is said and done, we are going to have to
wrest political and economic power from Wall Street if we are going to
get real change so let's seek ways to struggle which bring us closer
together.
