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Title: Election Madness
Source:
ICH
URL Source: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article19408.htm
Published: Feb 23, 2008
Author: Howard Zinn
Post Date: 2008-02-23 22:04:46 by richard9151
Keywords: None
Views: 285
Comments: 25
23/02/08 "The Progressive" -- March 2008 Issue -- There's a man in Florida who has been writing to me for years (ten pages, handwritten) though I've never met him. He tells me the kinds of jobs he has held-security guard, repairman, etc. He has worked all kinds of shifts, night and day, to barely keep his family going. His letters to me have always been angry, railing against our capitalist system for its failure to assure "life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness" for working people. Just today, a letter came. To my relief it was not handwritten because he is now using e-mail: "Well, I'm writing to you today because there is a wretched situation in this country that I cannot abide and must say something about. I am so enraged about this mortgage crisis. That the majority of Americans must live their lives in perpetual debt, and so many are sinking beneath the load, has me so steamed. Damn, that makes me so mad, I can't tell you. . . . I did a security guard job today that involved watching over a house that had been foreclosed on and was up for auction. They held an open house, and I was there to watch over the place during this event. There were three of the guards doing the same thing in three other homes in this same community. I was sitting there during the quiet moments and wondering about who those people were who had been evicted and where they were now." On the same day I received this letter, there was a front-page story in the Boston Globe, with the headline "Thousands in Mass. Foreclosed on in '07." The subhead was "7,563 homes were seized, nearly 3 times the '06 rate." A few nights before, CBS television reported that 750,000 people with disabilities have been waiting for years for their Social Security benefits because the system is underfunded and there are not enough personnel to handle all the requests, even desperate ones. Stories like these may be reported in the media, but they are gone in a flash. What's not gone, what occupies the press day after day, impossible to ignore, is the election frenzy. This seizes the country every four years because we have all been brought up to believe that voting is crucial in determining our destiny, that the most important act a citizen can engage in is to go to the polls and choose one of the two mediocrities who have already been chosen for us. It is a multiple choice test so narrow, so specious, that no self-respecting teacher would give it to students. And sad to say, the Presidential contest has mesmerized liberals and radicals alike. We are all vulnerable. Is it possible to get together with friends these days and avoid the subject of the Presidential elections? The very people who should know better, having criticized the hold of the media on the national mind, find themselves transfixed by the press, glued to the television set, as the candidates preen and smile and bring forth a shower of clichés with a solemnity appropriate for epic poetry. Even in the so-called left periodicals, we must admit there is an exorbitant amount of attention given to minutely examining the major candidates. An occasional bone is thrown to the minor candidates, though everyone knows our marvelous democratic political system won't allow them in. No, I'm not taking some ultra-left position that elections are totally insignificant, and that we should refuse to vote to preserve our moral purity. Yes, there are candidates who are somewhat better than others, and at certain times of national crisis (the Thirties, for instance, or right now) where even a slight difference between the two parties may be a matter of life and death. I'm talking about a sense of proportion that gets lost in the election madness. Would I support one candidate against another? Yes, for two minutes-the amount of time it takes to pull the lever down in the voting booth. But before and after those two minutes, our time, our energy, should be spent in educating, agitating, organizing our fellow citizens in the workplace, in the neighborhood, in the schools. Our objective should be to build, painstakingly, patiently but energetically, a movement that, when it reaches a certain critical mass, would shake whoever is in the White House, in Congress, into changing national policy on matters of war and social justice. Let's remember that even when there is a "better" candidate (yes, better Roosevelt than Hoover, better anyone than George Bush), that difference will not mean anything unless the power of the people asserts itself in ways that the occupant of the White House will find it dangerous to ignore. The unprecedented policies of the New Deal-Social Security, unemployment insurance, job creation, minimum wage, subsidized housing-were not simply the result of FDR's progressivism. The Roosevelt Administration, coming into office, faced a nation in turmoil. The last year of the Hoover Administration had experienced the rebellion of the Bonus Army-thousands of veterans of the First World War descending on Washington to demand help from Congress as their families were going hungry. There were disturbances of the unemployed in Detroit, Chicago, Boston, New York, Seattle. In 1934, early in the Roosevelt Presidency, strikes broke out all over the country, including a general strike in Minneapolis, a general strike in San Francisco, hundreds of thousands on strike in the textile mills of the South. Unemployed councils formed all over the country. Desperate people were taking action on their own, defying the police to put back the furniture of evicted tenants, and creating self-help organizations with hundreds of thousands of members. Without a national crisis-economic destitution and rebellion-it is not likely the Roosevelt Administration would have instituted the bold reforms that it did. Today, we can be sure that the Democratic Party, unless it faces a popular upsurge, will not move off center. The two leading Presidential candidates have made it clear that if elected, they will not bring an immediate end to the Iraq War, or institute a system of free health care for all. They offer no radical change from the status quo. They do not propose what the present desperation of people cries out for: a government guarantee of jobs to everyone who needs one, a minimum income for every household, housing relief to everyone who faces eviction or foreclosure. They do not suggest the deep cuts in the military budget or the radical changes in the tax system that would free billions, even trillions, for social programs to transform the way we live. None of this should surprise us. The Democratic Party has broken with its historic conservatism, its pandering to the rich, its predilection for war, only when it has encountered rebellion from below, as in the Thirties and the Sixties. We should not expect that a victory at the ballot box in November will even begin to budge the nation from its twin fundamental illnesses: capitalist greed and militarism. So we need to free ourselves from the election madness engulfing the entire society, including the left. Yes, two minutes. Before that, and after that, we should be taking direct action against the obstacles to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For instance, the mortgage foreclosures that are driving millions from their homes-they should remind us of a similar situation after the Revolutionary War, when small farmers, many of them war veterans (like so many of our homeless today), could not afford to pay their taxes and were threatened with the loss of the land, their homes. They gathered by the thousands around courthouses and refused to allow the auctions to take place. The evictions today of people who cannot pay their rents should remind us of what people did in the Thirties when they organized and put the belongings of the evicted families back in their apartments, in defiance of the authorities. Historically, government, whether in the hands of Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, has failed its responsibilities, until forced to by direct action: sit-ins and Freedom Rides for the rights of black people, strikes and boycotts for the rights of workers, mutinies and desertions of soldiers in order to stop a war. Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens. Howard Zinn is the author of "A People's History of the United States," "Voices of a People's History" (with Anthony Arnove), and most recently, "A Power Governments Cannot Suppress."
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#1. To: richard9151, Robin, Christine, lodwick, Zipporah (#0)
The following is from an email I just sent. It describes the reaction of the Bush admin, Israel and the Bildrebergers to the events this article is predicting. Their solution to the coming domestic problems in America is martial law at home and war overseas. I am expecting WW III to be launched this summer during the Beijing Olympics when the whole world has athletes, official delegations and wealthy tourists in China so the Beijing response will be muted. The war will start when Israel attacks Iran. Iran will respond by launching 11,000 missiles and artillery shells in the first 60 seconds as they promised. They will use their Russian made anti-ship missiles (the Sunburn and the Yakhonts) to sink the ships holding 17,500 American sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf. The Iranians also have rocket artillery with a range up to 150 kilometers. I believe our 17,5000 sailors and marines are stationed in the Persian Gulf and not in the Indian Ocean out of harms way precisely so their deaths will propel the American public into World War III. Israel is preparing their public for invasions of the Palestinian territories and of Lebanon as well as war with Syria. The U.S. Central Command lists 27 nations in which America has stationed troops. 25 of these 27 nations are Muslims. One rogue Muslim artillery officer can order his troops to shell an American air base and in one minute that base will be inoperable. Then that same artillery battery can train their fire on American fuel and ammunition depots and finally upon American troops. We could lose the whole of Central Command in days. Our only fall back position would be nuclear war and genocide against all Muslims including those who are currently our allies to be launched from Diego Garcia. But that base could be obliterated by just one of Pakistan's hydrogen bombs. The American economy is dropping like a rock and will be of no more use to Israel so they might as well get one more war while they can. At the end of the war, the oil in the Mideast will be owned by Israel and the Bilderbergers. At least, that is what Wall Street expects. I am also expecting martial law so this next war must be protested before it starts and not after it is launched by the intentional sacrficing of 17,500 sailors and marines.
The Truth of 911 Shall Set You Free From The Lie
We know what they are doing in this particular respect. It is shameful. I don't know about the rest of your scenario, but let it be known that we understand what they are doing by putting these ships where they are.
A wise watchman. God save America.
Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot
A terrifying but plausible scenario.
Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot
As plauible as anything we could come up with, given we are not privy to the non-sense these people discuss in private. What we do know for a fact is that there will be a WWIII, and, given the natures of people, they will fall all over themselves to be first in line to be cannon fodder. Foolish people. The war will start when Israel attacks Iran. I think you are also correct in this, because the opposition in America would be too high if the US did it. to sink the ships holding 17,500 American sailors and marines Of course. Just expendable assets and there are plenty more where those came from. Besides, as many of them as have been on the ground in Iraq, they are just walking dead men (and women) anyway. Might as well serve Mammon one more time. I am also expecting martial law so this next war must be protested before it starts It is too late for protests. That passed when Iraq was invaded without a whimper. America has been transformed into a nation of credit junkey consumers, and if it is not on the tube, it really has no relavance. The people in 4um are considerably better informed than average, and still..... getting them to understand basic info is still a chore. Like, deflation and how this Federal Reserve Note system is different than anything they have read about before. So, how do you get the average American to understand Iran? Still, a majority of Americans believe the Federal Reserve is Federal. I just (Ok, couple of months ago) got into a pretty good go-around in another talk group and no one else in the group would say anything differenbt...... basically, they all accepted that the FED was federal. When you start with that level of knowledge and understanding, where do you go? Want to start with the Constitution? Money? Gold and silver? Oh, and what about those ragheads in Iran....... right? All the average American knows is that 'we need a fence on the border and more police, man!!' Ahem, I have seen a lot of close to the same until a short time ago in 4um.......... AND, of course, that 'the government' MUST DO SOMETHING about 'my' health insurance! So, how and when do the protests start? I have, since the day I started in here, made a point; get out of the cities, and start producing food. One of these days some of you are liable to wake up and find out it was good advice.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
I think you are also correct in this, because the opposition in America would be too high if the US did it. The war will start when ___________ attacks ___________ . I agree that Israel is easily the likely attacker but the upper level NWO management has access to a myriad of scenarios and players. The blanks can and will be filled out at the appropriate moment. WW III doesn't have to proceed as we might expect ... it just has to proceed.
And the men who loan money to governments, so called, for the purpose of enabling the latter to rob, enslave, and murder their people, are among the greatest villains that the world has ever seen. And they as much deserve to be hunted and killed (if they cannot otherwise be got rid of) as any slave traders, robbers, or pirates that ever lived. ... Lysander Spooner
"(S)ocial justice"? Puleez. One can't be a classic campus lefty and a chickenhawk for Israel, too. During Vietnam the campus rads were energized by media coverage, and now the coverage goes to those same former peacenik hippies who have put on suits and joined (actually, taken over) the establishment and advocate bombing the DAWGGY dew out of ewe-gno-hoo. Because the anti war movement is no longer in defense of Communism and is detrimental to Zionist Israel, well, the coverage is scant, mean spirited and intended to "kookify" its leaders. (the above article excepted, which is for sentimental value, to conjure a romantic reverie, so to speak) I enjoyed it, though. Thanks!
Go get 'em dawg.
heh heh!
Woooooof!
i just took a walk in my neighborhood and for the first time saw one hillary yard sign and one obama yard sign.
Two wings of the same bird. Vote all you want, the flight plan doesn't change.
i just took a walk in my neighborhood and for the first time saw one hillary yard sign and one obama yard sign. Funny! Kang and Kodos are really going at it, huh? I can hardly wait for the bumper stickers that read, Don't blame me...I voted for Kodos!
Excellent point. Like trying to out-guess God...... Good luck!
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Yeah, I did too, although parts of it certainly irritated me.... A LOT. Men like this author make good Socalists, cause they are into the feel-good talk, rather than into understanding what is behind what is being said. I particularly liked his comment about Social Security, a big feel-good program designed to trap people. But.... overall, it was worth posting to talk about, rather than trashing. Which I admit to considering!
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution Jake and I just took a spin and the only presidential sign in the 'hood was our RP poster.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution Well, I'm glad you resisted the temptation. As long as we don't discuss Ron Paul, the abolition of the fed, the income tax and foreign aid, that's what's really important. The parameters of acceptable thought are clearly delineated, and we must endeavor to stay inside the lines.
To: richard9151 The war will start when Israel attacks Iran. I think you are also correct in this, because the opposition in America would be too high if the US did it. The war will start when ___________ attacks ___________ . I agree that Israel is easily the likely attacker but the upper level NWO management has access to a myriad of scenarios and players. The blanks can and will be filled out at the appropriate moment. WW III doesn't have to proceed as we might expect ... it just has to proceed The first blank was filled when, as if by magic, warmonger McCain the darling of the Electric Jew became the all but certain nominee of the War Party. Now, I don't know whether or not Black Obama is what he appears to be but if he is the next blank to be filled in by the Electric Jew will be the trashing of Obama so that McCain can start World War Three if Genghis W. Bush fails Israel.
Life is a tragedy to those who feel, and a comedy to those who think.
You certainly could be right. I never would have considered it possible that someone like McCain could be where he is today.... but then, what is the difference between him, Clinton(s), or Bush(s)? Really, is there any difference? I think overall it is more a matter of timing than anything, such as, do the stars line up correctly? And by the way, that was not a joke!
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
who or what is Kodos?
Two wings of the same bird. Vote all you want, the flight plan doesn't change.
Wasn't he the bad guy in a movie?
"Kang and Kodos are normally villainous and in their appearance they antagonize the Simpson family and the human race. They have invaded the Earth on several occasions, with varying results. On one occasion, they impersonated Bill Clinton and Bob Dole and ran against each other in the 1996 election. The American people first declared that they would fight back by voting for a third party candidate, but Kang managed to convince them that doing so would be a waste of a vote and he was elected president."__wiki _________________ chris, After Kang is elected, The Simpsons are slaving away in an alien mine when Homer turns to Marge and says "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!" This is funny because Kang and Kodos are two of the same alien species and the outcome (slavery) would have been the same no matter which won the election. This was Matt Groening's humorous way of telling Americans how stupid we are because our elections have similar outcomes regardless of the winners. Even if you aren't a Simpsons fan this episode is priceless. While the aliens are running for prez (and impersonating Clinton and Dole) reporters ask them why they walk hand in hand, and Kodos sarcastically says, "If you know a better way to exchange long strain protein molecules, I'd like to hear it!" Despite obvious clues that the two candidates are aliens, the people will still only vote for a Dem or a Pub! You have to see it! It's a riot!
Now I remember, he was the villian who played Shakespear on one Star Trek episode.
thanks. i haven't watched simpson's or any other tv in years. that episode sounds like a classic.
Two wings of the same bird. Vote all you want, the flight plan doesn't change.
Now I remember, he was the villain who played Shakespeare on one Star Trek episode. You got it! That's the memory trace you were trying to pull up. "They are named after two characters from Star Trek, the original series. Kang was a Klingon captain portrayed by actor Michael Ansara in the episode "Day of the Dove" while Kodos the Executioner, from an episode called "The Conscience of the King", was a human villain.[18]"
#2. To: Horse (#1)
I believe our 17,5000 sailors and marines are stationed in the Persian Gulf and not in the Indian Ocean out of harms way precisely so their deaths will propel the American public into World War III.
#3. To: richard9151 (#0)
#4. To: Horse (#1)
#5. To: Horse, buckeye, iconoclast, Robin, Christine, lodwick, Zipporah, *CAFR* (#1)
I am expecting WW III to be launched this summer during the Beijing Olympics
#6. To: richard9151 (#5)
(Edited)
The war will start when Israel attacks Iran.
#7. To: richard9151 (#0)
But before and after those two minutes, our time, our energy, should be spent in educating, agitating, organizing our fellow citizens in the workplace, in the neighborhood, in the schools. Our objective should be to build, painstakingly, patiently but energetically, a movement that, when it reaches a certain critical mass, would shake whoever is in the White House, in Congress, into changing national policy on matters of war and social justice.
#8. To: HOUNDDAWG (#7)
#9. To: buckeye (#8)
#10. To: HOUNDDAWG (#9)
#11. To: ALL, speaking of election madness... (#0)
#12. To: christine (#11)
To: ALL, speaking of election madness...
#13. To: noone222 (#6)
WW III doesn't have to proceed as we might expect ... it just has to proceed.
#14. To: HOUNDDAWG (#7)
I enjoyed it, though.
#15. To: Horse (#1)
Interesting scenario - who knows what the crazies will do?
Freedom*Peace*Prosperity
#16. To: christine (#11)
Freedom*Peace*Prosperity
#17. To: richard9151 (#14)
But.... overall, it was worth posting to talk about, rather than trashing. Which I admit to considering!
#18. To: noone222, richard9151 (#6)
On 2008-02-24 04:43:30, noone222 wrote:
#19. To: Zoroaster (#18)
warmonger McCain the darling of the Electric Jew became the all but certain nominee of the War Party.
#20. To: HOUNDDAWG (#12)
#21. To: christine (#20)
Kodos?
Why do we fall sir? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. -- Alfred, Batman Begins
#22. To: christine (#20)
who or what is Kodos?
#23. To: HOUNDDAWG, christine (#22)
or what is Kodos?
Why do we fall sir? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. -- Alfred, Batman Begins
#24. To: HOUNDDAWG (#22)
#25. To: farmfriend (#23)
(Edited)
or what is Kodos?
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