Want to feel your political oats?
Well, then put on your hats and your coats
And get in the swing.
State that freedom will ring
While you're hitting the road Driving Votes.
http://limericksavant.blogspot.com/
]]>I am not disputing the fact that Kerry has been rated the most liberal. The Republicans are certainly using this information as a means to attack Kerry. I just feel disappointed that Kerry, who by my standards is not particularly liberal, is considered as such. Perhaps I am influenced by my childhood in France or my adolescence in Berkeley, CA.
Ultimately, I am a proponent of Nader’s agenda, although I would not consider voting for him in this election. I think even very skeptical progressives have learned over the past four years that there are critical differences between the Republicans (especially the neo-cons) and the Democrats. However, this does not mean that I am 100% behind the Democrats who continue to be influenced by corporate sponsorship and who adopt policies that would be considered conservative in other countries. This is why I believe in putting pressure on the Democratic party to start acting as progressives. I like this bumper sticker I saw the other day: “Undermine Nader—adopt his agenda”.
I, like many Americans, are not very knowledgeable about politics. In fact, I find it quite challenging to get information that I trust about most issues, including information about political candidates. But, I do know enough to say that my progressive values are frequently not represented by the Democrats and I am often worried by the actions of the Democrats (such as their overwhelming support of the Iraq war). I also know enough to say that the current administration is leading us down a destructive path and that a Democratic president and congress would be a vast improvement.
I do want to acknowledge that Kerry has done a number of noble and courageous acts. This (rather outdated, but still relevant) article by David Corn gives a nice overview of Senator Kerry’s achievements, including his anti-Vietnam war actions, investigating the CIA-backed contras in Nicaragua, opposing Bush’s tax cuts, advocating for increasing the minimum wage, voting against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, and being one of the original sponsors of the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act. I hope that he can continue this kind of work as President.
It feels like the whole country has moved so far right—people (mainly Republicans) are talking about Kerry as one of the most liberal congress people! But, I know that this is not true. The millions of people who have seen Fahrenheit 9/11 are proof of this. I believe we truly are a nation of people who believe in equality for all, curbing corporate power, environmental preservation, international cooperation, fair trade…
The problem is we have been tricked into believing that our government will do what is right for the people. What is frightening is that the current administration has moved so far away from doing anything “for the people”. They have managed to market their objectives in an incredibly effective manner. The Iraq war is a perfect example of how strategic marketing enabled the administration to accomplish their goals. Bush’s “Healthy Forests” initiative which promotes destructive logging of old-growth forests is another example. How about “No Child Left Behind” which included cutting $8 billion from the promised funds for education
However, I am hopeful that we can change this. It certainly is encouraging when Michael Moore is on the cover of Time magazine! I do believe that we can get enough people, including the fairies and the bikers, to stand up for justice and push for change.