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(Please note - I realize that we must vote Obama for this election cycle, if for nothing else then to staunch the bleeding - this post is a reflection of how we approach politics in the future, and how we break a very destructive cycle)...
FISA telecom immunity - approved
Porter Goss appointed to the head the Congressional Ethics Oversight Committee
Caving on off-shore drilling
Impeachment off the table
No meaningful action against Rove
I really confronted this when I tried to make a video for the Youtube contest 'Why I am a democrat in 08'...And, I tried. And, I just couldn't articulate a reason other then 'Republicans are worse'. (This does NOT diminish the work of the few true progressive democrats in Congress, my goal thus far has been to work to replace DINOS with real progressive representatives). I tried to talk about health care for all, but the dems don't have a plan that will provide this care. Mandated health insurance doesn't work, it will just drain billions from the system until it can't be sustained (I live in MA, & that is what is happening here with mandated insurance). I tried to talk about economic solutions - and then I thought about Obama's completely absurd idea of a 1000.00 dollar emergency rebate. And, then I thought about what I would like to see in my government for a moment -
Single Payer Universal Health Care
Four year college education for all
Decriminalization of Pot, the dismantling of the Prison Industrial Complex, and the replacement of imprisonment for drug offenses outside of MAJOR dealing of hard street drugs with treatment programs.
Ending of NAFTA
Ending of No Child Left Behind
Full Backing of Gore's plan to end dependency on Carbon based emissions in 10 years
Criminalization of Loan Shark Practices by Credit Card Companies
Taking back the people's airwaves and deconsolidating media
Internet access for All
Advocacy for Peace and the standing up for human rights across the Globe -
I think about all of the good things government could bring to the masses, & I see little to none actually materalizing.
I watch this election, and I know that the people get the politicians they deserve. I am wondering at what point do the people break away from the two party system that no longer represents their interests. When do we say enough? I really don't know. Obama's voting yes on FISA and his caving on off-shore drilling are very hard for me to overlook. I see that and I don't see any real change. These are the principles that matter. And, he isn't even President yet. Will he have to sell his soul for this seat? And, if he does, what use will he be in leading this country in the darkest time in history? And, do we sell our own souls' everytime we accept another betrayal from our leadership? When do we become like the Republicans we have lambasted for their support of a criminal leader?
Other then Kucinich, Waxman and a few others, I feel as if I have NO representation of leadership in our Federal government.
Yes, I will vote Democratic this November. I don't know what else to do but hope that Obama gets a veto proof majority and the dems can then transform the country. But, what happens if they get the power and nothing really changes? What do we do as citizens? How do we take our government back?
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