"Anybody But Bush": The Big Abdication

[Emillereid]

by T. Patrick Donovan
www.dissidentvoice.org
February 12, 2004

<snip>
First, the "Anybody But Bush" (ABB) movement is predicated on the mistaken and illusory belief that Bush & Co. is an aberration from the American political system, rather than extensions of it.



Second, for progressives to submerge ourselves within the ABB tidal wave is a complete abdication of our responsibility as global citizens to agitate around the issues facing this country and the world, rather than once again believing that our work is limited to simply voting for the president every four years.

<snip>


The extremism that is the Bush regime is really a mirror into the extreme nature of the situation facing us all. Below all the political machinations, all the dire warnings of economic collapse, renewed plans for nuclear wars, global warming, etc., is the fact that the system that brought us all the benefits of modernity has now revealed its darkest shadow: the absolute commodification of every aspect of our lives, our relationships to each other and our environment. The American Way has brought us to the ultimate precipice.
<snip>
Important as some of these may be, these are but the symptoms of a greater and more deadly infection: our complete dissociation from our world, each other, and even our own hearts. ......

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Feb04/Donovan0212.htm

T. Patrick Donovan is a doctoral student in depth Psychology. He can be reached at [e-mail]

This is one of the incisive, thought provoking articles I've read in a long time and I think the guy nails it. Before you flame away and remind us all how much better is Kerry or Edwards or even Dean and lock this post, I would urge each of you to let this man's words sink deep -- and ask yourself in all honesty whether the kind of change this world needs is really dependent ultimately in what American political party resides in the WH. I guess that's why it's so important to me that a Democratic victory represent something more than a cosmetic change -- that it actually mean that we take a different path in search of more lasting, human values. It's about raising human consciousness, stupid!

[Old and In the Way]

1. Kerry was raising human consciousnesses 35 years ago.

What was Howard doing? I know, I know Howard's words are somehow more conscience raising than Kerry's. Your broblem is a vast majority of Democrats disadree with you and Mr. Donovan.

[lastknowngood]

3. Kerry has been raising the level of politicization for 30 years

if you want business as usual vote for him. The things that have been done in the primary have changed my mind I will no longer be thought of as someone who can be counted on to vote against my self-intrest to change a figurehead. If it is close I'll vote against the shrub for the hope of a slowing of the damage. I however don't believe it will be anywhere near close. If the shrub's owners decide he will stay in power Kerry will lose 48 states if they decide to blame the coming troubles on the Dem's they will allow Kerry to win. You are missing the big picture we are
"standing on a whale fishing for minnows"

[DuctapeFatwa]

5. You're right. The vast majority of the voting class of both parties

appreciate the stability and continuity afforded by the status quo, and are more than content with upgraded and attractive rewording of longstanding US policies.

Largely consisting of the top 25% income tier, they understand the importance of bringing US properties around the globe to heel, and know that it is necessary in order to secure America's vast natural resources, to help US defense and energy industries stay strong! Most know that if the price is right, many other countries will do the hard work of imposing America's will on rogue natives who seek to steal America's oil, and are sophisticated enough to know that the best way to stop criticism of US operations at the source is to get some boots from that critical country on the ground and some dollars in the leader's pocket!

They don't want single-payor health care, astutely seeing it for what it is - socialized medicine that threatens the free market, and seeks to rob Americans of their freedom to purchase all the medical care they can afford.

The kind of real change they'd like to see is some increased funding for states and municipalities so they can deploy the law enforcement resources they need to clean up the homeless, whose increasing numbers in high traffic areas are not supportive of business interests, and beef up Homeland Security to root out sleeper cells suspected of sympathy with terrorist causes.

[Straight Shooter]

6. Amen. Looks like DuctapeFatwa is awake at the wheel.

Problem is, vehicle U.S.A. has no brakes.

[revcarol]

2. The Big Abdication is right!!

We don't have to scrutinize the candidates records in the past and in the recent past. We don't have to look at their ideas to improve America or keep the status quo.

We just have to vote for our ham sandwich.

[ibegurpard]

4. You must love Bush.

;) :hi:

[JVS]

7. I agree that ABB is an abdication, but this article is horrible

If one were to post this by itself, I would really have to wonder what they are talking about. Since I can't ask the writer in this forum, I'll ask you. What is this about?

It is as though the first three paragraphs (whcich are coherent) have been grafted onto a meandering lament of modern society as a whole (which are almost ramblings).

[KFC]

9. A "doctoral student in Depth Psychology"

Student

of

"Depth Psychology".

Say

no

more.

[JVS]

12. I was wondering what "Depth Psychology" was, but

we shouldn't dismiss this guy because of his field.

My problem is that he somehow wants to raise consciousness. Of what? I guess my question is "what the holy hell are you talking about?"

[BeFree]

8. Ya say ya want a revolution?

We're all doin' what we can.

This forum is about Primary 2004. Your post might best be placed in plain ol' GD.

Anyway:
We have an election. This year. We will be voting for whom will be the most powerful man in the world. That's a pretty tough nut to crack, doncha think?
First things first. But I will say the whole revolution thing has been going on for a long, long time. Glad to have yee aboard!

First, we've a need to wrestle power back from the mob who stole it in 2000. That's the tough nut we have to crack. If we are gonna crack that sucker, it's gonna take a lot of unity. More unity than the Dems have ever had, I dare say.

Whether unity goes by the name of ABB, or any other, it's a-ok by me. Once we have a little bit of a grip on power, we again crank up the revolution. Viva la revolution!

[Expat Sue]

10. Finally a critical analysis of ABB

We are faced with an amazingly unpopular president. Moderate republicans and fiscally-conservative republicans are lukewarm at best in their support of Bush*.
This should be an opportunity to effect change but we have been blinded by the "electability" factor. The truth of the matter is that almost anyone should easily beat Bush*. Instead of trying to change the political status quo we are going along with it again. Yes, things will be better under one of the insider Dem candidates but we will continue to experience the problems of corporate control over our political process. These corporate special interests have proven very effective at getting beneficial legislation passed no matter which party is in control of the WH or Congress.
This election is about much more than defeating Bush*. It is a chance to fundamentally change politics as usual. It is about real change and not just a slight improvement. It is about returning the democratic party to its roots and reminding our politicians that they need to serve their consituents and not special interests. It is an opportunity and a responsibility that should not be squandered.

[oasis]

11. Expat Sue,excellent and thoughtful post. welcome to DU.

I'm ABB, but I understand your concerns about needed change.

[Expat Sue]

13. thx

Thanks for the welcome. Loooooong time lurker (impeachment days). Finally figured I had to stop boring my friends and actually engage w/other political junkies. Some of the animosity at DU has been hard to bear lately though.