I have to wonder

[Mythsaje]

Is it possible that elitism on both sides of the political divide will be the death of us yet? That what's good for the top dawgs in industry and politics both will be the order of the day no matter what? When the insurance, pharmaceutical, banks, and oil companies sit down at the table, will they be served a heaping portion of soylent green to help wash down that caviar and champagne?

The People's candidates are dismissed by the corporate media, ignored by the voters, and bashed with disarming regularity by people who should damn well know better. The Presidential race has become little more than a popularity contest, with those who can get the support of the "right" people grabbing the spotlight and shining it not on those who have no voice, but on themselves.

I weep for our democracy. I weep for our party. If that's the standard of the day, if some ephemeral mantra of "hope" and "change" totally overshadows the bulldog intensity of someone who brings to mind the tenacity of a trust-buster like Teddy Roosevelt in an age where it's just as desperately needed... we are in so much trouble we should be howling in protest.

But we're not. We're buying into some pretty remarkable salesmanship instead. We're setting aside any real discussion of policy, of how the nuts and bolts of everything will make things better for everyone, for a campaign with all the sincerity and believability of a big-tent revival meeting.

You know who's being thrown under the bus? EVERY single one of us who isn't sitting in the catbird's seat.

And it seriously bites.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I've heard

that when people are questioned on issues, their positions are more like candidates like Kucinich. But the MSM doesn't want to talk issues, just personalities, really. "American Idol", only the contestants perform in debates instead of a talent show.

[bvar22]

11. Here you go:

This is over 2 years old. If polled today, the numbers would be even more progressive.


Here is what the MAJORITY of Americans (Democrats AND Republicans) want from OUR government!

In recent polls by the Pew Research Group, the Opinion Research Corporation, the Wall Street Journal, and CBS News, the American majority has made clear how it feels. Look at how the majority feels about some of the issues that you'd think would be gospel to a real Democratic Party:

1. 65 percent (of ALL Americans, Democrats AND Republicans) say the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone -- even if it means raising taxes.

2. 86 percent favor raising the minimum wage (including 79 percent of selfdescribed "social conservatives").

3. 60 percent favor repealing either all of Bush's tax cuts or at least those cuts that went to the rich.

4. 66 percent would reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes.

5. 77 percent believe the country should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment.

6. 87 percent think big oil corporations are gouging consumers, and 80 percent (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative fuels.

7. 69 percent agree that corporate offshoring of jobs is bad for the U.S. economy (78 percent of "disaffected" voters think this), and only 22% believe offshoring is good because "it keeps costs down."

http://alternet.org/story/29788/

8. Over 63% oppose the War on the Iraqi People.

9. 92% of ALL Americans support TRANSPARENT, VERIFIABLE elections!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x446445

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Thanks for this!

I appreciate the information and the links!

[TwilightGardener]

2. They don't want to drink Soylent Green. Soylent Green is people.

[DaveJ]

5. Yeah I was thinking the same

Soylent Green is what would be served to the unwashed masses, not the elite I don't think.

Really, it's sort of happening now when you think about the crap that goes into most food these days.

[Mythsaje]

7. They ARE eating us. That's what it's about. n/t

[DaveJ]

8. Economic cannibalism, okay, I get it.

My initial react to what you wrote is that even at lower levels, we all toil under someone who is elite, some person or group who we know did not earn their position but simply has it -- do not ask questions, just serve. It's not like the frontier era when people were only limited by their hard work and intelligence. It's more about scams and inheritance.

[Mythsaje]

6. Oh, yes they do.

That's precisely the point.

[Fresh_Start]

3. corporate control of government policies

will be the death of the US democracy. They divide and conquer us using MSM and the political parties.

It was bad enough when the corporations were US corporations. At least Ford wanted his workers to be able to afford to buy a Ford.

But now multinationals which owe no allegiance to the US and who can freely/readily move assets out of the US are controlling our destiny. And it does not bode well for us.

[bpeale]

4. this is possibly the best thing i have seen you post in ages! thanks!

oh, and K&R

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. Then you missed this last night...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2648273

Mythsaje is a master. :hi:

[bpeale]

12. wow! that one spoke for me too!

[zeemike]

9. Has it not always been so?

Every civilization that we know of has fallen because the elite becomes corrupt trying to hold on to power.
And yet I still have hope that we will some how reach some point of enlightenment that will make it possible for the ones that love justice and peace, and care about people to take power from the corrupt and change things.
Perhaps when the truth is Finlay cast down it will prosper.

[tritsofme]

13. A candidate is not "The People's" candidate because he is your own.

nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. He is the people's candidate if

his issues and policy proposals match what a majority of Americans say they want, wouldn't you agree?

[tritsofme]

16. Well then certainly such a candidate would be nominated by his party

and win the presidency.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. Not necessarily

the way campaigns are presented in this nation, the issues take back seat to personality and pizzazz. The campaigns are packaged just like all the other news--long on fluff, short on content. Otherwise, our news broadcasts would be about issues such as homelessness, plight of veterans, etc. But instead we hear of Spears or the latest missing blonde.

[Mythsaje]

19. No, they're the "People's Candidates" because they speak for those

no one else does.

[TBUSA]

18. Well said. Things change due to unforeseen winds.

How many elections have been decided after two states voted?
Who foresaw the Dukakis moment? Who saw the Muskie crying cost him the election?
Who foresaw Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow impacting the elections? Did anyone see a set-up for Dean to embarrass himself with a scream?
Who forsaw the Poll leading candidates of 2000 and 2004 Lose the election?
This has a long way to go. It is interesting to see the forces behind the curtains,
attempting to influence the election so early. Support your candidate 110%. Do not
allow the predictors to practice their craft at our expense. Are the TV talkies
right more than you?

[annabanana]

20. You are hitting on all cylinders, Mythsaje!. . . .n/t