Why This Is a Pivotal Election for Me

[pbca]

For as long as I have had an opinion I've been on the left of the Democratic Party. I pushed hard for Clinton in 92 - but was quickly disappointed as his progressive rhetoric turned into moderate Republican policies (even before the GOP took congress). In 1996 I was serving as a Ward Captain for the Democrats. Paul Wellstone had formed an exploratory committee to look into challenging Bill in the primaries. Since I had, in 92, voted for a progressive liberal and got instead a moderate Republican I repeatedly urged Wellstone to run and told my local Dem. central committee that unless Bill survived a primary challenge from the left that I would resign (which I ultimately did).

In 1999 I re-married, to a Canadian. We had talked several times about relocating North of the border. I never felt politically 'at home' in the US. I simply didn't get it - everything from gun conrol to continual voter cries for 'tax cuts' instead of just 'better services'. When Bush got elected (by whatever process) we decided that the time had come, the country had taken a hard right when it should have taken a hard left (even left of Gore) and before 9-11 had begun the immigration process.

So, I'm in a new country now - and am happy here. I still have friends and family in the States but feel less "American" with every passing year. I do not bear ill will to people in the states and have done what I could to reach back and help - giving to good candidates and charities and voting at every opportunity.

I do not believe that Obama will be the savior of the United States, he is no Paul Wellstone. If the US really wanted to 'right the ship' Dennis Kucinich would have been the nominee. But Obama will fix some things. He will not do harm to the US, will improve its image abroad and end the War in Iraq. I cannot say the same of either Hillary or McCain.

So, this election is decisive for me in that - if Obama is not the next President I will just stop. There are important political issues I could be working on closer to home, in a place where I feel at home. If it's a choice between McCain and Clinton I will turn in my voter card and work harder in my own back yard - including urging the Canadian Government to form stronger ties with Europe, Asia and Latin America rather than waiting for the other shoe to drop in the US.

It's not 'taking my ball and going home' - I am home. It's more like allowing the US to solve it's own problems (or not) and focusing all my energies on making things better where I am.

[mike_c]

1. K&R-- what an excellent post....

I agree with you in all respects-- I fully expect to see an Obama presidency, but we need so much more than that. Maybe he'll surprise us both. Here's hoping!

[Vincardog]

2. Do you have any extra room in Canada? I am thinking of throwing in the towel.

[pbca]

4. Sorry - 2 teenagers and 3 bedrooms...

We're looking at buying a house soon though. Maybe we could re-launch the 'Underground Railroad' for progressives.

We do, I must point out, have a handful of US war resisters here. Don't get me wrong - Canada is no longer a refuge, they were denied asylum (we just didn't deport them either they're just kinda hangin about)

That's how you act when you're a passive-aggressive middle power. A few years ago the Supreme Court of Canada threw out the laws on marijuana possession as unconstitutional. They gave parliament 90 days to come up with new legislation. There was much talk of legalization, or decriminalization but the US had a fit - send teams of people up here to have a tantrum so instead parliament did nothing - the court threw out the old law so now marijuana possession is not legal, it is not decriminalized... there just is no law on the matter. =)

[Vincardog]

5. I need a few acres anyway. Just enough for my animals and to grow some organic food.

[pbca]

6. Acres we have

Granted alot of the land is pretty inhospitable - but not nearly all of it, and with global warming more and more is becoming usable every year.

Canada is 125% the size of the US and has a population lower than California about 75% of which is gathered in the 20 largest cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary etc) ... lots and lots and lots of land.

[Vincardog]

8. How do I have to screw to get a few? Just enough to make a living on

[Breeze54]

3. I was a huge kucinich supporter too but I'll vote Dem for this election.

I would be a real shit head to not do vote Dem, considering what vile, putrid, fear mongering
the alternative would bring to my fellow citizens. I just can't walk away... no matter how much
I'm not on board with some of the selections on the Dem side.

"If the US really wanted to 'right the ship'; Dennis Kucinich would have been the nominee.

I agree with that statement but that's a completely different conversation, at this point. :(

K&R

[DFW]

14. Thanks for that!

Not voting for our candidate this year is a vote that McCain is
an acceptable alternative, and to me, at least, he is NOT acceptable,
period.

I raided the piggy bank and gave the DNC my planned contribution
for next year (i.e. double this year) now. It's this simple: if
not now, then WHEN?

[pbca]

7. kick

[underseasurveyor]

9. That's awesome

and you're amazing and lucky.

Paul Wellstone..(/deepsigh) I miss him so so much. And as for Dennis Kucinich, yea he's the absolute best. Worked very hard to get him on the 2004 ticket and again this last time. But alas to no avail. The great thing that came out of that, for me anyway, is that his Wife Elizabeth and I have become friends. She's been over twice this past week for dinner once with another friend of hers and again with a cousin that just flew in from the UK on business. And since I'll never have the chance to meet Princess Di, Elizabeth is the next best.

I considered going to Canada some years back, I do have family in the Toronto area and quite a few friends but for me this is home. I could not leave the ocean. Not again. I'm tied to her and her creatures by love and now by work.

I'm glad you're happy, that's what really matters. It works for you... cool. But if you would... keep a light on for us and your fingers crossed.

~Peace~
To You and Yours

[AteAlien]

10. I gave up for a time

after Kerry wilted the day after the election even though his running mate told him he should fight. I thought then that the fix was in, and have yet to be convinced that it still isn't. I'm fighting the good fight, but have more cynicism than any man should have in a democracy.

[JCMach1]

11. this is the expatriate dilemma

It gives you physical and some cognitive distance to what's going on...

At the same time, see the mess from outside doesn't make it any better... :(


I agree with you and go one further... you think progressives were disappointed in Bill Clinton... just wait until Obama wins.

I still do not understand why so many progressives are crazy for the guy.

[Allyoop]

12. Progressives

Too many of us hope for "magical" change IMHO. Obama is just a man. A good man who does want to improve our government and shift the balance of power from the hands of the plutocrats to the hands of the Democrats. He will be able to accomplish some of his aims (if we elect enough honest Democrats to the house and the senate) but not all of them.

If he ends our foolish war mongering, makes progress in providing affordable health care, cuts off the flow of "welfare" to corporate millionaires and perhaps a few more improvements, I will vote for his second term with great pleasure.

I hope he can do more, but its not guaranteed.

[JCMach1]

13. Exactly, he serves as the vehicle for too much hope probably

because people are so desperate for leadership.