Voting one's conscience wouldn't be such a problem if one could point to key movements that are out in force making gains independent from the two political parties in between Election Days. Unfortunately, unions and civil rights organizations have been bought off by Democratic Party operatives and all the Republican Party is interested in is maximizing the efficiency of fake grassroots organizations, which are front groups for corporate and special interests in America.
Conclusion
There's something insane about American elections, that's for certain. But, it isn't the Tea Party. It isn't that we get candidates like Christine O'Donnell or Alvin Greene. It isn't even that guys like the "Rent Is Too Damn High" candidate in New York somehow manage to get into debates. It's the idea that only two candidates are allowed to run against each other and all other candidates, even if they win ballot access, are off limits to voters that is insane.
People who wish to restore sanity: having more than two candidates means society gets more than a party of "no" in power or a party of no ideas in power. It means a third or fourth person can cut through arguments that deepen division and offer input that may lead to democratic consensus necessary for true progress in society.
Open, free and fair multi-party elections won't come now, but let this election be a teaching moment. Support for a third party alternative in politics is between fifty and sixty percent each time organizations poll Americans. And, surprisingly, Howard Dean has come out in favor of ranked choice voting, something that would do away with winner-take-all elections that have contributed to conflict among liberals or progressives.
Obama may not be able to change the culture or process of politics in Washington, but absent our involvement, we shouldn't expect him to.
As Stewart said to President Obama, "Are we the people we were waiting for or does it turn out those people are still out there and we don't have their number?"
There probably are phone calls to be made, but Americans do hold the answers to their future and can continue to push for a society supportive of all people, if they want it.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
