Here on OpEdNEws, I haven't seen one single article supporting Hillary. It's not because we haven't accepted them. Matter of fact we welcome cogent, well written articles supporting ANY candidate, since we trust our readers to respond and balance out the perspective in the comments section.
It appears that the concensus of the readers and writers on this site, most of whom were Kucinich, Edwards or Paul supporters, are, except for the Paul supporters, now leaning towards Obama.
Meanwhile, there are loads of people who have already started, saying, if Obama or Hillary win, they'll go third party, or stay home. My mom used to say that was cutting off my nose to spite my face. I encourage those of you who think that way to look at the priorities of Obama and Clinton compared to McCain or Romney. Sure, Obama and Clinton don't come close to Kucinich or Edwards or Gravel. But today, we face reality, and that means you get to vote on who is on the ballot. Yes, a third party candidacy would be great, but only if we have instant runoff voting, so your vote ends up counting. Otherwise you are pretty much throwing your vote away. This is my personal opinion. I see too many writers stating that there is no difference between Hillary and McCain. Sorry but the green dragon is at work.
In neuroscience, we talk about the reptilian brain-- the more primitive part ofthe brain associated with territoriality and raw emotions-- with rage. When the higher functioning cortex of the brain shuts down, the dragon part of the brain takes over-- ranting, raving, fighting, running away...
Now, where does the green come into the picture? Green, as in green party. I didn't have any problem with Ralph Nader running in very blue states, where he did not put a Gore or Kerry victory at risk. But running as a green, the green giant led people in Florida and Ohio to vote green, for Nader, and that, my angry progressive friends, cost the planet and the United States dearly, leading to the election of the most despised man in the history of the world.
So... don't, in your green dragon, neurochemically impaired mind, tell me that Hillary, who is in many ways, pretty disgusting, as far right, as much DLC as she is, anywhere near as bad as any of the candidates on the right, except.... except for Ron Paul. And to all my progressive friends and readers and newfound critics who I've just pissed off, I offer no apology.
If Hillary and Ron Paul were the final candidates, it would have been a tough call to me. I'd have to chose between more WTOs and NAFTAs, compromises on civil liberties-- which Hillary would engage in, or onslaughts against women's rights. It would be a very tough call.
But we won't be facing that decisison. Ron Paul will not be on the ballot opposite a democrat. McCain or Romney will be. And to chose between Hillary or Obama and McCain or Romney is a no-brainer, unless you've been possessed by the green dragon.
The way to defeat a dragon is to stay calm. To take possession of your senses. Overcome your anger and your fear. Regain control of your higher brain. Because of you don't the dragon is deadly and will not only kill you but lay waste to the kingdom.
Okay, so now, I've pissed off the greens, the anti Hillary/Obama folks, the anti Paul folks. This article will probably cause some cancelled subscriptions. I'll live with it. It's better to discuss this stuff, to lay it out than to ignore it.
If you consider my concept of green dragon syndrome to be insulting, that 's okay. Maybe you'll get even angrier and vote for McCain or Romney, or Lyndon Larouche. Look at Anne Coulter. She says if McCain wins, she'll vote for and campaign for Hillary. I know. This inflames your green dragon syndrome. But don't you see? That makes her a blue dragon, assuming that she EVER had cortical blood flow.
Stay calm, think straight, think about the good voting for third party candidates did in the past two elections. Believe me, I am holding back on saying what I really think of those who are considering going third party in 2008. Doing it in a blue state might be a symbolic gesture worth doing. But in any marginal state, considering it is, well, a sign of neurobiological impairment, at least, if you identify yourself as a progessive. It's time to be a pragmatist, which means, on Tuesday, if you're in a primary state, that you go out and vote for the candidate you 'll better be able to digest, even though he or she is less than perfect.
