The outcome of this election is as irrelevant to democracy as the American public is that ultimately doesn’t care about the subjugation of its basic rights.

In speaking of “lighting a candle” I wasn’t thinking of a powerful flashlight which would show an easy way out of our political darkness. I only meant to contrast our faltering efforts to find our way with those, like Sam from Progressive View who offer little hope beyond the possibility of a confluence of calamitous events (all too probable I fear) and a charismatic leader, for both of which conditions we must wait in the dark until we are rescued by these external factors, and I just think there is more room for the left movement to MOVE politically, with all our notorious inability to unite efforts in a single direction. I do want to comment on those who dismiss McKinney in particular as an alternative; isn’t it a bit early for us to pre-emptively say no to a candidate who is not yet and may not be a candidate if the Greens don’t nominate her? To be “pragmatic” about it (apart from the strength of her progressive agenda): when he are today, lamentably, engaged in “identity politics” in which half of Democrats want to support a woman and another half (blacks and white liberals) want to support a black for President, how about if we “compromise” and nominate a black woman? (making history doubly; wouldn’t the sensation-mongering media love that?)

But back to Sam’s perspective: if Naomi Wolf is right (and I think she is), we are far closer to a global meltdown financially, environmentally and militarily than we yet have any idea; so the enabling condition of “external” calamity that will be necessary to precipitate a change is at hand; and no election of a McCain, Obama or Clinton that leaves us with a presidency beholden to the corporate forces which are the only ones benefitting from these disasters, is going to staunch the wounds that we are about to receive. I’m all for “building a movement” as many advocate; but an active political campaign in this season can only promote that building, and give us a candle light of at least of a start on a post “katrina” re-building of the world that is about to the destroyed. (My mother didn’t name me Jerry for nothing).

LOL. Very astute.

There were members of the left who supported Paul due to his anti-war position and was will to take the risk of fighting Paul’s economic plan and it caused a great deal of consternation.

Both factions are weak and many Americans are confused and distrusting of labels. But IMO I think the left has to really working on developing some cohesion first and be willing to engage.

I agree with you about voting for Nader. However, and let’s face reality. In 2004, the “left” did everything they could to not coalesce behind him. They went for the “Anybody but Bush/Safe State/Blame Nader” strategy.

This year both Nader and McKinney essentially neutralizes the impact of each other. It would have been preferable for them to coalesce into one ticket to make their message stronger and their respective numbers meaningful.

Also the Obama factor has captured interest of people of color and other “progressives” who would perhaps consider McKinney.

To me the issue is voting. The issue is cohesion and consolidation of the progressive voices such as Nader and McKinney. The fact that Nader decided to run outside of the Green Party demonstrates their internal weakness. A weakness that I don’t see McKinney overcoming.

Therefore there is a huge vacuum on the left and while I don’t necessarily disagree with your perspective or that of the author I think there needs to be some discussion as to the state of the “left” and why the left could not build upon the energy and activism that occurred in 2003-2004. IMO, understanding what is wrong will help find solution to the current crisis on the left.

My take is that should Obama win the Democratic Party nomination this will set the left back. It will certainly create confusion and conflict with people of color who is especially necessary to building a solid left.

I get the feeling that they would rather curse the darkness than find a way out. Say it ain’t so, folks!

I don’t think that people are “cursing the darkness” but in order to know which direction to take in order to find the light you need to know where you are.

The Poverty of the Presidential Campaign

which is located at:

http://www.pscelebrities.com/whitelightblacklight/2008/03/poverty-of-presidential-campaign.htm

http://www.pscelebrities.com/whitelightblacklight/

In the U.S. IMO there is no “working class”. It seem that people like Nader and McKinney are on the “fringes”. They are not “radicals” by any means. However their ideas IMO doesn’t seem to have any connection among even with a significant portion of the population. The population seems to be stuck between the two parties and IMO the only solution for the “left” right now is for the Democratic Party to implode by nominating Hillary Clinton or for McCain to win the general election.

But that again is rather reactive than proactive but I just don’t see any traction on the “left” right now to make the kind of difference that the author talks about.

To the best of my knowledge, Marcelle and friends are presently decamped somewhere in Italy. Trading a country that has neither awareness nor shame for a country that accepts corruption and political murder with quiet resignation, if not pride.