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"Cindy's campaign will prove that organized people can beat organized money" Reverend Lennox Yearwood; founder of the Hip Hop Caucus
We are a nation that was created by "the rich, white, male property owners" and specifically for "the rich, white, male property owners." Women and blacks, (who were counted as 3/5ths a person for representation purposes), were excluded from this self-proclaimed elitist establishment.
All throughout our history, however, our experience is imbued with the examples of courageous people who refused to be excluded and sacrificed everything for the human right to be heard.
From anti-slavery activism to the anti-Vietnam War movement, we have been blessed with individuals and groups who were willing to put their bodies on the line to support their rhetoric and oftentimes were murdered by the established order, which only seemed to always inflame the movements, not suppress them. The government always resisted the good that these movements tried to do and ultimately did do with dedicated sacrifices.
The establishment has forever tried to protect its status quo and personal wealth to the detriment of "we the people" who are the ones who suffer and sacrifice so the pigs of war can oink their way to the bank. With a fascist corporate media that supports the fascist corporate government, the voices of "we the people" are being silenced at an astonishing and frightening clip. In one very glaring and horribly tragic example, many people voted for George Bush in 2000, because they thought he was a "regular guy" and someone whom they would like to have a beer with. What a very unfunny irony as we have been constantly learning. The Bush family have been pro-fascist and anti-democratic all the way back to Grand-pappy Prescott. The media portrayed George as an "everyman" who "cutely" mangled our language with a "gee-whiz" smile that quickly became an "f' y'all" smirk. This man who was foisted on us by the Corporatocracy has turned out to be worst disaster of our collective history.
Now, the Corporatocracy has anointed the presumptive nominees for the 2008 Presidential race---and it all comes down to a matter of money. Who has how much? Hillary has an obscene and immoral amount of mammon in her campaign chest and a staff of 500 who are running a very careful and well-modulated (except for her cackle) race that is designed to support the "by and for" privileged entitlement syndrome while claiming to be "groundbreaking."
One of the hurdles that people believe that I have to overcome to beat Nancy Pelosi in California's race is the fact that she has a bottomless well of cash and I do not. I challenge these people to look beyond the "green-colored" glasses of greed and help me dream of an innovative campaign that is fought with the truth and waged with old-fashioned shoe leather and hard work.
I would love my fellow Americans to dream, with me, of a country where basic human rights are valued over even a Constitution that has a compromised beginning but has been thoroughly trampled and desecrated by BushCo with the consent and help of Congress, Inc, led by Speaker Pelosi.
I have received support and encouragement from every corner of this country and, indeed, from all over the world. Our human family is watching the race in California's 8th District very carefully. With the "fix" already being in presidential politics, our hope for peace, democracy and accountability rests in this important race. But I do not consider that it is only I running against Nancy Pelosi, it is "we the people" running against the established, murderous status quo. It is true grass-roots democracy running against the corporate fascists. It is peace and justice loving people running against the Bushes and Pelosis of the world who work fist in glove to suppress and enslave us.
It is essential that "we the people" prove that "organized people" can be victorious over "organized money." It may be our last chance to do so.
The world is watching and cheering us on.
Cindy Sheehan is the mother of Spc. Casey Austin Sheehan who was KIA in Iraq on 04/04/04. She is a co-founder and President of Gold Star Families for Peace and the author of two books: Not One More Mother's Child and Dear President Bush.
45 Comments so far
Show AllUncommon dreams - This isn't even my country - not that I believe in nationalism or man-made borders, but that part of the world that Norway occupies is where I originally came from and where I grew up. It was a matter of looking around, seeing where this is headed, and deciding to go back. I don't particularly like the word "nice" either - doesn't mean much. As to essential component, I think it is essential to be outraged at injustice; that's not negativity or depression, it's a healthy reaction IMO. I have actually actively fought the system for years now, but at this point I believe it has gone so far that the fascist police state is already here, and it will get much worse before it gets better again. I have a chance to spare my daughter going through that. What good can I do if I'm locked up in a concentration camp or prison? I can do more for the US from Norway than I can from here is my belief. All we have is the sum of our impressions and deductions to base our decisions on.
Dear Marikken,
I too was worried about a lot of things as I raised my kids, ~ but I went ahead and did it anyway!
And, I raised them with full awareness of what was going on in the world.
These days they are taking over from where I HAVEN'T left off! ;)
I agree with you, that "being blind to reality" would be a tragic error, but also, - so too would be taking *no action* when a great deal of our (concerted) action is needed...
My point above was that publicly expressed depression and defeatism is a personal indulgence we can't really afford, if we are to successfully unpick the horrors of Bushbaby & Co.
We owe it to our kids (and the wider world) to ensure that every last drop of our energy is devoted to snuffing out the dire goons in power, and replacing them with those that *love*, -not despise and ignore, the poor, the downtrodden, the sick and needy among us.
Please permit me disagree with you on your last statement Marikken? ::: It's not "nice" to be positive ... ~ but rather it is an *essential component* to be positive! In keeping alive that spirit which will, (if we keep at it) finally subjugate the morons in power.
Depression and negativity is a downward path which saps our energy and leads to inaction: = The fools win!
~ Whilst keeping ourselves buoyant leads to inspiring others, and *progress*,
-and that way WE win!
~Whaddya say?
UNcommon dreams - it's always a balance. In my case I see what is coming up and I have an option to bring my daughter to a safer place. As a mother, I feel an obligation to her to spare her the mess this country is going into. I'll continue to work for justice in Norway. This isn't the only country that it is possible to work for justice in. It's nice to be positive, but not to the point of being blind to reality.
The word 'spineless' is (quite rightly) used above to describe certain politicos, but, -to those above who say they are now 'giving up all hope' maybe _beware_ that *you too* don't also become 'spineless' by publicly pronouncing your despair and no-hope attitude?
Here's a thought for those who feel like 'giving up': Maybe promise yourself that, *no matter what*, you won't EVER give up, -until Cindy and Dennis do!
...and then, promise yourself that even if *those* two folks ever 'give up in despair' then at least YOU won't!!
What will this spirit of 'NEVER giving up' achieve?
1. It will show those fellow workers who are flagging a bit, that you at least are BRAVE and COURAGEOUS enough to keep on keeping-on, even in the face of a set-back or three.
2. It will show the corrupt, degenerate 'powers that be', that the People are not the pushover they hoped for.
3. It will show others that YOU are not 'spineless' or crushed!
4. It will set the benchmark for others, -showing a determination and persistence that your *spirit* is an unconquerable one! -and that *you* at least, are in this on-going race to save humanity from the dark-hearted oafs in power, right to the very end, and that NOTHING and NO ONE is gonna ever get between you and that crucial objective!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sure... we all have our 'off days'. ~But those days should be used to be a bit quiet, (to not voice and share your negative thoughts) and for you to work at *re-charging your batteries*!
~ Read about others who are / were positive, and who eventually won through! Get yourself re-inspired to think and act usefully!
Consider people who have inspired others, (eg): Nelson Mandela, who spent 20 years locked up in prison on Robin Island by the cruel nutters in power; but HE never gave up, ~and look what he went on to achieve!
Every time someone publicly airs their 'despairing' thoughts, they actually aid and abet the loonies in power. Is *that* what you wish to achieve?
-That's not much of a legacy is it? - Not much to be proud of!
BUT... every time someone voices their POSITIVE spirit, they help empower the Progressive movement which will, and MUST eventually win through!
How 'bout it? -- Good idea?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This message is brought to you today by a little co-worker who has vowed that, -in this lifetime (come what may) I will NEVER EVER give up fighting for what is true, and right, and just: Yea, -even if I am *the very last one* on the planet who is still voicing that opinion!" :)
xx
Way to Go Cindy !
Money is organized. "We the people" must organize too, if we want to prevail. I believe, Cindy, you are showing the way to a people's movement of all the people, organizations and progressive parties, who want a life of peace with justice, cooperation and solidarity among all peoples and nations.
We all will help you for your victory against Pelosi. And in the process your word for unity and organization will spread accross all cities and states. There, many able, honest and tested movement activists will emerge to be elected at various levels and positions. It will be a revolutionary process that might take 4, 8, 12 years - difficult to predict how long - but surely will lead to the overthrow of the present worn out, outdated, destructive and throughly corrupted.
The propaganda instruments of the regime try to make you, the peace demonstrations and anything that moves against the status quo, disappear. Their black out is nearly total. THEY ARE AFRAID ! What scares them the most is anything that may lead to UNITY and ORGANIZATION INTO AN
INDEPENDENT PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT.
While the corporate media black you out Cindy, whispers of "democratic" "liberal" origin explain your disappearance from these media as the result of you being "burnt-out" and and having put yourself "out of action". They are really afraid.
Cindy,
The way to organize the people is to issue a convening call for a new political, a PEOPLE'S PEACE PARTY to convene at at your Peace Summit Jan 15 Martin Luther King's birthday.
People by the millions are ready to support such an effort.
We must end corporate control of government and both political parties. The new PPP will refuse all corporate funding and agendas. The PPP to transition the U.S. from corporate power to people's power.
I agree with the above, YES recall starting with IMPEACHMENT!
PEIattaway - glad to hear you and your wife are happy in Canada. I have citizenship in Norway already, so that is where I'll be taking my daughter. It will also ensure that her citizenship there does not expire, and hopefully offer a better future for her than here.
I was just telling my Taiwanese e-pal that here the media uses 5th grade level language. She told me her co-teachers who teach Chinese are complaining that students now don't learn the more complicated Chinese of former years. Is it possible that since capitalism has spread even to formerly unthinkable places like China and the USSR, that we are all being dumbed down so we can become useful worker drones for the rich elite at the top? Remember that slaves were not allowed to read. The owners believed them to be inferior, but on some level they also realized that education might free them. The YouTube link ezeflyer attached on the first post here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbobdL3yi0&eurl=http://widget-b9.slide.c...) would indicate that this has been very successful in this country.
It's sad to see how the mainstream media paints Kucinich as a nut ball for telling the truth, and hell, they wouldn't even allow Gravel to come. What a suprise! I hope Cindy runs and I hope she wins. Good luck!
Yay Cindy!
If the media doesn't cover you and the net preaches and reaches only the converted ...
I remember how elections looked once. The posters of a candidate and their stickers, buttons etc. were how elections brought a candidate's name to mind. Everybody may know your name but getting used to seeing it as a serious candidate running for elected office is another thing.
Yes the fascists are coming but you could try not calling them fascists when you are asking for their votes. Many of them don't know they are fascists and far too many aren't really sure what the word even means.
Perhaps coming from the truth not the hyperbole (3/5's? Pelosi is also a female)like when you said > I would love my fellow Americans to dream, with me, of a country ... The simple truth is what people are hungry for. Yeah the fascists are coming...that's why we'd like to vote for you instead.
With all the hype and spin it is the determination to speak the truth which makes your campaign different. You don't need all the adjectives when the truth unembellished is far bad enough.
Have you noticed the 'peace movement' is mostly invisible beyond the net? Out there in the physical universe how would you know anything has changed? Onnce peace signs and peace posters and pasted up articles were to be seen everywhere.
The big money could be overcome by volunteers and visibility to keep people thinking about your campaign. Vote for Cindy!
How about putting up a few one page posters that supporters could download and print out a few copies at home to tape up?
Everybody may know your name but getting them to think about seriously voting for you the unembellished truth is more than plenty when the facts speak for themselves. Hip lingo may be more heart felt but we all know already. We already would vote for you, we don't have to be convinced. However if you want to convince a fascist that he is a fascist you can't begin by calling him a fascist. Prove something to somebody that it is fascist and they can say they don't agree with doing that too. Oink...? Yeah well ...um...prospective senator... time to get serious about running a serious campaign outside the box.
The truth is subversive when the 'whole story' is a lie. The truth is what people hunger for and what they see is missing. The other side can't use the truth, not all of it...Cindy could. People all know her name and she must show them who she is. Straight up and in their face no more compromising and whatever else sets her engines going! But no need for oinking and fascist this and that.
Just the facts alone are real heavy ...you know what facts ...the knows we all know never get brought up?
Now imagine...just imagine a real straight shooter straight talking no compromising talker ...actually got elected? The truth alone would shake the halls of power where so rarely it gets a hearing.
These days the unadorned truth itself... is subversive.
It's simple. I will vote for Dennis Kucinich in November, 2008.
COMARC:
Yes this is a great suggestion and the core of the problem:
Everybody needs to understand: a bought candidate is a compromised candidate.
Al Gore only started to talk honestly once he did not have 'corporate donors' behind him any more and this happens to so many politicians all the time.
It is really a very simple rule.
If you are a voter in New Mexico's 1st District, please check out my campaign for US Congress at www.Call4Democracy.org
If the media didn't automatically marginalize 3rd party candidates then I would likely run as a green or liberal independent. Cindy has media notoriety, and thus can realistically run out of the mainstream. People like myself, an ordinary citizen (HS teacher), have no hope of presenting ourselves to the voting public without the "machine" that comes with the Dem/Rep label. I am running an antiwar platform that encompasses single payer healthcare, outlawing of electronic voting machines and tabulators, immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, reduction of the corrupt and bloated military budget, nationalization of oil companies, legalization of marijuana and hemp, rescinding corporate personhood (see www.duhc.org), and a number of other issues. I am also refusing campaign contributions from all businesses,unions and PACs, and will accept $100 or less from any individual citizen contributor.
Kucinich '08. Sheehan '08. Throw the bums out. (OK, yes, it goes beyond the elected bums, but it would be a good start.)
Peace
Jason Call, Candidate US Congress, NM CD1
www.Call4Democracy.org
Organized Money Vs. Organized People
If I cannot move myself to a land that provides Healthcare, Maturnity leave and Habeas Corpus et al. then I surely can (and have) moved my lifesavings to lands that do.
I save trees by cancelling the newspaper and save energy by unpluging that high tech space heater which only shows Corporate Propaganda.
I read Lao-Tzu, play with the children and sleep in the sun. Life is good.
I am hoping, perhaps against all odds, that hillary, the spineless, will not become the democrats candidate for president, and that Cindy beats pelosi, the weak.
To Marikken, since bushco began destroying America, my wife and I have lost one-third of our income...and prospects are bright that we will lose even more. We are retired and have not taken our private IRA out of America because of the taxes. That has not stopped us. We are now proud immigrants living in rural Canada...and loving every moment of it. Just sorry we can no longer vote in America.
At least Canada takes care of its people, including immigrants.
If the people in America cannot stop this stupid, senseless occupation that is draining our country of assets and killing and ruining lives at an enormous rate, we are in big trouble. Bushco seems happy with the situation, and his robots will continue to allow the wrecking of the country. Does anyone think that we will get through an election without starting a skirmish or worse with Iran? Then if we do manage to be permitted to hold elections, the same old hackers will do the electing as the last time with their Repug manufactured voting machines with no way to check anything. Democracy at work!!
Cindy: "Well…the DNC surely won't be backing me, since I am running as an Independent. I don't want their backing anyway since they are a bunch of spineless corporate harlots."
I think the word "spineless" should be replaced with "corrupt", but glad to hear it.
I'd like to see you form a new Independent party, Cindy. There's still room for one more, because none have successfully broken through.
A party that unites the Left with the moderate libertarian mainstream--against war and authoritarianism--would be a good thing.
I think it is naive and quite frankly ridiculous to characterize Dennis Kucinich as some sort of stealth sell-out. Have you paid ANY attention at all to this man? So the f--k what if he chooses to work from within the party? Having him on the stage at any debate by virtue of his contrast to any of the others, is extremely effective. In a word, he exposes them for the corporate triangulating shills that they are. Come on folks. First off, no one who supports DK is gonna get behind a Hilary Clinton run.We don't support him because he's a Dem, au contraire.... I, for one will write in DK or vote Green Party. which I can do since I still vote on a paper ballot. Dennis did not endorse Kerry, he simply released his delegates, and if you honestly believe he's working FOR the DNC, check out the expressions on the faces of his opponents in any debate. They knnow not only by the audience reaction, but in their own sick and sorry guts, that he simply exposes them for what they really are. DO you honestly believe he'd get any more respect, attention, whatever running as an independent? Apart from the internet, how much MSM coverage is Cindy getting? I'm all for her run, but her decision to run as an Independent is tactical as well as prinipled. She'd be stopped in her tracks by the Democratic party machine in a Democratic primary. She has to bypass the party stalwarts and reach out to people who finally see that they have no party. DK offers the same message but he gets to do it on stages with people who purport to be in the same party as him. He's in a class by himself and if that doesn't tell the American people they need an alternative, nothing will. SO stop carping and complaining and get your butts out and start working for change!
To donate to Cindy's campaign, go here ... http://www.cindyforcongress.org/
That's the campaign website. Donation links at the top and bottom of the page.
www.CindyforCongress.org to contribute
Also, I am thinking of asking international election monitors into SF to certify the election. Maybe even Jimmy Carter.
However, we have a heroic Sec of State here, Debbie Bowen who ran on verifiable voting and I feel more confident about running here than anywhere.
NP has a big machine here though...but we will just get a bigger one!
Love you all,
Cindy
We need to train the American people to realize that any candidate supported by corporate media and big money should never be supported nor get our votes. If we do our education work correctly, then support by the corporate media should be the kiss of death for a campaign. The candidate with those most money raised should be shunned by a voting public that recognizes that this candidate has been bought and paid for and will never represent our interests. That's the lesson we need to be teaching our fellow citizens any chance we get.
By running an independent campaign, Cindy can help to build a political movement that can last beyond this one campaign. An ideal goal would be to create a political organization in the Bay area that can field candidates for all sorts of offices in coming elections.
That's why what Cindy is doing is much better than what Kucinich is doing. Kucinich draws people into being Democrats in the false hope that working within that corrupt and undemocratic party can lead to change. I've been hearing that since the Clinton days of NAFTA and Welfare Reform, and it obviously ain't working. So what Cindy is doing is exactly what we need. Building a political movement away from the Democrats that can truly represent the citizens of this country.
The money and energy that goes into a Kucinich campaign will have all disappeared and be useless by the time Kucinich endorses Hillary here in Denver next August. Money and energy that goes into Cindy's campaign can build for our future.
But we do need about 470 more Cindy's running in every House and Senate race next year.
Umlaut -- "Photoshopped images of him wearing a tin foil hat." Why doesn't that ever work on our side?
Make it work on our side. Jon Stewart does it rather well. Here's my Halloween tip on how to do it. Constantly refer to Guiliani as Ghouliani. I think it will stick as there is a distinctly Ghoulish look to him. And since Halloween is just before the Nov 2008 elections, practice this now and then pull it back out next October. It will resonate on lots of levels and provides a nice lead in to talk about the Ghoulish policies we'll get if he's elected.
Then go vote Green or Independent on election day 2008!
I think that 2008 represents an opportunity.
It might not be the opportunity we are searching for, but it is an opportunity to show how fake the elections are, and how elections were ALWAYS A SYMPTOM of democracy, and never democracy itself.
There will be those left-liberal instittuions who beg us to vote for Hillary, and fortet the fact that she has spat in our face for twenty years, and moreso in the past six.
We need to FINALLY REJECT THIS: it is precisely because we dont have an opposition party that Bush has gotten away with this.
We need to point out that the corporate media has chosen the two least popular people on the planet to run and excluded anyone with a real alternative to the Corporations from the public airwaves.
Our theme: Fake Elections 2008!
The Patient is Rejecting the Medicine.
We need to make the the Corporate control of the media the key issue. They are choosing the
president, not the people. Let's use the opportunity that presents itself: reality. It will help us
get beyond these fake elections
I'm glad to see you have found a forum over here, and I am scratching around for another contribution to your campaign. Dennis and Code Pink have been getting my recent contributions, but you've waited long enough, and now it's their turn to wait a bit.
Speaking as someone who still identifies as a Democrat, I don't see that (I) in front of your name as a political identification so much as a big middle finger pointed at a Party establishment that is in desperate need of some (figurative) shin-kicking. Thank you for providing.
Great post reader21! It's almost as if Nader himself had written it. It bears repeating:
"Dennis could create a landslide by walking away from the party (which will turn on him in an instant and which is simply using him to further their own agenda and pretend to represent the people). The Dems cannot represent the people while they are on the corporate payroll.
Peter Camejo states, "And those isolated voices of opposition within the Democratic Party (Kucinich, Rev. Al Sharpton and Carol Moseley-Braun), no matter how well-intentioned, have a negative consequence: they give legitimacy to the Democrats as the 'opponents' of the Republicans. . . . If a massive opposition develops . . . the corporations will put more money behind the Democrats, the media will become more sympathetic to the Democrats, promote their more 'progressive' voices. The media would also become more critical of the Republican lack of sensitivity, all in an effort to maintain the two-party system. That is, a shift towards the Democrats will occur if the Democrats cannot control the people." (The Avocado Declaration).
Cindy has done the hard work of saying no to all that. Dennis has not."
Cindy,
You know you have my full support, and I am also looking forward to 2012!
Best regards,
Dan
"It will be very hard for people NOT to vote for Hillary once they have supported Dennis and he has bowed out."
I utterly fail to see the logic in this argument. In fact, it is idiotic! Why would a Kucinich supporter, who would hardly be some kind of party loyalist, vote for Hillary? At any rate, Nader whas astated that he will enter the race if Hillary gets the nomination, so Kucinich voters can support him.
Hmmm, I wonder, should there be an actual fair election and you win, Cindy, will the government in DC sanction California until they hold another election and elect Pelosi?
That seems to have been tried in Palestine. The only legal election is when the candidate that the powerful want wins. Otherwise, a fair election is invalid or unrecognized by the powers that be.
I'm sorry to tell you Kucinich supporters, but; Mr. Kucinich is more abt being quixotic, than effective. I've never believed Kucinich was an honest agent in all this. Too much of his campigns for the Democratic presidential nomnination seen geared toward luring the Left to stay in the DP. As in 2004 when he endorsed Kerry, Lucinich will endorse the DP nominee and then work to keep his supporters in line and voting Democratic. Sorry to say this, but the evidence seems clear to me.
Cindy: Sounds like your campaign is going well. Please post a link to where we at CD can donate to your campaign. And thanks for all you are doing.
In the meantime, for everyone else, STARVE the damn beast. Don't EVER donate to a PARTY. Only donate to INDIVIDUALS, like Cindy and Dennis, that you can actually SUPPORT and vote FOR!
protestors took to the streets,oct.27..and there was not one mention on any news,anywhere.the 'candidates'never missed a beat in their coverage...we do not exist..why should we support any of them ?cindy shehan,i am very sorry to lose you to the dark side...you did so much to empower the people..now you seem ready to waste all the good you did,by running for office before impeachment.cindy,use your power to push for impeachment,dont lead the sheep they had lost,back into the evil fold....ELECTION IS NOT IMPEACHMENT !IMPEACH FIRST(or you will be just the same as your nemesis,nancy)IMPEACHMENT BEFORE ELECTION !!!
ezeflyer
Thanks!!!! "whose the ones throwin the rocks?" priceless!!!!!
truthteller
"Photoshopped images of him wearing a tin foil hat."
Why doesn't that ever work on our side? The masses loved wacky Bush. I guess getting past the registered Dems and the primaries are a different matter.
Last but Most, thanks Cindy. I hope you're the shoe in I believe you will be.
You're our best hope to get out of this two party system. Take good council, be smart, and watch out for the traps in the system. You're a true inspiration and one of the few things I feel optimistic about in the progressive movement. Keep smiling, you're well loved by many.
Can't wait to watch you on CSPAN.
Pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will
"First they ignore you,
then they ridicule you,
then they fight you,
then you win".
- Gandhi
Well...the DNC surely won't be backing me, since I am running as an Independent. I don't want their backing anyway since they are a bunch of spineless corporate harlots.
We had, literally, a rocking (5.6 earthquake) volunteer meeting last night at my new campaign headquarters. We had greens, dems, republicans and libertarians (and Independents) at the meeting. We are forming a coalition of people who, no matter the party, are disgusted with the direction this country is headed. It is an exciting campaign which I think will make a tremendous difference.
I can understand the frustration. But please, don't give up just yet.
Love
Cindy
The difference in supporting Cindy vs supporting Dennis is that Cindy has done the hard work of walking away. Dennis, in the end, will primarily be leading people into the waiting net of Hillary. It will be very hard for people NOT to vote for Hillary once they have supported Dennis and he has bowed out. But Cindy has openly exposed the Democrats for what they are, as a whole, and refuses to be a part of it.
Maybe Dennis represents the wing of the movement to effect change from within and so be it, that's necessary. But by running for president he gives false hopes to millions who will support him and show they support peace over war, only to then be left with no other option but Hillary when it counts. This is pretend democracy -- you get to vote for your peace candidate and it's yet another "symbol" that goes no where.
Dennis could create a landslide by walking away from the party (which will turn on him in an instant and which is simply using him to further their own agenda and pretend to represent the people). The Dems cannot represent the people while they are on the corporate payroll.
Peter Camejo states, "And those isolated voices of opposition within the Democratic Party (Kucinich, Rev. Al Sharpton and Carol Moseley-Braun), no matter how well-intentioned, have a negative consequence: they give legitimacy to the Democrats as the 'opponents' of the Republicans. . . . If a massive opposition develops . . . the corporations will put more money behind the Democrats, the media will become more sympathetic to the Democrats, promote their more 'progressive' voices. The media would also become more critical of the Republican lack of sensitivity, all in an effort to maintain the two-party system. That is, a shift towards the Democrats will occur if the Democrats cannot control the people." (The Avocado Declaration)
Cindy has done the hard work of saying no to all that. Dennis has not.
(BTW, I was involved with the organizing of an event in Berkeley for Kucinich and he was surrounded by the hoax "Peace in Space" people connected to UFO stuff who then made off with the only video we had of the event. These are the same people trying to discredit other movements. Type "Alfred Webre" into Youtube and see what get. This is a Yale educated lawyer defending 'peace in space' -- utter nuttery to discredit anyone who touches him.)
Is Cindy like the Granny D candidate (New Hampshire)? An idealistic, but underfunded, individual standing up for what she believes in. "Run, Granny, Run" is playing on HBO and it is a heartwarming tale. However, the bottom line was the bottom line. She did not win, and she got no support from the National Democratic Party. I am sure Granny D was deemed not worth the investment -- I mean, she was 94 at the time; a clear one termer; what "future" could she offer the DNC? I hope Cindy wins in her bid. I would support her if I lived in CA.
Cindy, you keep running a shoe leather campaign and I think you'll end up surprising a lot of people. I have more hope for you winning than I do for many of the other changes that need be made.
Actually, it is my opinion that you're demonstrating for us the most efficient method of revolution. How do we remove a corrupt government, why we replace them. The House of Representatives, being what seems to me as the best mix of political power and canvasing area size to be able to both slide in through the cracks and make a real difference.
Cindy, I believe that you have the ability (and are currently utilizing the ability) to spearhead a real movement with your combination of national messages and local efforts. Posting on forums such as Common Dreams is a good strategy, as the internet isn't nearly as 'fringe' as the corporate media would like. Good luck, but you might not even need luck if you keep up the good work.
I absolutely believe that the mockery of Ron Paul, Kuchinich and Gravel is an indicator that Big Money is worried while pretending not to be, by making fun.
First ignore, then criticize, fight; then you win. Wasn't that Gandi?
Most people believe we are on the wrong path; the problem is that we have too many solutions floating around.
Number one on my list is expose the lies that got us into these occupations and get the troops and us back home and get our house in order.
People need to recognize the role money is playing in politics and reject "Big Money" influence and hype. We need to seek out people who talk reality like Cindy, Nader, Paul, Kuchinich and teach others how to filter out the crap.
Oh Yea, One of CNN's idiots refered to Ron Paul as the Energizer Bunny yesterday. He just keeps going and going.
What a pig to work for a company that actively ignores him when he is relivant and criticizes him when he is poor.
First of all; thank you Cindy - I'll be rooting for you from outside the US starting January if all goes as planned. But I have to agree with other posters that there is no short-term hope anyway; that's why I'm leaving. Long term hope - of course - all dictatorships eventually come to an end, but not before much human suffering. In the process of liquidating my assets I found that to take my 401K account out - MY MONEY - I have to give up 20% to the feds and 10% to the IRS - that's 30% to the pigs of war! That's discouraging, because I was really looking forward to my taxpayer money no longer going to murder and torture, but I'll take what I can and run.
THE VAST MAJORITY IN CONGRESS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN CORPORATE SOLDIERS AND ANYONE THAT IS NOT AN ACOLYTE IS DEMONIZED,MARGINALIZED AND SUBJECT TO CALUMNY; I.E. GRAVEL,CINDY,KUCINICH,RON PAUL ECT.WE NEED TO SUPPORT THESE PATRIOTIC, PEOPLE WITH OUR CONSCIENCE, NO MATTER THE OUTCOME.
celebrity said:
"After last night's "debate" and the blatant, Russert mockery of Dennis Kucinich...".
I saw that, and was disappointed that Dennis took the bait on the UFO question and didn't do more to downplay it. I know that we will now be seeing Photoshopped images of him wearing a tin foil hat. I was also disappointed that given the chance to tell people the truth about the advent of peak oil, Dennis used the question to just talk about Bush wanting to bomb Iran and oil company price gouging instead of the fact that we have used half the World's oil reserves and things are going to do nothing but get worse until we accept that fact.
That said, I'm still sticking with Dennis, and supporting Cindy because of any candidates running for any office, I believe that they would be best able to face the truth about any problem they are presented with, and do the right thing for all Americans, instead of just the interests that put them in power.
After last night's "debate" and the mockery of Dennis Kucinich--I flat fucking give up. MY optimism has gone down the toilet with my hopes for a rallying of Progressives, a Kucinich Presidency, and a New America".
You nay-sayers have all been right; I have been wrong.
THERE IS NO HOPE! I FINALLY GOT IT! Forgive my "Pollyanna" postings.
I'm glad you're optimistic Cindy....but I think we're really screwed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVbobdL3yi0&eurl=http://widget-b9.slide.c...