What flavor is the KoolAid?

Posted Thu, 08/21/2008 - 08:08 by roxy
There are those of us, who hold our progressive values in higher esteem than loyalty to any particular party. This little quote, from the comments ...
It pays to know what you are asking for before you are unlucky (or perhaps stupid) enough to actually get it.
... seems to imply that those of us that have decided not to vote for Barack Obama are "stupid". It seems from my little corner of the world that otherwise intelligent people have somehow managed to put on blinders when it comes to Barack Obama. So, I ask, What flavor is the koolaid? Personally, I don't plan on voting for either McCain or Obama and the reasons are outlined very nicely in the text below. I was going to post this as a "from the mailbag", but decided it needed a little commentary first. CAUTION! snark follows. Cleverly disguised snark. Read the email, but more importantly follow the links.
Hello Barack Obama:

About progressives. We know you've made some declarations that sounded progressive. 
    You said you would end this war. You said you were opposed to the Patriot Act. You said you were opposed to off-shore oil drilling. You said you supported single-payer healthcare. You said you opposed NAFTA.

And because you said, we now have progressivesforobama Yahoo group, progressivesforobama.blogspot.com, the progressives for Obama listed on your own website, other Yahoo support groups, Facebook groups, Meetup groups and who knows what else.

Our man.

But first we gotta get elected.  So this is what we see now...

Don't end war, just fight the right one.  Bring the "combat brigades" home like you promised and leave the other 77% percent of the 140,000 troops remaining, nevermind Blackwater.  Re-deploy the other 23% to Afghanistan.  Approve FISA.  Approve the Patriot Act.  Approve the Military Commissions Act.  Don't impeach no matter how many revelations come to light.  Don't renegotiate NAFTA.    Don't oppose the death penalty.  Don't support SPNFPUHC (single-payer not-for-profit universal health care).   Don't support same-sex marriage. Don't support public financing of elections. 

Psst.  Trust me. Tactics, right?  Not strategy.  That's what we like.  A man who has the courage to stand up for his convictions after he's gotten elected.

Tell you what.  This is a challenge.  If you really believe in progressive causes and want to tell progressives that you believe down deep in the progressive platform and are willing to work hard to achieve progressive ends once you get into office, then do this:

Join United Progressives.  

United Progressives is a union of progressives who, simply by joining our free membership, have said, "I believe in the UP platform.  I believe in standing up and being counted as a progressive.  

I dare you.

Join us in championing progress for human rights, progress for the environment, progress in respect for each other around the world, and progress for those who have been demeaned, belittled and cast down by the powerful and advantaged.  Join United Progressives if you believe that.  Cast a vote for us; then, maybe, we'll cast a vote for you.

Judy Ramsey

Judy Ramsey
Co-Director/Administration/Public Affairs
jramsey@unitedprogressives.us

United Progressives
44 Music Square East
#702
Nashville, TN 37203
http://www.unitedprogressives.us

Comments

I don't think you can abdicate responsibility

by carol white - 08/21/2008 - 10:04
On every point Judy Ramsey raises I too disagree strongly with Obama. But to me that is beside the point. In 2000 I was extremely disappointed in Bill Clinton whom I had supported through the whole impeachment. I particularly disagreed with Lieberman's foreign policy stance of unconditional support to Israel whatever its policies, and I was unimpressed with Al Gore. I didn't just abstain, I voted for George Bush. And yes I got what I asked for. I HAD DRUNK THE KOOLAID and Bush went to war against Iraq for no reason. There are plenty of issues I on which I don't agree with Obama, and I don't know what he will be like should he win the presidency. BUT I HAVE A GOOD IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MC CAIN WINS. Not only has he pledged to continue Bush policies but to my mind he appears quite unstable. I do not put it past him to use nuclear weapons preemptively, I really don't. I respect your right to criticize what Obama has to say but I do not see that a "sneer" campaign from Progressives is called for either. I do not view a headline Bye Bye Barry creates a useful tone for a discussion. Adoph Hitler CAME TO POWER LEGALLY. He chosen by German President Van Papen to be Chancellor after a perfectly legal election, according to the rules of the German parliamentary system. He came to power during a period when Stalinists and Trotskyists were convincing progressives not to vote for the lesser-evil candidate (I think it was von Schliecher) who admittedly was no prize. SOMETIMES THE LESSER EVIL is the lesser evil. If McCain wins we may not be able to fight another day. If Obama wins I think that the push to actual police state rule in the U.S. will be stalled if not reversed and we will live on to fight another day. AND I HOPE that things will be a lot better than that. I am not and have never been a registered Democrat; I am a progressive.
carol

This is a logical fallacy.

by cho - 08/21/2008 - 12:26
Not voting for one of two candidates does not equal abdicating responsibility. I am quite sure those who make this choice are taking full responsibility for the consequences of their decision, just as you are taking full responsibility for the consequences of your decision to vote for George W. Bush over Gore. Indeed, to follow your reasoning, it would be better to vote for McCain (as you did for Bush in 2000) than to not vote for either of them. Somehow, I am betting the McCain campaign is loving this logic.

I have faithfully voted for the

by roxy - 08/21/2008 - 17:55
Democrat in every presidential election since Jimmy Carter (the first time I was old enough to vote). Never missed an election. This is the first time in a long time that I have not volunteered to work for the campaign of the dem candidate. I think that every point that Judy Ramsey makes are the heart of the election issues. So ya know what ... this time I refuse to compromise my vote for "the lesser of two evils". ----- ePMedia ... get the scoop with us!
If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin
ePMedia ... get the scoop with us!
If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say that the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. ~ George Carlin<

Golly-gee

by rba - 08/21/2008 - 11:04
. . . and progress for those who have been demeaned, belittled and cast down by the powerful and advantaged. Um, does that come with Whirled Peas?

Not voting for McCain is certainly better than voting for him

by carol white - 08/21/2008 - 13:46
I'll grant you that. But I am feeling VERY cheerful. I propose that we start our own contest on how many houses McCain owns? I agree with you Cho. I don't think the abstainers need worry. I think McCain has just lost the election with his Macacca moment, claiming that he didn't know how many houses he owned. The latest estimate is 10 I hear. It's hard to be rich especially when you can't count, but then again Maybe his wife keeps him on a small allowance.
carol

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