Joyce L. Arnold, Liberally Independent, Queer Talk, equality activist, writer.
The Republicans (generalization acknowledged) can’t develop a vision for 2012, much less the future, because they’re wedded (one man, one woman style) to a mythical vision of the nation and it’s “traditional” past. They stumble frequently because it’s hard to look backward and pretend to step forward at the same time, even with this year’s “Believe in America” (as the Romney Campaign puts it) message to guide them.
The Democrats (generalization acknowledged) can’t develop a vision for 2012, much less for the future, because they’re too busy watching, and following, the Republicans, while simultaneously trying to appear safely centrist and sporadically progressive. They stumble frequently because it’s hard to keep an eye on the Republicans, periodically glance to the center, and take an occasional, very carefully calculated one quarter of step “Forward” while asking “Are You In?” (as the Obama Campaign puts it), all at the same time.
The U.S. Electorate (generalization acknowledged) can’t develop a vision for today, much less tomorrow, because they’re too busy pointing fingers Right and Left. We stumble frequently because (in part) about half the time we’re so busy pointing fingers we don’t see the multiple cans we kicked down the road earlier, until we trip over them. Again. The other half of the time we don’t stumble, because we’re so busy pointing fingers that we’re just standing still, repeating the familiar and apparently comforting arguments, like: “my guy’s (and most of the time, it is still a ‘guy’) better than your guy”; “Rethuglican!” / “Democrap!” name calling; lesser of two evils / “if you vote third party, you’re wasting your vote” and/or “voting for the other guy”; or just the fatalistic “we have no other choice.” Which, come to think of it, may be the campaign slogan of the Electorate.
The members of the Oligarchy (generalization acknowledged) who control their Two Party Front have their very own, very special vision. It’s working just fine. And if they do occasionally stumble, no worries: we’ll bail them out, all the while pointing fingers of blame at the other side of the Duopoly. If they have a campaign slogan, it might be “Believing in Ourselves, We Move Forward.”
So basically, in 2012, we have the same “choice” we always do. Whether it’s to “believe in America” or move “Forward” in America … there’s still only one, top-down approved definition of “America,” and of our appropriate, non-oligarchy roles in it.
(By the way, on the Romney Campaign website last week, I saw the use of the spin that it’s time for an “upgrade.” It disappeared, and sadly I hadn’t grabbed a link. It would have been fun to consider the similarities / differences of “upgrade” and “forward.” I’m thinking “upgrade” preserves the “traditional” framing better than “forward,” although the latter is presumably based on what’s been done the last three years or so, which has been quite “traditional,” too.)
(Campaign Logos via Obama Campaign and Romney Campaign
Sheep Voting via Occupy Pix
Republicrats Party via Occupy Pix)
Ya know you’re right, there is NO difference worth mentioning. I suggest everyone who feels that way just stay home, don’t vote or better yet vote for Gus Hall. That will be real helpful. OR maybe all the people who are bitching and moaning could get involved with their local political party and start working to change things in some meaningful way….NAAAAAAH….just stay home. That’ll show em
I didn’t say “stay home,” sec, although I think that’s a viable choice for anyone to make.
A lot of us who are critical of the two party system are involved with local politics, organizations that work for election / campaign changes,for more than either / or options, for equality, etc. I’ve never advocated a sit back and do nothing approach.
As always, I respect those who choose to work from within, and think it’s very important work. But I think that outside work is vital for any chance of accountability or for changes from the status quo.
“I didn’t say “stay home,” sec, although I think that’s a viable choice for anyone to make.”
That worked out real well in 2010. How many anti reproductive rights bills and anti gay marriage equity bills did the House…the newly repugnantklan/teabagger House send to the Senate?
How many anti reproductive rights bills and anti gay marriage equity bills did the House…the newly repugnantklan/teabagger House send to the Senate?
The same amount that were sent to the Senate under the Democratic majority during the Obama administration’s first two years?
No. But one couldn’t expect anything else but obfuscation from you on this could one.
huh?
Everyone should exercise his or her right to vote, imo, which I believe is the duty of every single American citizen of voting age.
secularhumanizinevoluter 11 June 2012 at 8:31
As for the rest of your argument, secularh… You can’t be serious.
Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Stupak and Pres. Obama STARTED the reproductive war on women with the Stupak Amendment, which inspired a national onslaught in the state legislatures that was deemed “mini Stupaks.”
As for 2010, that’s on Obama, because he didn’t feel an economic message to compete with the Tea Party was warranted, so people didn’t have anything to vote FOR.
False choice but thanks for playing.
The choices according to way too many sheep:
Vote Democratic
Vote for Pure Evil
Stay Home
That’s it. As far as Democratic Party supplicants are concerned, there are no other choices. And if you suggest you aren’t willing to play along and pretend along with the rest of the sheep that one party actually represents the great mass of Americans, you get a finger wagged in your face and “2000″ bleated at you nonstop. Pathetic.
Yep.
It’s “the customer is always wrong” philosophy. Democrats are not to bear any responsibility for the loss of votes.
Well, Joyce, looks like you hit a nerve again.
It’s very interesting how petulant people get when faced with liberals walking away from conservative Democratic choices. But it does explain how Democrats got into this position in the first place.
At this point, I wonder how far Right the Repubs will go and how far Right the Dems will follow. There doesn’t seem to be an end in sight as yet.
I have yet to see any sign of a rightward limit, Joyce. As far right as things have drifted under Obama, you’d figure that more folks would catch a clue, but there are still plenty of progressives who will not only give him a pass, but react with anger and fear to any other suggestion.
As we’ve observed, politics in America will just keep drifting rightward until that changes. I don’t see any sign that progressives have had enough yet.
Great analysis, Joyce. I do have to nitpick with the Republican slogan though. Isn’t there a missing typo? Should it be: “Believe in Amercia???”
I like “Beileve In Amercia”.
LOL! Me too! “Beileve in Amercia” and “Foreword!”
“Foreword!” Perfect, particularly if there’s a subtitle that says something like “Don’t waste time reading the book!”
“Stay at Home”……
I use the term ” Organized Boycott”….a refusal to participate in this redundant hibitual zombie herding tradition, with the purpose of creating ‘fear…chaos…confusion…rebellion…anarchy…riot…violence injury and death….as if your “vote” really mean something to the powers. In my opinion the only thing that will ever matter to them is a violent and organized refusal to be a willing participant to our own class domination…………………
“KILL THE COW”
Obama’s slogan should read “FOREWARNED” , not FORWARD.
Good one! And Romney’s: “Be Leavin’ Amercia” ‘cuz after I put the final stake through the heart of the middle class, it will be a country for rich people only! Have a Nice Day!
To Ms Joyce and all of her readers…
I have the highest respect for this medium…and in no way am I advocating the physical use of violence through it…to anyone…in no shape form or fashion.
The comments that I express are purley personal, and an extreme expression of my own thoughts and feelings as they apply to myself only.
With all due respect….Thank you
Thank you for further clarifying, Antonio.
Back when, the criminal Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is.” was his reply. Today, Willie Sutton would run for Congress, and for the same reason.
This year we’re witnessing a further addition to the Tower of Babel known as elections. The tower is money, and it is greater than the God that most of these clowns swear they worship. They worship at the feet of Wall St., the Koch brothers, et al. Nowhere in this scenario are the people; those who are either served (yuk yuk) or bludgeoned by the power of government.
The writers on this website and its commentors are awake, whether one agrees with the opinions posted or not. However, most of the American people are asleep, or even worse, in a political coma. I don’t know when, if ever, an awakening will occur. At my age I get the willies thinking of Yeats’ “The Second Coming” in particular the lines “the center will not hold” and creepiest of all, “What beast is this, awakened at last, slouching its way towards Bethlehem?”
With all due respect, I disagree that emphasis should be put on local or congressional elections. What good are strong roots if the rose you think you’re supporting is nothing more than stinkweed? Besides, the greatest powers (and therefore influence) resides in the federal government. The other day Paul Krugman quoted a British journalist using the phrase, “Sado-economics.” The Democrats are intent on following the Republicans in implementing this.
And why? Because the high priests of finance demand it. It’s not ideology any more; it’s a religion. And I guess this election seems to me to be deciding who gets to stand at the pulpit, Romeny or Obama. But it’s the same church, have no doubt. Am I “in?” Do I believe in a better Amercia, with good shcools?
Calgon, take me away.
Sideways…. MARCH!
Assuming we can’t find a circle big enough…