October 2008 Archives

In this day and age its baffling as to why a major print media outlet would choose to endorse one parties candidate over another. One must presume that the either/or nature of the ancient electoral process holds sway over stifling editors and publishers to the extent that it feels compelled to endorse despite the risk of alienating the other half of their market. Why not stay neutral and endorse no one ?
Of course those of us on the third party sideline simply shake our fists and suffer indignation as not only our candidates are ignored, but our ideas too. The Capital District's own Times Union recently endorsed Barack Obama over John McCain. While it is hardly surprising, the premise of the article is that Obama is right on the issues. Of course it would be hard to believe that a candidate who was even better on the issues and not one of the two heavies would ever get any consideration.

Here's a sample of the reasoning behind the decision and some counterpoints (after the jump).

As some sides vilify and others canonize him, America's Plumber is way off about Iraq.

At his news conference after the Barack confrontation, the media asks Joe about what he wants for his son (almost three minutes into linked video) and he starts off right about the debt and whatnot, but then trails into a Patriotic rant about the country and the liberation of Iraq. We'll just ignore the xenophobic spout sandwiched in between.

Joe's paradoxical views of government reflect the entire gestalt of the Republican Party's internal angst the closer the election looms. More war means more government. Making your point with Christian zealotry doesn't help either.

Sometimes people you essentially agree with can get your goat.

Mr. Tucker,

Until the Clinton campaign releases their wardrobe expenses we shouldn't cast stones at poor Sarah. Whatever the truth or issue at hand, John Edwards still got a $400 haircut.

Wasilla's finest are living it up with plane rides and hotels in New York. Yawn.

Stunned onlookers didn't expect this. McCain wins with Wisconsin to go over the top. David Axelrod urges Obama to contest it. The loss of Brett Favre was too much.

As the Left contemplated this potential triumph, it was Sarah Palin that did it. The plucky Middle Class in Middle America ante up'd agin and even the Al Franken victory was no recourse.

Unless you're Rush Limbaugh, it seems fashionable to pick Obama as the winner at this point in the very long game. Polls, pundits and the rest of the world all seemed resigned to the prospect of an Obama world to come.

While it may seem stylish and fashionable to predict an Obama win, is anybody describing the essence of the transition to come ? Probably, but I don't really care about them as much as my own blog entry, so here's a vision of November 5th, 2008 and a little beyond . . .

Prior to the 'national' conventions, my only reference point on the Nickelodeon television network was Sponge Bob. As the political season grinded away I found myself watching Drake and Josh with kids in order, not only to spend valued family time, but to avoid the blabbering media class that is on 24/7.

Last night Nick.com released the results of its presidential cyber poll. Over two million kids responded. Barack Obama won by 51% over McCain who garnered the other 49%. Each of the candidates actually sat and did a promo for the whole effort. My son didn't vote. He can tell you who at least four of the Third Party candidates are. He knows Barr and McKinney and gets a little tripped up with Baldwin & Nader. While the Nick demographic is 7 to 12 years of age, you'd think if a six year old had the capacity to know the other candidates that the older kids might too.

Once again the media co-opts the election into two neat categories. Another generation lost.

Given the volume of drivel about to hit the airwaves and Internets in the next three weeks, here's some of what I've picked up over the last few days from regular people . . .

One employee describes her employer's passion for Obama, but admits her own family will be writing in Ron Paul. No argument about the waste and possible Libertarian alternative works.

An otherwise Republican neighbor says the McCain support of the bailout pushed him over the edge. He's voting Barr now.

The teacher as sister-in-law says Obama's the man. Stickers and pins coming. The little retarded guy down the street who loves the Yankees says the country's not ready for a black man. Otherwise decent but redneck fellows feel the same. Sorry, but it's true. I actually deign to talk with these folks on occasion.

Another neighbor says Barr or Nader. Doesn't care, hates the two main parties. Destroying the country. I couldn't agree more and both of us suspect little will change. I mention that I'd rather have him vote for Barr as the state chair . . .

I have vowed that before I leave this planet, I am going to Iceland. So far the trip back from Copenhagen in 1990 and the shelved documentary about the Original Anarchy haven't gotten me there yet. The recent financial meltdown may. I was hoping to wait until my son turned twelve and my daughter nine in order to make the journey to my Mecca, but if the devalued krona is sinking faster than the dollar, what the hell.

Fortunately the tale of Iceland goes deeper than this financial crisis. At the top of the world is a relatively small place with few people, that has survived for centuries. From Njal's Saga to Independent People the stories of perseverance, death and struggle have created no small wonder that it would be the first to simultaneously house democracy, common law and Christianity. And while some may take pot shots at the vainglory of the past, we might all do well to watch the reactions of people raped by their own elites for trusting the global currency markets.

Ok, one more time . . . another comment as Entry.

Mr. B in DC,

The purpose of a third party is not necessarily to win elections. As many who would drive certain processes and results within said third party, often use this mantra to bludgeon opponents and coax sympathizers, it becomes simply a pernicious catch phrase that hampers other 'purposes' of political parties and frequently wastes vital resources for the real effort.

Given the horrible context (single plurality districts, gerrymandered districts, media blackouts, ballot access restrictions, either/or -lesser of two evil psychology) of two hyper bloated and dominant parties, it is a small miracle that other parties even form and attempt to influence the process.

Once again a comment response turned into good enough for an 'Entry' . . .
It's about all I have left in me any more this cycle.

Some commenters on the CapCon want politicians and staff writers to know that it is not inherently a two party system. Systematic ballot access restrictions, arcane rules, gerrymandering and a single plurality method have kept competition enough at bay in the polity that it certainly seems like historic inevitability will once again reward the red and blue gangs. Vote Third Party.

There are many independents and unaffiliated voters in the 20th CD. Because the two dominate, wholly different ideas and policy measures are never considered. The fact that two trust funded party insider elites manage to dominate with a message of nationalized energy and almost no discussion about a foreign policy that reeks of Empire, is simply a reflection of a vapid intellect and the status quo of power. Vote Third Party.