Imitation "Change" Flavored Kool-Aid

It's amazing how ideas that were rejected just a year ago are flying through cyberspace as well as real-space, at the speed of light. I'm talking about two things here. The first I'll mention is the idea that both the Democrats and the Republicans' are pawns of the corporate power structure in this country. It will probably seem hard to believe now, but just a short time ago I was called all sorts of things for bringing that up. Since 2004, I have been writing about campaign financing and the need for reform. This one issue is the basis of corporate control along with the "good folks" on K-Street that staff 70 lobbyist's for every legislator we have on Capitol Hill. Gee, what a great system we have up there (for the legislators and the lobbyists). I can't wait to run for office myself so I can get in on those goodies they're passing out (only kidding), this can't last forever...or can it?

It doesn't seem possible that Americans will let this travesty go on, but then again, we all know how short of an attention span the American voter has. Because of people like Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel and Ron Paul, we are being told how the money game in Washington is being played, but the question to be asked, is whether this knowledge will influence voters. The idea that people are armed with knowledge doesn't actually mean that they'll use it. We know that Bush has committed International War Crimes and has lied to the American public repeatedly, but armed with that knowledge, what do we as a nation do? The answer is absolutely nothing. The same goes for the corporate politicians that serve the Military Industrial Complex, we may know what the game is all about, but will we act on it?

The reality of the situation is that the Democrats have gotten themselves wrapped around the axle, so to speak, with their two main candidates. This isn't something that just happened.  In my suspicious mind, this was planned all along to get people to look the wrong way. It's a classic example of misdirection. It's political sleight-of-hand. Get people involved in meaningless jargon, and they won't look at the main issues like who's funding these people and who is running their campaigns. If people really want to know the truth about these two corporate players that the Democrats are holding up as "change", go to www.opensecrets.org and see who is giving, and who is getting, around the corporate trough. See who the investment bankers and hedge fund managers and defense contractors are giving to and then ask ,why?  It's pretty apparent. Hello? Are the lights on yet?

So why use this scare tactic about voting third party? That is readily apparent also. A vote for Mike Gravel is a vote that can't be used against John McCain. Isn't that the mantra? Well how's this, a vote for Mike Gravel or another strong third party candidate is a vote that the corporacracy won't get. The point of this exercise of your right to think for yourself will mean that the two parties that make up the political duopoly in this country will start to think twice about what they are doing. The worse thing a politician can face is rejection. If 30% of the people in this country turn their backs on the status-quo and corporate-complicit and corporate-compliant political parties, we just might make some headway in solving the real issues that are driving this nation to moral and fiscal bankruptcy.

So, on this note, just let me say that I believe wholeheartedly with the Democrats when they promote the word "change".  The only thing that separates the DNC's views from my views is that the change I'm seeking is change away from the Democratic Party. The sad part of this entire fiasco that is called the 2008 Presidential Election is that the Democrats are desperately trying to remain at the center of American politics. The reality is that they have no idea where that center is. While Clinton and Obama and McCain debate how we should fight the wars in the Middle East, the rest of the country are looking for a way to end these misguided wars. While the Democrats argue about trade agreements, many Americans are working two part-time jobs with no benefits just to pay their mortgages and put food on the table and keep their lights on, thanks to prior "free-trade agreements". While they talk trash about religion, people are talking about the Constitution and how we are going to get our rights back and get rid of religious interference in the government. While they bowl and knock back shots at the bar, Americans that are out of work are thinking about when they too could do the same without giving up their food and prescription dollars.

The time for change is really here. It's time to change the direction of this country by changing the directors. The Democrats helped get us into this mess by supporting the wars, supporting NAFTA, supporting every dime the Chimp has asked for and supporting AIPAC. The Democrats seem to believe that supporting Israel and their quest to kill every Palestinian living in the Gaza Strip is somehow "patriotic". Remaining quiet when Israel bans President Carter from going to Gaza speaks volumes about the Democrats. Israel's insistence on refusing to negotiate with Hamas, and the Democrats refusal to back Carter when he takes on the job of doing it himself, also exposes the Democrats lack of conviction to real peace in the Middle-East. Embracing change doesn't mean that half of the people that run the Clinton and Obama campaigns should be members of The Council for Foreign Relations. Check that little tidbit out for yourselves.

So with this article I guess I'll be thrown off more so-called "progressive" websites. I'm getting used to it. I've been thrown off some of the biggest sites on the web. God-forbid I call the Democrats on their pro-corporate, pro-military, pro AIPAC stances. Just call me a rabble-rouser and a misfit because I won't drink that Democrat flavored Kool-Aid of "change".

That's the way I see it. (Although I wish it weren't so)



Display:


Re: Imitation "Change" Flavored Kool-Aid (2.00 / 1)

will any of these candidates kick out Blackwater, which is a frightening shadow organization?


by colebiancardi on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:21:35 AM EST

Or count contractors as US soldiers, instead of (none / 0)

using them as uncounted, expensive, US corporate proxies with no expiration date in Iraq?


Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%
by architek on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:36:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

corporations still in charge (none / 0)

yes, both parties are tied to corporate interests. that's not to say none of them don't mark real change from Bush. it is to say we are dreaming if we expect radical change. America will still be led by its corporate masters.

but honestly, this "koolaid" bullshit is just that, bullshit.


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:32:53 AM EST

reference.. (none / 0)

From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_the_k ool-aid

"Drinking the Kool-Aid"
Contrary to popular belief, Kool-Aid was not used in the infamous punch at Jonestown

The idiomatic expression, "drinking the Kool-Aid", was originally a reference to the Merry Pranksters, a group of people associated with novelist Ken Kesey who, in the early 1960s, traveled around the United States and held events called "Acid Tests", where LSD-laced Kool-Aid was passed out to the public (LSD was legal in the U.S. until 1966). Those who drank the "Kool-Aid" passed the "Acid Test". "Drinking the Kool-Aid" in that context meant accepting the LSD drug culture, and the Pranksters' "turned on" point of view. These events were described in Tom Wolfe's 1968 classic, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.[1]

Currently the term is mostly associated with the 1978 cult suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple, convinced his followers to move to Jonestown. Late in the year, he then ordered his flock to commit suicide by drinking grape-flavored Flavor Aid laced with potassium cyanide. In what is now commonly called the "Jonestown Massacre", a large majority of the 913 people later found dead drank the brew. (The discrepancy between the idiom and the actual occurrence is likely due to Flavor Aid's relative obscurity, compared to the easily recognizable Kool-Aid.) The precise expression can be attested in usage at least as early as 1987.[1] The saying "Do not drink the Kool-Aid" now commonly refers to the Jonestown tragedy, meaning "Do not trust any group you find to be a little on the kooky side," or "Whatever they tell you, do not believe it too strongly."[2] Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly is famous for using the term in this manner.[3]

Having "drunk the Kool-Aid" also refers to being a strong or fervent believer in a particular philosophy or mission -- wholeheartedly or blindly believing in its virtues."


Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%
by architek on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:40:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Imitation "Change" Flavored Kool-Aid (2.00 / 1)

I'm trying to get on the Obama bandwagon.  I prefer his policies to Clinton's and I think he is a remarkable person.

But honestly, I still find it difficult to get overly excited about either Democratic candidate, largely for the reasons you discussed.  I think any real progressive is likely to be deeply disappointed numerous times by either of their administrations.  

We have more work to do at the grassroots level, whether that involves a third party or reshaping the Democratic Party is a question that is beyond me.

But what is a person to do?  My heart and head are more aligned with Nader, but my hand will be checking the Democratic box this fall.


by emptythreatsfarm on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:57:54 AM EST

Yeah (none / 0)

both candidates have flaws.  But both would be better than John McCain who is W term 3.


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 12:01:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You fall under the big tent of the Democratic (none / 0)

Party.  There are a wide range of ideologies, all left of center in varying degrees and all vying to push the party in one direction or another.

While it's nice to join up with those of like opinion and have your own party, it's less likely you will get any political clout by doing so.  The better bet, as you have already figured out, is to join up with the party that most closely approximates your ideology.  Working from within you have a good shot at inching the party closer to where you think it should be.  If not at the national level, there are opportunities at the state and local level.

You could even run for office yourself and having the Democratic party backing you is no small thing.


No Way, No How, No McCain!
by GFORD on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 02:36:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think the point that he is trying to make.. (none / 0)

is that the Democratic party might not support him - except perhaps at the local level.

Personally, I think that there would be more hope, if a number of huge flaws in the antiquated electoral process were addressed.

I think that if we keep the multi-party system, it should be more responsive to change. For example, the coming of the Internet makes it possible for people to participate much more easily.

I think that we should have a principle of transparency - and participation. All meetings, documents, handouts, etc, should be availabile in realtime and archived for watching later as well.

With the Internet, it would even be possible to have meetings virtually, which would make it possible for people who can't just drop everything and fly off to meetings to participate.

Also, I think choice-weighted voting is much more appropriate in some settings than all or nothing. For example, when there are more than two candidates in a Presidential election, people should be able to pick a second or third choice if their first choice dropped out or didn't get enough votes.

That way, people could vote for third party candidates without fear that their votes were 'going to waste'.

Anomalies like the 2000 election would be avoided.


Universal healthcare IS a core Democratic value
Comprehensively cover 100%, not only the healthiest 80%
by architek on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 03:07:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You make a compelling argument. (none / 0)

Choice based works for me.


No Way, No How, No McCain!
by GFORD on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 03:11:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm not sure I understand your point (none / 0)

It sounds as if you are dissatisfied with both Dem candidates, yet the issues you seem most concerned about are being addressed by, consistently, Obama, at least in campaign rhetoric; and how that translates to action can only be seen in practice when and if he is elected.  

Are you saying that what opensecrets.org tells about funding for the Obama campaign means that an Obama presidency will be a bust against the corporate domination of the government, fighting outsourcing of jobs overseas, and ending wars of imperialism?  


by MikeyB on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 04:42:31 PM EST

Re: I'm not sure I understand your point (none / 0)

Yup, That's I'm telling you.


by Timothy Gatto on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 05:23:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

first... (none / 0)

i would like to say that since the kool aid thing is used mainly as a slur against obama supporters (by clinton supporters) that you started the diary with a heading that seems meant to insult some democratic supporters more than others.

i do believe in the bulk of this diary and it is the main reason i will not register with either major party.

when democrats blame nader for electing bush they discount many unpleasant facts.....i will state two that piss me off:
during the 2000 campaign, the dnc refused to let nader in on the presidential debates as well as the rnc. enough to lose the respect and support of anyone who loves their independance (myself included)
gore (who didn't run as the champion of the environment he is today) seemed to agree with w on most points in the debates...gun control...death penalty....

so far, i am on board for obama, though i prefer kucinich.

i expect to be disappointed if he is elected as compromise will be the rule but....

hope, for me, lies in obama's statements that the u.s. needs  to engage in dialogue with hostile countries......something we haven't seen in years.


by citizendave on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 08:25:42 PM EST

Re: first... (none / 0)

You "assume" I used the word "Kool-Aid" as a reference to Obama. The fact is I was using it in reference to all three Corporate candidates. Of all three I feel Obams's the best. That doesn't say much however. I won't be voting Dem or GOP this election.


by Timothy Gatto on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 10:46:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.