So, how are independent voters doing? MRF Buckley at NewsPopping: Internet Journalism Blog had this astute analysis of the debates and the candidates. LiberalArtsGuy at An Ordinary Person and Politics in America has developed a very interesting schmooze strategy for meeting other independents, and while you're there, check out Fence Sitter (Not!). And where can a passionate anti-war activist get a break? On CNN? No, baby -- On Swiftspeech! This is a great blog - not to be missed. And you'll want to read Jackie Salit's statement posted here on The Independent View: "Contrary to the statement by Senator Clinton, Iraq is not George Bush’s war. It is Washington’s war—signed, sealed and delivered by both political parties."
I'd say independents are doing quite well. What do you think?
6 comments:
"We have a vision for a new kind of America," sez Salit.
Sez me: And just what is that vision?
Participatory democracy? You seem to be dissatisfied with the multitudes articles and opinion pieces about this vision. What's your vision?
Participatory democracy is a start. But only a start. Other things are put forward in Talk Talks, but ONLY in Talk Talks. Which is no longer linked to on the CUIP home page.
My vision? How about a country that is no longer the policeman of the world. CUIP would like that discussed, which is a start, but ...
How about a woman's right to her own body, i.e., abortion? Oh, but that's a divisive social issue.
How about free universal healthcare? How about the right to a job? How about promoting a world effort to deal with global warming? How about a commitment to ending poverty in America and the world? How about government regulation of major utilities and industries?
CUIP would like a dialogue on all these, conceded. Well, I would like to have them. Process is important, but process isn't the end of it all. Within that process you have to stand for something.
Jeff, The Hankster doesn't speak for CUIP, so I'm afraid you'll have to take up your grievances with CUIP. Personally speaking, I happen to agree with the tactics that CUIP promotes. Probably most people want universal health care but we don't have it because we are being dictated to by politicians and political parties who aren't accountable to the American people. I think that's an issue of democracy.
-Nancy
Yes, it is an issue of democracy. So do you say to people, "We need democracy," or do you say "We need democracy because the current system isn't allowing us to achieve the universal health care that we the people want"?
Socialism was more appealing when connected with Bread, Land and Peace than when it was promoted as a petit-bourgeois abstraction.
By the way, I also support the tactics that CUIP promotes. But I am an independent, albeit an independent Democratic. CUIP speaks for independents, i.e., me. But I consider their tactics narrow.
"Grievances" is such a harsh word, when conducting a dialogue. I go to the CUIP blog (you can reach it by clicking the link to one of their surveys), and then clicking the Blog link. Of course the page is empty. There is an archives link. But no archives. Oh well.
You criticize the Democratic and Republican parties quite a bit. Should someone tell you to take up your grievances with them? Yours is the only blog in the world that discusses CUIP at all. Perhaps the universe. And alternate dimensions.
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