Last week right
here on Daily Kos, NeuvoLiberal attempted to convince
Kevin Zeese, who is running an idependent campaign for US Senate in Maryland, to become a Democrat. Well, Zeese has responded. I haven't seen it posted here yet on Daily Kos, and no search popped up this post. So I thought I'd share. I think Zeese is completely right in regard to challenging the two-party system.
I've also linked an article I found that argues that those who consider themselves "antiwar" should also support the Zeese campaign. I for one, am going to do it. I've also linked to a fantastic book, authored by the same person who defends Zeese, titled "Left Out! How Liberals Helped Reelect George W. Bush". I look forward to a lively discussion!
To Create the Democracy We Want
Challenge the Corrupt Two-Party System Don't Participate in It
by Kevin Zeese
Dear Daily Kosers:
Elections should be about current issues and a vision for the future. For me that vision is of a truly representative democracy. I want Americans to look back 50 to 100 years from now -- when we have a vivid multi-party democracy and say -- "can you imagine in the last century how there were only two major parties and dozens of colas? Boy, were we an immature democracy!"
A survey published in the July 16 Economist asked U.S. voters whether they felt their elected officials represented their priorities. Only 17 percent said "yes." In the greatest democracy on earth 83 percent can't say they are represented! It is no wonder we have such low voter turnouts. (A survey of non-voters found that that a majority of non-voters felt that the candidates did not represent their concerns -- even in the last election 40% of registered voters didn't vote, Kerry gave them no reason except not being Bush -- not good enough.) It is also not surprising that Democrats are at their lowest popularity in more than 50 months while Republicans are also dropping in the polls. Neither party represents the priorities of the people ...
The two party system reminds me of when I was raising my kids. If they were doing something I didn't like, call it "C," I would say -- "you can do either A or B." They felt they had a choice and stopped pursuing "C" but in reality I had already made their choice for them. The two party system is much like that for voters -- treating us as children.
Will either Party challenge the military industrial complex? Will they challenge the pharmaceutical or health insurance industries in order to provide health care for all? What has either Party done to ensure decent jobs at home that pay a living wage? Haven't both parties supported the corporate trade agreements that masquerade as "free trade" but really empower international corporations, undermine the environment, labor standards and consumer protection? Will either Party criticize Israel when it violates international law or the basic human rights of the Palestinian people? Will either Party end the failed war on drugs? Will either Party put in place universal voter registration -- the international standard for elections? Will either Party reduce barriers to third party and independent candidates -- or will they cynically hold onto power by denying democracy? Will either Party cut $300 billion in annual corporate welfare? On all of these and many other issues both parties fail to represent the interests of the American people.
Read the rest HERE!
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And here's the second article:
Kevin Zeese's Antiwar Campaign for the US Senate:
Hope for Changing Politics in Washington
by Joshua Frank
Politics in the United States often seem bleak, if not hopeless. There just aren't many campaigns or candidates out there that one can get too excited about these days. And if it's the war and US foreign policy that's got you in a tizzy, you may as well forget about tracking down a contender that feels the same. There are not a lot out there.
Some do exist, however, but they are often left out. The fact is it is people who agree with a candidate's positions but abandon them that do the most damage, not the media or Beltway insiders. That's why it is vital that antiwar folks stick to their cause and resist the quicksand of lesser-evil politics in 2006, regardless of the alleged consequences. If a candidate starts to speak up and embody an antiwar stance, the movement against the war should stand behind him/her with full force.
Just such a candidate has risen to the challenge. Lawyer and antiwar activist Kevin Zeese is taking on the two war parties by seeking an open US Senate seat from Maryland. Zeese, who is running independent of the two major parties, has been involved in a host of social justice issues over the past thirty years and is currently serving as the director for the antiwar organization Democracy Rising, which is calling for a responsible, rapid withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Zeese is seeking the nomination of Maryland's antiwar Libertarian, Populist and Green Parties as well as support from Maryland's fastest growing group of voters -- disgruntled Republicans and Democrats.
Read this article HERE!
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And for those who are interested, I challenge us Kosers to read the new book "Left Out! How Liberals Helped Reelect George W. Bush" which is vital background for understanding the Zeese and other third-party campaigns.
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