In 2006 we saw the rise of the Unity08 non-partisan political movement. This on the face seems like a good idea. You can’t argue with the idea that our politicians would do better to put aside party loyalty in favor of the best interests of our nation. This movement seems to have motivations a little more narrow then the best interests of ALL Americans.
Recently the founders of Unity08 resigned to start a draft Michael Bloomberg campaign. Well that fits right? An independent Washington Outsider with the ability to finance his own campaign can’t much more non-partisan then that right. The problem being that Mayor Bloomberg does represent a limited group of interests, which are not even wholly American interests
For me the press conference this morning was defined by the moment when a reporter asked about Mayor Bloomberg’s policies of undermining the interests of the working class in order to benefit the financier class. This question was met by Bloomberg’s would be backers with the standard ‘I have no such knowledge’ dodge. The people are not the only ones who chaff under our two-party system it seems. The interests of the corporations and the wealth aristocracy also seem ill served by it. Where as the masses would like to see greater diversity of opinion in order to bring about more cooperation among diverse ideologies on issues of importance, the moneyed interests are sick having to make two pay outs every time they want to hedge their bets. A single unified party under the banner of an iconic figure; sounds familiar.
Most of the politically aware worry about Bloomberg taking blue dog Democrats or fiscally conservative Republican votes in a spoiler campaign. I fear him taking both those block and disenfranchised independents and winning the election. I fear the slow progression of the class war as the working middle class are pushed down into the ranks of the working poor and the working poor are ground under the boot heel of fiscal tyranny. I worry about a media titan taking the field when the media with all its polls and pundits have divided the factions and used them to promote the uninspiring (Read: Clinton, McCain) among a field of worthy candidates.
Why would I view the American people is so stupid to be swayed to vote against their own best interests? After watching the Democratic caucus delegates in Iowa's 53rd district vote down every resolution that would have restricted corporate authority or entitlement I have realized most Americans don't know any other way to vote except against their own interests.
We can all see that for some time now democracy in America has been broken. Most of us see this election as our last best chance to fix it. While we are focused on the other party though, I fear another interest sees this as its last best chance to shatter that which is already cracked. Remember my Freedom Loving Americans it was not Democrats or Republicans who tried to over through our democracy during the New Deal, it was Corporations and Money Men. Keep the torches lit and the powder dry.
"...they were behaving like scared people. Once people are scared it gets easier and easier to keep them scared."
Thinner by Richard Bachman (AKA Stephen King)