The Election and Democracy?
Just because we are having a national election for President, Congress and other offices does not mean this is a democratic country. Democracy should thrive at every level of the body politic, and equally for all peoples, regardless of class or nationality.
Democracy must live in our daily lives, or we do not have Democracy. This means women should not be brutalized by men, Blacks and Latinos should not live in fear of The Man, nor should they be subjected by police to assault or death.
Everyone should be able to speak their minds, no matter how unpopular their words. Of course, democracy won’t work unless everyone shows respect for all people. And journalists should be able to write and speak the truth without fear of the government censorship or being jailed by the secret police.
Elections are simply icing on the cake. But even elections have been corrupted with voter suppression, invalidation of legitimate ballots, redistricting, and prejudice. Since 2009, because of the 5-4 Supreme Court decision on Citizens United, corporations and the super-wealthy are allowed to spend any amount of money to determine who will represent us.
Perhaps the worst crime against democracy is the limiting of it to two capitalist parties. This is accomplished by the high cost of competing, the rigged election laws in most states, and a century of brain-washing in the education system which just assumes there are only two parties. For instance, one result of the brain-washing is found in a full section of the Los Angeles Times, on Oct. 11, entitled “Voter Guild,” which guides the reader/voter strictly to the candidates of the two mainstream parties, and does not even mention that there are more parties and candidates who are running for president, and various other offices.
President Trump has added an element of fear to the election, that is, that he will not accept the results if he loses. This makes election night anti-climatic. The real action will be between Nov. 3 to Dec. 12, when, by law, the Electoral College – another impediment to democracy – must meet and cast their votes (the only ones that matter) for President.
On the left coast, the election has already been decided. Here are the scores:
California:
Clinton’s 2016 margain of victory: 61.73% – Clinton: 8,753,788; Trump: 4,483,810
Latest 2020 poll average (Biden-Trump): 62-30%Oregon:
Clinton’s 2016 margain of victory: 50.07% – Clinton: 1,002,106; Trump: 782,403
Latest 2020 poll average: (Biden-Trump): 54-39%Washington:
Clinton’s 2016 margain of victory: 54.03% – Clinton: 1,742,718; Trump: 1,221,747
Latest 2020 poll average: (Biden-Trump): 58-36%
The 2016 results and the 2020 polling, even in Oregon, are lopsided for the Democrat. This means you can happily vote third-party without worrying about swinging the state to Trump.
Why is it important to have a strong third-party vote? That’s because, even with no chance of winning, third-parties can influence the winner to gravitate to the left or right, depending on which group of third-parties are displaying the most activism and the most votes. In Europe, where right-wing parties have shown strength in elections, the ruling coalitions have swung in their direction.
Let’s review the left parties on the ballot. If you want to vote for a right-wing party (Republican, Libertarian, American Independent, which is otherwise known as Constitutional), you’re in the wrong news site.
This year, the two major parties, Democratic and Republican have nominated lackluster candidates. Unfortunately, the left parties have also nominated lackluster candidates who are unlikely to attract many votes with their nonexistent charisma.
Since they don’t have a chance of winning, it doesn’t matter who are their presidential candidates. What matters are their platforms. What do they stand for? Do you agree? Each left party should have its platform posted on its website. If it doesn’t, don’t take it seriously.
First, you should know that the Democratic Party is not a left party. It is strongly in favor of capitalism (just ask Joe Biden), and since the late 1970s has adopted a neo-liberal economic philosophy. Neoliberalism has nothing to do with free speech or being nice to animals. It is solely about making the biggest profit possible in business, no matter how many people are hurt.
The Democratic Party also has adopted a neo-conservative geopolitical philosophy which supports invading, bombing and overthrowing the governments of other countries, just because we can. There is a small faction within the Party which wants to move the Democrats in a social democratic direction. This is opposed by the billionaires who flock to the Party. There is also a even smaller faction of self-identified socialists who want to turn it into a socialist party. Good luck with that.
Voter Choices
California:
The Green Party: This party is politically somewhere between the Democrats and the left parties. It does not advocate socialism but is strongly in favor of saving the environment and stopping global climate change. The California Green Party has a total membership of 81,305.
Peace and Freedom Party: This is the largest socialist party in the country, with a current membership of 99,983. Unfortunately, due to lack of effort and restrictive election laws in other states, the P&F has official, on-going ballot status only in California.———-––––––––––––––––––––
Oregon:
Pacific Green: This is an affiliate of the national Green Party. The Party is running a slate of Congressional and state candidates in addition to the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
Progressive Party: This party doesn’t seem to be socialist, but is on the right side of quite a few issues. This year it is running several candidates jointly with the Pacific Green Party. It also has endorsements of Democrats on its website.———-––––––––––––––––––––
Washington:
Green Party of Washington: The Green Party seems not to vary much from state to state. The GPW states it supports the Greens’ 10 Key Values. No mention of socialism.
Socialism and Liberation Party: This party is obviously socialist (see name). It is on the ballot in Washington but apparently has no state affiliate or website. There is a national website. The party was formed several years ago after a split in the Workers World Party.
Socialist Workers Party: This party has a long history in Washington, and the rest of the country. The SWP has long been the leading Trotskyist party in the U.S. It usually fields a presidential ticket every four years.———-––––––––––––––––––––
The Propositions
The Initiative Petitions, or Propositions, began as a big advance in democracy. They were created more than a century ago to allow ordinary citizens to legislate by gathering petitions, which if successful, would allow their Propositions to be put on the ballot. The Initiative Petition process is now part of voting in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, now days many Propositions are put on the ballot by corporations and the wealthy pouring millions into signature collection and advertising.
California
(with recommendations from the Peace and Freedom Party):
Note: P&F has historically opposed Propositions whose method of financing overly burdens the working class, such as by means of sales tax increases or new Wall Street bonds.
Proposition 14 – Bonds for stem cell research. NO. Bond financing profits wealthy investors at taxpayer expense.
Proposition 15 – Property tax. YES. Taxes commercial and industrial properties based on market value while keeping Prop 13 tax protection for housing and farmland.
Proposition 16 – Affirmative Action. YES.Repeals Prop 209 from 1996 that outlawed affirmative action.
Proposition 17– Voting. YES. Gives the vote back to those released from prison on parole.
Proposition 18 – Voting. YES. Allows those who will be 18 by the general election to vote in the primary as well.
Proposition 19 – Property tax. No recommendation by PFP. Changes some property tax rules for transfers of housing ownership.
Proposition 20 – Law enforcement/incarceration. NO. Sends more to jail, stiffens penalties and reduces parole, when we should reduce prison populations.
Proposition 21 – Housing. YES. Changes state law to permit more local ability to control rents. Not perfect, but an improvement.
Proposition 22 – Business. NO. Would slash worker protections for app-based jobs to benefit the large corporations, i.e. Uber, Lyft, and Doordash, that put this on the ballot.
Proposition 23 – Healthcare. YES. Improves regulation of kidney dialysis clinics, forbids discrimination against Medicare and Medical patients.
Proposition 24 – Business. YES. Expands state consumer privacy protections, creates Privacy Protection Agency.
Proposition 25 – Trials. YES. Ends cash bail. Keeps people from staying in jail solely because they don't have bail money.
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Oregon
Measure 107 – Campaign finance and Elections and campaigns
Authorizes the state legislature and local governments to (1) enact laws or ordinances limiting campaign contributions and expenditures; (2) require disclosure of contributions and expenditures; and (3) require that political advertisements identify the people or entities that paid for them
Measure 108 – Taxes and Tobacco
Increases cigarette tax from $1.33 per pack to $3.33 per pack; imposes tax on nicotine inhalant delivery systems such as e-cigarettes at a rate of 65% of the wholesale price; dedicates revenues to the Oregon Health Authority for medical and health programs
Measure 109 – Law enforcement and Food and agriculture
Legalizes psilocybin mushrooms for Oregon Psilocybin Services Program under the Oregon Health Authority
Measure 110 – Drug crime policy and Healthcare
Decriminalizes possession of certain drugs and establishes a drug addiction treatment and recovery program funded by the state's marijuana tax revenue
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Washington
Repeals Senate Bill 5395 (2020) regarding sexual health education in public schools
Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 5323, which was designed to levy a retail sales tax on certain carryout bags
Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 5628, which was designed to levy a tax on heavy equipment rentals
Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 6492, which was designed to increase the business and occupation tax rate and reduce certain surcharges
Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 6690, which was designed to increase the business and occupation tax on commercial airplane manufacturers
Senate Joint Resolution 8212 – State and local government budgets, spending and finance
Allows funds in the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account to be invested
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Story of a Good Democrat:
George McGovern Died for Our Sins
I think of George McGovern this night.
He is dying in South Dakota
with the life force draining out of him
It will be his second death.
In 1972, he died for our sins
crucified before millions
because he loved us so.
He loved the four students
who were gunned down
at Kent State
He loved those who suffered
severe poverty and
racist hatred.
He even loved those who
were turned against him
by evil men.
But most of all, I think
he loved the victims
of the horrendous war in Vietnam.
He loved the Americans
and the Vietnamese
without distinction.
He knew the
masterminds of war
were in Washington
Where old men
vainly tried to hold
back the tide of history
He saw that the war
could not be stopped
without a dramatic act.
And so, in the Summer of 72
he took all our sins
upon himself.
He said, “I will be your sacrificial lamb.
Let me be the focus of their hatred
so all of you can go free
Don’t despair my friends,
your fight for justice was right.
our dream will come again
From this defeat,
and my sacrifice
will come our victory.
We will win a world
of peace and decency
if it takes a hundred years
A world where every child, man
and women is well fed,
educated, housed and happy.
That is my legacy to you.”
I think of George McGovern this night.
I think of the great sweep of history,
with so many wars and suffering.
But this night I think of George McGovern,
Nelson Mandela, Rosa Luxemburg
and a million more who still drag us
toward the light.
JS