Here and There, the Truth

Looking around the Internet I come across mentions of the falsity of the Presidential elections of 2000 and 2004. One is not overwhelmed with such references to be sure. Yet for the inquisitive, the information is there.

I bring this up because of the high election season we are now in. Many people have put a tremendous amount of energy into getting one candidate or another nominated. Yet research shows elections, while important, are essentially used by the corporate structure to offer legitimacy for its own ends. Neither Clinton, nor Obama, nor McCain have eschewed donations from corporations, even if indirectly; so the reports say.

For a good summary I highly recommend Hidden Election by Charles Derber which proclaims the U.S. to now be in its third "corpocracy." The hopefulness of the present moment is the failure of the profit system as some of the stalwarts of American capitalism -- once unassailable giants such as General Motors and CitiBank (now CitiGroup) -- have faced serious problems. While such a failure brings with it great pain, the weakness of our economic system is becoming plainer to people.

So I am glad to end on a note of hope.

More on "American Theocracy"

I have now finished the book "American Theocracy" by Kevin Phillips. This two-year-old book is well-worth reading for its history of economics, religion, and politics in America and beyond. In fact, I would call it a must-read for anyone who cares about America. And, as Phillips makes clear, because America is still so important in world affairs, it really should be read by everyone who is concerned about the state of the world.

New Political Ad of Interest

This evening I watched a clever and useful advertisement shining the light of truth on Senator John McCain. I have known for years that John McCain was quite far to the right, although with less overt and public vitriol than, say, a Tom DeLay. Here is the ad.

Urgent Message from Congressman Robert Wexler

Here you can view an important video statement from Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida, a courageous and responsible member of Congress who not only cares deeply about the rule of law but is actively working to re-establish the authority of Congress as a co-equal branch of government.

Does the Election Matter?

Today, more votes are being tallied in different states around the country as the process of selecting a new President continues. In spite of the excitement I feel myself drawn to a position of saddened, and rather angry neutrality. For I know from much research that Republican voter suppression tactics have rendered any close election a virtual lost cause. (Greg Palast has written that in any national election the Democrats start down by three million votes due to all the dirty tricks of the Republicans.) The one hope is that there will be a Democratic landslide in the Presidential vote.

Jonathan Alter of Newsweek is claiming to have projected Barack Obama as the virtually certain winner in the selection of Democratic delegates based on the primaries and caucuses. He says he has used something called the Slate Delegate Counter. The only way Hillary could win would be for the so-called super-delegates to go against the popular vote results.

So we seem destined at this point for a McCain-Obama contest. The facts clearly favor Obama. But one can only imagine the kind of "Swift-boat campaign" tactics being prepared even now against Senator Obama.

I feel more comfortable with my books, such as American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips. In the section I am now reading, Phillips is detailing something of the history of Christians in America, a history I am already familiar with in outline. His telling of this history is useful in setting the stage for the surging "Christian" vote. (I have seen fit to put "Christian" in quotes as I do not see the activities of many churches as being truly Christian.) Once again, I highly recommend this well-researched and enlightening book.

(In the interest of disclosure, the parents of an Obama staffer have been friends of mine for years.)