Where's the plan?
I have questions for my very left-leaning politically fed up friends, but the "cone of purity" won't allow it.
I’ve recently acquired a group of social media “friends” who are courageous, anti-government, anti-establishment, anti-war human rights activists. A couple of these individuals I consider real-life friends. I respect them. They don’t respect me.
Nuance, positive thinking, realistic goals, and open-minded thinking are not their strongest attributes. If one considers themselves a “liberal” as I do, there is a level of “liberal” that must be met, otherwise you may as well be part of the opposition; someone who supports corruption, genocide, and corporate America. In their eyes, there is not a middle ground on which we can meet, discuss, and strategize in order to save ourselves from what this current administration has coming down the pike. You’re either for the revolution, for some kind of third party, and for their vision of dismantling the government or you are part of then problem.
As I said, I respect their vision, but cannot align myself with a real or imagined political party that will never gain any traction. It’s been tried—H. Ross Perot’s almost-successful Reform Party, for example. He is considered the most successful third-party candidate since Theodore Roosevelt. His candidacy was propelled by a dissatisfaction with incumbent George H. W. Bush, who was viewed as an elitist, someone out of touch with the working class. As the country sank into a recession, Bush vetoed a bill that would have extended unemployment benefits to many Americans who had lost their secure manufacturing jobs. Bush was vulnerable with his right-leaning allies because of his broken promise of no new taxes.
Perot had the benefit of being a self-funded billionaire. He was energized by a grudge toward Bush that started during the Reagan administration and was able to take advantage of the wave of populism affecting the country. He was riding high in the polls until he abruptly quit the race, but later rejoined in October of 1992. Even with that interruption, he fared well enough to win nearly 19% of the popular vote. There is much more to be said about this interesting campaign (see resources below), but I have wildly digressed from the original purpose of bringing this up…
A victorious third-party candidate is highly unlikely. Even with the right amount of funding, our established political machinery and the electoral college work against any candidate’s success. This is just one issue that sets me apart from the friends I have described above. My vote will always go to a competent but most likely imperfect candidate, who is better equipped than their opponent to move the country closer to where I want it to be.
Again, I digress…
So what does this make me? Naive? A person of compromised principles? A supporter of war, genocide, and the status quo? Am I lazy for not wanting to join our local chapter of the Democratic Socialists or the neighborhood association or go door-to-door with with flyers supporting our local election candidates? Am I not committed enough because I fear arrest, shoving, or deranged opponents? These are questions I regularly ask myself.
I’m 74 years old. I’ve seen some dark times and have prematurely mourned the loss of democracy. The world as I knew it appeared to be ending during some impressionable stages of my life. Because of my longevity, though, I have seen better times return. I have seen the benefits of the political machinery when it is working. It’s not working now, and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.
According to them, every party-endorsed candidate is a corrupt, war-mongering, oligarch. A vote for that person will get you more of what we got because, after all, there’s no difference between the two parties. They are not entirely wrong, except about both parties being the same; I’ll save that for another time. But—and this is my frustration—what do we do? Not vote? What does that accomplish? For me, that is giving up. As I have covered above, the third-party option is a dead end. Maybe someday I will be wrong.
So, now the I’ve rambled and downloaded by addled brain onto this page, here’s an attempt at some logical statements.
We have to support young people like David Hogg and others who enter politics. The Democratic Party needs new leadership, and younger leaders are vital.
Despite the naysayers, we need to continue holding our elected officials accountable. Some say emails, petitions, and letters don’t matter. My reps, who are Republican, refuse to hold town halls or have face-to-face meetings; an aide is the best you will get. So…don’t buy that message. Continue to make phone calls and write letters. Continue to ask for town halls and shame those who don’t comply. Sign petitions if you want, but I have heard they aren’t super effective. Voice your displeasure in whatever fashion is comfortable for you.
After Cory Booker’s marathon rallying cry, it wasn’t long before the posts in my feed turned from “Yes!” and “Cory!” to “Don’t be fooled by this guy…” *We have now entered the Cone of Purity.*
The problem: He carries the usual baggage of nearly all career politicians: He is in the pocket of the pharmaceutical companies, he approved more military aid for Israel, he takes AIPAC money, etc. Support for him and his ilk is like voting for Hitler. Other than the overreach of equating Booker and other Dems to Hitler, I’m with these detractors. Money in politics is a real issue that needs to be dealt with. Until then, we vote. Inside the cone of purity, this is not a valid answer.
Vote?
Many would say to use one’s vote—that’s the most powerful weapon we have. Others would tell you that they have tried that; it doesn't work, the system is rigged. They will not vote in any US election until the current power structure along with its corrupt political machinery are dismantled. Many chose not to vote in 2024, since their principles did not allow them to vote for either candidate. They have plenty to say about the mess we’re in, but refuse to share the blame. Other options, friends?Finally, subscribe to the many brilliant writers on Substack and other platforms. Their insights, linked resources, and suggested actions will get you through these confusing and often dark times. I am a regular reader of Garrett Bucks whose words never fail to encourage and motivate me. I have been privileged to receive two of his stickers to place legally in a public place. This style of resistance fits my more reclusive nature.
As I end this post, I know I have inadequately covered all of my concerns that have cropped up in the last couple of years. Awakening to genocide, corruption, the invisible hands operating the machinery, and the dark side of human nature has been truly mind-blowing and emotionally draining. The realization that for years I have put too much trust in the strength of our democracy, the character of our elected leaders, and the hatred in the hearts of my fellow Americans has changed my views about the future.
Still, I believe we will survive this, but I honestly don’t know where that belief comes from.
Survival instinct, I suppose. Considering the alternative only drains my resistance battery. I hope that something is left to build from, that younger leaders will not be compromised or defeated by the messy business of politics, and that our cynical natures are aligned toward hope and action. In the words of Oat Willie “Onward through the fog!”
Resources
If you are interested in the 1992 election featuring George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and H. Ross Perot, there is a four-part YouTube video called Reform!
Cone of Purity refers to a point in a conversation or FB exchange in which you cannot recommend a compromise to a political problem or admit to an understanding of the enemy; a place in which suggesting that voting for a flawed, but sane candidate makes one naive, complacent, or part of the problem.