by William Skink
Or are we destined for Civil War 2.0?
I don’t know the answer to that question, but like 2016, I am not going to legitimize this totally corrupt political system by voting in the upcoming presidential election.
I’d like to begin this screed against our two party political system by first addressing Trump supporters: if you support Federal agents using unmarked vans to snatch protestors off the streets of a US city, then anything you say about supporting constitutional rights, like our right to due process, is complete and total shit.
Do you hear me? Your principles don’t mean a goddamn thing if you can watch militarized federal shock troops toss US citizens in unmarked vans and not be horrified REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICS.
Let me help you imagine a similar scenario, since it appears many conservative brains are too stunted by propaganda to properly assess what’s happening.
Imagine it’s 2024 and President Biden is directing his new Ministry of the Mask to indefinitely detain anyone who doesn’t comply with Biden’s National Mask decree.
Does that help?
Now, Democrats, it’s your turn. Are you seriously going to try and sell me on your cognitively impaired, racist Grandpa? A man who would have called Trayvon a super predator while he nuzzles your hair and moves his hand from the small of your back to the contour of your irresistible ass? That guy?
You think it’s a coincidence Biden’s progeny smokes the occasional crack rock (though would never get a black man’s lengthy prison sentence) while screwing a stripper–first with his dick, then by being a dick–pathetically denying the paternity of the child his dick created until forced to by a judge?
No, I don’t think so.
I don’t think the political party that fucked over Bernie TWICE because they would RATHER SEE TRUMP WIN than see progressive issues get a presidential champion deserves any support.
But RBG has cancer again! And the stakes have never been higher!! SO YOU MUST VOTE! VOTE!! VOTE!!!
Um, no. Not going to happen. Not a fucking chance.
In 2016 I poured lighter fluid on my ballot and set it on fire.
Then, after Trump shocked the political establishment, I watched the two criminal enterprises you democracy cultists call “political parties” go at each other like mafia families at war and I decided never again will I support anyone deluded enough to proudly claim allegiance to either party.
I’m sure some will waste their time and spew a few futile words in response to this brief diatribe. Go ahead if it makes you feel better.
Poetry sometimes makes me feel better, so here’s one about Montana’s Senate race. Enjoy.
CAMPAIGNS
Governor Aloof and
Senator Who Cares
barely make an effort
playing musical chairs
while Governor Aloof
lets Counties heavy lift
forcing masks on faces
tearing political rifts
Senator Who Cares
lets his money talk—
incumbent donor schmoozing
all top shelf on the rocks
and you? who are you?
ready to cast a vote
like your silly ballot
can bridge their vile moat?
they see you as neofeudal
so better get a clue
and open wide your eyes before
you’re dipped in their fondue
JC
Thank you for that!!! You perfectly captured my frustration/disgust with our political system. You also reinforced my decision to, yet again, not vote for President. This year though is the first year that has trickled down through most races.
Please keep writing – its cathartic knowing that someone out there sees reality. I appreciate it!
Portland is such a beautiful city can’t wait to go there.
https://videos.files.wordpress.com/NsrekxDr/b63090292e56c4273903373cdf62ce72ae25f0584d1461381c22f77d075b5c91_dvd.mp4
William, please snap out of your personal experience (fairly accurate) interpretation and look at the broad history. I am a Bernie man for many years. I think I will take his advice. We need to grow his ideas in the faulty Democratic party. It is possible progress has been made. I will not vote for President Trump or anyone who supports him. I also will not give my vote away to Trump and his lackeys. Look at history broadly. Things can change. With your very good analysis on many subjects (especially local) you can get the change you seek. Patience please. But vote, always vote. This cycle the choice is clear.
I’m sorry you’re stuck in a restrictive mind prison that accepts the two party status quo as inevitable and unchangeable. you can choose to legitimize the sociopathic hold on the republic if you choose, but don’t expect me to accept your conclusion that the choice is clear.
I support delegitimizing the two party political system because at the national level your vote no longer impacts public policy. that doesn’t mean I NEVER vote. I am very excited to vote against Engen next year, even if the candidate is weathered bar stool.
if you don’t believe your ability to impact policy is minuscule to nil, this six year old study should raise your eyebrows. here’s the abstract:
What ? My mind is in prison and I legitimize sociopaths? I can see that you think there is no choice.
There is going to be an election (since 1788?) . My advice is to encourage voters to inform themselves and vote and always vote at all levels. You said you would vote for a barstool over Engen. I must, by need not preference, vote for anyone but Trump and his lackeys.
Oh, by the way why do you always preface your comments to people you do not agree with , with a nasty edge. I have never spoken to you in that manner.
after being lectured for 8 years (as Obama continued Bush’s foreign policy) by morally inconsistent Democrat partisans about why I should shut up and accept their lesser-evilism rationale for voting the Dem ticket I have ZERO patience left for anyone espousing that side of the argument.
if you read the post I anticipated someone would waste their time with a comment like yours, so the “nasty edge” shouldn’t surprise you.
no surprise William you use it all the time. I did not think you could be persuaded. This is your very worthy blog . Run it any way you want. I think a little respect for diversity would enhance your arguments with which I generally agree. Hopefully someone who follows this blog can appreciate that there are many approaches to a complex argument.
I provided a link to a study that shows your vote has virtually no impact on public policy at the national level, but go ahead and try policing my tone if that’s what you want to focus on.
and when you say “the choice is clear” you are not engaging in a nuanced, complex argument, you are saying you’ve already made up your mind because you have achieved some sort of self-professed clarity.
I don’t think “the choice is clear”, I think the choice is rigged, and there is ample proof backing up that assertion.
what do you have backing up yours?
I say there is a choice. You say there is no choice. Difficult to proceed if the argument is about something you do not think exists, Except , you think the choice is between a bar stool Engen. That inconsistency is fine. You think there is a choice. I really was not referring to the upcoming election
when I mentioned complexity. I was thinking of the many questions you posit on this blog.
To get back to your last question. Yes ,not for Trump and any lackeys. I made that choice when I stumbled on that vacuous Apprentice show. If I were running for office, I would not even be in the same room with Trump or any of his lackeys. But the best answer is regular elections since 1788.
I agree that political discourse is at a low ebb and that truth is suffering greatly. It can be improved but not by ignoring it.