[Grovenet] Dependent or Independent? (WAS: A DifferentChristmasPoem)

[John Welch]

It's during election season (which is most of the time now) that I sadly 
reflect on the difference between our system of elections and that of the 
Brits.  Very compressed, very locally responsive and not so much money 
pounded down a rat hole to buy votes.  Also, when the people lose confidence 
in the government, they don't necessarily have to wait four (or eight) years 
to right things.  Happy Holidays to people of any party (or none).

John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geri" <g-g-steele at comcast.net>
To: "Forest Grove local interests list" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Dependent or Independent? (WAS: A 
DifferentChristmasPoem)


> Wouldn't it be fun if there could be more than
> two parties (the same old ones elbowing out
> the others)?!
>
> Pretty darn sure I'd remain an independent,
> but for most elections, I think we'd more likely
> as individuals find candidates closer to what
> we want.
>
> I think the big lobbyists and corporate interests
> need to go ...  There are very few wealthy or
> powerful enough individuals -- only a tiny percent
> -- who can ever compete with them, and that
> leaves out most of America!  Not to mention it's
> "we the people" who are supposed to be
> represented, not "we the extreme wealthy folks."
>
>
> Geri
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
> To: "'Forest Grove local interests list'" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 11:41 AM
> Subject: [Grovenet] Dependent or Independent? (WAS: A Different 
> ChristmasPoem)
>
>
>>I find interesting candidates in both parties. My frustration is with the
>> party machines, not necessarily the candidates.
>>
>> President Bush is simply the latest manifestation of their extremists
>> controlling the Republican Party. I have a hard time taking seriously 
>> *any*
>> candidate that party puts forward, no matter how personally attractive,
>> because I know that he will be controlled by the same party mob.
>>
>> But I feel that both parties are out of control: they are simply too
>> powerful. For many years, anyone who seriously expects to be elected to 
>> the
>> Presidency has to join one or the other of the two parties, yet that 
>> person
>> is only a figurehead, controlled and directed by a hidden power structure
>> that we did not choose, pursuing goals they do not care to publicize.
>>
>> The very publicity that convinces the public that the lies you cited are
>> truth has disenfranchised the voters as fast as they received their 
>> ballots.
>> The power centers do that using the parties as the their 'front', 
>> enticing
>> the public with cleverly-crafted emotional appeals the hide the truth.
>>
>> One of the great fictions of our day is that it takes a rare, 
>> extraordinary
>> person to be a successful President. Nonsense! If President Bush hasn't
>> proven that wrong, everyone's blind. Indeed, they may well be blind!
>>
>> This country was founded on the idea that any educated American is 
>> capable
>> of handling state or national office, aided by highly-qualified experts 
>> of
>> their choosing. It's true that the number of well educated Americans is
>> diminishing at an alarming rate, but we still have literally millions of
>> well qualified people for the Presidency and every other elected office 
>> in
>> our land. The day that's no longer true, we no longer have a republic!
>>
>> I'm not saying that those who are running for office with either party
>> aren't intelligent, educated and qualified to serve. I am saying that 
>> every
>> one of those who are running on the national tickets have a huge machine
>> attached to them with its own agenda who we will put in power if we 
>> choose
>> them. That's exactly what happened when President Bush took office. I
>> believe that it's also true with almost every other President in my
>> lifetime.
>>
>> It's time for a revolution, not against the government established by our
>> founding fathers, but against the corrupt, ineffective system by which we
>> choose the candidates who we get to vote on to run the government.
>>
>> One simple, effective way to revolt is to stop offering our names to the
>> political parties to use as they see fit. No matter who we may choose to
>> vote for on election day, why allow their party to crow that we are among
>> their dedicated, unquestioning supporters by virtue of being a member?
>>
>> Why not register as an independent, saying "show me and I'll think about 
>> it"
>> when a party puts forth a candidate?
>>
>> Isn't independence what America is all about?
>>
>> As an independent, no one will suggest that you should be true to someone
>> else's ideals.
>>
>> All you have to do is be true to yourself.
>>
>> Ron D'Eau Claire
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