When I gaze at this intriguing picture you made a quote of Barbara Jordan’s comes to mind… ” Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of national community. It’s tough, difficult … it’s not easy… But a spirit of harmony will survive and flourish in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny.”
Unfortunately, Barbara Jordon is right and that’s why we don’t have more people participating in the gut level processes of Democracy. It is tough, difficult and not easy so that’s were the floor generals come in and manage it. That’s where the media handlers and the spin doctors take control — at the intersection of participation and DIFFICULT.
I think we must have one of the lowest percentage voting of democracies in the world. And I think we need to understand that the people with the post power and influence over the political process — legislative, executive, and judicial — do not attend precinct caucus, do not attend senate district, congressional district or necessarily the national conventions. Or if they do it is only incidental to their interests. That’s the dirty little secret of politics in America.
I see what Rich is saying. The lobbyists, corporate consultants, and PR firms have extraordinary influence over the political process that the average participant citizen cannot possibly hope to match. These interests often hide behind the cloak of freedom of speech or freedom of assembly when, all to often, they are simply buying political influence and favor. Now, under Bush and Cheney powerful energy lobbyists can meet inside the White House, conduct business, and then their agreements and actions are protected under executive privilege. At the end of the day, Cheney, Bush and the powerful lobbyists didn’t have to account for those actions. And those actions impact the everyday lives of American citizens profoundly — even causing people’s deaths as the Energy lobbyists did in the case of California’s energy crisis in 2000 and 2001 when the brought the power grid down in that state. And in the case of the Iraq war. That’s power at its most perverse and abusive.
I’m glad to see another very prominent Democrat super delegate in Indiana endorsed Obama. And this was not an uncommitted super delegate — he had endorsed Clinton the first day she announced her candidacy. Former DNC Chair Joe Andrew switched from backing Clinton to endorsing Obama saying he was impressed that Obama didn’t play fast and foolish with the summertime election year repeal of the federal gas tax. Additionally, Andrew said he was impressed with Obama’s responses under fire about the Rev. Wright.
4 Comments
Leslie
April 28, 2008When I gaze at this intriguing picture you made a quote of Barbara Jordan’s comes to mind… ” Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of national community. It’s tough, difficult … it’s not easy… But a spirit of harmony will survive and flourish in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny.”
Rich
April 29, 2008Unfortunately, Barbara Jordon is right and that’s why we don’t have more people participating in the gut level processes of Democracy. It is tough, difficult and not easy so that’s were the floor generals come in and manage it. That’s where the media handlers and the spin doctors take control — at the intersection of participation and DIFFICULT.
I think we must have one of the lowest percentage voting of democracies in the world. And I think we need to understand that the people with the post power and influence over the political process — legislative, executive, and judicial — do not attend precinct caucus, do not attend senate district, congressional district or necessarily the national conventions. Or if they do it is only incidental to their interests. That’s the dirty little secret of politics in America.
Robb
April 30, 2008I see what Rich is saying. The lobbyists, corporate consultants, and PR firms have extraordinary influence over the political process that the average participant citizen cannot possibly hope to match. These interests often hide behind the cloak of freedom of speech or freedom of assembly when, all to often, they are simply buying political influence and favor. Now, under Bush and Cheney powerful energy lobbyists can meet inside the White House, conduct business, and then their agreements and actions are protected under executive privilege. At the end of the day, Cheney, Bush and the powerful lobbyists didn’t have to account for those actions. And those actions impact the everyday lives of American citizens profoundly — even causing people’s deaths as the Energy lobbyists did in the case of California’s energy crisis in 2000 and 2001 when the brought the power grid down in that state. And in the case of the Iraq war. That’s power at its most perverse and abusive.
Rich
May 1, 2008I’m glad to see another very prominent Democrat super delegate in Indiana endorsed Obama. And this was not an uncommitted super delegate — he had endorsed Clinton the first day she announced her candidacy. Former DNC Chair Joe Andrew switched from backing Clinton to endorsing Obama saying he was impressed that Obama didn’t play fast and foolish with the summertime election year repeal of the federal gas tax. Additionally, Andrew said he was impressed with Obama’s responses under fire about the Rev. Wright.