Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Don't Turn Off ... Turn ON

By Mickey Z.

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Posted 03/31 | Add a Comment

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  1. This is an important piece of writing.  I want readers to know that I plan to submit an article --very shortly-- that will elaborate on what Mickey has laid out here.  In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt for people to follow the links laid out by Mickey, to slowly digest the potential impact, the revolutionary nature of what he’s putting on the table...within the parameters allowed by The Powers.  While Arianna Huffington publishes a book titled “How to Overthrow the Government” listing 32 actions that citizens can take to make radical change, Mickey gives you ONE idea to act upon.  The former falls into the category of “doable, but won’t be done.” The latter provides a simple blueprint which only requires faith in what could happen if you act immediately, with unswerving focus and ignore all the negative rationales (for not doing so) from now till November.  Good fortune comrades, OX

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  03/31  at  10:19 AM

  2. Here it is!  I am all for mobilization in this regard: to see if people will vote for an alternative after stating: “There is no difference between the two $%&^*(##$@s.”
    I look forward to Richard Oxman’s article and thank Mickey Z for the initial overlay of this idea.
    I like this idea because it is doable and legal and because it sends a direct message.  Now, to remember that we are NOT splitting hairs here...if we vote for Nader because we are against the war, for single-payer health-care, gay rights...all is good.  The point is to send a message that Nader’s stances WILL produce votes.

    Posted by Dave Stewart from  on  03/31  at  12:22 PM

  3. I wanted and tried to emphasize a few issues while campaigning for Nader in 2000 and Kucinich in 2004.  I chose the issues based on popularity (especially with the disgruntled sector that I am well aware of) and potential impact for the future nation and world.  Universal health care with cost controls was definitely included.  My efforts were basically providing candidate-provided leaflets in public places, in some cases supplemented by signs listing key issues.  But my experience (so far) has been that people immediately focus on electability and personality issues instead.  I don’t think that focusing on one issue alone would help—this seems to belittle people’s way of thinking about politics, or at least they would take it that way, even if their views do tend to be narrowly reactive and highly influenced by the idiotic mass media.  I’m now considering the strategy of campaigning for issues per se, that is, distributing a brochure for single payer plan and another time for changing unionization law, another time for shorter work hours, etc. (with solid, factual, but popular explanations in each case); rather that for a candidate who supports a short list of issues.  Strong, growing movements for each issue could then bring big changes.  I’ve been told that the problem here is getting enough money to produce quantity and quality of materials, whereas even highly progressive candidates have significant pools of cash from contributors large and small.  This discussion sounds like reinventing the wheel, but it seems that is sometimes necessary.

    Posted by Dennis Harketts from  on  04/01  at  09:19 AM

  4. Worthwhile and interesting info, but I don’t see the people who one would be going after --in trying to gather voters for RN-- as necessarily following the profile described above.  Of course, most voters and non-voters in America have much in common, but the drive to increase turnout on Ralph’s behalf does not follow traditional aims.  There is not time for the kind of understandable desire for build-up to solidarity in the way that’s described.  We are at the “edge” in terms of environmental issues alone, and the ON movement would rely on convincing citizens (primarily who have given up on the whole electoral business) to do something for self-interest on two levels, one re health care and two, for planetary survival.  Recruiting such individuals will have to have a fever attached to it, and passing out leaflets is one kind of many (traditionally acceptable) actions that would be a waste of time now. Bonding one-on-one in a more intimate way than is usually thought of in connection w political activism would be more the order of the day.  I plan to submit an article on all of this within 48 hours; please stay tuned...and make your comments in this space allowed...in the interim.  Suffice it to say that, in short, organizing on behalf of Ralph for the purposes of ON will require new models of electoral activism.  Hopefully, people will be drawn in now, in part, by the new revelations concerning our imminent demise, the enormous additional growth in the disparity of wealth, the revelations re mendacity in general, the decline in medical care, etc. since 2000.
    Blessings in solidarity, Richard Oxman

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  04/01  at  10:33 AM

  5. What kind of stupid ideas are these.  Please explain the particular drugs you are using.

    Posted by Eric Smith from  on  04/01  at  01:04 PM

  6. I don’t know if this is directed at me, but I get some of my drugs from John Pilger, Robert Fisk, Mark Hand and Mickey Z.  How ‘bout you?  Best, Ox

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  04/01  at  09:55 PM

  7. I am of the firm opinion that voting for 3rd party alternatives to the dictatorship of our one party corporate fascism has now become a revolutionary act; if we are to make any progress for a true democracy which represents the interests of the people of the world, that is the direction we must committo.

    P.S.  To Eric and Richard: The “drug” mentioned above is the acceptance of the truth, however difficult it is to bear.

    Posted by Debra Hubert from  on  04/02  at  11:29 AM

  8. You sharing Richard?

    The day after Nader announced I visited his website, volunteered to work on his campaign and sent a resume to his Washingto headquarters.  I have consistently been getting listserv messages from him since announcing his television and personal appearances.  I was about furious with him and his campaign when today I received a message saying that he will be here in Chicago Tuesday to kick off his Illinois push to get on the ballot.  It’s a late start because I believe the process opened as of March 25th and closes middle of June, I believe.  In that time the campaign has to collect 25k verified signatures, 40k actual then, to qualify for the Illinois ballot, which the Nader campaign has identified as a key state.  I was beginning to believe, contrary to earlier assessments, that his campaign really was about Nader’s ego.  I plan on going and so will try to keep you posted.

    Anybody but Captain Ketchup.  In all seriousness, Kerry is so pathetic I’m tempted to vote for Bush under the rubric that it has to get (even) worse before it gets better.

    Posted by Tracy McLellan from  on  04/02  at  07:22 PM

  9. Please keep me posted, yes.  My piece NADER AND/OR DEATH should be posted on this site by mid-afternoon EST.  Hope no one will be dragged down by the lack of quality support in Nader’s org.  All will have to been done w great self-initiative at work.  Great to hear the good news, T.  For what it’s worth, however, I’d sooner see you not go to polls than enact that scenario. It’ll get worse on its own; you can make better use of your time perhaps.  Lovey, oxy

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  04/02  at  10:00 PM

  10. Yeah, don’t vote for Bush. #### Bush and #### Kerry!

    Nader ‘04.

    PS Tracy: I think that the entire staff is overwhelmed. They don’t have enough forces, which means that they need volunteers, but I don’t think that they have enough paid people power to properly organize all of the folks who want to volunteer (I have spoke with some of the people in the Nader camp; they are busting ass). I know that Nader is doing meet ups. You may want to check out meetup.com and hook up with folks in your area.

    But Ralph may still get the GP nomination, as most of the candidates are stand in for Ralph, so we’ll see.

    If it was about his ego, he would have endorsed Kerry.

    Best,
    B

    Posted by Brandy from  on  04/03  at  12:41 PM

  11. The last and only two of my monthly meet ups have been cancelled for lack of interest.  I have some logistically problems, mostly in unavailable mass transit problems when needed. 

    Toast

    Posted by Tracy McLellan from  on  04/03  at  08:45 PM

  12. When needed to get to the downtown Chicago meet ups I meant, which I am sure are probably well attended.

    Posted by Tracy McLellan from  on  04/03  at  08:46 PM

  13. Mickey’s idea is flawed:  Anybody But Bush folks are supposed to vote for Kerry while encouraging previous non-voters to vote for Nader.  This is a hypocritical, “Don’t do as I’m doing, do as I say you ought to do.” This is neither convincing nor inspiring.  The appeal has to be for EVERYONE to vote for Nader and the reasoning has to be sound.  Just saying final irretrievable catastrophe is at hand if you don’t do so is not convincing.  This old Leftist standby is pretty threadbare and highly manipulative.

    Posted by Michael from  on  04/04  at  08:47 PM

  14. Mickey is NOT saying that Kerry people should not vote for Nader.  Do I misunderstand you?  Going after nonvoters is an admitted act of desperation derived from the instransigence of Kerry supporters...as perceived.  Where do you get the “don’t do as I do” idea, Michael?  It seems to come out of nowhere.  Please explain.  Everyone IS invited to vote for Nader, of course.  The point about ecocide, however, is NOT a minor concern for any ne...if they are in touch with what is happening.  Very clearly, a vote for Kerry or Bush is a commitment to collective suicide.  What’s not motivating about telling people that if they vote for Nader...they have a slight chance at averting disaster?  Best, The Ox

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  04/04  at  10:46 PM

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