The Politics of the Personal: The Turning

The Politics of the Personal: The Turning

Submitted by David Neiwert on November 5, 2007 - 7:30am.



There were two crucial turning points in my relationships with conservatives: December 12, 2000, and September 11, 2001.

When the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Bush v. Gore, it became clear to me that not only had the conservative movement grown into a dogmatic ideology, it had metastasized into a power-hungry, devouring claque of ideologues for whom winning was all that mattered. I also knew, of course, that not everyone who participated in the movement was like this -- but they were all too willing to let those who were run a steamroller over every basic principle of democratic rule -- especially its core of equity and fair play -- in the name of obtaining the White House.

I remember rather vividly, like the day JFK was shot, where I was and what I was doing, the evening the ruling came down. I was in a small harbor town in western Washington, staying with the parents of some close friends (who are themselves good friends) while I covered a manslaughter trial in a nearby town. He is an accountant, she a homemaker, good moderate churchgoing Democrats. We all sat together and watched the bulletins come over the newscasts (I think we were tuned to MSNBC).

And I remember she turned to me and said: "I feel sad. Because I can't vote a mixed ticket anymore." He nodded.

So did I. I knew exactly what she meant.

Since that day, I’ve felt, it is frankly foolishness to even vote for a Republican, at least for the time being. Not because the party lacks candidates who are utterly unworthy of support; there are, indeed, smart, thoughtful and honest Republicans even still, though they are harder to come by. But even they represent, and remain an integral part of, a party that has become nearly absolutely corrupted by its near-absolute power, and almost permanently tainted by its lust for utter control of the political and social landscape.

I decided then that, for the foreseeable future, I could not cast my vote for any Republican on any ballot. The GOP, after its performance in 2000 -- and especially considering its performance in the intervening years -- will not have my vote. They have proven themselves fundamentally untrustworthy, and thus unworthy of the responsibilities and honor of public office. And I know that I am not alone in this: The GOP no longer will have the votes of many other middle-of-the-road Americans, including my friends' parents.

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http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/politics_personal_turning?tx=3

Tomorrow, here in Kentucky, we will be voting on statewide offices starting with governor. Steve Beshear will likely be elected over the corrupt incumbent, Repub Ernie Fletcher. The down ticket races will probably see Democrats take Attorney General, Auditor, & Treasurer. Sec. of State is a toss-up. The incumbent, Trey Grayson, had floated feelers for governor before the primary, alienating himself from Fletcher. While many feel that Grayson has done a credible job, it is possible that the tidal wave rising against Fletcher may very well take Grayson Out.
The last office, Sec. of Agriculture, pits former UK basketball star, Richie Farmer - the incumbent Republican - against David Williams, a johnny come lately Democrat. Williams was indicted shortly after the primary in May. Many of his public statements indicate that he probably should have stayed in the Republican pary. In this situation, who do you vote for?