I think we can all agree that the Democrats and the Republicans are not the answer to the country's escalating problems. Indeed, both parties are part of the problem. By being in the hip pockets of the "banksters," the health insurance industry, the drug companies, the auto makers etc., they have provided us with hard evidence that they are not participating in a representative democracy.
Webster's definition of a conspiracy is: an agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act. I call the agreement between Corporate America and our government officials "Conspiracy Capitalism." It is quite simply a process where the Executive and Legislative branches of government, who were elected, or, in some cases, appointed, to represent the American people and do the people's business, represent, instead, the interests of large corporations who pay them to do their business. As such, the system is dysfunctional and needs to be fundamentally changed.
Of course, it is easy to agree that the Republicans, in their total embrace of Conservative theology, are worse than the Democrats and have become wholly irrelevant. But the Democrats, presented with an opportunity that they may never again enjoy in our lifetime, have shown themselves to be incapable of governing. Did someone read Obama the "riot act" as he prepared to take office? (After all, the Banker terrorists do not play softball). The naming of his Cabinet, most of whom were around and even partially responsible for the financial meltdown, should have been a great big red flag for all to see. Was he threatened? There's no other way to explain the stunning difference between Obama's inspirational rhetoric of his presidential campaign and the dismal Right-leaning action of his presidency..
The only other possibility is that the Democrats are scared to death to be Democrats. Like Clinton before them, they tend to throw some grass up into the air to see which way the wind is blowing. Since the wind is a constantly shifting force of nature, the average wind is blowing from the center. And Centrists don't stand for anything. If you don't stand for anything and you're in bed with the special interests who run this country, then you're not that much better than a Republican.
The country needs an independent third party. Americans, disgusted with the performance of both Democrats and Republicans, are registering to vote in huge numbers as Independents. They are searching gamely for someone to represent them as actual public servants instead of colluding with big business. They are scanning the horizon for a third party.
As Progressives, we can cede that independent third party to the Tea Baggers, or we can be that voice of reform and fundamental change that Obama promised in words but has not delivered in deeds. The wimpy, ineffective Democrats have created a vacuum into which a new, revitalized Progressive party should rush in and fill with strength and purpose. Do we really have a choice?
February 7, 2010
