Anybody but Bush?
People all over the US and all over the world are disgusted and angry at the Bush Administration--and for good reasons. Bush & Co. have given us many reasons to hate him--his doctrine of pre-emptive eternal war, the Patriot Act, racist attacks on immigrants, tax cuts for his rich friends, and many others.
Some people are so angry with Bush that they say that we should focus all of our energy and resources on electing "Anybody but Bush." This sentiment, while perhaps well intentioned, ultimately serves only to distract, divert, and co-op the growing anti-imperialist movement.
Before we allow ourselves to be herded into the pens of corporate electoral politics, perhaps we should step back and look at the issues:
The War
In October 2002, the Democrats, including front-runner John Kerry, voted overwhelmingly to support the war against Iraq. Kerry did not challenge Bush's lies about "Weapons of Mass Destruction." He did not join the massive demonstrations against the war. In 1998, under Democrat Bill Clinton, Congress passed the Iraq Liberation Act. Democrats, including John Kerry and Dennis Kucinich, voted for this bill, which called for regime change in Iraq.
All of the current Democratic candidates, with the exception of Rev. Al Sharpton, intend to maintain the colonial occupation of Iraq. They differ with Bush on tactics, but not on strategy or motivation. They have not called for the immediate withdrawal of troops- instead, they call for sending more troops and bring in the United Nations. All this means is that German, French, and Russian corporations will get a share of the plunder from Iraq, in exchange for the lives of some of their young people. It is important to remember that the UN administered the genocidal sanctions regime that killed at least half a million Iraqis.
The reason that Kerry and other Democratic candidates back the occupation is that they work for the same employer that Bush does- the big corporations. They only differ over tactics and want the colonial occupation to be managed in a more "user friendly" way. They present, not a real alternative to Bush's drive for Empire, but a soft-core, re-packaged Imperialism.
They feed from the same trough and take orders from the same bosses that Bush does. So far, in 2004, the big corporations have donated almost $400,000,000 to the election process. Approximately 60% of this went to Republicans, and 40% to Democrats. Wall Street knows that whichever candidate wins, their interests will be served.
Jobs, Healthcare, Housing
The problems we face under the Bush Administration are many of the same ones we faced under Clinton--jobs are disappearing and millions of people do not have access to healthcare, affordable housing, or education. The Democrats offer no real answer to these problems.
Under Clinton, social programs were slashed because Wall Street demanded a balanced budget. Real wages declined and the only job sector to see any growth was in the service industry--jobs flipping burgers for minimum wage with no benefits is the Democratic Party's idea of job growth.
John Kerry will continue these policies. A Kerry Administration would continue to dump billions of dollars into maintaining the corporate occupation of Iraq. There will be no money for real improvements in healthcare, jobs, housing, and education because Kerry's priority will be to serve the corporations that support his campaign.
Building a Movement vs. Electing Another Millionaire
In the past year and a half, millions of people worldwide have taken to the streets to protest against Bush and his Imperial designs. This grass roots, multinational movement has united the anti-war struggle with the fight for economic justice, national liberation, and real democracy.
Now, some would have this movement set aside these principles and return to the corporate fold, falling in step behind John Kerry, a millionaire Senator who supports the war and occupation of Iraq, voted for the Patriot Act, opposes gay marriage, and will continue to serve the same interests as the current Administration. This would be an outright rejection of everything we have been in the streets for.
The only way we will win is to continue to organize and build a massive grassroots movement and not be distracted by the spectacle of corporate politics. Lets get to work uniting working and oppressed people to fight against racism and imperial war.
On March 20, all over the planet, millions of people will once again be on the streets, saying what no Democratic or Republican politician will say: "Bring the Troops Home, Now! End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti and Everywhere!" In New York City, tens of thousands of people from all over the Eastern United States will rally on Madison Avenue, between 23rd and 34th Sts.
This, more than any election, is the opportunity to make our voices heard. Join us on March 20 and help build the global movement against occupation.
SNAFU, the Support Network for an Armed Forces Union, is calling on veterans, members of the armed forces, and military families to join with us on March 20. Too many have died for George Bush's Lies. Bring the Troops Home Now!
See www.join-snafu.org for more information
"Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil." -Jerry Garcia
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