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I’m not a Green; I just hate people
2004.03.19 — Government | Campaign 2004 | Ralph Nader | by Jason Botwick
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Once and future kingmaker? |
I'm of two minds about Nader. He is a spoiler. There's even a good argument that he is megalomaniacal. And I think it has become priority #1 to defeat the current administration, even if it means compromising on some principals or putting a possibly great vision on hold.
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[P]eople who accuse him of being a spoiler or self-absorbed are missing the point of why people vote for him... |
On the other hand, I still cling to the feelings that I held about him in relation to Gore's bid last time, which was that people who accuse him of being a spoiler or self-absorbed are missing the point of why people vote for him, which is that we think he represents our interests more than the other two guys. Why should I vote for someone who I know is not genuinely interested in changing things that I think are important? Because he's the lesser of two evils and because he might win? That's a pretty fucking sad, cynical way to participate in democracy, especially given the choices we're left with.
At least with Clinton's first run to office, you had some promise. There was a genuine feeling for awhile that they were going to storm up to the White House and really start changing things. Of course, that never came to pass. But at least his candidacy held the promise of some change. I don't get that sense from Kerry at all. He feels—and, unfortunately looks—like the grim reaper whose only duty will be to slowly shepherd us further down the road towards the end of the dream.
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I thought Bush 1 and Gore were both spoiled, rich,
establishment jerks. I think Kerry |
I thought Bush 1 and Gore were both spoiled, rich, establishment jerks. I think Kerry and Bush 2 are both spoiled, rich, establishment jerks. Neither is going to solve the basic problems that our country faces. In fact, I would question whether either is even going to make a genuine effort to do so, or is aware of what the problems are. Neither has a coherent, realistic vision. They are no more leaders than my bus driver is. Just because they're in the front seat and their hands are gripping the wheel doesn't mean they have any input into where the bus goes.
To effect real change as a president, you have to be a leader. People have to respect you. They have to like you. You have to be at once the guy that you could sit down and watch a ballgame and have a few beers with, but yet also be a father figure or a football coach, a guy who you respect and trust to make good decisions, and whose direction you'd follow, even if it was painful or difficult. A guy who will make decisions that are right, even if they are unpopular. When was the last time we had a guy like that? Reagan. Kennedy. FDR. Those guys were leaders. These guys aren't. Do you think it would be fun to have John Kerry over for a BBQ? Can you seriously imagine George Bush leading men into a battle? Or as the QB of a football team? The man is a joke. He's an embarrassment. Kerry was a war hero. Great. So was Audie Murphy. What has he done since?
[Cowboy movies! Oh, you mean Kerry.... —Ed.]
Worse, these guys are members of the aristocracy which grows in strength weekly. Nader, for all his other faults, isn't. Of course, he isn't inspirational either. And some of BB Rodriguez's points about what a Nader presidency would bring are valid. But my argument would be that neither of the other guys will accomplish anything either, so what's the difference?
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I like Kerry more than I like Bush. But I prefer the smell of dogshit over the smell of vomit. |
I like Kerry more than I like Bush. But I prefer the smell of dogshit over the smell of vomit. But I don't fancy downing a bowl of either one. But seriously, Bush is so bad. As strongly as I feel about hating Kerry, Bush is so bad, I may have to vote for this jerk.
It's really painful to think about. I may still vote for Nader on the following premise: Our current administration is driving us down the road towards a cultural, political and financial apocalypse of global proportions, and leaning on the gas pedal. And while I think our system is broken right now, nobody is going to lift a finger to fix it until things get very, very bad.
So maybe, the faster we get there, the better.
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BB Rodriguez: What the hell is Nader thinking?
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