Paramount Theatre
It Is Time to Work Together
RECEIVED Thu., Feb. 26, 2004
Dear Editor,
We all like to consider ourselves independent thinkers in the political realm and not tethered to any party line. For a long time I flirted with third parties and resisted calling myself a Democrat, because it made me feel "above the fray" of sordid mainstream politics. However, since 2000 I have seen the tragic consequences of too many people who think very much like Democrats either voting for a third party, or just staying at home on Election Day out of frustration.
Two very different groups – the corporateers and the fundamentalists – have allied themselves within the Republican Party, to great success. They have very little in common, yet they tolerate each other for the opportunity to advance their causes on a national stage. In the same way, the anti-corporate Independents and the moderate free-trade Democrats must find a way to come together. If we continue to compete with each other, the right wing will continue to push its corrosive, anti-humanistic, anti-democratic policies down all of our throats.
To protect human liberty and human culture against the combined forces of big corporations and mindless religion, it will take some Machiavellian cunning. It is time to infuse our idealism with practicality, swallow our pride and work together. Are you listening, Ralph?
We all like to consider ourselves independent thinkers in the political realm and not tethered to any party line. For a long time I flirted with third parties and resisted calling myself a Democrat, because it made me feel "above the fray" of sordid mainstream politics. However, since 2000 I have seen the tragic consequences of too many people who think very much like Democrats either voting for a third party, or just staying at home on Election Day out of frustration.
Two very different groups – the corporateers and the fundamentalists – have allied themselves within the Republican Party, to great success. They have very little in common, yet they tolerate each other for the opportunity to advance their causes on a national stage. In the same way, the anti-corporate Independents and the moderate free-trade Democrats must find a way to come together. If we continue to compete with each other, the right wing will continue to push its corrosive, anti-humanistic, anti-democratic policies down all of our throats.
To protect human liberty and human culture against the combined forces of big corporations and mindless religion, it will take some Machiavellian cunning. It is time to infuse our idealism with practicality, swallow our pride and work together. Are you listening, Ralph?
Robert Wilks