Washblog

I loved the 2004 caucuses because it was the first "real politics" I'd seen -- regular people getting together to share info about the candidates and talk about serious issues, and make choices based on that interaction.  People thinking together -- About politics!  That is just beautiful.

All the other elections I'd taken part in were money-driven.  How much $ can a candidate or special interest raise to pour into getting a "win" - regardless of the truth, regardless of the needs of the voters.  Politics turned into a money and ego game.  It really is the epitome of a banal evil -- and it does kill.

Elections are bought and sold. But not the caucuses.  The caucuses involve real people and real information. It's democracy personalized and decentralized instead of centralized, sanitized wiped free of the personal. 100% vote by mail is the epitome of denatured democracy.  Not only do you get your information through the media and advertisements, both controlled by money -- but you don't even get the experience of going to your polling place.  You don't even see your neighbors voting.  You're not even asked to take the trouble to do that, go to the polls.  That's how you kill democracy.  

Anyway, I'm winding up my second term as a PCO and not planning to run again.  Yesterday's experience, a huge turnout and wonderful energy -- gives me a feeling of happiness and hope I had not felt before.  The reason I entered into political action was an urgent feeling that I needed to help raise the alarm that terrible things are happening to America's democracy and people and ecology.  I felt passionately that I wanted people to wake up and kick the bastards out and put people in office who are going to serve the public interest.

And then I see yesterday this huge crowd and I feel the energy there and I know we can do it, I know people can weke up and turn this tide.  

by noemie maxwell on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 01:37:25 PM PST

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