Thoughts on the election: S. Thompson on "the Business Party"

I have begun asking friends and family for their own perspective on the election, and I have been glad to find that people are eager to contribute and eager to express themselves. In the past, I have tried to solicit writings from many people for other projects, but the vulnerability implicit in such an open ended task is understandably a deterrent. With a subject as high-profile as the election, however, people seem to have a lot to say. Maybe all the talk about this being "the most important election ever" is true.

The second contribution to this site is from "S.Thompson." A student and blogger residing in Georgia, he has worked on political campaigns in the past, but now is pursuing an advanced degree.

His political views are stridently critical of the status quo, but he also has a very pragmatic political intuition.

Here, he offers a broader perspective on the election and the excitement surrounding it.

For more from the author, check his own "A La Gauche."

Earlier installments:
Thoughts from my Grandmother


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I came across an online interview with Noam Chomsky the other day. The interview was conducted by an alternative news source - theREALnews - and covered a range of topics concerning the state of affairs in the United States. When the interviewer asked Professor Chomsky what advice he'd give to Americans on the current election, he basically said that Americans should vote against McCain and for Obama, but without any illusions. I tend to agree with Chomsky and I certainly do in this case.

Things could get much worse if John McCain is chosen as our next president. But will things get much better under an Obama presidency? I doubt it. But that doesn't mean Americans should just throw in the towel. I hope this new interest in politics continues to grow; the more the American people know about their government, the likelier it is that things will change.

Since the Primary season, we've watched Obama's message move closer and closer to what is commonly called “the middle,” but what would better be defined as “the right”. Will this shift continue if Obama is elected? That's all up to the American people. If we all just sigh in relief at an Obama victory and return to complacency, I'd say it is almost certain that there won't be nearly as much change as there could be.

Noam Chomsky states that we have a one-party system here in the United States – the Business Party. There are two branches of the Business Party – the Republicans and the Democrats. It's strange to think about and difficult to accept, but Chomsky is right. I think very few Americans would say that one of the major parties better represents their views than one of the various “third parties”. Why is it that we even use the phrase, “voting for the lesser of two evils”? There's no reason we should accept being limited to two poor choices in nearly every election.

Millions of Americans are involved in the political process for the first time in their lives. They've been pushed to pay attention after eight years of being ignored and mistreated under the Bush administration. But there serious questions as to whether these new voices will be heard when it comes to election day. The future of this nation, and likely the future of the entire world, is based on whether or not electronic voting machines all across the country are properly calibrated. There's an issue that needs a double dose of change.

My hope is that those millions of Americans who are newly involved in the political process will keep Obama's feet to the fire, should he become the next president. Obama can promise change, but the American people can deliver it. And change doesn't have to mean simply electing the candidate from the opposition party. That cycle has been in place for a very long time. I hope the American people choose Barrack Obama. I hope their votes are counted. And I hope that once Obama is sworn in, people stay informed, stay motivated, and stay involved.