7.27.2004

[Politics] People who voted for Nader did NOT put Bush in the White House

Democrats get over it. People who voted for Nader did NOT put Bush in the White House. These accusation accomplish nothing and work against what the left is trying to accomplish. They also sound like an externalization and denial of failings that the party had in 2000 (read the book Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell for examples). Moreover thanks to scare tactics similar to what the Republicans employ, you have insured that no liberal in this country will ever support a third party. You've won. Stop bashing people who want to think for themselves or who feel the Democrats need to be reminded of their liberal roots. You should be attempting to lure the Nader people by convincing them your candidate(s) (like Kucinich) represent the values of liberalism that the Green Party supports, and that the Democrats are still liberal and still support their causes. You should NOT be shaming those who you need to enlist and wish to enlist to help defeat Bush. What some elements of the Democratic Party are pulling in regards to Green Party and Nader is unjust, unfair, immature, and very, very wrong.

I am a Democrat, for now, I like Kucinich and want to work to bring the Democrats back to being a bit more left. But I have to tell you, I voted for Nader in 2000 and I support the Green Party and you're pissing me off. If the bashing continues I will leave the Democrat Party (and so will my money and volunteer time). I don't support Nader for what he is doing this year, as I feel Kusinich is a better representation of my ideas, but he had valid issues in 2000 and the support of a viable Party. No one could predict the tyranny and darkness that befell this country when Bush stole office, but punishing people you need to help you (and who are on your side) is not the answer. You should be wooing these people and forming alliances, not shunning and condemning them.

Don't expect sympathy or support from these people if you continue to condemn them.

Grow up Democrats and act like the adults you are. You of all people should not be condemning others for their beliefs and ideologies. Did you miss the message of last night's speakers at the DNC? We are all in this together, we must be unified, not divided.

1 comment:

Nerdwife said...

Democrats are uneasy with the reminder of the loss of the left core, and most are simply unwilling to face the party's absolute culpability in this matter. The fact of the 2000 election is this: Gore could have had every vote that Nader received; Gore just didn't care to. In some states, like ours (MN), this made no difference; in some (like VT or OR, I think) it could have made a difference; in Florida, the court decides elections, so go figure. The Dems that make me see red are the ones who feel Nader should not have run at all; by all means, let's line up to rubber stamp those corporation-molded, hand selected candidates and run, not walk, to the indifferent middle ground to promote the status quo! Kucinich never had a real chance for president this year, but ran to remind the party that they used to stand for a few values.