One weekend about a month ago, on MSNBC’s weekend roundtable show “Up with Steve Kornacki”, Mr. Kornacki interviewed former liberal Representative from Massachusetts Barney Frank. They were discussing the difference between the liberal “Occupy” movement vs. the conservative “Tea Party” movement and their affect on Washington. During the discussion Rep. Frank stated something I found profound:
“The Left march, the Right votes.”
This statement shook me because I have never voted. I feel that no politician has yet to earn my vote. Both the Democrats and the GOP offer no real, meaningful solutions to our societal problems. They do not offer serious proposals for change, such as addressing the state of inequality between the rich and poor here in the U.S. and around the globe, or the problem of minority discrimination, or general issues of injustice. They are identical in this problem.
So what to do? The Tea Party has had success in affecting change within the narrow confines of power between two extremely similar ideologies in Washington. But so what? Should we then just take what we can and vote for Democratic candidates?
Today I want to propose the first Sparking The Left poll for our readers to participate in and we would love to read your comments on the issue, too: Should we vote for liberal candidates or not at all until a real voice for change can bare a real chance at winning office?
//
Sparking The Left 
I belive there are 2 choices that affect change. Vote or revolt. The first utilizes the current system and the second…revolution essentially, removes the current system. If revolution deemed the preference, then one must be careful not to impart a newly corrupt system in place of the old.
LikeLike
Corvus (Corvi) Black, thanks for the reply!
You are surely right with your comment, Corvus, but what I want to know is what to do in our current situation for we do not seem to be on the cusp of any revolution anytime soon. So we are left with our current system as a corrupt republican democracy. So do you, or would you vote, say, in the 2016 Presidential Election here in the U.S.?
Thanks!
LikeLike
I will vote for the candidate that best represents me, which will most likely be the Green Party. Of course no 3rd party candidate will win in 2016 but by voting for them, I am in essence saying that the two party options are not good enough. 42% of Americans are now registered Independent. In a way, this is a small revolt. Americans no longer feel the two parties represent them and want to vote based on the issues, not partisanship. My personal feeling is that withholding your vote due to dissatisfaction is understandable but not effective unless enormous masses of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum do the same in a conjoined effort. I don’t think that’ll happen. I guess because I agree with Barney Frank.
I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s hard not to feel apathetic when you don’t feel like you’re being heard, but rest assured my friend, many good people are working to reform our political system; to bring democracy back to the people. When you speak about these concerns on your blog, it makes a difference. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Corvus! I agree with your comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person