5 February, 2008

• Back jack! Listening to the speaking of faith podcast! #
• ok–having a DRs appointment at 5pm is a little difficult–had to take an hour of personal time #

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As I’ve read some of the interesting commentary regarding how the Dems will control Obama, I thought I would still post the YouTube film. I don’t have to explain any sort of my doings, but the voice of the people was what captured me here in this film. I am left with the following questions:

1. Is the presidency of the U.S. about hearing the voice of the people or more about elevating a King? In which case, Obama will most definitely be controlled by the “powers who are already in power.”
2. How does Obama’s message inspire so many yet overlook the reality of the political structures that will inevitably guide the presidency? He speaks of change and has presents a populist message, but has, it seems, overlooked the structures of the U.S. Empire’s government of the state: politics.

Today, the web gives us unprecedented access…he’s not Green, but…

Can we, really? Will the people ever prevail in a political situation that elevates a King?

Politics of/for change…

I talk a lot of politics.  I love discourse, and the power that is inherent in discourse that oftentimes goes unnoticed.  Today, however, it was time for me to put my talking to a minimum and attempt to take steps to live out my talk and actually VOTE.

As I considered my ability and freedom to vote in this year’s presidential primary, I discovered that the rhetoric that was being touted as “the politics of or for change” was beginning to bother me.  Both the GOP and the Dems were/are talking “change.”  However, there are other folks that are discussing the role of change and the ways in which they believe that their politics are the impetus for changes in this country.  Though, because these “other” folks don’t belong in the corporate arena and negotiate the almighty dollar and struggle for power, we don’t hear about their policies for change.  

We hear about the Democrats & Republicans; we hear about the corporation and institution of politics in this country.  We hear what the media feeds us–we are kept numb on bread and circus.  

Democrats & Republicans:  I think their premise is fundamentally wrong.

As I thought about my ability to exercise my 19th century liberalism [i.e. the "right" to vote], I emailed a mentor-friend of mine, MPP for Parkdale-High Park in Toronto, ON, Canada:  Cheri DiNovo.  I lamented how I didn’t think that there was a chance for the Green Party to be a viable option, since the Almighty U.S. Dollar is the driving force of both the GOP and the Democratic parties.  Her reply to me was:  

Again, though, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

That one sentence moved me.  Cheri has been not only a voice for change, but also a catalyst for change:  in the institution of the church AND the world of govermentality.  It was imperative for me to vote on principle; therefore, I voted Green.

I think that neither the Republican party nor the Democratic party can produce the change that is necessary.  And, as a theological anthropologist who is fundamentally concerned with structures and community, power and discourse, justice and access, the Green Party received my vote. 

Below is what i call the Politics of Change. 

1. Ecological Wisdom. The Greens recognize that the Earth sustains all life processes. Green ecology moves beyond environmentalism by understanding the common roots of the abuse of people. Whatever we do to the web of life, we do to ourselves.
2. Social Justice. Greens want to replace the worldwide system of poverty and injustice with a world free of all oppression based on class, gender, race, citizenship, age, or sexual orientation.
3. Grassroots Democracy. The powerless suffer the most from resource depletion and toxic pollution. Greens believe in direct participation by all people in the environmental, political, and economic decisions that affect their lives
4. Nonviolence. Greens reject violence as a way of settling disputes — it is shortsighted, morally wrong, and ultimately self-defeating. We are working to create a world where war is obsolete.
5. Decentralization. Power and responsibility must be restored to local communities within an overall framework of ecologically sound and socially just values and lifestyles.
6. Community Based Economics. Greens seek a new economics based upon the natural limits of the Earth, which meets the basic needs of everyone on the planet, under democratic, localized community control.
7. Feminism. The Green movement is profoundly inspired by feminist values. The ethics of cooperation and understanding must replace the values of domination and control over others.
8. Respect for Diversity. Greens honor the biological diversity of the Earth and the cultural, sexual, and spiritual diversity of Earth’s people. We aim to reclaim this country’s finest ideals: popular democracy, the dignity of the individual, and liberty and justice for all.
9. Personal and Global Responsibility. Greens demonstrate a commitment to global sustain ability and international justice through political solidarity and in personal lifestyles based on self-sufficiency and living lightly.
10. Future Focus. Greens seek a society where the interests of the seventh generation are considered equal to the interests of the present. We must reclaim the future for our children and ourselves .