Election?

Well, it's that time again.

Everyone who would probably read this probably already knows I am voting for Kerry. Not because I like him (I don't), but because I hate Bush. I considered voting for a third party, but to be honest, I just really wanted to vote NOT-Bush, and voting 3rd party doesn't do that (since we don't use Instant Runoff Voting).

The thing is, this is the first presidential election I have voted in. I was going to vote back when Clinton was first elected, but unfortunately, he was named the winner when we still had 10 hours left to vote (California), so there was no point. Funny thing is, they showed him loosing the popular vote when he won. Of course, when Bush Jr became president, the same thing happened.

After Clinton won, I started doing research, and learned how little my vote really mattered. This country is NOT a democracy, it is a representative republic. What does that mean? That means that not a single person reading this actually voted for Kerry or Bush -- they voted for the Democratic or Republic Slate of Electors. I don't know about other states, but in Oregon the bubble was actually next to the name of the party. As such, it was very difficult for me to decide to vote -- and even more difficult to not vote for someone I like.

So, here's the kicker. I am hoping that Kerry wins the popular vote by like 15%, but is NOT named President.

Why? So that people will open their eyes, stand up for what they believe in, and revolt. Ok, so realistically that comment is likely to get Homeland Security to show up at my door -- after all, they evidentally bust people for LiveJournal comments and making toys like Rubix Cubes. But the truth of the matter is that the government no longer represents the people -- that should be obvious from how often large portions of the population rise up in protest. It should also be obvious when you ask someone their opinion of our government, and whether they think it has been corrupted. I think the majority of the population believes that politicians start off trying to do the right thing -- but end up being corrupted.

So, what would a revolution accomplish? It could allow this to once again become a government by the people for the people. It could become a democracy.

In fact, I think that a large portion of our populace believes that a revolution of some sort is necessary, but is afraid that: 1) it can't be done; 2) the government would attack their own people (which we have seen repeatedly by the police force); 3) that it wouldn't do any good because the new people in charge would end up just as corrupt.

These are some interesting points. #1 is a hard one to dispute -- because unless people are willing to try, they are right that it can't be done. #2 is one that has a lot of merit, because we see repeatedly how the police (like the Portland Police Department under Mayor Katz) attacked the public -- I mean, what were cops thinking when they maced that baby?

But #3 is the important one. How is it possible that the people in control do not reflect the will of the people? I mean, that is what is required for corruption, right? It isn't corruption if they actually serve and represent the will of the people? So, how do we stop that? By becoming a real democracy. Let the people's voice DIRECTLY decide. Quit having us vote for people to make the decisions -- because that is what leads to corruption.

This is probably a good time to point out one of Thomas Jefferson's quotes... I grabbed this off of here:

"Societies exist under three forms, sufficiently distinguishable. 1. Without government, as among our Indians. 2. Under governments, wherein the will of everyone has a just influence; as is the case in England, in a slight degree, and in our States, in a great one. 3. Under governments of force; as is the case in all other monarchies, and in most of the other republics. To have an idea of the curse of existence under these last, they must be seen. It is a government of wolves over sheep.

So, let me ask. Which one do you think we fall under now?
1) No government -- I don't think anyone thinks that is us
2) The will of everyone has a just influence -- sure doesn't seem that way, right?
3) Government of force... hmm... I think everyone would agree that is where we are right now. And what did Jefferson say about that type of government (our type)? To have an idea of the curse of existence under these last, they must be seen. It is a government of wolves over sheep. I think we have seen that.

Ok, quite a few more quotes from that link... I will boldface some parts that caught my attention.


"A single good government becomes... a blessing to the whole earth, its welcome to the oppressed restraining within certain limits the measure of their oppressions. But should even this be counteracted by violence on the right of expatriation, the other branch of our example then presents itself for imitation: to rise on their rulers and do as we have done." --Thomas Jefferson to George Flower, 1817. ME 15:141

"We surely cannot deny to any nation that right whereon our own government is founded, that every one may govern itself according to whatever form it pleases and change these forms at its own will... The will of the nation is the only thing essential to be regarded." --Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 1792. ME 9:36

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience [has] shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce [the people] under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." --Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:429

"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery." --Thomas Jefferson: Rights of British America, 1774. (*) ME 1:193, Papers 1:125

"When patience has begotten false estimates of its motives, when wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality." --Thomas Jefferson to M. deStael, 1807. ME 11:282

"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas Jefferson: his motto.

"If ever there was a holy war, it was that which saved our liberties and gave us independence." --Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 1813. ME 13:430

"The oppressed should rebel, and they will continue to rebel and raise disturbance until their civil rights are fully restored to them and all partial distinctions, exclusions and incapacitations are removed." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Religion, 1776. Papers 1:548

"As revolutionary instruments (when nothing but revolution will cure the evils of the State) [secret societies] are necessary and indispensable, and the right to use them is inalienable by the people." --Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 1803. FE 8:256

"If the appeal to arms is made, it will depend entirely on the disposition of the army whether it issue in liberty or despotism." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, 1788.

"War... is not the most favorable moment for divesting the monarchy of power. On the contrary, it is the moment when the energy of a single hand shows itself in the most seducing form." --Thomas Jefferson to Hector St. John de Crevecoeur, 1788. ME 7:115


Ok, ok. I know it is a lot of quotes. I have never felt very patriotic (considering how the U.S. usually behaves as schoolyard bullies in the international arena), but reading Thomas Jeffersons quotes make me feel like perhaps I am more patriotic than those flag-waving politicians that are leading this country.