Wednesday, April 23, 2008

CLINTON'S VICTORY REPRESENTS GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY?

POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN BY SIMON JENKINS IN THE GUARDIAN

I don't think so.

"Grassroots" used as an adjective in America is rather deceptive, almost Orwellian.

What Hillary's victory truly represents is a victory for the "get outta my way" side of American life.

It is a vote reflecting national media which cannot even report important stories accurately, for example Iraq.

It is a vote reflecting horribly poor public education in great portions of America.

It is a vote reflecting the Inperial Roman establishment in Washington and all the fat, crinkly, privileged faces in the American Senate, a place where money not only buys a seat but often keeps you there for life.

It is a vote reflecting all the harsh realities of American working-class life today: poor job prospects, no health care, anger on the streets, and war.

It does appear it will take another century for America to become a place with sound democratic values and a decent place to live.