2010 and the Mid Terms of Doom
67The Pregame Line-up
That's right political sports fans; only 17 months until the 2010 Mid-term Elections. Senate seats, Governor's mansions, and the entire House of Representatives are on the line. We have a right wing party imploding (good riddance, burn in hell and die) but even a party I like, unopposed, is not to be trusted. In the interest of national security and in support of progressive ideals, I believe a challenge to Democratic political hegemony must come form the left of that party. Any challenge to the Democratic Party needs to have more progressive and more populist ideals. As the far right coalesces around the now fallen Republican banner to weep over its last fallen hope (give it up boys, neither the Reich nor the South will rise again) the right becomes fringe right, the center becomes right, the left becomes center, the fringe left becomes left and the impossible now stands on the fringe. When this happens it seems obvious that the moderates of both the fallen Republicans and the ascendant Democrats will band together and take over the party leaving the new left to band together and form a new progressive party. With only 21% of the electorate identifying with the Republicans this will surely be the election when third party or no party candidates can make serious headlines.
There will be many contenders for the crown of the new power party on the block now the Republican's have fallen off their block. They will come from both directions, possibly all directions. I could imagine a mutinous fracturing of all the parties. The socially conservation pro-union could decide to break ranks over choice and equality issues. Unable to accept the fiscal ideology of the Republicans and true conservatives, now we have the Labor Life Party taking a chunk of the center. Libertarian Republicans could just be Libertarians now that their affiliations are almost as popular as the once majority party. As I said I feel the chance for an emergent party is on the left the problem is to the left of the Democratic Party is The Green Party and since the Democratic Party currently owns the environmental issue they are a non-starter. A new ideal must emerge on the left. One that can stress across generational lines uniting the Baby Boomer, the Gen Xer, and the wifi generation in to solid progressive party for the new era. Long live Freak Power Politics!
When psuedonyms unite!
Credit for the re-raising the Freak Power banner must be given to R. Thomas Parham, for his prospective write in campaign against Earl Blumenhauer in Oregon's 3rd District. Freak Power Politics began with Hunter S. Thompson's run for Sheriff of Pitkin County Colorado in 1970. In a 1974 Playboy interview, Dr. Thompson said "In the rotten fascist context of what was happening to America in 1969, being a freak was an honorable way to go." Candidate Parham believes that we now face a similar choice. As an extreme progressive candidate, Mister Parham is all too happy to watch the Republican Party go from Majority, to Minority, to Irrelevent. He does not wish to see their collaspe become the Black Hole Power Vacuum that sucks our nation and the Democratic Party into the hell of Single Party rule. Like myself, Candidate Parham is happy that they should have a ruling majority long enough to do some good, but left for too long they are sure to do evil as great as the good they seek. So instead of propping up the provenly flawed policies of the right to stabilize the Republicans, The Freak Power Campaign is ready to attack the new majority from the place they least expect it; the Left.
In the interests of Economic Recovery and Deficit Reduction Candidate Parham would propose a plan to create hundreds of millions of dollars of new taxable income in Agra-business. By legalizing taxing and regulating cannabis for recreational, culinary, medicinal, and industrial use we can put this country back on track to economic and resource hegemony. Hemp Seed Oil for bio-fuel is the future and also a healthy alternative to many cooking oil products currently on the market. It's easily the largest illegal recreational substance on the market and it's use and consumption go unabated and worse yet unregulated. Harmful pesticides and chemical residues of any nature could remain on this product that the prohibition has failed to stem the consumption of. We must accept that Americans like smoking pot. We the People want to get high!
We must act to insure the cannabis consumed by Americans is safe with posted Cannabinoid contents. Candidate Parham projects this will bring millions of jobs, in regulation, trade, transportation, retail, and domestic agriculture. Also it will make domestic industrial hemp far cheaper to produce with domestically grown crops to use for hemp fiber instead of having to rely on imports. There will be a one year grace period in which Cannabis growers and distributors must record all cannabis related income and bring all operations under all applicable guidelines and submit to all applicable taxation. In the interest of safety and stemming the strangle hold of criminal enterprise on cannabis trade no nation will be allowed to import cannabis or cannabis products to the Untied States unless they have had a reasonable system of regulation in place on their own domestic cannabis crop for a period of no less then 5 years.
Candidate Parham believes in a strong network of social services provided a strong educated workforce. Any American willing to dedicate themselves to a term of public service will receive a publicly funded education to the fullest extent of that persons capacities. Terms of service would include: 1 year active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Service, 3 years reserve duty in any branch of the United States Armed Services, or 5 years in domestic service in accordance with your area of studies. This will insure that those who serve us are served by us and that those we train for the future do their part for the present. In this way opportunity is spread through out all economic levels so that the brightest and the boldest may rise no matter the station of life into which they are born. Opportunity will cease to be the exclusive providence of the wealth born
Candidate Parham will also work against not only the DC lobbying power brokers but the two party system that makes life simple for these worthless predators. Bet modest on a broad party but also bet heavy on a few local favorites for the other team. Good business, everyone wins, except the people who are represented by the lesser of two evils, brought to you by the same sponsor either way. The two party system is in effect a one party system. It makes the wealthy the party that is always in power and that can stay in power because no matter who the people choose they already own of the piece of them. If we keep playing the game by their rules they will always win.
Parham for Congress: Because I need a REAL Job!
Candidate Parham isn't a policy expert, law scholar, career politician. He is a wage slave sick and tired of seeing the people who buy his life away from him for 9.50 an hour buying the reigns of power every four years. Real campaign reform ends the system that allows only two parties political viability. This is a rare moment in history when we can end the institutionalizing of political Hegemony and bring real democracy back to the people. As the public square becomes digital and we can all now be heard every day we deserve leadership that speaks to those voices. The time when we had to choose one voice or the other is over. It is time our elections, our debates, and our congress reflected that.
To be a political freak is to say that which is true while everyone else is still happily singing the lie. Are there any other Freaks out there?
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Comments
Going after Banks and Corporations with a single congressman is like hunting Vampires with a toothpick. It has balls, big huge ones, but does not promise effective results. I will be an absolute vote against any form of corporate welfare and a rabid voice against debt based economics. I wouldn't put nationalization of the banks out of reach where as three years ago I would have considered it a laughable notion, so things are changing. My outlook on corporate governance is to strive to eliminate corporate welfare and on the optimistic side ending corporate citizenship, but since getting in the door in the first place is so highly unlikely why the fuck not endorse a Community Friendly Economy Act. And I like the idea of a Paradigm shift; trying to fit it on a bumper sticker as we speak...
Parham for Congress in 2010. For People; not For Profit.
Yeah, well, I got duped by Obama so...I dunno.
Since it's my paradigm shift I expect a free bumper sticker.
The problem is every election cycle we have only two choices to represent the entire range of public opinion. I am sick of having to choose between strychnine and cyanide... dammit I want arsenic!
I understand. The lesser of two evils mantra has definitely gotten very worn.
Funny you should use that poison metaphor. I found myself thinking, during the campaign, McCain is the electric chair, Obama is lethal injection. Hacksaw and scalpel.
At least now we're being screwed with finesse!
I think Obama established the prototype of the Internet campaign, however it helped that he already had a name, and a bestseller, perhaps Candidate Parham can put out a book with his agenda and philosophy prior to his actual bid. Also, how willing is Candidate Parham to kiss little kids and old ladies? Would he sacrifice himself for the photo ops and the warm feeling of old fashioned american community?
Fuck the traditional media ops! My photo ops are passing the bong around with my crew and sneaking access on the jobsite.
And actually... Howard Dean established the prototype... Obama just managed to contain his excitement after his first couple of primary victories. My idea is to run a zero cost campaign. A truly free election means no more donor loyalty back doors to power.
perhaps Howard Dean was the prototype but Obama is the successful one, Dean was caught sounding like a creature from Lord of the Rings. Anyways I am not sure cruising past the senior citizen home and elks lodge is a wise thing to bypass yet, the hope on the young vote or the rational vote rarely beats the golden oldie vote and the mommy vote. Its my opinion Candidate Parham should begin getting comfortable applying protective wax on his lips to protect him from the shedding skin of old people, no one wants to taste the flavor or moth balls. Especially one who must smile after through it all.
Candidate Parham does not traffic with the dead.
Kidding! Actually our current crop of seniors are largely from the boomers who seem to have an aversion to irrelevance. My parents and my friends' parents are all just as wired in to the wireless world as any of us. I know a few of our contributors hail from that same great generation. Born to broken homes brought on by a culture of war the boomers sought to end that culture for good and failed. They only wounded the beast which is why they still fight beside all the doomed children they begot. Because in truth we are still fighting their unfinished battle and we will be until greed and hatred no longer command the hands on the levers of power and fortune.
The middle-agers are an even easier lock. They may be soccer moms now but they were once big haired girls of the John Hughes generation. Most of them are still looking for Bender to come in all bad ass, fire up a joint, question authority, and challenge everything in their perfect little world.
soccer moms are attracted to men that play with kids and that are fatherly type. This stimulates trust in them and they must have trust before they drop their drawers. Is candidate Parham willing to play on the merry go round with the runny nosed cabbage patch kids to secure some votes from the milf vote? I believe the milf vote is very important nowadays as they know how to network like never before. Obama couldn't have done it without Oprah and all the milfs in the world watch and listen to Oprah. Those that listen to Sarah Palin are not milfs, those are heifers that need to be taken to the range for some free grazing.
This is Portland Mother Fuckin Oregon. Our milfs are truly the wild on web cam milfs. They aren't looking for Paragons. They're looking for pimps. The world of politics needs more progressive pimps. We can't challenege the mainstream and not offend portions of main street. Main street USA maybe all white picket fences but Main Street PDX is strip clubs and head shops.
Well, you certainly have had the best government money could buy, maybe one candidate can make a difference! Best of luck and don't take any wooden corporate nickels!
ColdWarBaby says:
7 months ago
Back in the day, when I was up on the stage singing my freak songs, playing my bass and flying my freak flag, that designation was a badge of honor.
I go along with your vision, given a few conditions. You're absolutely correct with regard to the new party coming from way over to the left of the current left, which is actually a little right of center.
I insist however that one of the highest priorities of the new Socialist Democracy must be the re-nationalization of the banking system and an end to usury.
The Federal Reserve must be absorbed by the Treasury and all currency must be issued and controlled by the government as stipulated in the Constitution, (Art.1, Sect.8)
U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 8
Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
“Our government has the sovereign power to issue money and spend it into circulation to promote the general welfare through the creation and repair of infrastructure, including human infrastructure - health and education - rather than misusing the money system for speculation as banking has historically done.”
http://www.monetary.org/need_for_monetary_reform.h
Next, all corporations must operate as non-profit entities. They will be required to apply for government charter to be approved only after it has been determined that the commerce to be conducted by the corporation will be of lasting benefit to all people, not just a small target market.
The length of the charter should be no longer than five years, probably less. The activities of the corporation should be closely monitored by a third, non-corporate party. If at any time it becomes apparent that the conditions of the charter are not being met, it would be revoked.
Since corporations will be not operated for profit there will be no stock offered under any circumstances. Corporations will be funded by the government and therefore be the property of the people and not of any individual or small group.
They, like the government itself, will conduct their operations only with the consent of and in service of the people.
Banks, being instruments of the state and therefore the people, will never be allowed to engage in any activity for profit. There will be no stock market, speculative financial activities or fictitious financial “instruments” used to create wealth for people who do nothing to earn it.
The function of the banking system will be strictly limited to the issuance, distribution and control of currency sufficient to conduct the commerce of the nation and promote the general welfare as per the Constitution.
In short, the “for-profit” paradigm must be replaced by the “for Peace and prosperity for all” paradigm.
There are many more specific changes that should be incorporated into the Democratic Socialist States of America but that’s another hub I haven’t gotten up the nerve to write yet. It would create a firestorm of contention that I’m not sure I want to deal with.
There is no way to Peace. Peace is the way.