Why vote and for whom ...

I vote my hope

Commentary by Carolyn Bennett

 Ralph Nader is an independent, a U.S. political activist, author, lecturer, and attorney concerned with consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic governance. He ran in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 for the office of U.S. President.

I have voted for Ralph Nader repeatedly, not because I was voting “against” — but because I was voting “for.”  Never taking the luxury of sitting out an election, I always vote my own hope and, in the act of voting my hope, I create hope.

·         I vote my hope for an inclusive democracy of many and varied voices, a democracy in which all voices are heard, not just voices and ideas mass media and entrenched power permit to air their voices and ideas.

 

·         I vote my hope for good governance, courageous leadership that is, in the words of former presidential candidate and U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm — “unbought and unbossed.”

·         I vote my hope for officials who are incorruptible.

·         I vote my hope for a new breed of honesty that keeps faith with the people, instead of pandering to moneyed interests, and keeps the oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

·         I vote my hope for officials who are nonviolent in domestic and foreign policy and practice.

·         I vote my hope for officials who retain a sensibility for and are constructively responsive to the needs of all humanity, the environment, the world.

When I voted for Ralph Nader, I was voting my own hope. Ralph Nader is not running for the U.S. presidency this year but he has endorsed Rocky Anderson.

Yesterday in Portland, Oregon, the Progressive Party of Oregon announced Rocky Anderson as its nominee and Ralph Nader endorsed Anderson for the 2012 U.S. presidency. Later in the day, Rocky Anderson spoke to an enthusiastic gathering at Portland State University; and in the evening, he accepted the Oregon Progressive Party nomination.

Sources and notes

Nader biographical brief, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Nader

“Ralph Nader throws his support behind Rocky Anderson” (For immediate release April 10, 2012; for more information, contact Charlotte Scot: 505-603-2739, cscot.justice@gmail.com

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