End Two-Party Tyranny

At the May 6 congressional candidates debate, an opiated New Vic Theater audience drifted peacefully to sleep amidst platitudes recited by the Democratic and Republican wings of the state party. “Ah, they’re debating. How nice to live in a democracy,” people mused, contended, while nodding off.

But had the organizers been democratic enough to invite independent candidates, I could have livened things up considerably with remarks like these:

1. Our country now operates as a ruthless military empire — an overextended and increasingly desperate one.

2. We’re in seven wars now: in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. All these wars are being fought for economic reasons. None are just.

3. We’ve squandered $6 trillion in Afghanistan and Iraq alone, and have only made things worse in both countries.

4. Our foreign policy is held hostage by the Saudis (for fun, Google “petro-dollars”), who are meanwhile financing radical Islam and terrorist groups in the Middle East and Europe.

5. Instead of debating these issues of vital significance, our government divides and distracts us with a running dog-and-pony show that is the Republican and Democratic parties.

6. As the super-rich get richer, everyone else is on the verge of economic ruin.

7. With huge student loan debts, no jobs, and unaffordable housing, young people today are a new underclass.

8. Unity and solidarity among all Americans is our greatest hope and resource, and we ought to turn as one against politicians who would divide us.

These problems and others are solvable but not by the two-party enablers of the Wall Street status quo. People are fed up and want change.

In the race for Congress, they can vote for it.

John Uebersax is running for Representative of the 24th Congressional District.