Democrats can't waitGreen Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney gave a stirring speech in New York City on Friday that serves as an important reminder of the simmering populist cauldron that the Democratic Party has neglected at its peril. Much of the country blames Democrats almost as much as Republicans for this country's fall from grace, marked most prominently by the Iraq War, empowerment of corporations over individuals, and short-sightly hawkish approach to everything from foreign relations to illegal drugs.
I publicly criticized Matt Gonzalez for joining Ralph Nader's presidential campaign and for offering barbed critique of Barack Obama (comments even our crosstown rival found newsworthy.) And I still believe that Obama can't be perfectly progressive in his Senate votes or searing in his critique of this country's direction and still be elected president in the current media and political climate of the country.
Yet I agree with most of what Gonzalez and Nader say, and with the stances being taken by the new standard-bearer of their old party, McKinney. None can win, and they may do more harm than good this year, but their political critiques are right, and they represent a significant segment of this country that isn't going away. In fact, it may just get stronger and more belligerent once the significant challenges this country faces become President Obama's problem.
So Democrats, from Pelosi and Obama on down, had better think about how they're going to address the points that McKinney -- the former Democratic member of Congress -- makes in the following speech, which I include below in its entirety. Because the people won't be be patient much longer, particularly if things continue getting worse under a Democratic president who isn't willing to challenge this country to finally live up to its rhetoric.
Cynthia McKinney Remarks
Al Nakba Rally, "Not in My Name"
United Nations, New York
May 16, 2008
On my birthday last year, I declared my independence from a national leadership that, through its votes in support of the war machine, is now complicit in war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity, and crimes against the peace.
I declared my independence from every bomb dropped, every veteran maimed, and every child killed.
I noted that the Democratic leadership in Congress had failed to restore this country to Constitutional rule by repealing the Patriot Acts, the Secret Evidence Act, and the Military Commissions Act.
That it had aided and abetted illegal spying against the American people. And that it took impeachment off the table.
In addition, the Democratic Congressional leadership failed to promote the economic integrity of this country by not repealing the Bush tax cuts. They failed to institute a livable wage, Medicare-for-all health care, and gave even more money to the Pentagon as it misuses our hard-earned dollars.
We can add to that list, too, an abject failure to stand up for human rights and dignity.
If the Democratic and Republican leadership won't respect the right of return for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors, how can we expect them to champion the right of return for Palestinians?
If this country's leadership tolerates the wanton murder of unarmed black and Latino men by law enforcement officials-extra-judicial killings-how can we expect them to stop or even speak out against targeted assassinations in the Middle East?
If the Democratic and Republican leadership accept ethnic cleansing in this country by way of gentrification and predatory lending, why should we expect them to put an end to it in Palestine?
If the leadership of this country impedes self-determination for native peoples in this country, why should we expect them to support indigenous rights for anyone abroad?
And sadly, the sensationalist corporate media would rather trick us into thinking that reporting on a pastor, a former Vice Presidential nominee, and a former cable TV magnate constitutes this country's much-needed discussion of its own apartheid past and present, so why should we expect an honest discussion of apartheid and Zionism?
I hope by now it is clear. Our values will never be reflected in public policy as long as our political parties and our country remain hijacked.
Hijacked by false patriots who usurp the applause of the people and all the while betray our values.
I've decided that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will operate any longer as business as usual-not in my name.
That Democrats and Republicans will use my tax dollars and betray my values, not one day longer-not in my name.
That neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have earned my most precious political asset-my vote.
And that now is the time to do some things I've never done before in order to have some things I've never had before.
And so here today, I declare my independence from weapons transfers: including Apache Helicopters; F'16s; sidewinder, hellfire, and Stinger missiles.
I declare my independence from occupation, demolished homes, political prisoners, and babies dying at checkpoints.
I declare my independence from UN vetoes, expropriated land, stolen resources, and the installation of puppet regimes.
I declare my independence from all forms of dehumanization and am not afraid to speak truth to power.
And I am happy to join with peace-loving people around the world who know that there can be no peace without justice.
Let us never tire in our work for justice.
Thank you.
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Comments (2)
Glad to know the know-nothing, do-nothing, say-nothing, empty-headed bullshit you guys peddle never stops.
And glad to know you suck up to an anti-Semite in the mix. More importantly you suck up to a dirty, filthy shithead like Matt Gonzalez who pussed out of the Mayor's race, where he could have shown a record of accomplishment and done something, and instead opted for chasing trim on the college circuit.
Oh but the Bay Guardian ceased to be relevant ages ago. Go get mad about a blog commenter and show just how weak you are, despite your win against the equally lame VVM property in town.
Just realize you suck and become a world class leftie crying paper, and leave the reporting to real journalists. You guys gave up the ghost a long time ago!
Posted by please_stop | May 20, 2008 07:59 PM
While I do disagree with some of the positions you guys take, the lame ramblings of 'please stop' make me appreciative of many of your stands, and reinforce the importance of supporting increased funding of Head Start, and overhauling our educational system so that the ability to pick one's nose and pass gas simultaneously no longer entitles one to a high school diploma.
Posted by Patrick Monk.RN | May 23, 2008 08:38 PM