Free Yourself from Democratic Party Mind Tricks
There is a better option...
Friday, May 10th, 2024
Before 2015, I was a Democrat by default.
I did my research and generally came to my own conclusions, but I lived in a bubble of reinforced ideology and assumptions. It’s inevitable that we all start off in such a place, as we grow up, because children and young people just don’t have enough life experience to truly “connect the dots.”
I say this as a person from a partly military family with WWII War Stories, a heavy awareness of the Holocaust, growing up during the Cold War, deeply and inescapably aware of life under the thumb of the Soviet Union, watching as desperate people risked it all by Defecting, and I had a penchant for dystopian novels which I read over and over again, such as The Stand, 1984, Brave New World, A Clockwork Orange (which I watched, didn’t read), The Fifth Sacred Thing, Fahrenheit 451, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Giver, and so on.
Aware of the dangers of government power — I was.
Aware of the corruption, warrior mentality, hate-lust, cold-heartedness, calculating manipulations, and willingness to cheat, breaking rules, morals, and the law in pursuit of their goals — I was not.
Bernie Sanders’ Campaign changed all that.
I became aware of Bernie Sanders in May of 2015. Mind blown by his lifelong dedication to the American People and his general incorruptibility, I committed myself to raising awareness about him, the risks our nation faces from soulless corporate interests, and reminding my fellow citizens that we must do so much more than “vote for the lesser of two evils.”
We are a nation of 335,000,000+ human beings. We have literally millions of fellow citizens who would be amazing representatives in government! I - for example - would be an amazing legislator, with a fierce interest in representing my fellow Washingtonians while also protecting our precious Constitution, Bill of Rights, and respecting the laws of our land up until they were changed by our well-structured system of self-governance.
But am I willing to play the game? Sell my soul? Join a political party that wages endless political warfare against its supposed enemy (the other party) with no hesitation, even though that “other party” is made up of and represents my fellow American citizens?
Hell NO!
And so it goes. While the truly good people of our nation avoid “the swamp” with meticulous care, sidestepping quickly — we 335,000,000 otherwise smart human beings have also been tricked into participating in (and thereby legitimizing) a hugely expensive popularity contest between the likes of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
The idea that a “legitimate and functioning” system of self-governance would produce two such candidates for the Presidency of the United States of America is ridiculous.
That we have these two to choose from is proof positive that our electoral system and the political parties that dominate it are (to semi-quote the “ancient booer” from the Princess Bride):
Refuse! So bow down to them if you want! Bow to them! Bow to the corporations of Slime! The legislators of Filth! The political parties of Putrescence! Boo! Boo! Rubbish! Filth! Slime! Muck! Boo! Boo! Boo!
Why do Americans Participate in this Shitshow? That’s what this series of Substack articles is all about…
At the current moment, here is what I’m personally experiencing, as an American with a past history of engagement with the Democratic Party. And let me say, right off the bat, that none of this crap works on me. I see it, I recognize it, and I refuse to be influenced by it.
(1) Fear Propaganda. (Know thy enemy.)
When I get mail from the Democratic Party, I sometimes scan it, just to see the lies and manipulative messaging my less immune/more gullible neighbors are being sold. The biggest one, for the past few years, has been FEAR, FEAR, FEAR. Followed by a request for money. It’s akin to a “protection racket,” and I’d LOVE to see legislation making it illegal to intentionally stimulate the amygdala with Fear Porn Political Messaging.
(2) Hate Propaganda.
As we move through this farce of an election year, the phone calls and text messages are heating up. I answer and listen, for the same reason I open and scan bulk mailings from the Democratic Party or its affiliates. The majority of the message is about (1) we need your money and (2) because that’s the only way to save us all from the Republicans.
(3) And Now We Have: “Fact Checking Propaganda!”
I’ll write about this later, but let me just say this. If you want to know what’s true, choose to be curious, dive deep and wide into the internet, read many different perspectives, talk to people you know, think about what you’ve learned, and form your own damn opinion!
Here’s a FACT for you:
No “fact checking website” presenting itself as a source of truth is trustworthy. None. I’ll write tomorrow about exactly why we should all do our part to reduce the reach and influence of these professional manipulators by ignoring the Hell out of them!
I encourage everyone to take a closer look at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. !
He is a legitimately good option for the White House, and he’s created a new Political Party, allowing him to avoid the inevitable machinations of the DNC, by running as an Independent.
One of the best things about RFK Jr. is that he’s appealing to Americans from both sides of our disastrous political divide.
According to this ABC article: Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has actually received more support from Republican rather than Democratic donors, among those who gave him the most money in the first months of his 2024 White House bid, according to an ABC News analysis of his most recent financial filing with the Federal Election Commission.
(1) And yet — Bobby is known for his fierce defence of our environment. For decades, he’s been going up against and defeating Big Polluters throughout his career, and STILL — he’s attracting Republicans in droves. Don’t you want to watch Republicans vote for an “environmental candidate?” That’s awesome!
Kennedy on Friday reported a haul of more than $6.3 million in donations, nearly all of which came from individuals. (ABC)
(2) He was born into a wealthy and famous family, and yet — Bobby manages to straddle the divide between economic heavyweights and the average American citizen with ease and respect. Here’s a fact for you: his professional accomplishments have benefited “the public” far more than “special interests.”
Of the 104 donors who gave more than $6,000 to Kennedy -- close to the legal maximum donation of $6,600 across the entire cycle -- 39% had histories of donating to Republicans and 30% had only ever donated to Republican candidates and causes. (ABC)
(3) The Kennedy’s have long been aligned with the Democratic Party, and yet — Bobby looks beyond political party allegiance. I coudl be wrong, but I believe further analysis of the ABC data would state that: 39% had histories of donating to both parties, 30% had only ever donated to Republican candidates, and therefore 31% of Kennedy’s supporters have only ever donated to Democratic candidates. If this is the case, could you ask for a more diversity-friendly candidate, appealing to Americans from both sides of the aisle?
Want a better future with more Americans united together as we face a new century of challenges? Check out Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign website and if you have Facebook: Watch this video.
