November 7, 2016

When did a stamp cost 15 cents? Back in 1980, when letters did shape opinions.

Today, I get tremendous amounts of emails asking me to sign a petition for a good cause, or write an email to a corporate CEO and politely ask him to stop some destructive, money-driven behavior. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if  these electronic opinions hold any weight. I type in my name and hit “submit.” And in the cases of charity, the numbers matter. Sometimes I get a follow up to say that some decision was reversed and the dog was saved or the tragedy was averted.

In the realm of politics, it’s a crap shoot. One thing that this whole election cycle has proven is that corporations run our government. Whether it’s the corporate media, Big Oil, Pharma, and the billionaires, it’s the club where only money talks. The 1% shape opinions.

Bernie Sanders had a bumper sticker slogan: “Not bought by the billionaires.” And many of us felt included. I still see those bumper stickers now and then. But that was then, and now it’s business as usual, where money reigns supreme. Money is used to buy media bias, suppress the vote, purge voter roles, eliminate the competition, “grind him to pulp.” (Podesta email regarding Bernie Sanders).  And we are supposed to feel powerless, “hold our noses” and vote for “the lesser evil.”

One way you can still shape an opinion is by your vote. This year there are more voices and choices. The corporate media has a blackout of the alternate parties. It’s another way money protects its own interests. They want you to think their duopoly offers your only choices. When actually there’s Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party) and Jill Stein (Green Party), and some others. The two people named here are- far healthier, law-abiding, issue-focused candidates running for president, offering what the American public deserves and needs.

“The most common way people give up their power is by

thinking they don’t have any.”-Alice Walker

I say  reclaim your power with your vote. Vote your conscience. Be courageous. Like the Apple slogan used to say: “Think different.” Your vote is your opinion and your chance to shape the government we deserve. Even if it doesn’t happen tomorrow on Election Day, a vote for an alternate party will seed changes for the future.  When a third party gains 5% of the national vote, they are eligible for 10 million dollars in federal funding, and they will also have ballot access in the next election.

And, by all means- VOTE!