ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (2024)
I do not believe that American elections (or democratic process in general) are about purity and perfect candidates. Our particular democracy is tragically tangled with corporate power, monied interest and (all-too-often) hidden influencers. There is enormously important work to be done (democratic, organized, principled, courageous work)--in addressing and correcting these flaws. If we're to address voting rights, human rights, reproductive rights, climate change, militarism and genocide...all of it...we will HAVE to work together to name the entanglements, correct the flaws and "perfect" the union. Step by step by step. Organized people. Organizing one another for the common good...and for the sake of democracy itself. Making changes, one at a time, with an eye on democracy itself.
So I do not believe that next week's elections are about purity, perfect choices, unblemished candidates. What the Democrats are offering, around foreign policy, militarism and genocide in particular, is profoundly and frighteningly wrong. And I will continue to work with allies and organizations I trust to hold political leaders and elected representatives accountable for policies and votes that destroy Palestinian lives, promote apartheid and encourage genocide. Shame on us all for that.
And yet, Donald Trump's fascination with Adolf Hitler and fascism--which is simply (and terrifyingly) context for his self-proclaimed agenda in a second term--must move people of conscience to reject his candidacy at the polls next week, and permanently exclude him from further political campaigns in this country. By virtue of his admiration for Hitler, he disqualifies himself from leadership of any kind, and we the people must make sure that our rejection of his candidacy confirms this.
His defeat next week will not and cannot absolve us of the painfully hard work ahead. Calling Congress to account for its profligate support for genocide; organizing longstanding allies and new allies to reject the administration's two-faced approach to matters of peace and human rights; it will be right there in front of us on November 6 when Trump is a candidate no more, and only and forever an ex-president.
But this week, the wake-up call is this: This candidate identifies with fascists, admires Nazis and praises Adolf Hitler's ways of governance and control. That's enough for every one of us to stand up, take notice and be counted. Every single one of us.
DGJ
10/28/24
