Mike Gravel 2008! (Perhaps)
Posted on April 28th, 2007 in personal |
Have you heard of Mike Gravel? Not likely. The former Senator from Alaska, politician between 63-81, has been away from scene for decades, but recently exploded onto the radar again following this week’s Democratic Party debate. Gravel put forth a strong pacifist’s perspective on the War in Iraq, and combatted fiercely against the lack of firm decision making on the part of the front-running Democrats.
Meanwhile, his very grassroots campaign (“We stayed in a $55 motel. I’ll hitchhike to the next debate if I have to.” - Gravel) consists of a strong position against War and the Military Industrial Complex, reformed Veteran Affairs, National Healthcare, a reformed Education system, and reformed Social Security. He also takes a rather questionable libertarian view on government and the tax system, proposing that any American can put forth a bill (National Initiative for Democracy), and to abolish the IRS and Income Tax, replaced by a higher sales tax (Fair Tax) accompanied with a rebate for food, shelter, and clothing. In any case, I do support many of his ideas, and I think he’s a better candidate than Ron Paul.
His YouTube channel is here. Meanwhile, you can also sign a petition to help raise his voice in future debates.
[via Wake Up From Your Slumber]
Sphere: Related Content
2 Responses
I am a 2 tour Vietnam Veteran who recently retired after 36 years of working in the Defense Industrial Complex on many of the weapons systems being used by our forces as we speak.
Politicians make no difference.
We have bought into the Military Industrial Complex (MIC). If you would like to read how this happens please see:
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/03/spyagency200703
Through a combination of public apathy and threats by the MIC we have let the SYSTEM get too large. It is now a SYSTEMIC problem and the SYSTEM is out of control. Government and industry are merging and that is very dangerous.
There is no conspiracy. The SYSTEM has gotten so big that those who make it up and run it day to day in industry and government simply are perpetuating their existance.
The politicians rely on them for details and recommendations because they cannot possibly grasp the nuances of the environment and the BIG SYSTEM.
So, the system has to go bust and then be re-scaled, fixed and re-designed to run efficiently and prudently, just like any other big machine that runs poorly or becomes obsolete or dangerous.
This situation will right itself through trauma. I see a government ENRON on the horizon, with an associated house cleaning.
The next president will come and go along with his appointees and politicos. The event to watch is the collapse of the MIC.
For more details see:
http://rosecoveredglasses.blogspot.com/2006/11/inside-pentagon-procurement-from.html
Very interesting comment Ken. Thanks :)
I do agree that the American economy seems to rely far too heavily on the military industry, and that those and other corporations are too tightly engaged with the government. Now, whether this attachment fizzles away or bursts like you are proposing is certainly up for debate.
I suppose it all depends on what your next President does, and from what I’ve seen of the candidates, it seems just like business as usual down south.