tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11256770.post5149568169739826100..comments2017-11-14T23:34:21.643+00:00Comments on Expatriotic: Obama AbroadUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11256770.post-9749804729601980692008-10-27T17:55:00.000+00:002008-10-27T17:55:00.000+00:00Alex,Hey, your brother Tony directed me to your bl...Alex,<BR/><BR/>Hey, your brother Tony directed me to your blog after a recent roundtable discussion where I tried to get the entire CSB staff to consider a vote for Nader. Everything in your 10/21 blog resonates with me pretty deeply, but I'll still be voting for Nader, and here's why:<BR/><BR/>"And even though I would like to see the Green Party reach the 5% threshold needed to qualify for Federal matching funds, (which I have a much more direct impact on than I do on Obama’s election) this ultimately is not as important to me as sending a message to all of the people screaming racist insults at campaign events and posting them online..."<BR/><BR/>I can dig it, but that sounds to me to be an emotional reaction to the situation. I've got to approach my vote logically, and like you, I'm a forward-thinking MA resident, who could vote for whomever I want. Nader has such an amazing grasp on the logistics of the modern government, from the WTO and NATO, down to my local Kiwanis club. I think that to have an emotional reaction would, for me, be ignorant of the fact that our current two-party voting system is a disgrace to the original notion of a public-elected office. <BR/><BR/>Have you seen some of the ridiculously minute ballot rules and red tape that have been slipped in to seemingly unrelated bills? Nader's current run for presidency is essentially an effort to highlight the fact that the two parties have effectively locked out any potential third parties from having a legitimate shot at public office. <BR/><BR/>Obama is symbolic of many things, and he strikes a chord with so many Americans who want change, but he doesn't get specific enough (and I'm paraphrasing Ralph here) with regard to a number of policies, from campaign finance, to Israel-Palestine relations. <BR/><BR/>Obama will win, and my vote for Nader will say to him, "Hey Barack, what Nader says REALLY resonates with me, so don't get too comfortable." That's the hope, anyway.<BR/><BR/>Last night was our final night at CSB. Lots of fun, and Tony got a bucket of ice dumped over his head at about 1:30am.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/><BR/>Alex McKenzieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com