Who would you Vote for in '08 Election?

[HoOdPrInCe]

Barack, or Hilary, or John!

[Istlota]

The deal breaker for me is that I absolutely will not support anyone who is not 100% committed to ending America's racist war against Arabs.

Hillary, Edwards, and Biden all voted for the Patriot Act. Which tells me that, irregardless of what sort of encouraging rhetoric they might from time to time put out, they can not be trusted to do the right thing when we really need them to.

Obama was not in a position to vote for or against the Patriot Act. But, I happen to be fairly certain he would have voted for it if he had been in a position to do so. Currently, he has chosen to appear all pro diplomacy regarding Iran. But, he made a public comment several months ago in which he said he would support an aerial assault on Iran.

Sharpton has not yet announced he would run. If and when he does, I will give serious thought to that.

I assume, a reasonable assumption, that all the repub hopefuls are cool with invading Iran.

Kucinich is the only announced candidate who I have heard expressed unambiquous opposition to America's wars of hedgemony. And, he voted against the Patriot Act. So, his head appears to be on the right side of what I consider to be the most important issue. But, the man has no charisma, no fashion sense, and whazzup up with his hair? if I want to throw away my vote on someone who has no chance of winning, I might as well write in Sharpton or Minister Farrakhan.

[Celeste]

Originally Posted by Istlota

... if I want to throw away my vote on someone who has no chance of winning, I might as well write in Sharpton or Minister Farrakhan.

You're a newcomer to the AfroChat family---I'm fairly new here as well--- so I don't want you to feel I'm attacking your point of view or criticizing you in any way. You have every right to vote for whomever you want based on your conscience & personal values.

I would like to say, however, that (in my opinion) no vote is a "throw away"...every vote makes a statement and every single vote matters. I will admit that there have been times (quite recently, I might add) when some of our votes have been "redirected", "lost" or literally discarded by unscrupulous agents of the Amerikkkan government---but our right to vote is still hard-won and sacred. I plan to vote for Brother Barack...and whether or not he wins, I'll never feel as if my vote was worthless.

I can't wait for 2008---I'm fascinated to see who will be making his (or her) home in the White House next. As far as I'm concerned, almost anyone would be an improvement!

And welcome to Afro Chat, Istlota.

[Corals]

Originally Posted by Celeste

As far as I'm concerned, almost anyone would be an improvement!

An improvement? As I have stated repeatedly, politicians say one thing and do another once they are in control.

History has shown that what many have hoped would have been an improvement, turned out to be a disaster. I'm sure they were saying the same thing when Bush was running for president.

Once a presidential candidate makes it as president, he hardly does have any say in what goes on, to a certain extent. It is those who put in where he is that control matters; and once he slip up they go after his neck.

[Istlota]

Originally Posted by Celeste

I would like to say, however, that (in my opinion) no vote is a "throw away"...every vote makes a statement and every single vote matters.

Certainly, the right to vote is a precious one, won with great sacrifice. But, let us not be naive. When it comes to how a President is chosen, the entire American electoral system is rigged, on several levels, to reflect not the will of all Americans, but the will of White America. White America decides which two of all candidates they can live with, and then the rest of us get to help choose which of their two choices gets the job.

We all know this, on some level, but the reality is just too troubling for most of us to process.

The last couple of elections, being so close, clarified to all who may not yet have known that the President is NOT elected by the majority of voters. Instead, he is elected by the majority of electoral college votes. The electoral college votes of each state, in turn, are cast to reflect the will of the majority of voters in each state. But, in ALL states, the majority of people allowed to vote are White. The periodic redrawing of electoral districts, the cleansing of persons with criminal voting records, the current mass hysteria over Mexican-American immigration, and the mysterious absences of enough voting machines in urban areas are all symptoms of White America's firm commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure that NO state ever has a voting majority that is not White.

But, it gets worse. The primary system ensures that the choice of both major parties reflects the will of White America. And, or course, the majority of both major parties are white. But, it gets even worse than that. As we saw in 2002 and 2004, White Americans will even cross political lines and vote in the other party's primary to ensure that the final two choices are people they can live with.

We can, despite all this, choose to vote on principle. But, one has to be honest enough to at least admit that such votes of principle change NOTHING. By 2000, I had figured out the game was rigged. In protest, I voted for Nader in 2000. Then, in 2002, trying something different, I split my vote between republicans and democrats. In 2004, I conned myself into beleiving that Kerry was different. By 2006, I just said to hell with it and stayed home.

[Corals]

Originally Posted by Istlota

But, it gets worse. The primary system ensures that the choice of both major parties reflects the will of White America. And, or course, the majority of both major parties are white. But, it gets even worse than that. As we saw in 2002 and 2004, White Americans will even cross political lines and vote in the other party's primary to ensure that the final two choices are people they can live with.

Have to agree with you yet again.

[Diamond]

Im just wondering if you think that Ameirca is ready for a President other than white or do you think that America only wants a white president in office for a long time?

[Diamond]

Yeah know I have not been watching the race at all cause right now its too much nonsense going back and forth between Obama and Hillary.

AND GOSH HILLARY CRACKS ME UP!

*The time where she was up in a baptist black church talkin' all southern*

Im bascially waiting for list of people who are running in the republican party.

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by Istlota

Certainly, the right to vote is a precious one, won with great sacrifice. But, let us not be naive. When it comes to how a President is chosen, the entire American electoral system is rigged, on several levels, to reflect not the will of all Americans, but the will of White America. White America decides which two of all candidates they can live with, and then the rest of us get to help choose which of their two choices gets the job.

We all know this, on some level, but the reality is just too troubling for most of us to process.

The last couple of elections, being so close, clarified to all who may not yet have known that the President is NOT elected by the majority of voters. Instead, he is elected by the majority of electoral college votes. The electoral college votes of each state, in turn, are cast to reflect the will of the majority of voters in each state. But, in ALL states, the majority of people allowed to vote are White. The periodic redrawing of electoral districts, the cleansing of persons with criminal voting records, the current mass hysteria over Mexican-American immigration, and the mysterious absences of enough voting machines in urban areas are all symptoms of White America's firm commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure that NO state ever has a voting majority that is not White.

But, it gets worse. The primary system ensures that the choice of both major parties reflects the will of White America. And, or course, the majority of both major parties are white. But, it gets even worse than that. As we saw in 2002 and 2004, White Americans will even cross political lines and vote in the other party's primary to ensure that the final two choices are people they can live with.

Well Said!

[Thuso]

I would vote for Barak Obama. There are two reasons.

First and foremost, he is actually the best candidate -- in either party. He has ignited a true "people's movement" about the issues people care about across a broad spectrum. He uniquely speaks the language of all of America. He recognizes the significance of the "office of the President," and he is growing in stature to fill that office every day. He is a true political leader -- one who sets a new vision and attracts people to that vision of a better America. He brings a perspective to this vision that only a Black person can bring. Finally, he is the best candidate because he rises above the the petty attempts to distract him. He has leadership star quality, and he can hold his own on the world stage.

Secondly, I urge every Black person who is eligible to vote to consider him first, then make a decision about whatever your other issues are. He is a genuine call to arms for Black people in this country. He can WIN! He's not a protest candidate; he is not a Black face representing White interests; he has no baggage that will derail him; his wife has the depth and presence to be first lady (she is not a liability); he has mainstream appeal. If you want to know if he will improve conditions for Black people, elect him first and you will see.

To pull this off, every Black person who is eligible to vote must register; every Black person who supports him must contribut $5.00, $10.00, $100.00. The amount doesn't matter. We must demonstrate that we can step up in crunch time. There is no better alternative. We need to commit early, and the walk the walk with a real winner.