In the 2000 election I voted for Ralph Nader because I believed that voting third party (and growing one) mattered more than the actual presidency. But in 2003, I went to the United Nations protests against war in Iraq, and to Washington too. Later that year, people my age and younger started fighting in Iraq heroically, paying in lives, limbs, and psychological scars. I wish I could have prevented that.
Building new parties is a must. Hopefully, this next generation of amazingly engaged people can do what we have not done. Start locally and expand; create something familiar to all Americans as a viable alternative. Create a household name. It can be built and grown. I think that’s the way to go, so the next Bernie can make presidential moves without joining a “major” party to gain legitimacy.
There is also the Supreme Court. We value our rights to reproductive choice, to owning guns responsibly, to practicing our religions, to marrying whomever we want. Now, that’s on hold too, presidential appointments held hostage to congressional politics. The counterbalances of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government aren’t working as they were meant to right now.
So, my plea in the moment: Help put Hillary Clinton in the presidency this year and not “he who must not be named”, even if she’s not your first choice on principle. On November 9, start the work that will lead to a future with a new party’s name in common discussion…and win.
Signed,
Matthew Lyman
