My first presidential vote was for a Socialist. It was forty years ago and, standing in the booth staring at the options, I simply couldn’t bring myself to pull the (actual, at the time) lever for someone as religion-driven as Jimmy Carter. Peter Camejo got my vote. I only wish he’d gotten more.
I didn’t vote for Bill Clinton in either election, did not, in fact, vote at all. It seemed to me that, if all the Democratic Party could offer up was a self-absorbed glad-hander with essentially the same agenda as moderate ‘Pubs, what was the point?
I proudly cast my primary vote this year for Sen. Sanders, the second candidate of my life whom I trust to actually work for the interest of the common American rather than the moneyed class. I will continue to support Sanders as long as he chooses to keep running, no matter the odds against him.
All that said, should Sanders fall short and Hillary Clinton become the nominee, I will push the button for her so fucking hard it puts a dent in the touch screen. I will drive, drag, cart or carry as many of my neighbors as I can to the polls.
Because I look to the other side and see a picture more frightening than anything American politics has encountered since 1932, hell, maybe even 1861. The two major contenders for the Republican nomination are a megalomaniacal narcissist with an apparent third-grade education level and an avowed dominionist theocrat who proclaims the United States Constitution authorizes him to convert or deport atheists.
To those who say, “I’m tired of being told the Republicans are worse” or “Why must I always settle for the lesser of two evils?” I can only say that there is such a thing as the greater of evils.
And this year, it appears, we will be given the choice of the greatest of evils: dictatorship. Government by thuggery, whether proceeded by a cross or a cross of gold.
Do I love Hillary Clinton? Hell, no. Despite admiring her intelligence, I find her reflexive entitlement and coziness with the forces of great wealth more than distasteful.
This year, however, the alternative is not a Republican president. There are no more Republicans. Next January, someone will put his or her hand on a Bible and be sworn in as the 45th president. There is still a chance it may be the candidate I prefer. Then again, it could well be Hillary Clinton.
But I will be good and goddamned if I will, by action or inaction, enable the ascent of an American Mussolini or real-life Nehemiah Scudder. Call it the First Law of Democratics.
Bern on, Senator. You make my heart glad. If, however, you don’t make it to your goal, I will happily join you in supporting your opponent.