Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Howard Zinn on the Presidential Candidates

Bigthink — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:39:12 +0100

I think what Zinn is trying to say is that you have to choose between someone who may stay in Iraq and extend the war to Iran (McCain) or someone who has opposed the war since the very beginning and wants to pull out (Obama). Obviously the second option means, at least a priori, less victims.

I am sure Zinn supports Nader way more than the other establishment-candidates, but then it all comes down to being realistic and acknowledging the fact that the next president is going to be either a Democrat or a Republican. If you live in a safe state, you cast your ballot for whoever you want cause it's not going to alter the final result. However, if you live in a swing state, you have to realize that if you don't cast your vote to prevent the worse candidate (McCain) from reaching office, you are actually helping him. Since the differences between Obama and McCain, given the magnitude of the power of the U.S., may range in the tens of thousands of victims (just talking about war here), your vote in a swing state should go to Obama, even if he is not your preferred option. Sad but true.

P.S. I also think he is quite right pointing out that Obama will be accountable to a much more decent electorate than McCain is.

Comment on: Howard Zinn on the Presidential Candidates

Bigthink — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:37:02 +0100

I found it interesting what he said about Obama having the support of so many young people and if he is elected those same young ones may force him to hold to what our democracy is supposed to be and do. That is my sincere hope - that the young people will stand up against what is happening in our country better than we 40 generation are doing.

Comment on: Howard Zinn on the Presidential Candidates

Bigthink — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:26:49 +0100

I agree with almost all of this but I'm very disappointed that Howard Zinn thinks he's forced to vote for a corporate-owned candidate. It seems to me that someone like Zinn should be aware of the importance of third-party candidates. If you think a politician's policies are bad, to vote for them is to support their bad policies.