On both sides of the Atlantic, economic insecurity is fuelling the rise of new movements on the left
Owen Jones being positive in the Guardian.
Source: First Corbyn, now Sanders: how young voters’ despair is fuelling movements on the left | Owen Jones
With integrity and principle, the Vermont senator is calling Americans to a political revolution.
A year ago, concerned that ordinary citizens would be locked out of the presidential nominating process, The Nation argued that a vigorously contested primary would be good for the candidates, for the Democratic Party, and for democracy.
The French flag and the ideals it stands for are beautiful things. But I won’t be wrapping myself in something that divides as much as it unites. Of course I support Paris, and the victims of atrocities everywhere. But I can’t support France in closing its borders and declaring war. What does that promote, except the aims of terror-causers and warmongers everywhere? Open your hearts, minds and borders, people of this planet.
We are all either refugees or descendants of refugees (or of Africans). There is no “other”. Why do we continue to make the same mistakes, generation after generation?
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – MLK
This election is a chance for a new wave of people to get involved in deciding the future direction of the UK. The word “politician” has so many negative connotations that I hesitate to use it, but there are candidates for election who do actually appear to have our best interests (and those of the planet) at heart.
In the 2010 election I urged people to vote Liberal Democrat, despite having been a long-time Labour supporter. Unfortunately neither of those parties has my confidence that they will do the right thing if elected to govern, and to many the LibDems have been a bitter disappointment. The only party that has a real solution to our problems and a positive vision for the future is the Green Party. If the environment or social justice is at all important to you then you should consider voting for them. They may have a radical agenda but it’s ultimately for the common good, and isn’t that what we should be voting for? The Greens may not be able to win outright in many constituencies given the current first-past-the-post system, but if people everywhere would vote for what they really believed in, instead of who they think might be able to beat someone else, then perhaps we’d be closer to getting a truly representative system.
Vote with your heart! And encourage your friends to do the same.
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/2015-manifesto.html
Do we really want perpetual war? The majority seems to, while having no idea what it entails or accomplishes. A West Point history professor raises the question that few politicians dare to.
Why war? It’s a question Americans should be asking. – LA Times.
These rants have come to be very occasional but there is something potentially evil afoot in the US. On 18 January there is a worldwide protest against two US bills, SOPA and PIPA, that could fundamentally alter the nature of the FREE, GLOBAL INTERNET. Please join me in blacking out your own website(s) in support of the protest.
First-past-the-post doesn’t work well when there are more than two major parties. See the following for a couple of explanations of why Alternative Vote is better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FstA45lxgFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y3jE3B8HsE
Don’t forget to vote on 5 May!
Don’t forget to vote on 6 May!
Letters: Lib Dems are the party of progress | Politics | The Guardian.
Let’s put pressure on Obama and Israel to stop the illegal expansion into Palestinian territory. Please sign the petition today:
If you agree please sign the Secretary of the Arts Petition.