I can see two reasons to agree with Kathleen Parker’s assessment of the choices for president in 2016. (May 23 column, “Lesser of two evils remains a better choice.)
First, Clinton has real, viable experience working within the parameters of government at the highest levels. That always counts for something. Trump lacks that experience.
Second, I believe Trump’s sneering disdain for anyone or anything that doesn’t align with his capriciousness includes the U.S. Constitution. I doubt that Trump would hesitate even for a moment to declare martial law and order the armed forces to fire upon the citizens of this country. That was the function of government in the late 19th century — to enforce the will of the coal and railroad industries at gunpoint.
Those differences are noteworthy, but there’s little else to differentiate the candidates from this country’s political duopoly. Clinton is a shill for the corporate interests; Trump is a corporate interest.
That isn’t satisfactory. Parker tells that our choice is essentially Coke versus Pepsi and that one is the lesser of two evils — well, that’s still voting for evil. Parker neglects to mention that not drinking Coke or Pepsi is a choice.
I will vote for Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. I’ve contributed money to her campaign, and to Bernie Sanders, and although both will ultimately be defeated, they are helping to frame the national political agenda in a fashion that suit my tastes. I hope.
If wanting a cleaner environment, an end to corporate welfare, an end to this preposterous “war on drugs,” real government accountability, a strong social safety net (that includes health care without the meddling of insurance companies), and the wealthy to pay their fair of taxes (to support an economic system and country that made them wealthy in the first place) is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. It isn’t OK to screw over everyone else for one’s own selfish interests, and that’s what we will get from the Trump/Clinton coin flip. Heads, you lose, tails — the wealthy and the corporations win. Again.
Andy Dockhorn
Everett
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