[Peace-discuss] rp statement on The American Majority

[E. Wayne Johnson]

Ron Paul Statement to the National Press Club - 10 September 08
The American Majority

/The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and 
policies, one, perhaps of the Right and the other of the Left, is a 
foolish idea acceptable only to the doctrinaire and academic thinkers. 
Instead the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American 
people can 'throw the rascals out' at any election without leading to 
any profound or extensive shifts in policy./
Carroll Quigley -- Author of Tragedy & Hope

The coverage of the presidential election is designed to be a grand 
distraction. This is not new, but this year, it's more so than ever.

Pretending that a true difference exists between the two major 
candidates is a charade of great proportion. Many who help to perpetuate 
this myth are frequently unaware of what they are doing and believe that 
significant differences actually do exist. Indeed, on small points there 
is the appearance of a difference. The real issues, however, are buried 
in a barrage of miscellaneous nonsense and endless pontifications by 
robotic pundits hired to perpetuate the myth of a campaign of substance.

The truth is that our two-party system offers no real choice. The real 
goal of the campaign is to distract people from considering the real issues.

Influential forces, the media, the government, the privileged 
corporations and moneyed interests see to it that both party's 
candidates are acceptable, regardless of the outcome, since they will 
still be in charge. It's been that way for a long time. George Wallace 
was not the first to recognize that there's "not a dime's worth of 
difference" between the two parties. There is, though, a difference 
between the two major candidates and the candidates on third-party 
tickets and those running as independents.

The two parties and their candidates have no real disagreements on 
foreign policy, monetary policy, privacy issues, or the welfare state. 
They both are willing to abuse the Rule of Law and ignore constitutional 
restraint on Executive Powers. Neither major party champions free 
markets and private-property ownership.

Those candidates who represent actual change or disagreement with the 
status quo are held in check by the two major parties in power, making 
it very difficult to compete in the pretend democratic process. This is 
done by making it difficult for third-party candidates to get on the 
ballots, enter into the debates, raise money, avoid being marginalized, 
or get fair or actual coverage. A rare celebrity or a wealthy individual 
can, to a degree, overcome these difficulties.

The system we have today allows a President to be elected by as little 
as 32% of the American people, with half of those merely voting for the 
"lesser of two evils". Therefore, as little as 16% actually vote for a 
president. No wonder when things go wrong, anger explodes. A recent poll 
shows that 60% of the American people are not happy with the two major 
candidates this year.

This system is driven by the conviction that only a major party 
candidate can win. Voters become convinced that any other vote is a 
"wasted" vote. It's time for that conclusion to be challenged and to 
recognize that the only way not to waste one's vote is to reject the two 
establishment candidates and join the majority, once called silent, and 
allow the voices of the people to be heard.

We cannot expect withdrawal of troops from Iraq or the Middle East with 
either of the two major candidates. Expect continued involvement in 
Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Georgia. Neither hints of a 
non-interventionist foreign policy. Do not expect to hear the rejection 
of the policy of supporting the American world empire. There will be no 
emphasis in protecting privacy and civil liberties and the constant 
surveillance of the American people. Do not expect any serious attempt 
to curtail the rapidly expanding national debt. And certainly, there 
will be no hint of addressing the Federal Reserve System and its cozy 
relationship with big banks and international corporations and the 
politicians.

There is only one way that these issues can get the attention they 
deserve: the silent majority must become the vocal majority.

This message can be sent to our leaders by not participating in the 
Great Distraction---the quadrennial campaign and election of an American 
President without a choice. Just think of how much of an edge a Vice 
President has in this process, and he or she is picked by a single 
person---the party's nominee. This was never intended by the Constitution.

Since a principled non-voter sends a message, we must count them and 
recognize the message they are sending as well. The non-voters need to 
hold their own "election" by starting a "League of Non-voters" and 
explain their principled reasons for opting out of this charade of the 
presidential elective process. They just might get a bigger membership 
than anyone would guess.

Write-in votes should not be discouraged, but the electoral officials 
must be held accountable and make sure the votes are counted. But one 
must not be naïve and believe that under today's circumstances one has a 
chance of accomplishing much by a write-in campaign.

The strongest message can be sent by rejecting the two-party system, 
which in reality is a one-party system with no possible chance for the 
changes to occur which are necessary to solve our economic and foreign 
policy problems. This can be accomplished by voting for one of the 
non-establishment principled candidates---Baldwin, Barr, McKinney, 
Nader, and possibly others. (listed alphabetically)

Yes, these individuals do have strong philosophic disagreements on 
various issues, but they all stand for challenging the status 
quo---those special interest who control our federal government. And 
because of this, on the big issues of war, civil liberties, deficits, 
and the Federal Reserve they have much in common. People will waste 
their vote in voting for the lesser of two evils. That can't be stopped 
overnight, but for us to have an impact we must maximize the total votes 
of those rejecting the two major candidates.

For me, though, my advice---for what it's worth---is to vote! Reject the 
two candidates who demand perpetuation of the status quo and pick one of 
the alternatives that you have the greatest affinity to, based on the 
other issues.

A huge vote for those running on principle will be a lot more valuable 
by sending a message that we've had enough and want real change than 
wasting one's vote on a supposed lesser of two evils.
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