The current administration is best described as a form of fascist oligarchy. They represent the American people as an overtly militaristic, imperial society, misinformed and manipulated by a corporate state media that feeds the citizens an endless stream of propaganda. The government itself manufactures "events" to create an environment of fear among its citizens in an attempt to freeze opposition and promote a "patriotic" nationalism to facilitate the erosion of constitutionally granted civil rights and maintain their hold on power.
It is in this environment that the 2004 presidential elections will be conducted. Both major parties have seen to it that there will be no viable third party contender. There will be no issues meaningfully discussed or debated. There will be no disruption in the flow of campaign money or corporate influence. There will once again be no choice.
American voters will take sides between two parties who are both pledged to promote higher corporate profits and lower corporate responsibility. They will vote for either of two candidates who both promote a foreign policy based on the Likud policies of Israel. They will vote for either of two candidates who support continued occupation of Iraq; an endless journey of incompetence, cruelty, death and false visions of a free capitalist democracy that will never come to pass while we maintain our military presence and political and economic exploitation. They will vote for either of two candidates who fail to see health care as a basic right. They will vote for either of two candidates who will fail to reign in the wasteful spending of the pentagon while ignoring the crumbling infrastructure of our education, transportation and energy systems. They will vote for either of two candidates who have somewhat different rhetoric regarding protection of natural resources and the environment but who will both cave in to the special interests of corporate profiteers. Basically, the American people will vote for more of the same, or they will not be allowed to vote!
**** In my own state of New Mexico, Ralph Nader, independent candidate for president, completed all the necessary requirements to be included on the ballot. He was initially approved ballot status. That status was denied after Democratic Party representitives filed suit to remove him from the ballot. The decision was made by a district judge who herself was a contributer to the Democratic Party. The Democrats have taken the view that their candidate is the only viable alternative to George Bush and therefore denying the democratic process to those who would rather vote on the basis of issues is justified. It seems to me Democrats should be denied the use of the name Democratic Party since their tactics undermine rather than further the cause of democracy.