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Volume 27, Issue 12, october 28, 2004

Opinion

Dreams bigger than ballot boxes

mugZoë Williams
Guest Columnist

After the 2000 Election disaster, the idea of being able to vote in 2004 seemed very exciting. As the months and years of King George II’s reign passed, the famous quote “If voting changed anything, it would be illegal” started making more sense to me. Now, with Nov. 2 so close, I find myself disenchanted with voting.

What happened over those years?

Well, first off, I realized what voting existed for. People hand over their power, their rights to selfgovernance, and their approval to a candidate so that real democracy—power for all by all—does not happen. The system was built on a platform not only excluding, but also oppressing people of color, women, and the poor, and never changed. Candidates will never be good enough, because they represent too many people to ever offer opposition or representation to communities and their needs.

Then, I found something better than voting. Rather than getting behind a campaign, I learned the joy of direct action, the only way you can represent yourself in this system. The sheer freedom and passion of an unpermitted march changes you forever.

You just cannot come home the same person after you have felt the burn of tear gas, the adrenaline burst after spotting an advancing phalanx of riot police, or the sinking feeling deep in your heart as you watch the people around you being dragged off in handcuffs, knowing you are probably next. I just can’t go back to getting excited about voting anymore.

The US profit-centered system is not compatible with democracy. It is based on exploitation, oppression, and a small portion of the population holding all the money and power. Our two parties are so much the same. Third parties will never receive fair media coverage or participation in debates. Women, people of color, and the poor are not represented. Their problems are not addressed; no candidate stands strongly for their issues.

There will never be a vote to end corporate greed, patriarchy, institutionalized racism, rich white male privilege, oppression of immigrants, abusive police, an unjust legal system, environmental destruction, or homophobia. Our problems will not go away with a vote because they were created and are perpetuated by the system. Unless there is a vote to shut down this failed system (I can see it now, Initiative 3B To Smash The State, End Capitalism, and Start an Anarchist Revolution), we will never find solutions in voting.

What has worked against corrupt democracies, oligarchies, monarchies, parliaments, Democrats and Republicans alike? What has brought forth social change? Direct Action. Action for and by the people, not systematically approved interventions like voting.

I wont discourage anyone from voting. It is your right; just do not let voting be the end of it. Do not let the results of the election pacify or defeat you. Regardless of which way you go in the voting booth, or whether you vote at all, do not be satiated by the money dominated no-solution system.

Meet with the outraged Denver community in Civic Center Park at 6:00 Nov. 3, no matter who wins. Be a part of an action that will aid in the creation of a new world.

Remember, no one is more capable to govern you than yourself.