Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose
The lyrics above are from Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs. Robinson. It's easy to believe them, and they are sometimes true. They don't have to be, though.
It seems that most Americans have forgotten what democracy means. When a celebrity makes a comment on politics, you can always hear someone say "What does he know? He's just an actor (or baseball player, or whatever)." The response should be, "he knows what is important to him." Democracy means that everyone, from Bill Gates to the homeless person on the street to the person bagging your groceries is supposed to be able to participate equally.
We all know that no society can ever be completely fair and democratic, but we can get a lot closer than we are now. When I tell people I'm running for Congress, the reactions are interesting. Some people, clearly "small d" democrats, immediately understand and are supportive. Others are surprised that someone they know can run. They technically know that anyone can, but they don't believe it. The best part, though, is when those who clearly disagree with me on most issues clearly state their support for what I'm doing. They may not vote for me, but they are glad to know that democracy can happen.
If I achieve nothing else, my campaign is already a success because more people understand what it means to live in a democratic society. The Republicrats have tried to keep us out but, so far, they haven't achieved it. Do I think our next President will be any good? No. But lightning will strike someday and it might just be 11/4/08. Look at the Illinois gubernatorial race in 2006. The Greens needed 5% for a ballot slot, and surpassed 10%. Let's see what happens next. That was the same environment that gave the Mods a slot in the 8th.
That's what my campaign is about, on the most basic level.
