The Unknown Democrat

Running against Arnold looks like "uphill both ways".

Can only Arnold beat Arnold?

The Governator did hurt himself badly in 2005, when he staged a special state election for some of his pet propositions, at which voters rejected every prop
(not just his). Almost everyone, including moderates and conservatives, even including many of his film fans, viewed the special election as arrogant and wasteful. But maybe he learned a lesson, as an athlete learns from injuries.

BEING arrogant is routine for California governors, but LOOKING arrogant is dangerous.
For pols, appearing humble is a test of acting skills.
( As they say in Hellay,
the key to worldly success is "sincerity"
-- if you can fake that, you may have a future. )


Arnold makes me very VERY glad
that term limits apply to the office of Governor
of California.


Meanwhile, the Democratic Party nominee struggles to get attention.
Though I'm an independent (not a Democrat), I certainly will vote for
the Unknown Dem for Guv.
Then I'll cast an anti-Dem protest vote
for the useless office of Lieutenant Governor;
choosing one of the minor-party candidates.


Some progressive voters may be bored by the November 2006 California election,
and wonder why they should go to the polls on a Tuesday.
Anarchists may wonder, philosopically, whether they should vote at all.


Please consider these points:

(A) Why bother to vote on a Tuesday?
You can vote more easily by mail, or in person at SF City Hall,
in advance.
Just sign up as a "Permanent Absentee Voter".
(You DON'T need to be disabled, absent, etc., to be a permanent "absentee" voter.)
[ If you really LIKE to walk to the polls on a Tuesday, you can deliver your absentee ballot
(already filled out and sealed in its envelope) in person, to ANY polling place
(not just to the one for your precinct). ]



(B) Even if you don't like any of the candidates,
you need to vote on the propositions, Yes or No.
Vote No on the bad ones,
Yes on the good ones --
and then please also vote No on any props which you don't understand
(since these may contain hidden tricks invented by clever lawyers,
like LOOKING progressive while really benefitting certain corporations).
Good lawyers can fake sincerity in writing,
the way actors can in person.



Meanwhile,
voting is necessary, but it's not enough.
Your best chances to change society, as of mid-2006,
aren't on the state, national, or international levels.

The best opportunities can be found in your own communities.

Think globally, act locally.

-- TBL
Monday, 24 July 2006


.....

Irrelevant PS:
Lebanon?
Does Condi's visit signal that Israel
is beginning to search
for a face-saving exit strategy?
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/07/24/international/i041507D45.DTL

......