A Plea for Independence

Written by: Elizabeth Cable on Nov 27, 2007 7:40 PM EST

I am a great believer in the policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves. I wholeheartedly agree with his statement that “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” That is why I have been a member of the Democratic Party until just recently. But, now, I am afraid that the Democratic party of Franklin D. Roosevelt no longer exists. Changing times have necessitated that it be replaced.

The Democratic Party has traditionally been the “Party of the People”, while the Republican Party has traditionally been the “Party of Business”. Republican President Calvin Coolidge once said that “The business of America is business”. But, it seems, in recent years, the lines between the two parties have been blurred. The focus for the Democratic Party has shifted from standing up for the common man: their main goal today is winning elections, and obtaining and maintaining power, at any cost. This is the main goal of most politicians today. The raising of millions of dollars is absolutely essential in achieving this goal, because, I’m sorry to say, our political elections in the United States are all about money and money alone.

The Republicans usually raise more money than the Democrats during the election season, due in part to the donations that they receive from the business community. In order to compete with the Republicans in elections, the Democrats have found it necessary to become friendlier with businesses and the related special interests, such as the defense industry and the insurance companies. The Democrats have raised much, much more money than the Republicans during this 2008 presidential election season: how, how could they do that with no measure of support from businesses and special interests? The answer is that they could not.

But, honestly, who could blame the Democrats for becoming cozier with the business community? Representing and fighting for the common man does not pay. Average Americans alone cannot provide the millions and millions of dollars that is necessary in order to win an election. However, representing rich businesses and special interests pays very well. The Democrats had to establish an allegiance to those who could
fund them best, in order to win the most elections possible in the future.

This is why I say that the Democratic Party is the “Party of the People” no longer. No longer will it stand up for those whom society has forgotten. No longer will it think about what is best for those who are living in fear, poverty, ignorance, and despair when it is making all of its legislative decisions. The Democratic Party will instead stand up for the businesses and special interests. They will think of the businesses and special interests when it comes to making legislative decisions. And, of course, they will think about whether or not the decisions that they make will hurt them in the upcoming election. This is the Democratic Party of today and of the future. This Democratic Party is the one that had to slip a promised minimum wage increase into an Iraq War funding bill. This is not the Democratic Party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

This Democratic Party no longer represents me, and the Republicans represent me even less than the Democrats do. Neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party are truly the “Party of the People”. That is why I do not belong to either political party. And that is why I plan to vote for the Independent, or independent-minded, candidate in the future elections. And I suggest that you, my fellow citizens, do the same. Do not allow this corrupt two-party system to continue to control our elections and our government. It will only be to the detriment of our society if we continue to allow them to do so. It is as Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The death-knell of the republic has rung as soon as the active power becomes lodged in the hands of those who seek, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others.”

Thank you, and please consider my plea for independence.

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