Neff Zone Column

Print Edition: August 5, 2006

HOW TO CHANGE THE BROKEN POLITICAL SYSTEM

Over the past four weeks I’ve been ranting about some of the things that are frustrating about today’s American political system and the politicians who run it. By this point, though, I’m thinking enough is enough and it’s time to move on. When I began the series of rants I promised "when the dust settles I’m going to tell you how to fight back." That time has come, with a couple of provisos.

If you’re a single issue voter, someone who bases all votes on your one specific issue, you can stop reading. Your vote is locked so considering another political approach or candidate is a waste of your time.

If you’re a voter who measures every issue and candidate with an ideological purity test, your party/candidate is always correct and every other party/candidate is always wrong, you can stop reading. You like the current political setup, so why bother with considering something that could upset the status quo?

But if you agree with this statement (about both parties) from a recent Miami Herald editorial, read on: "Deadlines have been missed, promises of reform have fallen flat, and there is nothing to show the electorate. When it comes to fixing the way it does business, Congress has been sadly incorrigible."

Well, if you’ve about had it with this type of nonsense, please join with me in a possible solution. It’s called Unity08 www.unity08.com and it’s a grass roots movement aimed at changing the political climate in this country from one of confrontation to one of cooperation – starting right now. As it says at the top of the Unity08 website: "Eight out of ten Americans believe that Washington has become so polarized between Democrats and Republicans that it can't make progress on the nation's crucial problems. Unity08 is a new movement that intends to end partisan bickering and bring purpose back to politics."

It goes on to say: "Unity08 believes that neither of today’s major parties reflects the aspirations, fears or will of the majority of Americans. Both have polarized and alienated the people. Both are unduly influenced by single-issue groups. Both are excessively dominated by money. We believe that, while the leaders of both major parties are well intentioned people, they are trapped in a flawed system – and that the two major parties are today simply neither relevant to the issues and challenges of the 21st Century nor effective in addressing them."

Before you dismiss this movement as a doomed attempt to form a third political party, think again. They state: "We are not looking to build a new and permanent party. That might happen, but our objective is to fix the old parties. We will not waste time assessing blame. Both parties and all of us who have been active in them share responsibility for the current political morass. We hope instead to return the focus of our politics and policy to the common good – those ideas and traditions which unite and empower us as individuals and as a people."

Among the goals is to refocus attention on critical issues. "Unity08 divides issues facing the country into two categories: Crucial Issues – on which America’s future safety and welfare depend; and Important Issues – which, while vital to some, will not, in our judgment, determine the fate or future of the United States. Crucial Issues include: Global terrorism, our national debt, our dependence on foreign oil, the emergence of India and China as strategic competitors and/or allies, nuclear proliferation, global climate change, the corruption of Washington’s lobbying system, the education of our young, the health care of all, and the disappearance of the American Dream for so many of our people. By contrast, we consider gun control, abortion and gay marriage important issues, worthy of debate and discussion in a free society, but not issues that should dominate or even crowd our national agenda."

There are three reasons why this movement could gain strength. Polls indicate there has never been greater dissatisfaction with American politics. The two major parties seem to be more concerned about their own power than in solving problems. And the internet now gives movements such as Unity08 a direct link to each and every American. Plus, the simple truth is that Unity08 is just plain right.

I invite you to go to the www.unity08.com website and see what’s there. You may be surprised to see a wide array of thoughts and ideas from across the political spectrum, many expressed by average citizens. You’ll be able to sign on as a supporter (no money involved). You can even sign up to be a part of the first ever national political "convention" held entirely on the internet.

At the very least, we need something like Unity08 to send the status quo politicians a message. What’s happening now is not acceptable. "The tens of millions of Americans who have not been voting out of cynicism toward the current system are likely to rally to new leadership with a new approach. The genius of America is that every generation redefines freedom in its own terms for its own times. Unity08, in a tradition as old as our country itself, is committed to still another rebirth of freedom."

Next week I’ll tell you why the mission of Unity08 is so important and looking toward that remember this: External encirclement plus internal demoralization equals progressive surrender.

Personal note: This is the 100^th Neff Zone column that has appeared in the Cadillac News. Many thanks to all those who have taken the time to comment about the column. Your opinions are highly valued, even when you tell me I’m obviously crazy.

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Comments to neffzone@gmail.com. Read Neff Zone columns online at www.neffzone.com/cadillacnews.