Call Me a Dreamer

copperwise recently posted about a number of LJ folk whose journals she recommends. One of these was leemoyer who posted a quote, which I repeat, from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Senator Sanders is officially an independent, but caucuses with the Democrats and describes himself as a "democratic socialist," according to the Wikipedia article on him.

In a democracy, elections are not beauty pageants or reality shows, or soap operas for political junkies. Elections are the real business of democracy, and they should be about real things.

Without sounding too corny, what this election is about is the well-being of hundreds of millions of Americans and about what kind of country we will be leaving to our kids and grandchildren. And, at a time of global warming and severe environmental problems, this campaign is also about whether our planet survives in a condition that can sustain human life in the decades and centuries to come.

Given all that is at stake, as American citizens we must demand that the media not continue to trivialize our democratic process, dumb down coverage and, in the process, deflect attention away from the most important issues impacting our lives. This election must, first and foremost, be about the needs of the American people.

Now, I honestly know nothing more than what you see here. I haven't even read more than the first two paragraphs of the Wikipedia entry on him. But, I'm very impressed by the sentiment expressed in this quote. We so need to realize that our votes have consequence, not just for ourselves, but for the entire world for generations.

Sometimes, I think it's a good idea to step back and look at how we see ourselves as Americans and what independence, freedom, and democracy mean to us. I know that my attitudes were mostly formed by experiences in my childhood, although they are also informed, I hope, by more mature thought.

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I'm really interested in what others think about this subject, so please share your memories, beliefs, and feelings.