Dear Editor,

I have only just recently stumbled upon the WSWS, and I'm writing to say thank you. The coverage of this election and the general state of politics within the US is, by far, the most reasonable and honest I've seen. Not that you should feel particularly honored by these sentiments, as I believe the information is there for all to see and the conclusions drawn are obvious. Rather, the contempt with which the press holds the public is reaching surreal levels, what passes for discourse and coverage is quite legitimately criminal, and there is almost nowhere left to turn. You are correct, I feel, in your analysis that our political system has indeed already reached a crisis level, or should I say, a level more closely resembling an ideal capitalist dream, which of course is fascism. Despite it all, I cast my vote for the Greens and Nader in hopes of giving something even resembling a reasonable platform a chance, and am continually appalled by the venom and yet even more contempt given to a man, who at worst is a capitalist reformer and, at best, has practically done more to help the average voter than most any elected official. I suspect we are witnessing the vile and prolonged death of this spectacle. I again thank you for at least validating my concerns. Please continue your excellent and valuable work, and perhaps I'll even someday soon join the cause.

Best regards,

JK

9 November 2000

To analyze this past election and its aftermath using the tools and concepts of a conventional two-party system is impossible—because that system functionally no longer exists. Regardless (and heedless) of public opinion, a one-party system is being imposed by degrees. The major media is the chief instrument of its imposition. Once that truth is faced and fully accepted, the media's mock hysteria over a failed land deal, an alleged haircut, the firing of a collection of corrupt federal bureaucrats, a few bouts of oral sex, a fundraiser that wasn't, and a presidential candidate's clothing and staffing choices—that hysteria becomes perfectly understandable, as does its feigned total indifference to the opposing candidate's criminal record, his past drug use, the unpunished insider trading violations, the blatant signs of alcoholism and past drug abuse, the use of his official public powers to seize private property for direct personal gain, and numerous other large and small personal and criminal transgressions.

Indeed, no other explanation makes sense. The corporate establishment, having decided that a two-party system is no longer compatible with its interests, has decided to abolish that system—by abolishing the Democratic Party. We are at a crossroads—either we face down the media and its corporate masters, or we let them bury us and our system of self-determination.

Jim Sagle

Lisle, IL

10 November 2000

I totally agree that banning convicted felons is unconstitutional. It would make more sense to allow these offenders a period of rehabilitation to regain their voting privileges. In that scenario the offender would have to maintain a clean record for x amount of years. I think this would be a good deterrent against criminals who would not want to lose their right to vote. It was very wrong for the racists of the past to enact such a prejudiced law against African Americans, but they are not the only convicts in the world.

This threatens the poor of America, the taxpayers, the single parents, anyone who cannot afford an expensive lawyer to rich their way out of a predicament. This matter may have started as a racial thing like most of these things usually do but, that's not realistic in this day and age. I think most people these days are against racism, especially the younger generations. The days of the older WWII way of thinking is history. I think that today's children will be the first generation in history that looks at racism as a thing of the past. I think it already is, but it takes time for the hard-liners to catch on. Sure there's still a few morons out there, but that's how it will always be. I look around me today and see kids with positive black and white role models and that's what we need. Just listen to the children, and ignore the dumb things, because they do. They see what we don't, each other as friends, superheroes, role, models etc.... Thanks again.

MS

8 November 2000