Another Reason NOT to Vote

On AlterNet today, filmmaker Michael Moore offers a scathing critique of the military-industrial complex. Utilizing Bob Woodward's new book, Obama's War, as a backdrop, Moore writes,

And here's the part I don't even want to write -- and none of you really want to consider:

It matters not whom we elect. The Pentagon and the military contractors call the shots. The title "Commander in Chief" is ceremonial, like "Employee of the Month" at your local Burger King...

While I agree with the thrust of Moore's indictment on the American political dysfunction, I think it goes even deeper than what he suggests!

I believe that, when it comes to matters of national defense and the tentacles of such that affect numerous aspects of society, there is no question that the military-industrial complex calls the shots. But I concurrently believe there is an entire elitist and corporate apparatus that secretly pulls the strings in all phases of national politics. Consequently, on the federal level, it really doesn't matter who we send to Washington DC.

I have been among the many people critical of the Obama administration. Where I differ from many, however, is that I never thought the "change and hope" rhetoric was anything more than just that -- rhetoric. From before the months he was elected by the populace, I viewed his campaign as a cynical ploy to dupe the people.

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that my contentions were categorically incorrect. Let's say Obama really intended to implement change and restore hope. Far from making a bad circumstance look more positive, this leads to an even greater indictment of our political system! It means that, despite honorable intentions, the system chewed him up and spit him out almost immediately!! It took a populist champion of the people and turned him into a paper cutout of that figure almost the moment he took the oath of office.

What this should clearly indicate is that, no matter how progressive a candidate may be, he or she has no chance whatsoever in being a force to implement change. If a President of the United States can't muster the ability to fight these forces, a sparse handful of senators and representatives in Congress would be no match.

Unfortunately, in my view, this same dynamic plays out as well on the level of state politics. Each state government is beholden to the same power structure "behind the curtain". Therefore, it doesn't make THAT much difference who we might send to the state capitol.

About the only place in which voting might make a difference is in local politics. Yet, even here, the same dynamic often plays out too. In almost every locale, there are unelected and behind-the-scenes bigwigs who call far too many of the shots and these folks are insulated from the rabble.

By voting, we delude ourselves with the idea the powers-that-be have implanted in our brains -- that we can and do make a difference. If the Obama presidency has proved anything else, that idea is pure poppycock. It doesn't matter who we send to do our biddings. In the end, our representatives succumb to the way things really are OR they are so marginalized that they become practically invisible.