About
I am a political scientist and economist who has spent the past 15 months in a state of permanent outrage over the activities of the financial industry and their government enablers. Over the course of my adult life, including graduate studies as well as a career in environmental policy analysis and activism, I have operated under the belief that, as imperfect as our system of government is, on the major issues that demand our attention and action it is the reasonable voices representing the will of a majority of our citizens that ultimately prevail. As naive as that may sound this belief influenced my own actions and words and led me to strive for reasonableness in my own discussion of the political and economic issues of our day.
Being reasonable in the face of an overwhelming assault on our liberties, our livelyhoods livelihoods and our system of representative democracy is no longer an option. In the words of Thomas Jefferson in our Declaration of Independence: In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince [or Representative or Senator or President], whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
My own outrage has transformed into stone cold resolve and I am now focused on creating a radical None of the Above (NOTA) political movement that will persuade a majority of voters to write in None of the Above in all federal elections to express our total no confidence in all candidates and the political system they support.
This blog represents my efforts to shine a light on the outrageous behavior of our elected officials of both parties and to advocate for using the federal election process to collectively send a clear message of NO CONFIDENCE. It’s not about replacing one incumbent with a mirror image from the other party. It’s about withholding our support from any and all incumbents and those that wish to replace them until they agree to fundamental reforms that restore the power of citizens to have a government by and for the people.
RadicalNOTA
1.
Peter B Mockridge | January 24, 2010 at 10:25 pm
It is pleasing to know you and to know that my outrage is shared by someone running on more than just gut feeling. I used to say, when I worked for a large corporation, that I only added value if I could become outraged at the latest corporate dictum rolling down the hill. NOTA sounds like a good idea, except . . . you claimed that the elected individual would know that many of his/her constituents would not have voted for him/her. I am more disconsolate than you: I don’t think they’d give a damn! And things will only get worse . . . regardless. How’s that for positive thinking??
2.
radicalnota | January 25, 2010 at 10:14 am
Peter,
Thanks for checking out the blog and leaving a comment. I know where you are coming from in your belief that they don’t give a damn. Ultimately, however, it’s up to us to make them give a damn. A government that has clearly lost the consent of the governed will eventually fail. History is on our side with this!
RadicalNOTA
3.
William Drake | February 4, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Your comment “it’s up to us to make them give a damn” is akin to the thought, “Thanks for the opportunity to serve…now tell me what to do.” We as a citizenry seem to have abdicated our responsibility to continually hold elected officials’ feet to the fire, and so they listen to the other big power, the one that bankrolls their costly campaigns. We are sleeping; kept busy making lots of money and watching wide-screen hi-def t.v. Which, of course, is exactly where the corporations want us: oblivious to reality.
I wholeheartedly commend this effort of yours, my friend, and look forward to participating in its progress.
4.
radicalnota | February 4, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Thank you for your comment SirWilly
All I ask is that you tell others about this blog and what we are trying to do. I want people to feel empowered again. It’s the only way we can make change!
RadicalNOTA