Kucinich and the "Shadow Government"...an honest ?

[Comadreja]

This is a sincere question that could apply to Al Sharpton and Carol Mosely Brown as well. I very much support DK's opposition to big military spending, but how would his declared policies hold up under pressure from the "real" power brokers who ultimately decide U.S. policy. . .the National Security establishment aka military/industrial/congressional complex? Bill Moyers' interview last night with an author on money and politics came to the bummer conclusion that the biggest check writers decide who gets in the White House, a contention I am inclined to agree with. Enemies of the Shadow Government, such as MLK and Paul Wellstone have a tendency not to survive. Even as popular a president as JFK fell victim to an assassin(s) bullets after it became clear to the Masters of War that he wanted to disband the CIA and get out of Vietnam immediately, not to mention failing to support the invasion of Cuba. Johnson knew without a doubt (and his taped conversations with Adlai Stevenson prove it) that Vietnam would be a disaster, yet he dropped his beloved War on Poverty and plunged into the quagmire anyway.
IMO all this indicates that without the approval of the hidden Corporate War Mafia, nobody gets to or stays in the White House. Obviously Dean is putting out strong signals that he wouldn't interfere with their obscene system.
So, if the tables were turned and Kucinich now had the popularity and cash flow of Howard Dean, would he stick to his anti-militarist guns through the remainder of the election and on into the presidency? History since Truman established the National Security Administration suggests otherwise.



MASTERS OF WAR

Words and Music by Bob Dylan
1963 Warner Bros. Inc
Renewed 1991 Special Rider Music



Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

[Mairead]

1. Nice points, particularly the one about the danger

Do I think political killings happen? Yes. Do I think DK is at risk? Yes.

I'm less worried about the money aspect. Money isn't an absolute requirement, it's just one way to solve the communications problem. The other way is to get bodies knocking doors. His campaigns have always been that kind, apparently, and he's won 2 out of every 3 elections using that strategy. So I definitely think we could put him into the WH without having him beholden to any interests but ours. The only question is: will we.

[Comadreja]

2. The presidency is another kettle of fish entirely

"he's won 2 out of every 3 elections using that strategy." The corporate "kingmakers" have ways to subvert the popular will, as you must know. The Electoral College comes to mind, which was established by the rich white Founders for just that purpose. If the popular tide is strong enough, these hidden plutocrats have enough levers and buttons and $$$$$$$ to get their way no matter who gets elected. Maybe you know of an exception to this; I don't.