Those who don't want to vote have been 'brainwashed'

Editor,

Kyle Farris’ letter encouraging political abstinence is as glowing an example of the success of the right-wing propaganda machine as you will find anywhere.

Farris feels that he has no choice when he must choose between a Democrat and Republican, and that these two parties will never agree about anything or make anything happen that is to his liking.

Since Ronald Reagan (through Bush I, Clinton and Bush II), Republicans have brainwashed Americans like Farris into thinking that government cannot do anything right — that privatization (and capitalization) of public functions is the way to go and that anything liberal (i.e., caring about anything but personal self-interest) is inherently wrong.

In 2008, the electorate decided that maybe this formula was not the way to go and elected a bunch of Democrats and a “liberal” president. Two years to undo 28 years of brainwashing?

The right-wing propaganda machine responded with unprecedented obstructionist tactics in Congress to prevent any truly progressive legislation from passing: corporate-funded “grassroots” Tea Parties to blame our inaction on the politicians currently in power (chiefly Democrats), and a huge influx of advertising (enhanced by the Bush-appointed right-wing Supreme Court majority “Citizens United” decision allowing unlimited partisan spending by corporations) to make it seem like the Democrats of the last two years were to blame for the destructive policies of the last 28.

Farris, these guys want you to feel alienated and powerless because then they get all the power and continue to have their way. And what is their way? We become a two-class society — the rich and the poor working class who serve the rich. Corporations continue to grow in power and influence worldwide and increasingly become the controlling interest in governments of all political stripes; democracy, where the interests of all citizens are taken as having value, is subordinated to the needs of corporate business; and the right to make a profit is only guaranteed to those with the means to do so.

Voting is how we can influence the course of these events. Not making a choice means someone else is going to make it for you. So don’t listen to Farris or the right-wing propaganda machine.
Vote on Nov. 2 for the most liberal Democratic candidates that you can find. Your country and your future depend on it.

James Connolly
UNM staff member