Earlier today I ranted a bit about how being a socialist in the United States ensures that you'll be dismissed as a quaint, political oddity. I wish I would stop doing that, given that so many people are working so very hard to keep the proverbial flame burning. Cynicism is a disease that can sneak into your brain through your eyes and ears and suck hope out of your system like a sneaky little vampire bat. It's a painless process, but one day you'll wake up and realize that you're leading an unprincipled life. That's no fun.
Jeff M. Brindle and I had a little chat via the wonders of the Internet today. He's running for a state assembly seat, Pennsylvania's 26th District. I thought I'd use my little 'blog to congratulate him on a well-run campaign. I don't agree with him on several issues, even though we are both socialists. We've both held office within the Socialist Party USA, and we're both members of Democratic Socialists of America. His campaign is even endorsed by the DSA.
What I love about his campaign is that he is very straightforward about what he stands for, with very little rhetoric. He took the National Political Awareness Test (NPAT), which is part of Project Vote Smart. As a result, you know precisely where he stands on many issues. I don't agree with him on everything, but the important thing is that he knows that capitalism is a failure, that we need socialized medicine, and a stronger social welfare system that includes a higher minimum wage.
Thank you, Jeff, for working so hard for the cause and taking the time earlier today to smack some sense into me. We can't ever give up in the struggle for social and economic justice.
Check him out at http://www.brindle2006.com/
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