Reflecting upon the actions of my fellow progressives during the past year, especially in regards to the presidential candidacy of Ralph Nader, has led me to conclude that the majority of our movement has been overcome with emotion that is clouding our vision and turning us into that which we abhor.

The unhealthy animosity that we harbor for the current administration has led us to adopt the Machiavellian tactic of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” — Henry Kissinger would be proud of our progress. Have we not criticized our government for years for employing this tactic? Do we not believe that the terribleness of Iraq and Afghanistan somehow owe to the use of this variety of political posturing?

Why do we rally to the same party that ousted Henry A. Wallace, that great progressive Iowan, from the vice-presidential ticket for Franklin Roosevelt’s fourth term, and ruined the opportunity for a truly progressive presidency? The party that proclaimed we would not intervene into the living hell that has become the Great Lakes and Congo regions of Africa, in order to stop the genocide of four million people, because those people don’t represent a “strategic value?” The party, that in our estimation, through the bumblings of the president, has been handed the election to win, but has not the vision nor the courage to articulate its position?

We must let the American people reap what they have sowed, should they re-elect the current administration, and give control of Congress to the Republicans. We can only return to our roots, and voice our vision for the potential of this country, but we cannot capitulate to the Democrats.

I will cast my vote for Ralph Nader on Nov. 2; I cannot trade it, as it must be made to matter. This is not hopeless idealism, but a reasonable assessment of the history of change in this country, which must originate from small parties, and individuals.

Neither is it righteousness, rather, it is the only chance we have to enact the kind of change we passionately claim to pursue.

Ryan Gerdes

Graduate Student

Electrical and Computer Engineering