By Joe B. Another presidential election year is upon us, and once again we are faced with choices. Some of us will examine the two major party candidates’ ideas, speeches, rhetoric, debates, etc., make a selection on November 8, and feel that we have made an “informed” choice of the person who should “lea ” the country for the next four years. Others will do the same; however, the decision we make will be based on the assumption that one or the other candidate will represent the lesser of two evils. A small percentage will vote for a third party candidate, a write in or will not make a selection in the presidential slot. Still others perceive ourselves to be, or actually are disenfranchised and will not vote at all. It is difficult to believe that the first course of action is a viable alternative, considering the fact that one of the major party candidates is doggedly trying to dump the “dreaded” label of liberal while the other has press agents scrambling to get him portrayed as “macho”, as if this is an admirable quality for a national leader. The second group, those attempting hen Least Worst Isn't Good Eog to choose the lesser of two evils, might fair slightly better in making a logical choice. On the one hand, we have a right-wing conservative ex-CIA director with a hor- rible record as vice-president who chose as a running mate a person who in another time and place might have been a member of the Hitler Youth. The campaign staffs of these two, it turns out, include neo-nazis. On the other hand, we have a slightly less homophobic quasi—conservative candidate who has as a running—mate a wealthy con— servative who ideologically resembles the other side. Not surprisingly, the last group com- prises a startling majority of people in this country. It is safe to say that a significant percentage of this majority feel that the present system of government, not only in this country but in countries worldwide, needs to be revamped entirely. The politi- cal situation in this country seems to be characterized by a polarized core of essen- tially well—off individuals; at one pole, we have liberals who seek bureaucratic solu- tions to deep—rooted problems, and at the other we have the New Right whose politi- The Mayfair Frame: Bed, Lounger or Couch Double $189 Queen $209 FUT7§.§j\J 19 Church St., Bur|., VI - 658-4313 cal agenda seeks to limit individual rights and police peoples private lives’ while t increasing the scope of freedoms for C01’po- 1 rations, and privileges of the wealthy. The J myth of equating prosperity with continued expansion of the military-industrial com- \ plex must be shattered. This expansionist I attitude has brought the earth to the brink of ecological collapse: we are altering the world’s climate, disrupting food chains, ‘ destroying forests as we create deserts, and irreversibly poisoning our air and water. For meaningful change to take place, i we must all become aware of the profound interdependence of all living things that i cohabit this earth. Ignorance, apathy and avarice have been the norm, particularlyin the past eight years. We must begin to question all aspects of our present way of? life and eventually shift the terms of social and political debate. Haven’t you heard enough about the Pledge of Allegianceini the past month? It is absurd that this isan issue considering the present state of thei earth. - Sound hopeless? Perhaps it is, butil one’s conscience survives beyond this life- time, it would be a hell of a thing to drag with you to another life, that you were party i to the destruction of an entire world. What to do, you ask? Well if you feel that voting ‘‘ is important, by all means, indulge your-| self; however don’t count on it to change; the status quo. Get informed and plant the» seeds of insurrection among those “less” informed. Obtain news from sources otheti than the mainstream media, which are es- sentially controlled by the military-indue trial complex. Look into alternate political‘ ideologies such as Eco-feminism, Anar- chism and the Greens to mention justafew. Above all, get involved in local grassroots , politics and be a part of the restructurifll. which must begin at the local level. Seal; tuned for a reading list in the next issue. 4 ” 1 Letters from page 2 gent of N.Y.C. Gay and Lesbian Polioetol legendary Wall Street broker who 13005 around the March in drag on roller skate“ There were scantily—c1ad people and dYk°‘ on Harleys in full leather. , 1 This event was strongly affirffllnh joyful, 1ight—hearted, yet with a solid 11195‘ sage to each of us, gay and straight a1ike;W° ‘ are all one and we need each other, in 1°”! and kindness, in mutual acceptance all assistance. It is well for each and remember this often.