Vote for Change….Or Die!

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Let me make it clear to prevent further confusion that I do not officially endorse President Bush, but if I were to give him some great advice for when he wins next week, it would be to play the Vote for Change - People Have the Power song at his second-term inauguration - out of sheer spite the way Truman did when he lifted the infamous Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper that read: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

The Vote for Change tour is a coalition of high profile celebrities crammed onto one stage trying to -- as the cliché goes -- make a difference. The artists include: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Bonnie Raitt, Bright Eyes, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Dave Matthews Band, Death Cab For Cutie, Dixie Chicks, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Jurassic 5, Keb' Mo', Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and My Morning Jacket.

Together they smile, clap, sing and preach to an enthusiastic arena audience of Kerry supporters and Bush-haters, because there is nothing more important to these people than to get a president out of office who had the audacity over the last four years to try to ensure the safety of Americans by fighting a costly war on terrorism.

From Bruce Springsteen's official website:

We remain a land of great promise but we need to move America towards the fulfillment of the promises that she has made; economic justice, civil rights, protection of the environment, a living wage, respect for others, and humility in exercising our power at home and around the world. These are not impossible ideals, they are achievable goals with a strong leadership and the will of a vigilant and informed American people. I believe that Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards understand these important issues and are prepared to help our country move forward.

So there isn't enough economic justice in this country for these multimillion-dollar mansion-dwellers but apparently the living wage is suitable enough under President Bush to charge us average people a whopping $100 per ticket to attend Vote for Change.

Nowhere in Mr. Springsteen's list of "promises" is homeland defense and protection from terrorism; issues far more pressing in the short-term than Hummer pollution.