take off the masks

In some of my classes, we've been discussing the election, writing our own campaign platforms, forming political parties, and preparing to square off in debates and give speeches. As an activity, I had students read campaign platforms of the candidates on the ballot in Washington state--but with names or other obvious clues to the party's identity blotted out, so they'd have just the issues to consider.

The results were fascinating, and only somewhat surprising (at least, to me). Remember, these were high school students who have been studying the election for two weeks, have seen much of the debates, have viewed some of these platforms before.

Workers World Party

They work towards building a society which puts people’s needs first, not profits. They support a $15/hour minimum wage, jobs, childcare, housing, education and healthcare for all, and the right of all working people, including immigrants, to unionize.

These candidates oppose racism, sexism, and all discrimination and bigotry. They oppose the Patriot Act, the death penalty and police brutality, support reproductive choice for all women, and full rights of lesbian/gay/transgendered people, including marriage.

They say no to the Iraq war and occupation and want the troops brought home now. They call for slashing the huge military budget to create living-wage jobs with benefits, to rebuild cities, expand social programs and fund all human needs.

Parker and Gutierrez say it’s time that working people and all who face discrimination, unemployment, poverty, have their own party—one that represents their interests, and not those of big business and the super-rich.

Students' answer: John Kerry

Independent

We seek an end of corporate control of government and a government that is truly "of, by and for the people." They seek to shift the power to workers, consumers and tax payers and put the necessities of people before corporations including health care for all, earning a living wage for themselves and their family, authentic consumer protection, environmental protection, labor law reform, a jobs program to rebuild U.S. infrastructure, ending poverty, an energy policy that breaks U.S. addiction to fossil and nuclear energy and creates jobs building sustainable clean energy as well as efficient buildings and motor vehicles. They support education, from pre-school through college, affordable for all Americans with developed civic skills. They protect the Constitution by repealing the Patriot Act, ending the failed drug war and restoring justice. They would shift the burden from work to wealth and to things we like least, e.g. pollution, gambling, addictive industries and stock speculation more than things we like, e.g. food, books, clothing.

Students' answer: Kerry (mostly); Nader (a few)

Socialist Workers

The immediate, unconditional withdrawal of U.S. and other imperialist troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Korea, Haiti, Colombia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

For a massive federally funded public works program to put millions to work at union scale.

For the extension of social security to cover universal, federally funded, lifetime health care for all.

Defend and extend affirmative action in employment, education, and housing.

Fight cop brutality, abolish the death penalty.

Defend a woman’s right to choose abortion.

Students' answer: Kerry

Constitution

* Stop the undeclared wars which are daily costing American lives and billions of tax dollars;
* Stop reckless spending, including foreign aid, and take care of America’s domestic needs;
* End debt financing of the Federal government;
* Get rid of the Federal income tax, and restore a tariff based revenue system;
* Immediately terminate international trade agreements such as NAFTA, WTO, the proposed CAFTA and FTAA, and stop sending high paying American jobs to foreign countries;
* Uphold God-ordained marriage and defend America’s moral and family values;
* Protect the right to life of all unborn innocent children;
* Get the Federal Government out of the Education business and allow parents to control the education of their own children;
* Uphold Second Amendment rights; and
* Restore a debt free, interest free money system;

Students' answer: George W. Bush

We talked about why they might confuse Kerry for Che Guevara, or Bush for Pat Buchanan, and how the two-party system, for better or worse, excludes voices on the margins. All in all, it was a lively discussion.