Letters to the Editor.

Stop the Green-Baiting

I just read your editorial regarding Ralph Nader's contributions to the 2000 Presidential campaign ("Lessons of the Election," December issue). I couldn't have said it better.

In this strange period between election and inauguration, I'm dismayed at the venom that many of our fellow liberals spew at Nader and the Greens while ignoring the damage done by the same Democrats they demanded that I vote for.

In the past, we endured red-baiting. I hope that the future isn't clouded by "green-baiting." There are many more urgent issues for liberals to address than the existence of the Green Party.

Joe Schmitz San Francisco, California

Runoff Voting Is Vital

It was with pleasure that I read both electronic and paper copies of the November Progressive and saw prominent mention of the need for electoral reforms such as instant runoff voting and proportional representation to invigorate democracy and enhance progressive political aspirations (Comment, "The Uninvited").

Just wanted to let you know that electoral reforms were happening at both the local and state levels before the recent election fiasco, and interest in the reforms has exploded as a result of it.

On Election Day, voters in Oakland, California, adopted a city charter amendment that specifies the use of instant runoff voting for special elections to fill vacancies on the city council. In neighboring San Leandro, voters adopted two-round runoff elections for city council with the option of using instant runoff voting instead.

These are the third and fourth U.S. jurisdictions to pass such legislation in the past two years. Santa Clara County, California] and Vancouver, Washington, were the first two.

At the state level, a coalition in Alaska has turned in almost 35,000 signatures to place instant runoff voting on the ballot in November 2002 unless the legislature adopts it first. Legislation in both New Mexico and Vermont has a good chance of passing, and several other states, cities, and counties are considering it.

Numerous nongovernment organizations now use instant runoff voting and forms of proportional representation to elect officers and make endorsements, and more and more student groups are getting interested.

Stay tuned--this may be the most promising political reform movement of the decade.

Caleb Kleppner
Majority Rule Project
The Center for Voting and Democracy
San Francisco, California

Only One Political Class

I agree wholeheartedly with Howard Zinn's assessment in "A Campaign Without Class" (November issue) that both the Gore and Bush campaigns were reflections of "that old-fashioned radical expression" "the ruling class." In fact, the Democratic and Republican parties are simply factions of the same ruling class.

But I suggest that Zinn replace "ruling class" with "political class." This is a more precise description of American political reality. The purpose of the current American political class is control of the state apparatus, management of the economy, and the protection of moneyed interests. There is now, and has been from the beginning of this nation's history, only one political class.

If we are to create the kind of social movement Zinn mentions in his conclusion, it can happen only when the have-nots become politically class conscious, when they become an opposing political class locked in political class struggle. Then, and only then, will "the people in charge tremble at the prospect of `class warfare.'"

Ronald A. Kuykendall Greenville, South Carolina

Clinton's Beneath Contempt

I hope that The Progressive does not pay Molly Ivins for her column, since she is clearly well compensated by the Democratic National Committee. Her conclusion that because the President was not indicted in the Whitewater investigation he did nothing wrong is absurd ("School Reform from a Poor Student," November issue).

Reagan was not indicted for his role in the Iran-contra affair. Are we to conclude that he did no wrong, as well? Ivins implies that all that came of the investigation was the revelation that Bill Clinton "had a highly improper relationship with a White House intern." She forgot that Ken Starr got several convictions, including Deputy Attorney General Webster Hubbell, for his $52 million.

While the Clintons were not indicted for firing the White House travel office staff, it is an example of politicians attempting to destroy the lives of little people for the benefit of their wealthy and powerful friends--something that a person claiming to be a progressive ought to oppose.

Clinton not only had an improper relationship, he also lied under oath, and he encouraged others to do the same. This is called obstruction of justice when a Republican does it. The Starr investigation also led directly to the allegations of Clinton's assaults on Kathleen Wiley and Juanita Broaddrick.

Bill Clinton is beneath contempt. His crimes as President range from a violent assault on the Branch Davidians to his bombing of a Sudanese pharmaceuticals factory to detract attention from his scandals. He also made war on Iraq to disrupt the House vote on impeachment.

Clinton may be innocent of real estate fraud in a land deal from the 1970s, but to absolve him of everything on that basis is the equivalent of saying that Pinochet is innocent of the charge of jaywalking and thus no murderer.

Clark Stooksbury Knoxville, Tennessee

Ehrenreich Offends Parents

I have just finished reading Barbara Ehrenreich's column "Tell It to the Swordfish" (September issue). While I am somewhat supportive of her basic idea that humans have done a bad ecological number on the Earth and have mistreated other species, I very much take exception to her remark about people who bear children as being thoughtless ("So what do you tell the children, assuming you've been thoughtless enough to bear any?").

While Ehrenreich may have some sort of vendetta against "breeders," the fact remains that people, like other species, have had children since the species began and will continue to have children until the species ends. There is no doubt that overpopulation is a big cause of environmental and political woes. However, it does not make anyone who has had a child thoughtless.

I think Ehrenreich's remark is crass. All parents are due an apology.

Ellen Eagan Millbrae, California

Pats on the Back

I'd like to congratulate and thank The Progressive for having a spine during this election season. Other so-called leftwing magazines became weak in the knees and supported the lesser of two evils. After Ralph Nader was not allowed in the debates, The Nation gave up hope. I'm glad The Progressive kept its head up and reported with its conscience--the collective conscience of the left.

Adam Johnson Willimantic, Connecticut

Like all publications, The Progressive has better months than others. I just read the October issue in one sitting. Wow! What a wonderful balance of issues. I really felt I was a far more knowledgeable person after reading the issue. And I got the feeling that there still is real meaning in being a liberal.

Sometimes when you live in a town where all those on the left of George W. Bush can meet in a telephone booth, you need a little direction. I sure got my money's worth.

Mark A. Siegel Plano, Texas

And a Slam

I hope all of you at The Progressive are happy with what you've done. You've probably helped to set this country back in so many dreadful ways. I never want to hear The Progressive's name again--or Ralph Nader's.

Jack Conway Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The editors welcome correspondence from readers on all topics, but prefer to publish letters that comment directly on material previously published in The Progressive. All letters may be edited for clarity and conciseness. Letters may be e-mailed to: [e-mail]. Please include your city and state.