Punk-rock politicos

Liberals are killing America. But they're not alone.

Conservatives, bleeding hearts, tree huggers, oil tycoons, pro-lifers, pro-choicers and gay marriage tops and bottoms are all pulling the loose threads of American politics. And by extension, they're pulling apart America as well.

Politics today are a game of chicken where single-minded interests cling to their causes until the other side blinks. Players throw Molotov cocktails of half-truths and slander in an effort to bring down their opponent rather than advance their own belief.

This craziness has always been the case among radicals on either side. The problem now is that extreme elements have bought up most political airtime. What America needs is a healthy dose of punk, people who forget about what entrenched and comfortable interests want and do what's right by all people.

Formerly respectable Congressmen and commentators now pander to maniacs on both sides - Rick Santorum and Bill O'Reilly got rich off right-wing fear of progress, Howard Dean and Michael Moore stay famous because they vocalize populist frustration - but both push beyond reasonable outrage into shrill carping. About the only difference between the right and the left is that the conservative agenda is pushing while liberals are reeling and playing defense.

What needs to change is the ability of these special interests to have such sway over these politicians. Supposedly, legislation is in the works to limit big money individuals and companies from filling pockets for Congress or assembly votes, but what about legislation against intimidation in order to get votes?

While money is the root of all political evil, intimidation tactics are probably a close offshoot. Right now, conservative groups are the best at intimidation and smearing - groups like the Christian Coalition and Focus On the Family somehow dominate the headlines and press and have the pockets and people to influence elections. President Bush has regularly pandered to these groups, whether they rail against Desperate Housewives (Laura Bush's favorite show) or not.

The left has their own groups, ranging from the extreme in Greenpeace to the more moderate in Moveon.org, groups that simultaneously helped and harmed John Kerry's presidential campaign. Moveon.org did a bang-up job promoting Kerry's campaign, but they were so hard-line that when Kerry zigged on Iraq in an attempt to be a "security president," they continued to zag, making Kerry look less nuanced and more wishy-washy.

The greatest enemies to these special interest groups are politicians who simply don't give a damn and vote with their heads, not with their wallets or libidos.

These guys tend to be called "mavericks." I prefer to call them "independent." Punk, even. These people usually are incredibly popular come primary season, but never win because they appeal to too many people on the other side.

John McCain might be the highest-profile maverick, a Republican who probably could win the Democratic primary if he wanted to. He bucks the party line on issues he cares about, like the environment and immigration, and he's remarkably consistent in his views. It would be foolish to think he's completely outside of influence, but he's as close as they come at the Senate level.

Closer to home is Tom Golisano, a guy who's made upstate noise in the governor's race, but probably is all but ignored in New York City. He's a self-made billionaire, so he literally cannot be bought, and he's willing to present ideas against the norm, including some very interesting ideas on how to make UB a premier school. Right now he's been approached to run as a Republican, but he's willing to hob-knob with Bill Clinton for fun, even if it hurt his standing with conservatives.

Even closer is rookie Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan. True, he's a former UB professor and a Republican, but he's come from so far outside the Erie County power structure it's like he's speaking a different language. What's refreshing is that, like other outsiders, he doesn't toe party line - true he's calling for lower taxes, but it's based on an existing model. The taxes he wants to lower are for residents, not necessarily big business. Mohan was the loan opponent of giving FedEx a tax cut to build an expansion in Erie County. His reason? It would have been built regardless: FedEx needed Buffalo, Buffalo didn't need FedEx.

McCain, Golisano and Mohan represent a small faction of politics that is punk in it's own way by not being a slave to oppression. So, even though the election is months away, if you're looking for real political change, look for the guy who can't be bought or pushed around. But please make sure he says "nuclear," not "nukular."