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At this moment, advisory referendums provide the electoral avenue to place ourselves in front of the voters with issues rather than personalities, independence instead of compromise, and significance rather than deception.
At the same time, we can take this opportunity to earn the right to represent the American people. They are waiting for us to step into the ring, fully and completely, without editing our message. They recognize that we reflect their views, but we have not yet earned their respect and trust.
When the referendum is passionate and resolute, we can counter-act our desires to self edit so that we define ourselves resolutely, stand firm on the issues, shape the political landscape and earn the representation of the people. This is the opportunity that is presented to us in the upcoming months.
By standing on our principles, we break the cycle of who to support, when and how. This is a discussion that is rooted in "theys" and "thems". It's not about us, our vision, our principles, or our actions. When the message of the referendum is clear, the referendum can shape the political landscape.
"Message on the ballot"- that's the magic bullet that propelled Jesse Jackson and Ralph Nader into the spotlight. They were able to shape the ballot with their mere presence on it. They were able to effect what candidates did and said, who came out to vote and how many came out to vote.
We can respond to the peoples needs to have a spirited, red-blooded election that addresses issues that are important to them! The way to do that in Illinois is through advisory referendums.
The Message is the Magic
'Bush's political opponents are caught in a fantasy that they can win against him simply by proving the superiority of their ideas. However, people do not support Bush for the power of his ideas, but out of the despair and desperation in their hearts.
Whenever people are in the grip of a desperate dependency, they won't respond to rational criticisms of the people they are dependent on. They will respond to plausible and forceful statements and alternatives that put the American electorate back in touch with their core optimism.
Bush's opponents must combat his dark imagery with hope and restore American vigor and optimism in the coming years. They should heed the example of Reagan, who used optimism against Carter and the "national malaise"; Franklin Roosevelt, who used it against Hoover and the pessimism induced by the Depression ("the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"); and Clinton (the "Man from Hope"), who used positive language against the senior Bush's lack of vision. This is the linguistic prescription for those who wish to retire Bush in 2004.'
- Dr. Renana Brooks, 'A Nation of Vicitims', The Nation, July 18, 2003
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