Alas, the Earth is having a tragic time with her human occupants. Wanting to believe in benevolent leaders, we are gullible when we ought to be wide awake to what is being done in our names.

Doesn’t it surprise you that we continue to take seriously the leading contenders for the Presidency as if they had something wise and fair and sustainable to offer? As if there are only two choices? It is sad to see how passionately we buy into one line or another, even when years of experience should show us the lie of it all.

Here’s a simple example: Understanding that the chief solution to “Global Warming” is to leave fossil fuel in the ground, the United States claims proudly to be ameliorating climate change (Obama at COP21) while fighting endless wars to acquire the world’s oil and gas reserves. How is it that we don’t choke on that obvious bit of irony?

If the chief solution is leaving fossil fuel in the ground, then our energy giants are free to spend their profits and imaginations refining alternative energy processes. Right? Isn’t that the obvious path to planetary health and long term self interest?

But, ahh, we mustn’t forget an infamous line from the U.S. Space Command’s “Vision for 2020”: “… Dominating the space dimension of military operations to protect U.S. interests and investment. Integrating space forces into warfighting capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict.” Turns out “it’s the economy, stupid!” and a fierce devotion to short term self interest.

You’re likely familiar with the thousand examples of the media’s complicity with the corporate oligarchy. The point is for us to catch on to the fact that the “news” we hear is largely propaganda, used to manipulate our fears, our loyalties, our votes. Once we’re awake to that, it’s easier to break free and begin to look beyond Donald, Hillary and Bernie to Jill or Gary who represent some of the sustainable initiatives developing around us.

We’ve seen how the massive support for Bernie Sanders is minimized by the corporate media. Chances are you’ve barely heard of Jill Stein (Green Party) or Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party). The powers that be want Hillary, who will do their bidding. Her record makes it clear that she would continue endless wars, big bank favoritism and the pretense of caring about people. The media knows not to rock the boat with enthusiasm for the competition.

Jill Stein is my choice. The Green party’s values are the ones that speak to my sense of fairness and wisdom. After the Conventions, when Bernie’s candidacy is apt to be in the past tense, I urge you to take a hard look at Jill2016.com or garyjohnson2016.com. Let’s start fresh. Can we show the power structure that the power really does lie with the people? A two-month campaign with intelligent debates could be the break our nation needs. It’s time for a collective deep breath. It’s time for an opportunity to vote for what we believe to be right for the Earth and all her miraculous creatures. Of all of them, we are the ones with biggest responsibility and the most to learn.

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Rosalie Paul is the Convener for the Merrymeeting Greens and is a member and of PeaceWorks. She lives in Brunswick.