Greg Pason for U.S. Senate

If New Jerseyneeded any further illustration of the dead-end of Democratic Party politics itwas recently provided by Senator Robert Menendez and President Barack Obama.  Menendez and Obama teamed up to support the NationalDefense Authorization Act (NDAA), a military bill stuffed fat with billions ofdollars and provisions that further eliminate our civil liberties.  As a Socialist, I protest this bill.  But this year I’m doing more than justprotesting.  I am running as theSocialist Party USA candidate for Senate to unseat Menendez and my fellow Socialist, Stewart Alexander, is taking on Obama for the presidency.

The NDAA is a perfect example of why politics as usual in Washingtonjust won’t cut it for poor and working class people in New Jersey.  ThisBill continues the trend of pouring tax money into the wasteful Military IndustrialComplex.  Thanks to Democrat andRepublican pro-war policies, more than 50% of the yearly Federal Budget isspent on war.  This includes paying forthe current occupation in Afghanistan,the bombing of civilians, payments to cash hungry military contractors likeHaliburton and interest payments on debts taken out to pay for previous wars.  While Americans head to the unemploymentlines by the millions, military contractors divvy up the profits in themillions while providing support services to aggressive military interventions in foreign countries.

As if this was not enough, the NDAA serves to “bring Guantanamohome.”  The bill provides the Departmentsof Defense and Homeland Security with the rights to detain US citizensindefinitely.  In addition, thelegislation encourages the two Federal agencies to collaborate on internetsurveillance of US citizens.  WhileMenendez and Obama were throwing their support behind the bill, the AmericanCivil Liberties Union called it, “inconsistent with fundamental American values embodied in the Constitution.”

Menendez’s support is consistent with his track record as a Senator.  He supported the USA Patriot Act and calledfor its renewal.  He voted for theHomeland Security Act, the Military Commission Act and countless pro-militarybudgets that have helped to drain vital resources from social services.  Menendez, just like Obama, is a candidate ofwar who is willing to put the needs of the Military Industrial Complex ahead ofthose of the people of New Jersey.

This is why I am running for Senate this year. As acandidate for the Socialist Party USA,  Istand for an immediate 50% cut to the military budget, I pledge to help end thePatriot Act and completely oppose the infringements on our civil rights by the expanding security state.

Socialists understand the nature of war – the rich profitwhile the sons and daughters of the poor and working class are sent off toslaughter.  We therefore call forwithdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan,an end to the drone bombings in Pakistan,the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and the removal of all foreignbases operated by the US military.

This is the kind of strong political medicine needed to endthe destructive Military Industrial Complex. As your Senator, I will promote a foreign policy that encouragespeaceful cooperation between all the peoples of the world.  I encourage you to examine the Greg Pason for Senate website at www.votepason.org  Ibelieve that you will find democratic socialist politics that make good senseto the 99%.

Vote Socialist in 2012! Greg Pason for Senate and Stewart Alexander for President! www.votepason2012.org * www.stewartalexanderforpresident2012.org