THE DEATH-KNELL of the two-party dictatorship? Maybe. But to be replaced by Ross Perot's twenty-odd point lead in the opinion polls signals the massive disillusion across US society with both Democrats and Republicans, a disillusion that erupted into open rebellion in the riots that swept Los Angeles Just a tew weeks ago.
Independent
It is the first time in many years that there has been a serious independent challenge to the party candidates for President. Perot's independence, his religious fundamentalism and his claim to be an 'apolitical candidate, outside the system' have found an echo across broad swathes of the American people.
But beneath his glitzy, populist style lies a political animal that may prove infinitely more dangerous than either of the established parties, It I not for nothing that he has been dubbed by the liberal New Republic Droximation of fascism ever to ..the ave a real shot at the Oval Office.' Definition Perot has assiduously avoided defining his policies. But his close associatson with Oliver North, McCarthy's cronies and his past practices in which his fortune is founded, give some pretty clear indicators.
gay people; alcoholics are slobs; do not hire any recovering alcoholics; do not hire anyone with mental problems... These are the guidelines he laid down for EDS' prospective employees.
It is no great surprise - but in some ways, encouraging - that he is east popular among the poor. women and blac people. At least his most direct victims can spot the enemy But if Perot is clearly the enemy, it's hard to sav who is the triend Democrat candidate Bill Clinton, now leading George Bush in the polls, has in the past claimed to be the candidate for black people. Democrat traditionally picks up the majority of black Ditched This may be the election that bucks the trend. After much soul-searching - or rather vote searching - Clinton has decided that his best hope lies in chasing the 'middle ground'. Black privatised...market regulation Perot: fundamentalist fruitcake? people, labour and the poor are to be ditched in favour of the rupple vote This is no quiet strategic move, confined to the smoke filled rooms of the Democrat HQ. Clinton decided that to win the yuppie vote, he had to say it out loud and clear. And he picked about the most provocative place imaginable to do so, at a Liqun, Song Ping and Li Shimrally with Jesse Jackson where ne was expore to announce a 'shift to the left' in his campaign.
So the mass of US voters are once again offered Hobson's choice. No candidate is remotely on their side. The only diference is that now one of them is not only viciously right wing. but a proto-fascist. two batches to pay homage to