The 2008 presidential election is being decided now

And you don't really have anything to say about it, unless you have lots of money. From the NY Times:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is locking up some of the Democratic Party's top fund-raisers, in a move that party officials and strategists say seems intended to complicate the efforts of any potential rivals in the 2008 presidential contest.

The effort comes as Mrs. Clinton has embarked on a nationwide fund-raising spree herself, enabling her to collect cash while appearing before audiences outside New York. Democrats say her goal is to raise at least $40 million for her Senate race, money that could be used for a national run after this year's Senate re-election bid, for which she faces minor opposition.

Already, the Clinton finance team has amassed more cash than any other potential Democratic presidential candidate, $17.1 million, underscoring what many Democrats say is the tactical edge that Mrs. Clinton has going into 2008, with an experienced and well-financed campaign.

But as important, Mrs. Clinton's finance team appears determined to build such a big bank account and to develop relationships with many of the party's top fund-raisers in an effort to make it harder for potential rivals to compete in 2008, Democrats closely monitoring the Clinton camp's efforts say.

Isn't it encouraging to know that neither major political party is likely to nominate a candidate who opposed the war in Iraq, opposed the Patriot Act, or (obviously) opposes the involvment of big money in politics? Hillary has been an AWFUL senator, a shill for the Bushies. Her picture could illustrate "sellout" in the dictionary.

I have no idea what to do. I worked for a great candidate in 2003, and he was ignored and even ridiculed. The grass-roots favorite, Howard Dean, was duly dealt with by the media and the powers that be in the Democratic party. We were left with a choice between two god-awful Skull & Bones Yalies who supported the war in Iraq. The system is completely rigged against third parties, and even against the wishes of the majority of the people.

I've said it before, and Ralph Nader said it before I did: Even now, things are going to have to get much worse before they get better. Only an economic collapse complete enough to bring most of the powers that be to their knees or lower will offer the opportunity for real democracy to happen in this country. Unfortunately, it will also open the door for many much less appealing scenarios as well. Nevertheless, the collapse seems to be almost a certainty, so make your plans accordingly.