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How should we redirect our political creativity?

Al Jourgensen

The latest issue of In These Times is a special, extra-length issue devoted entirely to the subject of socialism in America today. This special issue is available now. Order your copy today.

They told me that as an artist I should stay out of politics. Some of my peers taunted that it was moronic” for me to express my opinions — that I shouldn’t mix art with politics. This fall, Ministry joined forces with Music for America and Punkvot​er​.com to register voters throughout our U.S. Evil Doer Tour. So did a lot of other artists, musicians and youth vote organizations to target voters ages 18-29. Guess what? It worked. Young voters showed up en masse: 4.6 million more 18 to 29 year olds voted this year than in 2000. The youth vote is now an invigorated force to be reckoned with.

But our work has just begun. America is still at war. American kids are still dying for oil, Bush’s friends are still getting richer off the backs of American young people. College tuition keeps rising (tuition rose again 10 percent last year alone and 30 percent since Bush first took office). And the fight for healthcare, prescription drugs and a real energy plan to get us out of wars in the Middle East are all still in front of us.

So we’ll continue to disseminate information and rally our troops here in the homeland. We’ll be in state-by-state battles fighting for justice, ensuring the Senate does not confirm judges who want to overturn Roe v. Wade. Most importantly, we’ll be preparing for the Senate and House races in 2006.

All of us did our part this year. If I can register several thousand voters at my concerts alone and Punkvot​er​.com and Music For America can register tens of thousands of voters, the message is clear: Americans want change and it is not going to stop.

Win a trip for two to Cascais, Portugal!

Celebrate 47 years of In These Times in style! Get your raffle tickets today for your chance to win a vacation for two to Cascais, Portugal!

One lucky raffle winner will receive a $3,000 gift card to cover the costs of two flights, as well as a stay in a 5-star boutique hotel, housed in a 17th century fortress with medieval architecture and décor. You can schedule the trip on your timeline!

All raffle ticket sales support ongoing In These Times reporting, just like the article you just finished reading. Get your raffle tickets now.

The winner will be selected on the night of September 30, at the In These Times 47th Anniversary Celebration. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win.

Al Jourgensen is the founder of post-punk industrial band Ministry.
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