Much, much closer to home, another object lesson in how money trumps popular will arrives in Seattle late Wednesday afternoon. He is Pres. Bill Clinton. In addition to the primary purpose of Clinton's visit--a $10,000 per plate fundraising dinner atop the Columbia tower--campaign officials later scheduled, as an afterthought, a less expensive Paramount Theatre saxophone concert and public appearances at Pike Place Market and (Thursday morning) the Tacoma Dome.

About 125 to 150 folks, many from Microsoft and Boeing, are expected to shell out $10 K for a chance to nuzzle Bill.

The purpose is not good food, or even reelection of a guy they believe in. At the Fortunate 500 level, many corporations hedge their bets and maintain access by heavily funding both political parties and their major campaigns. These big corporate players are shelling out money so that if they need regulatory relief, a favor from the executive branch, or backing for a bill that will make them billions of dollars, they can pick up the phone, call the White House and remind someone of their financial support. This, in third world countries, is called a "bribe." In the U.S. it's known as democracy, and it goes a long way toward explaining why, in virtually every public policy matter that involves large sums of money, Bill Clinton and Bob Dole are nearly indistinguishable.

The issue here is not Clinton; his policies are merely a response to the concerns of the only people that matter to him. The issue is a political system that, just like in Okinawa, ignores the needs and will of 90% of its people.

The only way this will ever change is if money is countered by bodies. We need folks in the streets--preferably starting on Wednesday--demanding that policies in health care, the environment, militarism, welfare, and countless other issues reflect our needs, not those of the Fortunate 500. Get loud, get angry, get together! A "Vote With Your Feet" rally organized by a slew of different local activist groups will meet at 6 P.M. at Westlake Park, 4th & Pine in downtown Seattle. Bring noise, bring non-perishable food to donate for those who can't afford $10,000 for a meal, bring ten friends, and let's remind the national politicians and media that, just like 220 years ago, taxation without meaningful representation is still grounds for a revolution.