I originally put this in the other political thread, but feel it\'s fair to put it here too considering it\'s Electon Day.
For the record, I am an independent who loathes Bush, did not favor Kerry out of the facistic nominees, and who thinks the greatest propaganda in our country is what the actual media doesn\'t show and the fact that all of the presidential candidates do not get coverage, aren\'t allowed to debate, etc. (and I\'m not just talking about Nader). Yes I know that candidates must receive 5 percent of the vote to be allowed to debate, but I disagree with using a finite number to determine if one is allowed to express the ideology behind their candidacy in a national forum. This basically says that if Nader had 4.99 precent he wouldn\'t be "worthy" of debating Bush and Kerry, but that if he had 5.0, he would be. Another in a long line of the blatant stupidity that defines our culture.
Of course, if everyone was allowed to debate, someone like Nader might actually win a state, which would force the media\'s hand to cover him, and get him some neccessary funding, which would pose a major threat to the RepubliCrats. So the two big parties know that their bread is buttered with the major networks and the golden handshakes will continue to be given so long as the only two candidates that get any "equal time" are the two that already have the most money.
I am voting for Ralph Nader, much as I did in 2000, and am proud to do so.
In any event...
A BASIC OVERVIEW OF THE THIRD PARTIES AND THEIR CANDIDATES (from CNN)
While the facists and facists dominate the headlines, many other political parties have eyes on the White House. Check out the parties below which have run presidential campaigns in the recent past and those that could contend this election season.
Reform
Many of the Reform Party\'s top issues -- opposing NAFTA and similar trade agreements, shedding the growing national debt and instituting political reform -- reflect the views of its founder, businessman and 1992 and 1996 presidential candidate Ross Perot. This year the party has endorsed independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader, and plans to formally nominate him at its national convention July 22-25 in Columbus, Ohio, according to party officials.
Green
The Green Party received national attention in 2000 when its presidential candidate, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, won 2.7 percent of the vote, infuriating some facists who believe Nader\'s candidacy took votes from facist Al Gore and helped facist George W. Bush win the closely contested election. U.S. activists formed the party in 1984, basing it on the German Green Party. The "Greens" stress environmentalism, nonviolence, social justice and "grassroots organizing" as a counter-balance to the two major political parties. Nader, also the party\'s 1996 nominee, is running as an independent in 2004, but still sought the Green\'s endorsement, even picking prominent party member Peter Camejo as his running mate. But the Greens instead nominated Texas lawyer David Cobb, who has made growing the party a priority and said he may adjust his strategy to ensure President Bush does not win re-election.
Libertarian
The Libertarian Party favors minimizing the federal government\'s authority in favor of a free-market economy, free trade, nonintervention in international affairs and a dedication to "personal freedom." In 1996 and 2000, investment adviser Harry Browne was the party\'s presidential nominee. At its late May convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Texas constitutional scholar and computer expert Michael Badnarik came from behind to defeat movie producer Aaron Russo and radio talk show host Gary Nolan to win the Libertarian Party\'s presidential nomination. Richard Campagna, an attorney in Iowa City, Iowa, took the party\'s vice presidential nod.
Socialist
While once a prominent national political force, the Socialist Party USA now focuses primarily on local elections and key issues, seeking the presidency on a "case-by-case" basis. The party platform, which it calls "both coherent and radical," faults capitalism for harming the environment, fostering economic inequality (particularly for minorities and women) and helping corrupt the government, and urges major institutional reform. Walt Brown -- a Navy veteran, lawyer and former Oregon state senator -- is running as the party\'s 2004 presidential nominee with Vermont teacher Mary Alice Herbert as his running mate.
Natural Law
Founded in 1992 to "bring the light of science into politics," the Natural Law Party advocates field-tested "solutions" -- such as mediation, organic farming and applying scientific laws -- in education, health, crime, trade, international affairs, environmental and other matters. In 2000, the party\'s presidential nominee was one of its founders, Iowa physicist John Hagelin, who also received support from a sizable segment of the Reform Party. The Natural Law Party will not nominate a presidential ticket this year, according to party officials.
Independence
Until last year, the Independence Party was the only third party with a governor in its ranks -- Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura. (Maine Gov. Angus King, who also left office in January 2003, was an independent and did not formally belong to a party.) The party was formed in Minnesota in 1992 and changed names when it combined with the Minnesota Reform Party in 1996. It cut ties with the national Reform Party in 2000 and returned to its original name. The Independence Party is now a state-by-state organization, not a national one, and a Minnesota party official said the party is not likely to nominate a presidential ticket. The party, strongest in the Gopher State, aims to attract "centrist voters" with its calls for campaign reform, nonpartisanship and anti-corruption and anti-lobbying efforts.
Constitution
In an anticipated move, the Constitution Party nominated Maryland attorney and anti-abortion activist Michael Peroutka for president at its national convention June 23-26 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The Constitution Party supports a strict constitutional interpretation limiting the federal government\'s roles, fighting the "corruptive influence of political parties" and bolstering the Bible\'s influence in public life, particularly the U.S. legal system. Chuck Baldwin, a Baptist pastor and syndicatd talk radio host, is Peroutka\'s running mate.
