How is it right?

How is it right that, in a so-called "democracy" like the US, none of the third party candidates are allowed to participate in the televised presidential debates? Of course the Green Party and the Libertarian Party had their own REAL debates last week, which was only aired on one channel, which is C-Span.

I place the mainstream media at blame for this almost total lack of coverage of the third party candidates -- even more proof the American, mainstream media is nothing more than a monopoly, and is tied together with the US military-industrial complex and used as a tool to push propaganda and keep the masses dumbed-down and complacent.

The reason that so many people in this country believe there are only two choices is because, thanks to the media, that's all they are led to believe exists. Aside from Ralph Nader, I have never even heard the mainstream media utter the names of the Libertarian, Green, or Constitution Party candidates. I heard just the other day that about only half of the country is even familiar with the Libertarian Party.

Is that pathetic or what?

I think third party candidates would definitely be a real threat to the two puppet parties that are fighting for control over the country, if they were in fact allowed into the debates. People would probably realize that Bush and Kerry talk nothing but bullshit, and that the third parties actually offer something to this country -- something badly needed, which is change. Something you're not going to find with Kerry or Bush.

Another thing that often makes me angry is that I know a lot of people can identify with many of the third parties and their stances -- be it the Green Party, Constitution Party, or the Libertarian Party -- yet I always hear from people, "Well, I agree with what they have to say, but I don't want to just throw my vote away." Or, even more ridiculous, "A vote for Ralph Nader is a vote for George Bush."

Can you imagine everyone who says this, actually voting for a third party candidate? Suddenly, these third parties wouldn't seem so powerless, and this country might actually be on a move in the right direction.

Unfortunately, this will not change until people wake up and realize what control and influence the mainstream media has on politics in this country, and that they're being mislead by both the corporate-owned mass-media and the two corporate-owned political parties.

I do believe that someday people will wake up, but it's a matter of when.

 

matt, i totally and completly agree with you.

i have a question. have you stated your views where they will get out to the mainstream... some where other then a hippy website? im not putting you down..just the opposite. i think you make A LOT of sense and have a lot of great things to say.

however, to make it happen...there NEEDS to be an uprising... im sorry to say that i dont think it'll have before this election.

someone like you though could really get your views out there and change (help) things.

im thinking about doing some stuff after this election (cause im just too damn realisitc)... if you wanna help me or offer any advice, let me know!

 

This is but a symptom of a much deeper problem. In short, Washington is corrupt from top to bottom.

 

i agree. buy me a beer.


can you believe that in some high schools it's actually taught that there are only two parties? at least that was what was taught in mine. i'd never heard of the libertarian party until college, when i was dating a guy who ranted about politics all the time. the green party i heard about slightly before theat.

i'm registered as green, btw. i like the idea of less government, but free trade/corporate globalization = really bad in my view.

check your messages, dammit. i've been trying to IM you for an hour.

 

i know he's written letters to the local paper, but i agree, matt, you really need to find your voice and really let it be heard, because you have a lot to say.

 

I guess I had a good political teacher in high school. That guy was cool, he did like 7 years for draft dodging i guess and he was a migrant fruit picker in california and he had something to do with forming a coule of unions. He spent as much time on alternative parties as he did on the main two. I learned a lot in his classes.

 

What if you don't even like the third parties?

The Libertarians have great views on personal liberty, but they are for corporate rule of government functions.

The Constitutionals are dedicated to upholding the contitution, but they are religious nutjobs.

And the Greens work to preserve the environment, but they are commies.

I think I'll vote Sensible Party. Oh wait... there is no Sensible Party. Nevermind.

 

then don't vote third party, duh! so what if you don't like the so-called third parties? good for you. vote democrat. vote republican. don't vote at all, if that's what you want. i'm happy for you either way. but the rest of us have a right to exist and be heard, which is what this thread is about.

 

Hey, I never said I like the Democrians or Republicrats either

 

what's wrong with commies?

 

Communism, by it's nature, severely limits freedom. Besides, history has shown that all it really accomplishes is making everyone equally poor.

 

Here in Canada when we had our debates (one in Fench and one English) the Green Party was left out because of the media, even though they had a canidate in every riding, and even though the other party leaders wanted the green leader in the debates...BTW- do you know what relly pissed me off, people saying they followed such and such party, but wouldnt vote for them cause they wouldn't win...

 

I think some of you kind of have the wrong idea about Libertarians and their economics. First note that there is a difference between free trade and managed beaurocratic trade, which is what some of you are not grasping. One is not inherantly bad, while the other is almost always entirely bad.

To say Libertarians are for the corporate rule of government is a gross generalization, if not completely false altogether. I think you're getting confused with the Democrats and Republicans.

 

well, good for you. i'm glad you have it all figured out then. so you can let the rest of us lower life forms get on with our misguided existences...unless you have a point, something relevant to contribute to this discussion ? no? i thought not.

 

Very well. But when I declare myself Emperor, your pathetic little third parties will be abolished right along with the Democrians and Republicrats.

 

After further thought, I have decided to suspend my "Very well" statement for the express purpose of telling you that you are an abomination on the face of this thread for telling me that I shouldn't express my alternative viewpoint in a thread about the expression of alternative viewpoints.

Kitty, you are an abomination on the face of this thread for telling me that I shouldn't express my alternative viewpoint in a thread about the expression of alternative viewpoints.

But as long as the fallacy of political parties exist, I just came up with a great slogan for the Sensible Party:

Vote Sensibly.
Vote Sensible!

 

I thought they were for the privitization of pretty much everything besides military and police.

 

This is not true! Corporate welfare is one thing that Libertarians absolutely abhor! Under a libertarian system, any business entity would be required to fend for itself. They would not be able to lobby the government for protectionism of their status (e.g. DuPont would have to compete with industries that produce hemp; GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler would not have an oligopoly on transportation). Regulations would be reduced so that those who wish to get into a given business can do so without a deluge of red tape and a great deal of start-up costs.

...Which is one of the reasons that I'm appalled that they call themselves by THAT name. I do also question how much of their platform is really Constitutional. They seem to pick and choose which amendments are more relevant than others, not to mention which levels of government are bound by the Bill of Rights!

There is! That being the Libertarians! This is my opinion, however. If you still can't bring yourself to vote for Badnarik, then do consider the Personal Choice party which is also very libertarian. Unless you live in Utah, you'll have to write 'em in
www.badnarik.org
www.lp.org
www.vote-smart.org/election_president_party.php?party_name=All
www.personalchoice.org

 

I did not say corporate welfare. I said Corporate Rule. They want to privatize most functions of government.

 

when did i say anything about not expressing your viewpoints?