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anada "None of the #
207 Above" +### +### +#### +###
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by # # # ## # # # # # #
06 Phairgirl # .# ## # # .# # .# # .#
nov *### * # * *### * *### * *### *
2000 .+#################################################################.net
I'll never forget that day in the only class my community college
offered in the poli-sci department. I had been biding my time, listening to
all of these single mothers and ousted factory workers and everyone else
give their opinions on this and that, with little interaction from the
instructor to actually EDUCATE them. It's hard to watch, especially when
you're a fanatically political person who prides themselves on understanding
their beliefs and pressing for them. And I was only becoming more and more
miserable sitting through this class as we debated, "Should there be a none-
of-the-above spot on the ballot?"
Because I consider myself well-versed on the platforms of many
parties beyond that of Democrats and Republicans, I kept my mouth shut for
a while during this debate. I wanted to hear what normal people thought,
and find out if I was some sort of wickedly bizarre outsider who thought
politics was "fun" and should be banished to the BLACK HOLE.
So as this debate continued, I realized that the vast majority of the
people in this class really had no idea about anything beyond a two-party
system. The vast majority, in fact, was vehement in their wish for a none-
of-the-above space on the ballot, believing that somehow that would be the
only way their opinions would be expressed. Following this logic, this
would mean that the general public would probably none-of-the-above more
often than not until they found someone they could fully support. Following
this logic further by tapping into the mass public that doesn't agree 100%
with EITHER party, this means there would never be another elected official
again.
Sensing the worst--that being my instructor AGREEING with the class--
I finally jumped in.
See, although the United States government runs on a primarily two-
party system, there really are more than just two parties. Until Perot
jumped in during the '92 election, the vast majority of the american public
hadn't even CONSIDERED third parties as being relevant let alone worth a
vote. Third parties have existed ever since this country became a nation
of Republicans and Democrats, because two platforms cannot possibly satisfy
the wide range of beliefs of everyone in this country... sometimes not even
coming close. So, instead of whining, bitching, and complaining, refusing
to vote, writing in "COOKIE MONSTER" or lobbying for a none-of-the-above
option, why not find something you CAN stand for?
It's not a difficult thing to educate yourself on politics. If you
care enough about your country that you bitch and moan about policies and
actions and you VOTE, then why NOT take an evening out of your life to make
your vote educated? After all, it's not like the world is going to find out
who you vote for. It's nobody's business. You're not going to suddenly
become part of the outcast crowd because you voted for someone who isn't
cool. Time spent reading newspapers, magazines, or searching the Internet
will probably make you feel a lot better about what you do this Tuesday.
Where to start? First, think about your own values and beliefs.
Think about those that you don't have an opinion about. Think about those
that you know nothing about at all. Think about your life experiences, the
way your family survived growing up, your relatives, your friends, your job,
your lifestyle, your morals, your religion, your compassion, your duties,
EVERYTHING that affects you. And with these in mind, find a party that
represents all of these and fights to keep them sacred.
I did this quite some time ago. I grew up in a quite democrat-
oriented household, and I later fell into the glory of idealism and equality
that is socialism, but I turned my back on all of it. I looked at what I
really wanted for myself and for society. What I wanted was simply nothing
more than freedom, and I turned to the Libertarian Party.
I'm a very outspoken individual. I like my opinions, I like my
beliefs, and I like being able to scream them from the top of my lungs and
not be beaten down for it. I believe that morons should exist in our
society and be given a voice so that the rest of us can teach our own
children how stupid they are. I love that freedom. I love laughing at
those who need a good slap in the mouth, and I love the right to own a gun
so that if they should enter my home I can KILL THEM. And most of all, I
want to be able to do things in my own home that don't affect anyone else
in THEIR homes without the risk of police bashing in my door and telling me,
no, I cannot possibly make that decision for myself.
Never mind that I'd have a lot more money to set aside for when I
retire years and years from now if the damned government wasn't taking it
all away from me. Never mind that places where I've worked could've put
more of their profits into my pocket if they didn't have ridiculous
regulations to follow that didn't even affect them. Never mind that I don't
appreciate not being able to get a decent education because they can't fund
the schools adequately enough to provide the programs year-round so I can
finish my degree (let alone pay the instructors enough for them to stick
around to teach them).
I believe that the Libertarian Party's solutions to these problems
and more will make MY life better as well as everyone else's. Now I feel
comfortable in placing my votes. Now I feel indignant about what other
elected politicians do, and I do my best to oust them from office. But most
of all, now I am angry at others who complain but don't bother trying to
change the status quo.
Agree with me or not... I don't care. But don't talk to me about it
unless you take the time to educate yourself. I'll even get you started.
Good luck.
The DEMOCRATIC PARTY is high on personal freedom and the right for
everyone to have an equal chance to succeed. It believes in a governmental
regulations and policies to enforce those freedoms, as well as keeping
businesses in check. You can find their platform at
http://www.democrats.org/hq/resources/platform/
The REPUBLICAN PARTY strives for a free capitalist society, where
those who work hard reap the rewards and those who do not will not. They
also believe in upholding christian morals in our society to prevent chaos.
You can find their platform at http://www.rnc.org/2000/2000platformcontents
The LIBERTARIAN PARTY believes in complete freedom in one's personal
life as well as in the business world. They believe in minimal government
and privatization to improve failing public programs. Their platform is
found at http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/
The GREEN PARTY emphasizes preservation of the environment above all
else. The party is currently splintered due to the non-green beliefs of
their presidential candidate Ralph Nader versus their true party beliefs.
The platform supported by Nader is found at
http://gis.pair.com/asgp/platform/gpp2000.html
The REFORM PARTY believes in multiple changes to our current
governmental structure to ensure that the American people's concerns are
being addressed and acted upon. Their platform is available at
http://www.reform-party-usa.org/principles/platform1997/constitutional-
principles.html
The NEW FEDERALIST PARTY strives to emulate the policies and beliefs
that were backed by Ronald Reagan during his term as president. You can
read more about them at http://www.reagan2000.com/federalistplatform.asp
The SOCIALIST PARTY works for ultimate equality, whether it be in
work or play, and to extinguish all classes as well as the idea of the
"haves" and the "have-nots". Their platform is available at
http://sp-usa.org/platform.html
The LABOR PARTY shares beliefs similar to that of the socialist party
but with more of a bend toward help for the workforce that barely breaks
even. Find more at http://www.igc.org/lpa/documents/const.html
There are many, MANY more parties to choose from--some are simply
hardcore factions of these parties, others are more centrist in view, some
are splinters to these and more. There are parties representing those
with a dream of anarchy as well as those with a dream of a democratic
socialist state. There is a near guarantee that somewhere out there is a
party that agrees with you almost 100%.
Stop sitting on your ass and settling with something you can only
half-assed believe in. Stop complaining about the "big two" candidates and
about how worthless they are. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Of course, if you're one of those damned commies, I'd be happier if
you DIDN'T vote. Thank you.
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anada207 by Phairgirl (c) 2000
###################################################################anada.net