by Timothy Justice

Created on: August 03, 2008

I am a Libertarian. I live in a state that is solidly Republican. I have seen the two-party system effectively abolish choice in certain parts of the country.

I moved from an area that was predominantly Democrat. In 2002, the state Representative ran completely unopposed, because the Republicans did not want to spend time or money in a race they felt they could not win. As a result, the candidate won re-election unchallenged.

I moved to the area where I currently live, lather rinse repeat, only this time it was the Republican side.

A close look at the electoral map would show that more Americans live in areas like this than don't. Areas where the minority party is completely ineffective, and where the only "choice" the voters have is what language they would like their ballots printed in.

One party elections are not the stuff of a democracy. They're the stuff of dictatorships, of banana republics, the very antithesis of what a democracy should be. And because we live in a two-party system, third party and independent candidates who should have automatic ballot access (by virtue of being the ONLY opponent) often find themselves in an uphill battle just to give the voters a CHOICE.

On a national level, we can see what has happened. Remember the "far left" Barack Obama? If you notice, since he secured the nomination, he's moved towards the center. Virtually every campaign issue he held in the primaries, he has abandoned for a more centrist position. This is because he wants to grab the people in the middle.

McCain, too, is reaching for the middle. Because we live in a two-party state, the two parties begin to resemble each other, and we are voting more on personality than issues.

On the local and state level, the solution is clear. If nobody from a minority party files for office, the first independent or third party filer should have an automatic ballot slot. If the minority party does not file a candidate for three election cycles, they lose their ballot spot. This will encourage them to at least run a paper candidate in these areas, rather than conceding the spot.

The national race has a way of self correcting. There is almost always a third party choice available, even if that choice isn't chosen. For the Libertarians this year, it is Bob Barr. For the Greens, it is Cynthia McKinney. While these candidates may not make it to the debates, they will be an option for Americans looking for another choice. And if enough Americans vote for them, it may influence the platforms of the "big two" parties, as Norman Thomas did in 1932 in his unsuccessful run against FDR.

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