I'm being chased by a large Democrat with a baseball bat. He's warning me not to vote for Nader. He's telling me I would only empower the Republicans. And don't I dislike the Republican party?

He's right. I don't like the Republican party. I definitely would prefer the Democrats over the Republicans. But I'm not quite comfortable with the Democrats either.

He tells me it doesn't matter. He tells me its been to long. Don't I want stronger environmental laws? Don't I want universal health care? Don't I want a change of course? He menacingly slaps the baseball bat into his large open hand as he poses these questions. And I can't deny it he's right. I do want those things.

It's funny how in a Democracy it is possible to feel such pressure to vote for a party you do not support. You would think a democracy would be full of options. That people would encourage you to follow your heart no matter what the consequences.

But this has become a cynical democracy. A numbers game. And voting with your heart has become an act of treason.

But ask yourself this: "If nobody has the courage to play the spoiler what will change?" Will the parties in power ever change the system if they are not challenged. Will they ever allow democracy to fully bloom? Or will they forever hang on to their narrow interpretation of democracy? the one that only has two answers.

Ralph Nader and the Green party eat away at the Democrats chances to win. They most likely do not represent the majority of the American people, but there is a large percentage they do represent. If they allow the Democrats to beat the Republicans by staying out of the race they do themselves and their constituents a disfavor. Because the Democrats will not change the system if not challenged.

So kudos to Nader for throwing his hat in the ring. Maybe he is a narcissist, I don't care. He is following the only course that has a chance of motivating the Democrats to change the electoral college once they attain power.

And as for the bully with the baseball bat he should look in the mirror. If he wants to beat democracy to death he can. But he would be the loser too.

Learn more about this author, Joost Steffensen.
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