In the upcoming election, once again, the Democrats are warning people that a vote for Nader and his Green Party is a vote for the Republicans. It is amazing how the running of a third party candidate with some backing among people of the United States can be such a threat to a party as large and well financed as the Democratics. Their true threat lies in a lack of difference between the Democrats and Republicans, with very little difference between the candidates themselves.

Senator Barak Obama may think he is different from Senator Hillary Clinton and that he represents change, but in all of his speaking engagements his views are so closely tied to those of Hillary's that the difference is mute. The same is true of Hillary, she tries to distance herself from Barak but is unable to, they are the same in most of their views, and neither represents true change.

The Republicans are just as bad as the Democrats, they may argue over who is the most conservative, but they both represent the same stances as put out by the Republican National Committee. Their main differences appear to be in their stance on illegal immigration, Governor Huckabee doesn't know what to do about it and Senator McCain has failed to do anything about it.

The only real candidate with a plan for America has dropped out of the race, I am speaking of course about Governor Bill Richardson, he truly represented change. To speak of change there is now only one candidate. Ralph Nader represents change for the United States, he is not ladened with past accomplishments, or with what the national committees want for the future. If someone truly wants change the choice of candidate is limited to only one, which is of course Ralph Nader and the Green Party.

Who else will try to improve the environment without letting the major corporations off when catastrophes occur. How many have already forgotten the Valdez oil spill? This accident still affects the area today, more assistance needs to be taken for the area, along with more redistribution of funds from Exxon to the people in the area. But the incumbent parties won't touch Exxon, they are a major corporation with large amounts of cash at their disposal. Since both parties have been in power from when the accident occurred to present it is unlikely either one will do anything against Exxon.

Perhaps people forget how we came upon the right to elect our own Federal Senators, it was due to a third party getting enough votes back in the 1890's to scare the other parties. This is also the reason we have the referendum and initiative. Before the main parties will accept any type of change they have to be pushed into it, that is what voting for a third party will do.

Just because a third party is not going to win an election does not mean that people shouldn't vote what they believe, they should be more willing to do so. For when a third party gets enough votes to be noticed by not only the main stream media but also the two major parties, well that is when real change occurs, not before. Without people standing on principles and voting their beliefs our system does not work, it fails as the politicians in charge try to keep the status quo, telling us it is what we want, otherwise we would have voted differently.

Remember on Election Day that your vote does count, but that those who vote their minds and choose third parties, their vote counts more.

Learn more about this author, Clay Eshom.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about US elections 2008: What impact will Ralph Nader's candidacy have on the presidential race??
We want to hear your view. Write now!