Spring Break
Let the masses be heard, let the candidates be heard
Alexia Lang
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Forum
Nader's campaign has remained the most prominent in the public eye, possibly because of his name-recognition as a long-standing political activist.
His campaign team has actively sought fresh ideas to present Nader's politics. (Although it is doubtful many on campus even heard, Nader made 21 campaign speeches Oct. 25, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.)
But the obstacles for third-party candidates are immense. Each state has laws regulating eligibility to appear on the ballot.
A specified number of state residents must sign a petition prior to the third-party candidate's name being added.
Fair enough - if you only have five of your neighbors supporting you, you might be clogging the ballot.
However, once the candidate is eligible to receive votes, the possibility of amassing enough within a state to collect the Electoral College votes is slim to none. Only Maine and Nebraska follow the system of allotting their votes proportionally.
In a government system where the big man is boss, third-party candidates are beacons of hope that the everyday American can still one day lead the country.
They are, in a sense, the watch dogs guarding against complete aristocracy and complacent plebeian obedience.
Our democracy has been built through the voices of representatives we choose.
As citizens, we need options to decide who can represent our voices in Washington, and we need the knowledge to make informed decisions when choosing representatives.
A democracy insists upon the presence of the people's voice. Our democracy requires representation.
If we can't be responsible for ensuring our own voice is being heard, then, just maybe, it is not deserved.
It's your right for your voice to be heard, but rights don't always just fall in your lap - sometimes you need to whisper a little louder.
alang@unews.com
His campaign team has actively sought fresh ideas to present Nader's politics. (Although it is doubtful many on campus even heard, Nader made 21 campaign speeches Oct. 25, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.)
But the obstacles for third-party candidates are immense. Each state has laws regulating eligibility to appear on the ballot.
A specified number of state residents must sign a petition prior to the third-party candidate's name being added.
Fair enough - if you only have five of your neighbors supporting you, you might be clogging the ballot.
However, once the candidate is eligible to receive votes, the possibility of amassing enough within a state to collect the Electoral College votes is slim to none. Only Maine and Nebraska follow the system of allotting their votes proportionally.
In a government system where the big man is boss, third-party candidates are beacons of hope that the everyday American can still one day lead the country.
They are, in a sense, the watch dogs guarding against complete aristocracy and complacent plebeian obedience.
Our democracy has been built through the voices of representatives we choose.
As citizens, we need options to decide who can represent our voices in Washington, and we need the knowledge to make informed decisions when choosing representatives.
A democracy insists upon the presence of the people's voice. Our democracy requires representation.
If we can't be responsible for ensuring our own voice is being heard, then, just maybe, it is not deserved.
It's your right for your voice to be heard, but rights don't always just fall in your lap - sometimes you need to whisper a little louder.
alang@unews.com
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