The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Opinions

DREW SCHOEN

With two presidential debates down, it has become clear neither of the two candidates is willing to have a thoughtful discussion about issues affecting the vast majority of Americans.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain have offered nothing but platitudes when asked about the economy, energy, health care and Iraq.

There is a simple solution to this problem: open up the debates.

Could you imagine the look on either candidate's face when Ralph Nader brings up American spening on health care while it lags behind some of those industrialized nations in terms of life expectancy?

How do you think Obama and McCain would react when Bob Barr calls them both out for their refusal to end our military presence in Iraq despite what either of them may say?

Unfortunately Americans won't be able to see a thoughtful debate, as the Commission on Presidential Debates has the final say in who is allowed to participate in the debates. The CPD is nothing more than an Orwellian tool designed to silence those outside of the two major parties.

In 2000 the CPD decided the American people didn't need to hear from any candidate polling below 15 percent in five national polls.

Nader recently phoned Frank Newport (editor-in-chief at Gallup) to voice his concerns regarding recent polling data. The problem? Gallup includes neither Nader nor Barr on its primary polling question.

How can the CPD expect a third party candidate to poll at 15 percent when they aren't even a part of the question? Clearly these "non-partisan" organizations don't really care who gets represented.

Combine the CPD's arrogance, Gallup's audacity and the mainstream media's refusal to acknowledge voices independent of corporate control, and you wind up long on hot air and short on policy solutions for the average American.

You'll never hear Obama or McCain talk about universal health care, ending the ironically named No Child Left Behind or ending free trade agreements that are anything but.

Only independent third party presidential candidates are free from the lobbyist stranglehold on Washington and willing to stand up for the average American.

If you want to see an end to debates in which candidates talk 90 minutes yet say nothing, get in touch with Frank Newport and tell him how you feel (609-924-9600, frank_newport@gallup.com).

Real change takes more effort than pulling a lever or pushing a button and voting for a corporate candidate.

Real change requires holding candidates responsible for their actions. As soon as a candidate can take your vote for granted, he or she can run roughshod over your rights. This November say no to a corporate controlled campaign and vote for a third party candidate.

Demand that your voice be heard.

- Drew Schoen is a graduate student from Atlanta studying education.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools