Straight -Ticket Politics

By Al Horn

Well before the new millennium was ushered in, America began to see changes in its political landscape. There have always been people lurking in the shadows that opposed the two major forces of American politics. For the most part they would step forward as independent candidates. For some time now, groups of like-minded people have collected to form organizations. They have been lumped together as third parties.

Most members are disaffected Democrats or Republicans that tired of conservative or liberal platforms. Many simply wanted a certain part of the political process to receive higher priority than their former party was willing to commit. In other cases, they simply didn't get along with the party hierarchy and chose to blaze their own trails. Regardless of their beginnings, public support is a never-ending battle.

With few exceptions, every state in the union requires a third party to gather signatures on petitions to get their candidates on statewide ballots. I can understand the state election boards not wanting to clutter up the ballots any more than necessary. For the most part, primary ballots are the simplest forms in that you must vote for candidates within one party. Many offices may only have a single person running which makes selections even easier. Many voters choose one party because they want a person running for Sheriff or the county council to advance to the November elections. They may care less about the other candidates. Because of this thinking, many third party ballots go unnoticed.

This attitude can carry into later elections. If their candidate survived the primary they either become disinterested in the rest of the political process or they only become faintly aware of who else is running in the other races. Some won't look any further because they have already made their minds up to vote on a straight ticket. Many fine politicians have lost out because their opponent was swept into office by party coattails. The best candidate does not always win.

A national columnist recently declared: to cast an informed vote in November, you need to study all the issues and the candidates from early in the game rather than wait until the last minute. I wasn't sure I agreed with them at the time but more and more I feel their statement to be true. If more Americans followed the advise of said columnist, they might find they identify with the principles of a third party.

The Constitution and Libertarian parties have ballot access in Missouri. The Green(28) and Reform(34) parties are currently listed on other state ballots.

I recently attended an event where several candidates for the Libertarian Party were present. Much to my surprise none of them had three heads or a leg two foot longer than the other. In fact, they seemed like normal people. The Vice-Presidential candidate was a shirtsleeves kind of guy. Their party platform did not include grass watering taxes or putting a man on Venus any time soon. They did have their own message that differs from the major parties.

Talking to these people made me feel I wouldn't be throwing my vote away in the next election. I'm still not sure if I will vote for Bush, Kerry or Badnarik. There is still more of the national politics to be followed. I will also keep track of things closer to home. On the state and local fronts I have discovered I have another choice. Hey, so do you. Just take some time to learn about the candidates and issues.