To these eyes, the legislation is unconstitutional on its face. If HR 4694 passes — a chilling thought — I can't imagine that it would survive the inevitable court challenge. What galls, though, is the knowledge that so many of our elected representatives support the bill: In addition to Wisconsin's Obey, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Barney Frank and James McGovern (MA), Henry Waxman and Bob Filner (CA), Steve Israel (NY) and Tim Ryan (Ohio) have signed on as co-sponsors. Shame on them all, but I feel particular disappointment for Frank. As an openly gay person, how can he shut out parties such as the Greens who support his right to full equality. For all its rhetoric, the Democrat Party doesn't (or doesn't consider it politically expedient, which shows the party's yellow streak).
"The Democrats behind this bill have as little regard for democracy and open elections as Republicans who have use altered district lines and other methods to fix elections," said D.C. Statehood Green Party activist T.E. Smith. "Hiding this stratagem in a bill for public
financing of campaigns makes it doubly shameful."
But typical. Oh, so typical.
The Coalition For Free and Open Elections notes that as things stand presently, participation in the electoral process is already tilted againt third parties.
- It takes 675,000 petition signatures for an independent or minor party presidential candidate to get on the ballot in all 50 states — that is 26 times the number needed by a Democratic presidential candidate.
- Requirements for a minor party candidate to get on the ballot increased tenfold from 1930 to 1980 — while the U.S. population increased only two times.
- Discriminatory filing fees hit only independent or minor party candidates.
- Sky-high signature requirements exist in many states. Examples: California — 140,149 (in 15 weeks); Oklahoma — 58,552; Maryland — 69,500; North Carolina — 43,601.
Let the people decide? The Let the People Decide Clean Campaign Act takes choice away from the people and seeks to still the voices of those who cannot stand with the Dems or the GOP. I hope most congressional lawmakers will do the right thing and reject HR 4649 outright. A push from those who believe in electoral choice will help: Contact your representatives via the Congressional Switchboard, 202-224-3121, and tell them in the strongest terms possible to vote NO on the unAmerican measure. And if your rep is one of the Egregious Eight, let them know that they are hurting, not helping, their constituents by supporting such petty, anti-democratic legislation.
Article comments
1 - JELIEL³
Dang. On the contrary, America should have as many parties possible. We have 4 officialy recognised parties and perhaps 9 to 12 other parties. Sure we go to the polls often but we do get more than 2 choices. And when the 2 choices are Reps and Dems... goddamn do you want other choices? Imagine if you had a third party even a fourth. No one could hold more than their faire share of the chips. And with 3 parties looking to take you down, you have to keep your nose a little cleaner =)
2 - Bing
I'm out of order?
NO!
YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER!
THE WHOLE DAMN SYSTEM IS OUT OF ORDER MAN!!
But seriously the addition of new political parties could only benefit this nation as it would most likely force more cooperation than we currently see.
However I believe we need only a few more as if we had too many things would get very confusing and there would be too much red tape and the system would become to convoluted to function effectively.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
So much for my hopes and dreams of seeing a President Barger in my lifetime.
4 - David Weller
How can we promote democracy around the world when we lack it so much here? As Ventura says, we have one more major party in this system than the old Soviet Union! Vote Out Incumbents for Democracy (www.voidnow.org) reminds us that the people are the ultimate decider on who will be elected, not the entrenched powers in office! If we are going to reserve the "luxury" in this country of having more than one or two choices in the general elections for the highest public offices in the land, surely we can allow small parties and independents the hope of growing with the consent of the American people!
5 - troll
looks like the dems are trying to set up a showdown with repubs sans spoilers
ain't gonna happen
...sounds kinda like their military draft proposal - limp protest accomplishing nothing
troll
6 - Dave Nalle
Troll, this is a lot more insidious than the draft proposal. That was blatantly nothing but grandstanding of the most ridiculous nature. This thing could actually have a chance of passing if they convince enough people it's what it pretends to be, and it can do nothing but harm.
It doesn't surprise me at all to see an idea like this come from the left. It fits right in with other exclusionary concepts they embrace like government schools where private competition is seen as dangerous and labor unions which discourage an open labor marketplace and access to jobs.
Dave