2008 Woodie Awards
More choices equal better government
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Opinion
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History has shown governments that offer the most political choices for their citizens last the longest. That being said, the way things are going right now, the United States might be on the verge of its downfall. However, the Green Party's successful campaign to become a recognized cog in the Arkansas political machine is a vastly progressive step in the right direction: providing citizens with more than two parties from which to choose the next leaders of the state.
While many people support the two-party system, it has proven to produce lukewarm election results in many cases and even more lukewarm results when it comes to legislation. Third-party candidates, despite being just as qualified for positions as Democrats and Republicans, must obtain signatures to qualify for candidacy. And incumbents sit in their offices, accomplishing little, without fear of losing their jobs despite their lackluster political performances.
Of course, the Democrats and Republicans passed a law permitting them to declare candidacy without the prerequisite of any number of supportive signatures. To what parties do the majority of legislators who passed that law belong? That's right - Democrats and Republicans passed that law.
They put requirements in place to ensure "fair" elections - the other part of the law requiring certain parties to obtain signatures states if a party receives at least 3 percent of the presidential and gubernatorial vote, it does not have to obtain signatures. And why does it seem Republicans and Democrats always receive 3 percent of the vote? Because they are always on the ballot, and there aren't enough contenders to prevent them from receiving the required amount.
We openly support no political party. To do so would detract from our goal of being as unbiased as possible. What we do support is the political system of the United States. We do not support two parties dominating the system and developing ways to keep third-party candidates out of the race.
While many people support the two-party system, it has proven to produce lukewarm election results in many cases and even more lukewarm results when it comes to legislation. Third-party candidates, despite being just as qualified for positions as Democrats and Republicans, must obtain signatures to qualify for candidacy. And incumbents sit in their offices, accomplishing little, without fear of losing their jobs despite their lackluster political performances.
Of course, the Democrats and Republicans passed a law permitting them to declare candidacy without the prerequisite of any number of supportive signatures. To what parties do the majority of legislators who passed that law belong? That's right - Democrats and Republicans passed that law.
They put requirements in place to ensure "fair" elections - the other part of the law requiring certain parties to obtain signatures states if a party receives at least 3 percent of the presidential and gubernatorial vote, it does not have to obtain signatures. And why does it seem Republicans and Democrats always receive 3 percent of the vote? Because they are always on the ballot, and there aren't enough contenders to prevent them from receiving the required amount.
We openly support no political party. To do so would detract from our goal of being as unbiased as possible. What we do support is the political system of the United States. We do not support two parties dominating the system and developing ways to keep third-party candidates out of the race.
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