Networks Ignore 3rd Party Candidates

freedomfighter writes "The major media networks have been willfully ignoring alternative voices in this presidential election, focusing only on the two major parties, Democrat and Republican."

Comments

Change the Electoral College

[kawika]

In the past two elections, we've seen the effect of having states use a "winner take all" approach. The candidates wear out the highways in the swing states like Ohio but completely ignore states where they either have a lock or know they have absolutely no chance.

If states went to making their electors proportional to the popular vote in the state, all states would be "in play" and candidates couldn't take any state for granted. This is something each state can do without federal approval or interference. Colorado has a referendum to do this in November. Maine and Nebraska already do.

Here's where third party candidates come in. Lets say that you get a situation where it's nearly split between two candidates, with a small number of electoral votes to candidates like Nader and Badnarik. Those electors are not committed by law to their candidates (barring state law that says otherwise), and could swing to one of the likely victors in return for various concessions such as policy changes.

This would have the potential to eliminate the headlock the two major parties have on the process. Now every person's vote could have a lot more weight, even a Republican in New York or a Democrat in Wyoming. Voting for a third party candidate wouldn't be "throwing away your vote" because they could bargain with the major candidates to get concessions.

BTW, good info on the Electoral College and reforms.

How about blogging some issues?

[Zeinfeld]

So far 75% of the slashdot coverage has been about third party issues and 20% about actual voting mechanics. Perhaps they could make an effort to give a bit more attention to third party candidates whose names are largely unknown by ignoring the major parties entirely.

The networks are not interested in covering the major party platforms, why on earth would they have the slightest interest in parties with less than 1% of the vote? As far as the networks are concerned its all about whether Kerry has the better haircut or Bush is being controlled by aliens via the control box bump on his back.

Perhaps if slashdot wanted to actually pay a positive contribution here they could start a debate about education say and give the third party supporters a chance to say why their position is better.

At least we could have a discussion about issues. Listening to third party candidates whine and moan about not being treated with respect frankly does not interest me in the slightest. There is plenty of time to do that after the election. If you want to be taken seriously during the election as anything other than a protest vote you had better be ready to talk issues.

Obligatory quote

[slughead]

"A saying goes that insanity can be defined by committing the same destructive acts, expecting different results. The continued voting out of fear should the opposing parties candidate take office, places major party voters inside this vicious cycle."

-Michael Badnarik

Re:Coordinated push for "Third Parties?"

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Wasn't it Thomas Jefferson who advised that we have a new revolution every 20 years or so- just to keep the government on it's toes?

Let's turn the tide!

[Eric Pierce]

Hey! This is a perfect chance for us Slashdotters to upset the balance!

Now which 3rd party candidate should we all vote for?

They are afraid of "issue" memes, too

[Cryofan]

Most slashdotters and Libertarians seem to think that the main reason for the shut out is that the Dems and GOP don't want competition. But the reasons go deeper than. One big reason is that the main players/donors do not want certain ideas being put out there in the public airwaves.

The USA is really run like a livestock ranch, or a slave plantation, in ways. Or, like a business, if you will. One entire set of ideas that are NEVER exposed to the light of day are the whole set of ideas that form the backbone of European and Canadian and Australian governments--that income taxes and business taxes may be used for social safety net things like paying ANY citizen money for rent, food, medical care, etc. That idea is TABOO on the American airwaves. And if the Leftist candidates (Nader or Green Party (Cobb) get on the air, that idea will be directly and bluntly introduced. TABOO on the ranch/plantation!

Also, the Libertarian party has some ideas that are dangerous ideas, like legalization of marijuana, which is a non-addictive drug that makes people introspective and thoughtful. It often makes young people think that there may be more to life than competing in the rat race. VERY dangerous idea to those who reap huge profits from the machine that is America