Debate: Third-party voices are desperately needed

Did you hear one new idea in Monday’s presidential debate? What we heard was the feud between an oligarch and a demagogue. Neither offered a fresh vision.

The only question seemed to be, “Which candidate is better qualified to maintain our rigged economy and our policies of perpetual war?” Nobody asked, “Who will change the system?”

Solutions aren’t found by taking sides, but by finding a space beyond polarity. That’s why a two-party system doesn’t solve problems, but only generates conflict. Without third-party voices, elections are mere entertainment. Either-Or is not democracy, just a form of intimidation.

Don’t vote for the lesser of two evils. Vote for something good. Vote for a green energy economy that preserves the beauty of the earth. Vote for investment in local business cooperatives that renew our communities. Vote for a fresh paradigm that is neither unregulated corporate capitalism nor centralized state socialism.

Vote for a foreign policy of peace-making instead of arms sales. Vote for an economic bill of rights that includes real jobs with a living wage and universal health care. Vote to close the dangerous gap between America’s rich and poor, restoring our middle class.

Vote for the Green Party.

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 11:45 AM with the headline "Debate: Third-party voices are desperately needed."