This year’s election is fast approaching, and one thing I keep hearing is how awful our choices are. Hillary or Trump. Democrat or Republican. That is usually followed by “I am voting for (insert candidate’s name) so (insert opposing candidate’s name) doesn’t win!” Or, “I am going to pick the lesser of two evils!”
With the upcoming debates, what are people expecting to see? A showdown between two adult “children.” I know I am expecting name calling, bullying, rude interruptions, maybe even some hand flailing. What I would not expect to see is clear answers, civility, or anything that really matters to the American voting people. That is what these parties want you to see. The circus is coming to town!
However, many people don’t realize that this year’s election is unique. There will be a third candidate on the ballot in all 50 states this election. Governor Gary Johnson, the two-time Governor of New Mexico, a Republican elected twice in a Democratic state, is running under the Libertarian ticket. The Commission on Presidential Debates says that in order for a candidate to participate in the debates, they have to be polling at 15%. This is decided by taking the average of five national polls in mid-September. Right now he is polling as high as 11%. He is getting those numbers without even being mentioned in the first question! These polls are slanted to the two-party system, to say the least. They (the powers that be) don’t want people to know that you truly have an option. Usually the first question on these polls is “Would you support Clinton or Trump?” People don’t usually wait for the second question. It is time we heard from someone new. Someone that does have the American people in mind. Someone that does not have a record of lying or bigotry. It’s time to let a 3rd party candidate in!
Sixty-nine percent of Montanans say they want the debates open to third party candidates. Clinton and Trump have higher unfavorable ratings than any other candidate in recent history.
America deserves better. We deserve to have a candidate we can believe in. Most importantly, we deserve to have a choice beyond what we are being told are our only choices. When asked, “Would you support Clinton or Trump,” it’s time to ask “What are my other options?” Let’s open the debates up to another choice. A better choice.
Dennis Kelvie
Hamilton