The First Debate Is Friday ...
Posted 23.09.2008 at 03:43 PM PDT on 9news.com
Millions of Voices, Two Choices!? That hardly seems possible.
Especially in America, especially when reliable polls show that two-thirds
of Americans want to at least hear another perspective in the presidential
debates, if not vote for one in the election.
Once upon a time, the presidential debates in America encouraged third party
inclusion, in the interest of ensuring the public be as well-informed as possible
before making such a monumental decision with such long-term ramifications.
Then the Commission On Presidential Debates (CPD) was formed
Posted 23.09.2008 at 03:43 PM PDT on 9news.com
Millions of Voices, Two Choices!? That hardly seems possible.
Especially in America, especially when reliable polls show that two-thirds
of Americans want to at least hear another perspective in the presidential
debates, if not vote for one in the election.
Once upon a time, the presidential debates in America encouraged third party
inclusion, in the interest of ensuring the public be as well-informed as possible
before making such a monumental decision with such long-term ramifications.
Then the Commission On Presidential Debates (CPD) was formed
--because the two major parties felt they deserved more control over the event.
Now it doesn't matter that you are on the ballot in 45 states, and an official
write-in candidate in 4 others, with a suit pending on behalf of those
voters in Oklahoma who would also like to be heard.
Now all the people who fought so hard to make that happen don't matter.
Please read the following, recent and well-documented articles from
The Center For Public Integrity, before you watch the first debate on Friday.
Please be a critical viewer, and a critical thinker; please try to make judgments
based upon proven principles rather than appearances.
You'll have to read between the lines and fill in the blanks yourself,
because there will be no one allowed to participate who will actually speak to
the real interests of all Americans; no one to present an alternative viewpoint;
no one to speak for so many who believe in more for our country;
no one who won't be walking a tightrope to keep us all happy,
while winking to insurance companies and outsourcers,
or only discussing topics preapproved by mutually contracted agreement.
The Center for Public Integrity; 18 September 2008;
Two-Party Debates: A Corporate-Funded, Party-Created Commission
Decides Who Debates — And Who Stays Home
http://publicintegrity.org/2008/09/18/3057/two-party-debates
The Center for Public Integrity; 18 September 2008;
The Buying Of The Presidential Debates
http://publicintegrity.org/2008/09/18/3056/buying-presidential-debates
The following quotes are also germane:
--- Walter Cronkite referred to the CPD debates an " unconscionable fraud."
--- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls them a " mockery."
--- And when the former, long-standing, non-partisan organizers of the debates
pulled their support upon formation of the CPD they issued this statement:
If you'd like to share your own thoughts about restoring the debates,
or get a sense of how your fellow citizens are feeling,
please visit the question posed by the US News and World Report.
US News and World Report - Invitation to Share Opinion
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2008/09/22/ ... debates.html
US News and World Report - Read All Comments
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/09/22/ ... comments
Ideas and resources, including scheduled dates for the three debates, contact
information for major parties, and tips on how you can help are also found here.
http://votenader.org/debates/
http://votenader.org/blog/2008/09/22/let-our-voices-be-heard/
_________________________________________________________________________
For more on the background and history of the debates please visit the following:
Now it doesn't matter that you are on the ballot in 45 states, and an official
write-in candidate in 4 others, with a suit pending on behalf of those
voters in Oklahoma who would also like to be heard.
Now all the people who fought so hard to make that happen don't matter.
Please read the following, recent and well-documented articles from
The Center For Public Integrity, before you watch the first debate on Friday.
Please be a critical viewer, and a critical thinker; please try to make judgments
based upon proven principles rather than appearances.
You'll have to read between the lines and fill in the blanks yourself,
because there will be no one allowed to participate who will actually speak to
the real interests of all Americans; no one to present an alternative viewpoint;
no one to speak for so many who believe in more for our country;
no one who won't be walking a tightrope to keep us all happy,
while winking to insurance companies and outsourcers,
or only discussing topics preapproved by mutually contracted agreement.
The Center for Public Integrity; 18 September 2008;
Two-Party Debates: A Corporate-Funded, Party-Created Commission
Decides Who Debates — And Who Stays Home
http://publicintegrity.org/2008/09/18/3057/two-party-debates
The Center for Public Integrity; 18 September 2008;
The Buying Of The Presidential Debates
http://publicintegrity.org/2008/09/18/3056/buying-presidential-debates
The following quotes are also germane:
--- Walter Cronkite referred to the CPD debates an " unconscionable fraud."
--- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls them a " mockery."
--- And when the former, long-standing, non-partisan organizers of the debates
pulled their support upon formation of the CPD they issued this statement:
" The League of Women Voters is withdrawing its sponsorship of the
presidential debates … because the demands of the two campaign
organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter.
It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to
add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance,
spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The league has no intention
of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."
presidential debates … because the demands of the two campaign
organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter.
It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to
add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance,
spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The league has no intention
of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."
If you'd like to share your own thoughts about restoring the debates,
or get a sense of how your fellow citizens are feeling,
please visit the question posed by the US News and World Report.
US News and World Report - Invitation to Share Opinion
http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2008/09/22/ ... debates.html
US News and World Report - Read All Comments
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/09/22/ ... comments
Ideas and resources, including scheduled dates for the three debates, contact
information for major parties, and tips on how you can help are also found here.
http://votenader.org/debates/
http://votenader.org/blog/2008/09/22/let-our-voices-be-heard/
_________________________________________________________________________
For more on the background and history of the debates please visit the following:
Full video and transcripts of every debate sponsored by The League
Of Women Voters between 1976 and 1988 can be found here:
Of Women Voters between 1976 and 1988 can be found here:
No comments:
Post a Comment