Living Without Meat

If you are like me, and are not wanting to vote for either Obama or McCain, then don’t forget that you have other options. I know it’s a long shot that an alternative party’s candidate will win, but it will never happen unless people start to realize that we have more choices. And in a monumental election with results likely leading to either our first black president or first woman vice, why not stir things up a little more?

There are at least 14 parties that have elected a candidate to represent them (an additional 25 are recognized in only one state), including Democrats and Republicans. However, only six, including Obama and McCain, will be on enough state ballots to win a majority in the U.S. Electoral College.

Here are four third-party candidates with potential to win, and their standing on the two issues of most concern to me: animals and the environment (1), and abortion (2).

* Ralph Nader and V.P. running mate Matt Gonzalez, nominated by several independent parties including Peace and Freedom:

1. Extreme advocate for the environment, especially National Parks.
2. In support of a woman’s right to choose; does not believe it is the government’s place to dictate anything regarding abortion.

* Cynthia McKinney and V.P. running mate Rosa Clemente, backed by the Green Party:

1. Sounds like the planet’s BFF: stresses our need for realistic, environmentally friendly policy. She promises to push for more sustainable resources and organic farming.
2. Wow. If ever there was a time to call some pro-abortion (as oppose to just for a woman’s right to choose) … she supports it all, even partial-birth abortions and abortions for minors.

* Bob Barr and V.P. running mate Wayne Allyn Root, supported by the Libertarian party:

1. Supports drilling in protected land. Said that “human beings are more important than mussels … human survival trumps shellfish reproduction ….”
2. More pro-life than Bush; has voted for every ban possible, and even to reverse Bush’s policy allowing funding for “family planning.”

* Chuck Baldwin and V.P. running mate Darrell Castle, supported by independent and the Constitution parties.

1. Speaks up primarily about Eminent Domain (he thinks it’s crap) and oil. To break America’s dependency on OPEC, we need “more drilling; more refineries; more nuclear power plants.”
2. “Abortion is America’s national holocaust.”

Each candidates name is linked to their official campaign Web site. For non-bias information on these and other issues and candidates, check out OntheIssues.org.

Next up: candidates with write-in potential a.k.a. the names you’ll recognize as former contenders for the Republican or Democratic nomination.