{news} In Canada, Greens get a place at the debates -- why not in US? (John Nichols, The Nation)

[Tim McKee]

----- Original Message -----

From: "Scott McLarty"
To: natlcomaffairs at green.gpus.org
Subject: [usgp-dx] In Canada, Greens get a place at the debates -- why
not in US? (John Nichols, The Nation)
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:24:23 +0000



Noted.

By John Nichols
The Nation, September 17, 2008
(October 6, 2008 print edition)
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081006/noted


O CANADA! Something remarkable happened in Canada on September 10,
and it offers an example of what ought to be possible in the United
States. Canada's television networks decided to exclude the leader
of the country's Green Party from nationally televised debates
between the major party candidates competing in the country's
October 14 election.

Though the Greens hold only one seat in Parliament, the party--like
its US equivalent--is highly organized, has won many local offices
and is competing in a sufficient number of constituencies to form a
government. Green leader Elizabeth May launched a national campaign
urging Canadians to "reclaim democracy" by demanding a place in the
debates.

Canadians responded, dispatching e-mails, letters and phone calls
to the networks and the major-party leaders. Former Canadian Prime
Minister Joe Clark, who governed as a Progressive Conservative,
joined the crusade, declaring, "The immediate question about
Canada's election is not who will win but how open and inclusive
the campaign will be. Elections can confirm bad practices or change
them. Ours need changing." The day Clark spoke up, the networks and
the major parties backed down, allowing May in.

We need a similar outcry in the United States. Excluding Green
nominee Cynthia McKinney, Libertarian Bob Barr, independent Ralph
Nader and their running mates--all of whom will be on enough
ballots to conceivably, if not realistically, win the
presidency--is not just undemocratic; it will narrow the quality of
the discourse in the upcoming presidential and vice presidential
debates. Canada will have multiparty debates this fall. The United
States should as well. JOHN NICHOL

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Tim McKee, Manchester CT, main number cell-860-778-1304, 860-643-2282
 National Commitee member of the Green Party of the United States and is a spokesperson for the Green Party of CT.
BLOG-http://thebiggreenpicture.blogspot.com

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