Dear Friends,
"If God wanted us to vote, He would have given us candidates !" -Jim Hightower.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE ALL OVER THE U.S.
We need to do all we can to get the best candidates in the White House. We are aware that this country is already controlled more by Big Business and the military than the president, but we do have SOME power left. If we fail to elect a real person this time, there is no way to tell what chance we'llhave four years from now and/or how many innocent people will suffer and die from the actions of a criminal government between now and then.
So, please to start with this message from Jessie Jackson and then GO TO THE WEBSITE below his . Use your computer to send a message to the debates commission (controlled unfortunately by Republicans and Democrats) demanding inclusion of other candidates.
No matter how you feel about the candidates who will qualify, the debates need to be expanded. If a candidate has 5% in the polls and is running in enough states to win the electoral college he/she can participate. Our democracy is in danger of exploding or imploding as the street protests on the one hand and the diminishing voter participation attests. Please distribute widely.
OPEN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES ENERGIZE ELECTORAL PROCESS Statement by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, July 28, 2000 "Presidential debates serve the essential function of informing and educating the public on candidates' positions on various issues. Debates are already scheduled for this fall between presumptive presidential candidates Democratic Vice-President Al Gore and Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush. Unfortunately, other presidential candidates Americans have expressed keen interest in will not be included.
"Currently, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a private commission sponsored by large corporations, requires presidential candidates to post at least 15% in national public opinion polls before they may join the debates-a number which is both too high and arbitrary, and excludes non-major party candidates on the basis of polls from a public who has not yet had an opportunity to hear from these candidates. In order to open up the debate process, I introduced the Open Presidential Debates Resolution (H. Con. Res. 373).
"The Open Presidential Debates Resolution calls for allowing all constitutionally and mathematically eligible presidential candidates to participate in the debates if: at least 5% of respondents in national public opinion polls of all eligible voters support the candidate's election as President; or a majority of respondents in these polls support the candidate's participation in the debates.
"The majority of American people agree. A recent poll conducted by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal shows that 51% of the 1,010 people polled believe candidates should not have to meet the 15 % requirement. A FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Journal poll of eligible voters shows that 64% believe Green Party candidate Ralph Nader should be allowed to participate in the October debates.
"A 5% requirement makes more sense and has legal precedent, as it mirrors
the 5% level of support mandated for eligibility for Federal campaign funding. It allows independents and nominees of minor or new parties to spread their message to the American people.
"The fair and inclusive debate regulations in the Open Presidential Debates Resolution will invigorate the debates, and generate more enthusiasm in the election and the democratic process." -30- ( SEE SECOND WEBSITE, BELOW)
Learn about important issues and events that affect you - as soon as they happen. Join our distribution list by visiting: http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/distlist.htm
Congressman Jackson's website is paid for and maintained by Jesse Jackson, Jr. for Congress.
TO SEND A MESSAGE DIRECTLY TO THE DEBATES COMMISSION SEE BELOW:
Okay - here you go...a web address that works.
Online petition: Open up the Presidential Debates! Addressed to: The Commission on Presidential Debates Sponsored by: Open Debates of America Web site: http://www.i-charity.net/bin/ptn/39/tfref/22640
Not only can you sign this petition online, but also you may leave a comment and a link to your web site. You can also read the comments of other people who signed this petition. So far there are 7405 signatures.
Here is a brief description of this petition:
Open the Presidental Debates to all political parties that are eligible by the electoral college!
Peace and Love, Art Rosenblum Aquarian Research 5620 Morton St., Philadelphia, PA 19144 Working together for positive future, tax exempt since 1970. Website: www.ic.org/aq (Phone: 215-848-2292 EST) Send blank e-mail to: to join our listserv. Use to quit.