End Two-Party Domination

* Liberals and progressives, unite! You have only the chains of the two-party system to lose if you vote your conscience and are not swayed by the barrage of Times commentaries and doomsday Democrats forecasting an apocalypse if Republicans win the election. The two-party system is beholden to special interests and is represented by two privileged individuals who, because of their fathers’ backgrounds, have been anointed to lead their parties.

The system is broken and desperately needs an injection of viable third parties. On election day night I will sleep comfortably knowing I contributed to the beginning of that process of renewal.

SCOTT HOWLETT

Rancho Santa Margarita

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As far back as I can remember, I always voted for the Green Party because I truly believed that it best represented my views. I knew the party would never win, but unlike so many people, I voted my conscience.

This year I will be voting for Al Gore. And even if the election looked like a landslide for Gore, I would not return to the Green Party. It has become apparent to me and other Green Party supporters that Ralph Nader is a selfish person who is putting himself above his beliefs. He would rather the election go to George W. Bush, who cares little about the environment and thinks corporate greed is a great way to run the country, than to Gore, who shares many of the Green Party’s beliefs. Any Green Party member who votes for Nader is voting for Bush.

HOWARD LEVITAS

Laguna Woods

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Not one Republican I know will ever vote for Nader, and those foolish Democrats and independents who do will be voting Bush into office. So much for Nader’s values, or women’s rights, and anyone’s environmental future.

BEVERLY SIMONS-MORSE

Manhattan Beach

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My vote for Nader is not a vote for Bush, as people would like to make it seem. I am an independent voter. The only reason I will go to the polls is to vote for Nader. If Ralph was not running, I would not reduce myself to voting for the “lesser of two evils.” I simply would not vote, like the other 100 million Americans who are not impressed with Bush or Gore.

It’s funny how everyone tried to ignore the Nader campaign but now they fear it. He is the representative of all of us who protested at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle, the Democratic National Convention at Staples Center and every other injustice. The pressure is on. We are not going away.

SCOTT ENRIGHT

Los Angeles

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How to vote this Tuesday? Neither presidential candidate will receive a traditionally recognized mandate. If Gore wins, the Republicans will not work with the executive branch of government, as evidenced in Bill Clinton’s eight years in office. If Bush wins, the Democrats will work with him, as they did with Ronald Reagan and Bush’s father.

MARK PAPAS

Los Angeles