Originally Posted by tyreay

Stand up for our system. HR 4694 is a cynical attempt by some members of Congress to create a permanent two-party system.

Green Party leaders have called on Congress to reject this House bill that combines public funding of congressional campaigns with a scheme to virtually ban third party and independent candidates from such races.

HR 4694 would grant full public funding to nominees of parties (i.e., Democrats and Republicans) that had averaged 25% of the vote for House races in a given district in the last two elections.

All others (third party and independent candidates) would be required to submit petitions signed by 10% of the last vote cast for partial funding, and 20% petitions for full funding. Candidates who don't qualify for funding would be barred from spending privately raised money on their campaigns.

In some districts, 10% or 20% can mean 35,000 or 70,000 or more signatures -- numbers far too high for any candidate to collect.

A wide range of choices on the ballot gives us the power to vote for the candidate who best represents our interests and ideals. Reducing the field to a choice between Democrat and Republican is an assault on our rights as voters.


You too may participate in this letter-to-the-editor writing campaign to stop HR 4694 here:

http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia...paign_KEY=1726