It came to me yesterday, why haven’t we met or discussed not even one third party candidate? We delved into the fringe candidates of both major parties, met with and discussed the impact of “Independent Voters”, but not one side track into the world of non major party affiliated candidates.

It has been just over a full year since my Purple States journey began. This has been a time of exploration and realization for me. I thought that because I read the paper and watched and listened to PBS news programs that my knowledge base was quite complete and the issues of the day fairly well understood. I have some lingering beliefs though, especially that no major party candidate is free to act upon the best course the nation should follow based on the benefits to the majority of US citizens. The campaigns of both parties are funded by the same groups of deep pocketed industry associations, and other special interest groups. This is no where more evident than during the debates when the candidates do not accuse each other of receiving the money, but instead who has received the most.

            Since the debates are no longer organized by the League of Women Voters, but instead by the two major parties themselves, we will no longer be able to watch a third party interloper like Ross Perot or John Anderson get on the stage with the designated Red or Blue brand candidates.

Just yesterday when we where in NH and I spoke with Elizabeth about third party candidates “she told me that she didn’t want to vote for any of them because we hadn’t met them”, it was then that I realized that for all the depth of discovery that the purple states experience had provided that we where never introduced to or encouraged to discuss third party candidates. In this way we have been very much like the other more main stream media outlets that we seek to exceed in our more innocent and basic concern type of coverage.

If I were beginning my experience again today I would ask the producers to give us the opportunity to consider the third party options offered by The Green Party’s Cynthia McKinney, Independent Party’s Ralph Nader, and the Libertarian, Bob Barr. While some may argue that these are not viable, I would say that the attitude is the reason why, and that as the quality of life continues to deteriorate in this country the demand for new and different types of solutions will increase.

Some may argue otherwise but my year-long journey with purple states has solidified my belief that the two party system is completely broken and thoroughly corrupted by the money that funds it.

 Republocrats, unfettered by the historic checks and balances of Tar and Feathers for those who betray the public trust.