LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: THIRD-PARTY VOTE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEND MESSAGE

The film producer James E. Levine said, "You can fool all the people all the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough."

Our upcoming election will be proof that the quotation is still valid. Election after election we go to the polls and vote a Democrat or a Republican to office knowing full well that regardless of who is elected we will have more of the same. Governing for the people has been replaced by securing financing for the expensive job of getting re-elected.

If we are to save our republic, we must solve the problems that have been plaguing us for several decades. To name a few: election reform, term limits, health-care reform, tort reform, judicial reform, balance of payments, national debt, widening economic gap, the artificial economy, education, Social Security, Medicare and, most importantly, returning to the Constitution.

History will repeat itself, and these will be with us when the elected term has expired. Will they do anything? Sure, they will quibble about doing something minor which they will call reform as they have in the past, hoping that the problem will go away. Few will be statespersons, but the greater majority will not.

Can we do anything? Have you ever considered that voting a major party is a vote of confidence for them and only encourages more of the same? Have you considered a protest vote by voting for a third-party candidate? You have been told by the major parties that you will lose your vote. My friend, you will lose more than your vote by voting status quo.

If enough protest votes are recorded, the major parties just may wise up and tackle reform seriously. If a third-party candidate should get in, we would definitely see great changes in the major parties and might get back our country. Most of the third-party candidates have strong convictions and at least stand for the good of the people.

Have you tried to talk seriously about issues with any of your elected politicians? I wish you luck. It is easier to find the proverbial needle in the haystack. Your country is in the hands of vested interests.

Those who stay at home and do not vote because they feel the situation is hopeless should reconsider and then vote their protest. This vote may be the most valuable vote of your life.

VICTOR L. BRANT

Cape Girardeau