As for why these Democrats should be so hostile to the democratic process, I suggest two answers. First, a select cadre of people feel that they know better than others who should be eligible for candidacy and who should not. These people work nationwide to keep those like Tom Mackaman, Ralph Nader, David Cobb, and others off the ballot. This sort of gatekeeper elitism simply has no place in an open, democratic society. Second, and more insidious, Democrats need to preserve the two party duopoly in this country, because they rightly fear that if people are given more than two choices, then they will choose neither Democrat nor Republican. To give credence to this theory, one need look no further than July 9th of this year, when state Democrats voted unanimously to put George W. Bush on the ballot, even though Bush and co. knowingly violated state election rules by cynically holding their nominating convention on September 11th. To read about this in the paper and then to argue that the Democrats are really an “opposition” party would be laughable, if the continued viability of democracy in the U.S. were not at stake. Democracy demands at least as many choices as we get in the cereal aisle—restore Tom Mackaman to the ballot this fall so that we have a real choice.

Sincerely,
Jason B.P. Mierek