[Sosfbay-discuss] Fwd: [usgp-media] (Action Alert?) Write a letter to the editor: Debate sponsors must invite Green candidates!

[JamBoi]

--- Scott McLarty <scottmclarty at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Scott McLarty <scottmclarty at yahoo.com>
> To: usgp-media at gp-us.org, elizarnone at comcast.net,
> j.coplen at comcast.net,
>   newtribe at hughes.net, budd.dickinson at greens.org,
> scooter at guisarme.net,
>   rebelrot at yahoo.com, echothegreen at riseup.net, jodyhaug at hotmail.com,
>   secretary at gp.org, brent at gp.org, emily at gp.org,
> rscotttoo at hotmail.com,
>   amandlagreen at yahoo.com
> Subject: [usgp-media] (Action Alert?) Write a letter to the editor:
> Debate sponsors must invite Green candidates!
> Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:40:21 -0700 (PDT)
> 
> (Let's get this posted at gp.org as an Action
> Alert -- edit if necessary.  I prefer not to use
> sample letters, because it tends to encourage
> lots of nearly identical letters, which makes us
> look less legitimate if editors find out. --
> Scott)
> 
> 
> Please forward this widely to all Greens &
> friends, Green lists, Green candidates, and
> Greens working on campaigns
> 
> 
> Hey Greens!
> 
> Let's show our candidates some urgent support by
> writing LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of local newspapers
> calling for inclusion of Greens running for
> office in all candidates' debates and forums.
> 
> Along with letters to the editor, we can also
> write messages to online discussion groups and
> neighborhood bulletin boards calling for
> inclusion of Greens and other third party and
> independent candidates in debates.
> 
> Here are some important points to make...
> 
> • Voters have a right to know about all the names
> they'll see on the ballot on Election Day, and to
> know which candidate best represents their
> interests and ideals.  When debate sponsors bar
> candidates, they violate this right.
> 
> If a voter wants US troops returned home from
> Iraq right now or supports national health
> insurance or livable wages or repeal of NAFTA,
> that voter has a right to know that there's a
> Green candidate on the ballot who takes the same
> positions, and to make a decision about who to
> vote for based on this information.
> 
> • When debate sponsors (especially media) base
> their decision to bar candidates on opinion poll
> percentages or candidates' campaign treasuries,
> then opinion polls and campaign treasuries become
> more important than the ballot box in determining
> who gets elected.
> 
> Opinion polls are not democracy.  Some polls omit
> Greens and other parties' candidates, and only
> mention Democratic and Republican candidates in
> their questions.  Any candidate whose name is on
> the ballot is a 'legitimate' and 'viable'
> candidate.
> 
> • Democratic and Republican candidates all across
> the US take millions in campaign contributions
> from corporations.  Voters deserve to hear from
> candidates -- like Greens -- who represent WE THE
> PEOPLE and take no corporate money, not just
> candidates who represent corporate interests.
> 
> If you want to get specific about the amount of
> corporate money that's funding the Democratic &
> Republican opposition, visit the Center for
> Voting & Democracy <http://www.opensecrets.org>.
> 
> • Praise organizations that have sponsored
> inclusive debates.  In some states, the League of
> Women Voters withdrew in protest when cosponsors
> insisted on excluding Greens and other candidates
> from debates.  They deserve our thanks.
> 
> • Don't forget to mention the name of a local
> Green candidate who has been excluded from a
> debate.  Talk about strong positions your
> candidate has taken and include a web site.
> 
> Use your own ideas and words, or adapt the above
> language.  Remember to keep your letter concise
> and to the point.  The shorter the letter, the
> more likely it'll get published -- you don't have
> to include all the points listed above.  Four to
> six sentences is a good length.  If you make the
> letter personal in some way ("I'm a tenant, and
> the Green candidate will fight for rent control")
> or some humor, it's even more likely to get
> published.
> 
> Start writing, and let us know if your letter
> gets published!
> 
> Scott
> Media Committee
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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JamBoi
Jammy The Sacred Cow Slayer

"Live humbly, laugh often and love unconditionally" (anon)
http://dailyJam.blogspot.com

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