Choices are good. Sounds simple, right? Choices are a central component of democracy and capitalism-which, it just so happens, are the innermost facets of American culture. That said, Americans should, by definition, embrace variety and open competition. I know I do. I also know John Kerry doesn’t.
Take a stroll down the canned soup aisle at the supermarket and you will be overwhelmed with the vast amount of different varieties of soup. Sure, the traditional two-soup system is represented well (tomato and chicken noodle), but many third-party soups are also available. If we ever get tired of the usual suspects, we can always turn to cream of mushroom, chicken gumbo or vegetable beef to soothe our needs. It’s the same situation for every decision we make: We have choices.
Every four years, Americans face one such decision in the form of a presidential election. Like any other decision, voters have different choices. There will be seven individuals on the presidential ballot in Wisconsin this November. It is hard to believe that of the 294.4 million Americans alive today, only seven have the chance of being elected chief executive. Although only two of these candidates may have a realistic chance of being elected, all other presidential hopefuls have a constitutional right to speak their mind and participate in democracy. Why should we stop them?
Kerry supporters in several states, including Wisconsin, have challenged the legitimacy of Ralph Nader’s democratic participation by attempting to keep his name off of the presidential ballot. Democrats fear Nader may split votes with their candidate in key swing states such as Wisconsin, in turn securing Bush’s re-election. Therefore, in order to avoid apparent defeat, Democrats will squelch the rights of a perfectly viable candidate and limit the number of choices voters will have come Nov. 2.
In the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader had the support of nearly 3 million Americans. How can Kerry supporters deny Nader his birthright to seek the office of president? Why don’t they want us to have choices?
Are they so desperate to win that they would ignore the will of millions of Americans? All signs point to “yes.”
If John Kerry is to seek advice from his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, on one aspect of this election season, it is this: Choices are good. Heinz Kerry’s ketchup conglomerate has boasted of its “57 Varieties” since 1896. Like most American citizens, her company values diversity and variety. Presenting choices has made Heinz the largest global food company in the world, a universal symbol of quality. Taking note, Kerry and fellow Democrats should allow democracy to run its course without smothering the dream of a man and his followers.
Remember: If there aren’t choices, it isn’t America.
