Dear Duchess,

Concerning your post:
        http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/july2004/duchess79.htm

I appreciate your concern for the troubling shortcomings of the Republican Party and for some of the issues that President Bush supports. Most cognizant Doves are well aware of these so they need not be reiterated.

But, what makes you think that, four months before the Presidential election, a third-party candidate has a chance of being elected? Most voters can't even identify a third-party candidate, much less vote for one, with the possible exception of Ralph Nadar who is having problems getting on the ballot in some states. So, your vote for a third-party candidate must be for the purpose of making an honest statement in an attempt to do the right thing.

However, statistically, our new President's name will be either Bush or Kerry. Since, I assume, you are a conservative, your third-party vote will simply deny a vote to Mr. Bush. In effect, you will be voting for Mr. Kerry. I'm sure you've heard this argument before but consider the reality we are experiencing. Even though I understand your need to make a statement, I must ask you - to what end?

Currently, due to Senate rules, we have a Republican President who cannot get his judicial nominees confirmed by a Republican-controlled Senate. We have a State Department with a liberal, Palestinian supporting bias even though it is headed by a Republican Secretary of State. We have the National Teachers Association endorsing Mr. Kerry even though the Department of Education is headed by a Republican who supports vouchers for disadvantaged public school students - doesn't say much for Republican Administration  influence. Would a third-party administration have more influence?

We also have a crazed, delusional radical-left segment of our society ready to relinquish our sovereignty to the UN and a former Secretary of Labor, Democrat Robert Reich, publicly stating that Christianity is worse than terrorism. We have mainline churches disintegrating in the name of tolerance, an economy awaiting the first significant terrorist attack to crumble, and a nation not far from marshal law.

Do you really want to introduce a potential third-party president to this cauldron for the sake of making a statement? Even if one could be elected before the media chewed him up, what chance would he have of reversing our slide to self-destruction?

In my opinion, statements are worth little when the 'barbarians are at the door'. God have mercy and allow George W. Bush, a flawed human being as are we all, to hold them off for a few more years.

Blessings
Marie Komar