Jeff is the 2002 Green Party Candidate for Congress in Indiana's 9th District. He is committed to such fundamental Green Party values as grassroots democracy, social justice, ecological wisdom, and nonviolent conflict resolution.

It is political season, and incumbents will try anything to save their jobs. This year, unfortunately, is just another example of politicians stopping at nothing to win their re-elections. There are several races in this year's election where a third party candidate could steer the election results in one direction or the other. One perverse example is the Pennsylvania senatorial campaign between Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and Democratic challenger Bob Casey. The embattled incumbent's campaign has instructed donors to support Green Party Candidate Carl Romanelli in his election bid. In some polls, Casey is ahead of Santorum by double digits, according to an article in Wednesday's USA Today. Some polls, however, show the gap narrowing and Democrats fear that Romanelli will "siphon" votes away from Casey and allow Santorum to be re-elected. Santorum's campaign hasn't denied the support, with spokeswoman Virginia Davis saying that the campaign "encouraged those who inquired to help with the Green Party effort." Davis went on to say that the campaign welcomes "Romanelli's entry into the race because at least he's expressed a real interest in being up front and honest about where he is on the issues."

Spare us the spin, Ms. Casey. The Santorum campaign is supporting Romanelli because he may help Santorum win re-election, not because he's expressing a real interest in being up front and honest on issues. Democrats, while thinking that they have a legitimate complaint, should bite their proverbial tongues, because third party candidates have helped their embattled incumbents win Senate re-election several times in the past decade, according to the USA Today article written by Kathy Kiely. Any Democrat or Republican candidate for office who cannot defend and debate the merits of third party platforms and planks are not fit to hold public office. Their knowledge is proven too specialized to be trusted with many decisions. Members of third parties should be asking the two party candidates where they stand on third party issues. In California's recent recall election, I think the Green Party Candidate had the best of published ideas. Yet the "progressive" California voters still dance to the two party tune. If California indicates where we are headed in national politics, we've been there for two centuries. Where is the progress?

Any public debates that take place without representatives of many third parties ought to be ignored. Always remember that a two party debate is worth less and quite often, worthless as well. If it is wisdom to know your enemy, it is wisdom to know all candidates, in the event they are elected only to then become your enemy. Two party dancers know only what is being promised, they know very few candidates very well. If I am voting, I owe it to you and me to choose the best possible candidate for a job, regardless of political party. If my vote counts in the end, I vote not for me but for us.