Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Wallace, George Wallace, John Anderson and Ross Perot were the major third party presidential candidates during the twentieth century. With the possible exception of Ross Perot the third parties died when the candidates left the scene. In ninety-two Perot secured one out of each five votes. Four years later he secured one out of ten votes. Now his probable successor, Pat Buchanan, is not expected to garner one out of ten votes, possibly as few as one out of twenty votes. As a former conservative Republican presidential candidate Buchanan is most likely to garner his votes from his former party.
Four years ago Ralph Nader formed the Green Party and became its presidential candidate. He did not wage an active campaign. This year he has pledged to wage an active campaign. He is most likely to draw his votes from the more liberal party (the Democratic Party). He is not expected to garner more than one out of twenty votes.
As an activist Democrat I am concerned that in a close race between Al Gore and George Bush the Ralph Nader campaign could possibly give the election to the most conservative Republican Party since 1932. The Nader adherents should recognize that the Democratic Party, unlike the Republican Party, is a true big tent party that welcomes their ideas. We ought to listen to the ideas of the Green Party and support those which are in the best traditions of the Democrats.
It is still possible to prevent the Nader candidacy from endangering the Gore Candidacy.
June 28, 2000
June 23, 2000
Standoff in Torne Valley
Issue 17 was a reprint of a Journal News article entitled, "Acquiring Torne Valley", dateline Ramapo, 10/16/00 and scanned as follows:
Jack Rosenberg, trustee of the Village of Suffern and an environmental advocate seeking to save Ramapo's Torne Valley, reports that about 780 signatures have been gathered so far by him and his supporters on a petition seeking the state's acquisition of the area. That may be a long shot, given the recent state expense incurred in acquiring nearby Sterling Forest, but the idea makes great sense.
Presently, two power plans are proposed for the valley, which contains the Ramapo River and its vital well field, and many species of birds and animals. The Ramapo Town Board has rejected the proposals, as well as a quarry operation, but these votes could be overridden by Albany. Rosenberg is seeking to add the site to the nearby Harriman State Park and to protect the watershed, preserve regional air quality and the scenic view in this historic area.
This is a fight worth pursuing.
Jack Rosenberg, trustee of the Village of Suffern and an environmental advocate seeking to save Ramapo's Torne Valley, reports that about 780 signatures have been gathered so far by him and his supporters on a petition seeking the state's acquisition of the area. That may be a long shot, given the recent state expense incurred in acquiring nearby Sterling Forest, but the idea makes great sense.
Presently, two power plans are proposed for the valley, which contains the Ramapo River and its vital well field, and many species of birds and animals. The Ramapo Town Board has rejected the proposals, as well as a quarry operation, but these votes could be overridden by Albany. Rosenberg is seeking to add the site to the nearby Harriman State Park and to protect the watershed, preserve regional air quality and the scenic view in this historic area.
This is a fight worth pursuing.
High Torne Mountain
Jasper Francis Cropsey
June 8, 2000
Slick Rick's Limbo Schtick
Rick Lazio, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, complains that it is not fair to point to his voting record in the House of Representatives these past eight years which contradicts his assertion that he is "Pro Choice" on a woman's right to choose. Obviously, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is a genuine supporter of a woman's right to choose on this issue.
It has been generally accepted that the next President will appoint three new Supreme Court Justices during the next 4 years. The candidates of the Democratic party and the Republican party are on opposite sides of the volatile issue of a woman's right to choose as mandated by the landmark decision of Roe vs. Wade (1973). The Supreme Court today is considered to be a 5-4 conservative board on most issues, but on a woman's right to choose, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor broke with the conservatives on the bench and sided with the more liberal Justices. Her vote prevented the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
George W. Bush, the Republican candidate for President, is surrounded by the acknowledged leaders of the Religious Right - Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Bob Jones University. Bush himself is viewed as opposing Roe v. Wade. Al Gore, the Democratic candidate for President, is on the record "I support Roe v. Wade and will appoint Supreme Court Justices who will protect a woman's right to choose."
If George W. Bush becomes President, he will most certainly appoint conservatives to the Supreme Court who will agree with Rehnquist, Scalia and Thomas. Al Gore will not do so as he is clearly and forthrightly on the record on the issue.
When the next President makes his appointment(s) to the Supreme Court, the Senate will vote yes or no on each appointment. In the past, the vast majority of Republican Senators voted to confirm Rehnquist, Scalia, Thomas, and Kennedy and the Right to Life minority on the Supreme Court. Where will Rick Lazio be if he wins a U.S. Senate seat? I predict that Rick Lazio will vote the same way the Republican party has voted these past 27 years. Hillary Clinton, in contrast, will not vote to confirm Supreme Court Justices who are opposed to Roe v. Wade.
It has been generally accepted that the next President will appoint three new Supreme Court Justices during the next 4 years. The candidates of the Democratic party and the Republican party are on opposite sides of the volatile issue of a woman's right to choose as mandated by the landmark decision of Roe vs. Wade (1973). The Supreme Court today is considered to be a 5-4 conservative board on most issues, but on a woman's right to choose, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor broke with the conservatives on the bench and sided with the more liberal Justices. Her vote prevented the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
George W. Bush, the Republican candidate for President, is surrounded by the acknowledged leaders of the Religious Right - Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Bob Jones University. Bush himself is viewed as opposing Roe v. Wade. Al Gore, the Democratic candidate for President, is on the record "I support Roe v. Wade and will appoint Supreme Court Justices who will protect a woman's right to choose."
If George W. Bush becomes President, he will most certainly appoint conservatives to the Supreme Court who will agree with Rehnquist, Scalia and Thomas. Al Gore will not do so as he is clearly and forthrightly on the record on the issue.
When the next President makes his appointment(s) to the Supreme Court, the Senate will vote yes or no on each appointment. In the past, the vast majority of Republican Senators voted to confirm Rehnquist, Scalia, Thomas, and Kennedy and the Right to Life minority on the Supreme Court. Where will Rick Lazio be if he wins a U.S. Senate seat? I predict that Rick Lazio will vote the same way the Republican party has voted these past 27 years. Hillary Clinton, in contrast, will not vote to confirm Supreme Court Justices who are opposed to Roe v. Wade.
June 1, 2000
Kind, Gentle Rick Lazio
A day after NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani bowed out of the race for U.S. Senator from New York because of health problems, Congressman Rick Lazio made a speech in which he announced that he would run against the Democratic candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the speech, he blamed the Democrats for ruining the State during the 80's and he derided the Democrats record countrywide during the 20th century.
Hugh Carey was Governor of New York from 1980-1982 and Mario Cuomo was Governor the rest of the decade. Ronald Reagan and George Bush were Presidents during 1981-1993. During this period, the Republicans had more control over the Senate and House since the 50's. Additionally, they had crucial support from 30-40 Southern Democrats (the Boll Weevils) that enabled the Republicans to enact more and more conservative legislation. During the eighties Republicans in Congress made sure that job shifts countrywide favored the South and West at the expense of the Northeast… especially New York. Thus Rick Lazio is dead wrong in criticizing the great record of Democrats Carey and especially Mario Cuomo.
As for the Democratic record, it is ludicrous to ignore the fact that in the first third of the 20th century, the Republicans were in complete control of the government. During that period, the Republicans were responsible for the world's worst depression. Additionally, their isolationist philosophy killed the League of Nations, an idea sponsored by Woodrow Wilson the lone Democratic President from 1897 to 1933. The Republican economy and isolationist policy helped facilitate the rise to power of the Nazi Adolph Hitler in 1933.
The liberal Democratic record the rest of the century (1933-2000) is so good that Rick Lazio's party constantly says they want to preserve Social Security and Medicare, both of which are outstanding examples of liberal Democratic achievements put into effect over conservative Republican opposition.
I call upon the leaders of the Democratic Party in New York and the country to aggressively repute the charges of Rick Lazio, the Republican candidate hoping to succeed the great Democratic Liberal Senator from New York these past 24 years - Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Hugh Carey was Governor of New York from 1980-1982 and Mario Cuomo was Governor the rest of the decade. Ronald Reagan and George Bush were Presidents during 1981-1993. During this period, the Republicans had more control over the Senate and House since the 50's. Additionally, they had crucial support from 30-40 Southern Democrats (the Boll Weevils) that enabled the Republicans to enact more and more conservative legislation. During the eighties Republicans in Congress made sure that job shifts countrywide favored the South and West at the expense of the Northeast… especially New York. Thus Rick Lazio is dead wrong in criticizing the great record of Democrats Carey and especially Mario Cuomo.
As for the Democratic record, it is ludicrous to ignore the fact that in the first third of the 20th century, the Republicans were in complete control of the government. During that period, the Republicans were responsible for the world's worst depression. Additionally, their isolationist philosophy killed the League of Nations, an idea sponsored by Woodrow Wilson the lone Democratic President from 1897 to 1933. The Republican economy and isolationist policy helped facilitate the rise to power of the Nazi Adolph Hitler in 1933.
The liberal Democratic record the rest of the century (1933-2000) is so good that Rick Lazio's party constantly says they want to preserve Social Security and Medicare, both of which are outstanding examples of liberal Democratic achievements put into effect over conservative Republican opposition.
I call upon the leaders of the Democratic Party in New York and the country to aggressively repute the charges of Rick Lazio, the Republican candidate hoping to succeed the great Democratic Liberal Senator from New York these past 24 years - Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
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