The Debates Debate

	
The Presidential Debate Commission's decision to exclude
Ross Perot and Harry Browne from the debates shows just
how slanted our system is toward status quo.  
Ross Perot is on the ballot in 48 states, Harry Browne
in all 50, certainly enough to be able to win 270 electoral
votes if their message was heard.  Both have qualified for
federal matching campaign funds. But you can't win 
the game if you're not allowed to play, and the two-party
commission has no interest in allowing outsiders into their 
game.  And why should they?  In a time when the differences
between the major parties is almost imperceptible, it could
be uncomfortable if someone were to bring a live television
audience away from questions about drugs and character and
address some of the real issues of the day -- the pending
collapse of Social Security, or federal laws usurping powers
that belong to the states.  

Gerald J. Klaas
Carmichael