Archive: Opinions

Do you know who these people are?

Roger Calero and Alyson Kennedy
Gloria La Riva and Eugene Puryear
Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente
Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root

I'll give you a hint.  This pair is also on the list:  Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez

Still not sure?  These are all candidates for President and Vice President of the United States.  They will be on your ballot next Tuesday along with John McCain and Sarah Palin, and Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  Despite the fact that candidates who are not Republicans or Democrats have been virtually invisible, except for occasional momentary bursts from Nader, we will have more choices than we thought we did.

We all know that McCain is a Republican and Obama is a Democrat.  Calero is running on the Socialist Workers and Taxpayers First columns, La Riva on the Socialism & Liberation ticket, McKinney on the Green Party ticket, Barr is running as a Libertarian, and Nader, who has more experience running for President than the whole lot of them, is running on the Populist ticket.  In addition McCain is running on the Independence and the Conservative Party tickets, and Obama on the Working Families ticket.

Even with seven choices for President, the ballot for Lansing voters is pretty simple this year.  There are no local Lansing elections.  We will be choosing a U.S. Congressman, a State Senator, and a State Assembly member.  The latter is Barbara Lifton, who is running unopposed.  But just in case she is running on the Working Families ticket as well as the Democratic Party.  All the Democrats are also running on the Working Family ticket, and all the Republicans are also running as Independence and Conservative Party candidates.

That seems to break the stereotype that Democrats are more fun-loving people, because the Republicans have three parties to go to, versus the Democrats' two. 

The Republican party is certainly catered, with venison hors d' oeuvres and whiskey, and is probably formal.  The Independence party no doubt allows all kinds of dress, and everybody has to bring their own dish.  And the Conservative party has a little of everything, but not too much.  They're hedging their bets.

While the Democratic party is probably casual dress, wine and little cheese cubes, I'm thinking the Working Families party is more kid friendly with cool-aid punch and cookies.

The Socialist Workers party will feature uniformed party-goers who will be offered soup, but no dancing.  There won't be any food provided at the Taxpayers First party, though it will be acceptable to bring a dish to pass.  Salad only at the Green party, and anyone not wearing recyclable clothes will not be admitted.  The Libertarians will throw the wildest party with everyone doing what they want, a huge variety of foods, and a battle of the bands.  And the Populist party will only admit football players, cheerleaders, movie stars, and rap singers.

Here in Lansing I have to say the best party going is the North Lansing Auxiliary's Election Day dinner and supper, a North Lansing fixture at the fire station there for more years than anyone can count.  People of all parties are welcome and the food is plentiful and terrific.  That's my kind of party!

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