Open Letter to Thom Hartmann: Who’s Deceiving Whom About Independents and Minor Parties?

Dear Thom, Two decades ago, during the 2004 presidential election, you accused Ralph Nader of attempting to “deceive” voters about “the role of third parties” in our electoral system. By running as an independent in a first past the post, winner take all system, you claimed, Nader was making the process “less democratic” because his candidacy would split the progressive vote and help Republican George Bush win even if a majority preferred Democrat John Kerry. You argued that progressives should

CCD in Axios: Watch out for the staples, Elon.

If you’re reading this email you may already know how often qualified candidates and parties get thrown off the ballot based on bogus technicalities. Like the time Democrats tried to force Cornel West off Wisconsin’s 2024 ballot because a two-page document he filed wasn’t stapled. Or when they claimed RFK, Jr. shouldn’t be allowed to start a political party in North Carolina because he identified as an independent.Or the Democrats’ favorite: that the Green Party should be disqualified in North C