Independents face tall odds in elections

The United States prides itself on its democratic principles and in fact promotes them around the world. Former President Jimmy Carter is called to various third world nations to monitor elections to make sure they are run fairly. We are even at war now with Iraq trying to force democracy on the Iraqi people.

Unfortunately, we need to look no farther than our backyard to see that America doesn't come close to living up to its democratic standards. Here in Illinois in the 14th Congressional district, the Republican candidate for Congress, Jim Oberweis, needed to get 793 petition signatures to get on the ballot, the Democrat candidate Bill Foster needed to get 863 petition signatures. Those "third" party and independent candidates who are not in the power club need to get 9,995 petition signatures to get on the ballot, or 12 times as many signatures. This is true for all Congressional districts. The effect of this is to make it nearly impossible for third parties or independents to make the ballot, or if they do to have enough money to wage a campaign. The net result is that we have a very undemocratic state here in Illinois.

In comparison, in Iraq, a recent election had 111 different political parties on the ballot.

Congressional candidate Dan Druck has vowed to fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if need be, to obtain fairness in ballot access laws and secure his right to be on the ballot for Congress in the 14th District. His supporters obtained 7,153 signatures, almost 10 times what's required for Republicans or Democrats.

If you are outraged at this totally unfair ballot access requirement, please help us fight the unfairness and support our lawsuit to give Dan his right to compete against Oberweis and Foster this coming November election. Check out Dan's campaign at www.timefordan.com.

Come to think of it, where's Jimmy Carter when you need him?!

Ken Prazak

Committee to Elect Dan Druck

Elgin