Opinion

Dems behind candidates' ouster

Posted June 17, 2008 11:00 pm

On Monday, June 9, democracy in Illinois was attacked; ironically by a party that incorporates democracy into their very name.

Three Green party congressional candidates were removed from the November ballot at the behest of Democratic activists. Did they forge voter signatures? Intimidate rival candidates? Raise money improperly? No, their sin was not having enough precinct committeemen in their districts. This is a stupid reason to limit the choices presented to voters in November.

I find it especially offensive that it is the Democratic Party that led the charge to remove these candidates. It's not just an assumption that the Democrats are behind this; in the 10th district the objector is a Democratic committeeman and a Dan Seals donor. And the man he removed, David Kalbfliesch, is an Iraq war veteran.

The Democrats are supposed to be the party of inclusiveness, the "every vote counts" party. And now they are resorting to legal technicalities to remove Green Party candidates because they are afraid they'll lose votes. Well in the 10th district at least they lost at least one vote anyway. I cannot in good conscience vote for a party that would sabotage democracy for electoral advantage.

Eron McCormick

Waukegan

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