The candidates from the “major” parties have organized their own private election, with just two people invited: Bev Purdue and Pat McCrory. Five debates, only two candidates will be allowed.
Here’s the strange thing: It’s really hard to get on the ballot in North Carolina. The Libertarians did what the state required. It wasn’t easy, but we did it.
Why doesn’t that translate into being included in the debate? Why do the state-sponsored parties get away with this? It’s because you, the voters, are indifferent.
It’s not the media; you can’t blame them. Having me in the debate is MUCH more interesting, and would improve ratings. You can count on the media actually preferring that I be included.
But I’m not. Because the Dems and Repubs don’t want even a whiff of competition to affect their cozy cartel.
Where’s the outrage?
UPDATE: A snippet from the press release that will go out soon….
North Carolina has very restrictive ballot access laws. Simple fairness requires that every party crossing that high bar must be admitted to the debates. Let’s be clear: the General Assembly established a criterion for inclusion, and the Libertarians satisfied it.
Yet the Libertarians have been excluded from participation, without explanation. The political elite of our state has made a decision to put its own convenience over the obvious will of the citizens.
As H.L. Mencken said, “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” When you watch a debate where one legally qualified party is excluded, you are watching North Carolina “democracy” in action. Is this the kind of democracy that you want to live in?
UPDATE II: RMcTB plays it straight. Fair enough. All we ask is to be treated as participants.
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