This fall, the argument differs. A vote for either of the two main parties is a vote for them both. It is getting close to election time, and people are beginning to make decisions. While I've heard some adamant decisions for both major candidates, the logic behind both decisions remains the same. "If I don't vote for him, that other asshole will get elected."

Why should you have to vote for someone solely on the flaws of their opponent? Our government was not designed to safeguard a bi-partisan system. It was developed to safeguard the freedom of its people. If ever there were an opportunity to vote for a third party, it is this November.

I understand that it is impossible to meet the needs of all the people all the time. However, both of the major candidates have found nearly identical solutions to the issues in this election. The moderation they present us is a result of fear: fear of losing an all-important vote.

For Bush, this means alienating the right with a compassion that may be cuddly, but is certainly not conservative. In Gore, we find a man who constantly searches his soul for the honorable answer, finds nothing, and turns to his advisors. The man flounders over his favorite ice cream flavor for fear that a group might find chocolate chip demeaning to their race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Other than disputes over elephants and donkeys, they are the same person. Of course they have different opinions on major issues such as education, health care, and abortion, but these differences are minimal.

The major difference between the two candidates on the first two issues is privatization and federalization. Perhaps a major difference, but in this election they are both so scared of repercussions that they shy away from anything too drastic. When it comes down to it, both candidates claim they will put a lot of time and money into making people smart and healthy with ridiculous amounts of federal spending.

Now for the anger inducing abortion topic: Roe vs. Wade will not be overturned in the next four years. Depending on your feelings about dead babies, this is good or bad. Within the next term, Supreme Court justices will be elected. While Gore has found it advantageous to state that he will only appoint pro-choice justices, Dubya is in a hard spot. If he deviates from being pro-life he canÍt maintain his partyÍs support, but he knows he will lose too many votes if he only appoints pro-lifers. Bush is left with no choice but to maintain a noncommital position on the issue, and put off making a decision indefinitely.

Blue suits and red ties are not the only similarities between the two candidates. Bush came from a political family but so did the vice president. GoreÍs parents grew up on farms but both became lawyers, and Al Gore Sr. was a Senator and a confidant of JFK. Both candidates are in favor of the death penalty. Although "Republican" is synonymous with big money, both parties receive substantial contributions from corporations. Claiming to be pro-campaign finance reform, both parties accept massive financial donations. Large corporations do not care who is in power, as long as their needs are met. That will not change.

A vote for either of these men will not radically change our nation within the next four years. However, it will encourage their campaign leaders to continue to avoid taking stands on issues that people feel strongly about. When it comes time to vote next month, rethink your decision. Are you voting for him because of his merit, or the weakness of his opponent?

Outside the debates are men of dignity, who stand for what they believe in. Unfortunately, Ralph Nader doesnÍt understand basic economics, Pat Buchanan often sounds like a fascist, and Harry Brown would dissassemble the nation if elected. However, these men stand for some important causes, and most importantly they actually stand for something.

Nader, the Green Party candidate, looks out for the environment and the underpriviledged. Reform Party Candidate Pat Buchanan, though prone to sensationalism, champions the freedoms of the American people as stated in the constitution. Libertarian Harry Brown knows that the people are more equipped to run their lives than the government.

Many other candidates have an equal candor for their political philosophies. The Socialist, Natural Law, and the Constitution parties all have candidates in this yearÍs election. None of them hold the solution to all our problems. In addition, a vote towards a third candidate will not be a vote for the next President.

However, if enough people vote for someone besides Gore/Bush, a very strong message will go to Washington. One that says, you are not meeting my needs, and I would rather vote for someone who has principles than a puppet in a blue suit and red tie.