Gore and Bush make me want to Ralph

It doesn't seem like there are many options in the presidential election. Pick an issue. Compare Bush's position on the issue with Gore's position. Very often, the two positions are nearly identical.

On trade: Gore is a supporter of NAFTA, WTO, and China trade agreements. Bush is a supporter of NAFTA, WTO, and China trade agreements.

On minimum wage: Gore supports a one dollar increase in the minimum wage over two years. Bush supports a one dollar increase in the minimum wage over three years.

On prescription drugs: Gore does not support capping the prices of prescription drugs developed with taxpayer money. Bush does not support capping the prices of prescription drugs developed with taxpayer money.

On defense: Gore supports a national missile defense system. Bush supports a bigger national missile defense system.

On campaign finance: Gore raises corporate soft money contributions, accepts political action commitee contributions, and is against full public financing of public elections. Bush raises corporate soft money contributions, accepts political action commitee contributions, and is against full public financing of public elections.

There is another option: Ralph Nader, the Green Party canidate. For more than three decades, Nader has fought relentlessly to protect ordinary Americans from powerful corporations and to make government responsive, saving great numbers of lives in the process. Now, he is running for president.

• Nader is against trade agreements that sacrifice labor rights and American jobs. By supporting NAFTA, the WTO, and China trade agreement, Gore and Bush place corporate profits above the rights of individuals.

• Nader is for a living wage that will allow all people to stay above the poverty level. By keeping the minimum wage down Gore and Bush are allowing big business to prevent the average worker from benefiting from the booming "new economy" that we keep hearing so much about.

• Nader is for capping the price of prescription drugs that have been developed with taxpayer money. Bush and Gore put the profits of corporations above the rights of the average person to buy needed drugs, that taxpayer money helped to develop, at a reasonable price.

• Nader is against the expensive, problem-ridden national defense system. He also supports reducing millitary spending, relying on preventive diplomacy and preventive defense rather than needless violence.

• Nader accepts no corporate soft money, accepts no political action commitee contributions, and supports full public financing of public elections. It's no wonder why Gore and Bush are against campaign finance reform. Under the current system, anyone outside of the two corporately funded parties, has little chance to win.

Even if you don't agree with Nader on every issue, it is important to realize that another choice does exist. Visit http://www.votenader.org and learn about all of the issues in depth before you vote. Most importantly, rememeber to register. If you don't register, you can't vote.