Third party, reconsidered.

• Author: Duerksen, Roland A.
• Position: Letter to the editor

In "The Third-Parry Dilemma," Matthew Rothschild quite thoroughly deals with both sides of the question whether it is worthwhile to vote for President Obama's reelection (September issue). I am surprised, though, at his conclusion, which is that it is a conundrum.

This year, the Presidential election is vitally important. All the things that are more important than voting--all the actions in which progressives should be involved daily--will have a far better chance of success if Obama is the winner.

There are times that try the soul; this is one of them. A soul that cannot, despite all the objections, finally side with the Democratic candidate in this election is neither brave nor progressive.

Roland A. Duerksen

Oxford, Ohio

I am sick to death of people too "principled" to vote in the best interests of America and the rest of the world.

I have no doubt that votes for Ralph Nader gave us George W. Bush. If America ever recovers from the two disastrous wars Bush gave us, and the security surveillance state they helped create, it will not be in my lifetime.

I criticize Obama probably more often than you do. But if Romney is elected, America will never recover, because unions will be dead, the remains of the safety net will be destroyed, women's rights will go back to the '50s, and the 1 percent will get such a grip that the 99 percent will never be able to break it.

There is a principled way to deal with the issue of third parties. The Green Party should be building support and winning elections at the state and local level, and at the Congressional level if they can do it without being spoilers. But they should stay out of Presidential races until they have a chance of winning.

If you don't have the guts to vote for the lesser of two evils for the good of the country, then by all means stay home on Election Day. But don't get all righteous about it, because it's as cowardly as it is destructive.

Matt Rothschild, you should be ashamed to write such a dangerously stupid article, and if you ever publish another, expect me to cancel my subscription and never support The Progressive again.

Linda Sleffel

Columbus, Ohio

I will definitely be voting for Jill Stein for President. I want to vote for someone I believe in, and not for the lesser of two evils. Obama doesn't have a chance in the state I live in (Indiana), according to the latest polls. Although he did carry Indiana in 2008, it was only by one percentage point.

Since we don't have instant...