Pubdate: Tue, 03 Oct 2000 Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY) Copyright: 2000 Watertown Daily Times Contact: 260 Washington Street, Watertown NY 13601-3364 Fax: (315) 782-1040 Website: http://www.wdt.net Author: Lee Monnet OTHER VOICES NEEDED Over the past few months I have heard the Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of avoiding debates and issues in the presidential election campaign. As far as I am concerned Al Gore and George Bush are equally guilty of these accusations. Let's talk about debates. Why do the big two fear debating the third party candidates? Could it be they do not want to be drawn into controversial issues that have not been addressed in this campaign. Issues like the dismal failure of the drug war which is becoming a huge burden on taxpayers, is filling our prisons, allowing police around the country to brutalize citizens, and most important it is shredding the Bill of Rights. The encroachment of the Second Amendment by gun control laws which will eventually disarm law abiding citizens and merely inconvenience criminals. A much too powerful Government which is consistently taking the freedom of choice away from the people. I personally would like to hear what perspectives presidential candidates Harry Browne of the Libertarian Party, and Ralph Nader of the Green Party could bring to this lackluster election campaign. Lee Monnet, Ogdensburg NY - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager