Editor's note: The information below details platforms of four of the five third-party presidential candidates set to appear on Jackson County ballots Nov. 4. The DAILY EGYPTIAN was unable to obtain any information about the fifth candidate listed, John Joseph Polachek of the New Party. Polachek does not have a campaign Web site or any contact information filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, other than an unverified street address.
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Charles Baldwin
Party: Constitution
Background: Born May 3, 1952. Earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in theology from the Liberty Bible Institute. Currently the pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church of Pensacola, Fla. He hosts a one-hour talk-radio program, in which he takes calls from listeners about current events and discusses them with a conservative voice. He has not held a public office.
On the Issues:
Education: The federal government should not have a role in education. If elected, decisions regarding education would be turned over to local and state governments.
National defense: Has called for the nation to have a strong military, but not implement a draft. In favor of more defensive, not offensive, military tactics.
Health care: The federal government should not have a role in health care. Health care should be left to the free market.
Economy: Has opposed the government's recent bailout plan and nationalization of mortgage brokers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Said he would do away with the Federal Reserve and Treasury departments.
Environment: Before he would expand offshore drilling, alternative energy sources that do not harm the environment should be used, Baldwin has said. This plan would include ceasing production of ethanol, which in some cases have emitted more harmful greenhouse gases than gasoline.
Source from the Baldwin campaign: Gary Dunlap, Illinois campaign coordinator
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Robert Barr
Party: Libertarian
Background: Born Nov. 5, 1948. Graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1977. Former U.S. District Attorney for northern Georgia (1986-1990). Defeated for election to U.S. Senate in 1992 primary. Former Republican U.S. Congressman from Georgia (1995-2003). Defeated for re-election in 2002. Became a Libertarian in 2006. Board member of the National Rifle Association.
On the issues:
Education: Federal government should not be responsible for education. Wants to abolish the Department of Education and turn control over to communities and state governments. Government involvement decreases competition among schools and affects students' quality of education, he has said.
National defense: Emphasis should be on defense rather than offense. Wants to remove troops from Iraq, scale down forces in Afghanistan and close the majority of foreign bases throughout the world.
Health care: In support of deregulating the health care industry by decreasing government involvement. Wants to reduce health insurance costs by requiring providers to honor other states' insurance, thereby increasing competition in the market.
Economy: The government caused the economic crisis and cannot provide the solution, he has said. Wants a clear separation between companies' issues and governmental backing. Government involvement in the market artificially manipulates it and doesn't allow it to manage its own problems.
Environment: Sufficient evidence has not been presented to prove United States involvement in global warming. Environmental conservation should be left to individual choice and free market alternatives, especially in energy policy. Government intervention in environmental policy negatively impacts the economy.
Source from the Barr campaign: Andrew Davis, media coordinator
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Cynthia McKinney
Party: Green
Background: Born March 17, 1955. Elected Democratic U.S. Congresswoman for Atlanta (1993-2003). Defeated for re-election in the 2002 primary. Re-elected to Congress by the same district (2005-2007). Defeated for re-election in a special 2006 primary. Denounced the Democratic Party and declared herself a member of the Green Party in October 2007.
On the Issues:
Education: The No Child Left Behind Act should be repealed, except for children with special needs. Standardized testing compromises the quality of students' education. Free higher education should be given to students who qualify academically, she has said.
National defense: The military should completely withdraw from Iraq, Afghanistan and other military bases worldwide. Military should be used for self-defense and assisting underdeveloped nations, starting by reducing hunger.
Health care: Universal health care should be implemented to increase the quality of care. Dental and mental health care should be included. Specialized health care should be given to veterans, she has said.
Economy: Has proposed shifting funds from the military to social needs. A moratorium should be put on foreclosures and renegotiating adjustable-rate mortgages. Wants to remove private banks from the Federal Reserve and give control back to the government and taxpayers.
Environment: A program for sustainable energy and sustainable transportation should combat global warming and increase the nation's energy independence. Global warming is a crisis situation, she has said. Does not consider nuclear power to be environmentally safe.
Source from the McKinney campaign: Rich Whitney, Illinois volunteer coordinator
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Ralph Nader
Party: Independent
Background: Born February 27. 1934. Graduated from Harvard Law School. Practiced law and lectured in Connecticut. First took the national spotlight with magazine articles, and later wrote a book about safety concerns in American-made automobiles, particularly the Chevrolet Corvair. Has been a presidential candidate for various parties since 1992.
On the Issues:
Education: The government's roll is to prevent commercialism from entering the schoolhouse. Would abolish the No Child Left Behind Act and discourage use of standardized tests.
National defense: Has proposed an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Focus should be shifted toward diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Defensive budget should be cut.
Health care: Federal government should explore universal health care for all Americans for the entirety of their lives.
Economy: Wants a progressive taxation system, equal pay for women, increased childcare availability and more reasonable wages for workers.
Environment: Mountaintop coal mining should be discontinued. Country should rely less on coal burning, nuclear energy and oil.
Source: http://www.votenader.org
(Representatives from the Nader campaign did not return three phone calls and an e-mail requesting comment.)
Brandy Oxford can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or brandy.oxford@siude.com
Barton Lorimor can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 263 or barton.lorimor@siude.com
