In the wake of the second presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, pundits have been spinning frenetically over which candidate “won.” The real winner was neither McCain nor Obama – it was militarism, plain and simple.

Between McCain’s absolute, unyielding commitment to the unwarranted and unjustified occupation of Iraq, and Obama’s insistence that U.S. forces should be redirected to Afghanistan, as it is somehow a more “just” or “noble” conflict, neither of these candidates stands for peace, justice or the rule of law.

It is unfortunate viewers were denied hearing from a candidate who does embody those values – independent Ralph Nader. Nader, and other independent candidates like Cynthia McKinney and Libertarian Bob Barr, are routinely and unjustly prohibited from participating in the presidential debates, which are controlled exclusively by the two dominant parties and their corporate sponsors.

As a result, voters are denied hearing contrarian, dissident viewpoints on the crucial issues of our time. Ralph Nader’s campaign entails an end to military aggression in the Middle East; implementing a universal, single-payer healthcare system for all; clamping down on Wall Street’s corrupt, corporate crime, which led to our current financial crisis; and investing in solar and wind power – not nuclear – to reverse the effects of global warming and end our reliance on foreign oil.

With the Republicans and Democrats becoming increasingly indistinguishable by the day, America needs real progressive voices to enter the political arena. I say, enough of one-party, corporate rule. Let Nader debate.

Adam Marletta

Old Town