The latest poll suggests President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry are essentially tied in Maine and that Ralph Nader can claim 3 percent of our votes.

I worked for Nader in the 1970s; I had the greatest respect for his intelligence and independence. Michael Moore campaigned for Nader in 2000, but in his book, “Stupid White Men,” he discloses that he urged Nader toward the close of the election to pull out of the swing states, and to urge his supporters to vote for Al Gore. Nader refused.

Had Nader accepted Moore’s advice, and had his supporters gone along, where would we be today? Without 1,000 American body bags coming out of the desert in Iraq, I can assure you. Without a record $7.3 trillion public debt, grown by $1.5 trillion since Bush took office. With our tax dollars available for needed services at home, rather than supporting Halliburton abroad. With cleaner air and water, healthier Maine kids.

There is a time and a place for Maine’s fine tradition for political independence. It is not in the polling booth Nov. 2. I share with author Stephen King the conviction that this is the most important election of my lifetime. I urge everyone to vote Democratic this time.

Sharon Tisher

Orono