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Demonstrators question legitimacy of Bush administration

vieuxcmaq, Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 12:00

Chuck Tripp (chucktripp@hotmail.com)

Penny Archibalg-Stone's speech, intended as a link to the anti-inaugural demonstration article that has already been submitted.

Two years ago I was introduced to the Green Party. When I read through their platform I got very excited. I kept saying, "Yes,yes! This is what I believe in, this is what I've been working for, this makes sense. I want this to happen in Utah."

There are four sections to the platform: 1) Democracy and Political Reform; 2) Social Justice and Equal Opportunity; 3) Environmental Sustainability; and 4) Economic Sustain-
ability. I am going to read just a few proposals the Green Party has for political reform.

(READS FROM THE PARTY PLATFORM)

Now, I want you to participate as active citizens. I've given a lot of speeches around the valley, particularly in my work with Habitat in the past. The most memorable and
inspiring was at the downtown Calgary Baptist Church. When they hear something they like, they say, "Amen!" When you hear something you like, say "Amen!" or "Yes!" (means the same).

Instant runoff voting (IRV) is one of the proposals the Green Party of Utah wants to start working on this year. If IRV was already in our system, there wouldn't be the
need for this kind of protest rally. Let me explain how it would have worked in the last election.

I along with the 36,000 Utahns who voted for Nader, would have ranked him as my number one choice. I would have ranked Gore as number two, and I could have given a number three to someone else. When the votes were tabulated, if Nader, Gore or Bush had had a majority, meaning 51%, they would have been declared the winner. If none of them had that majority, then the candidate with the fewest votes-perhaps Nader-would have been eliminated. My second choice would have been Gore, so mysecond choice vote now gets added to Gore's tally along with everyone else's second
choice vote.

(READS FROM GREEN PARTY BROCHURE #5)

IRV is used successfully around the world and in some states around the U.S. The Republican Party in Utah instituted it in their primary elections this year. I called their headquarters and questioned them about it. Then I asked how they'd feel about using IRV in our statewide elections. I was told, "Oh no, I would be against that." Why? It would give power to third parties. What's wrong with that? "We don't want such
competition."

The Green Party intends on being a part of the political landscape, and we are going to push for real reform. Right now, we are trying to gain ballot access. We need 2000
signatures by February.

If you believe that a multiparty democracy is the best way to guarantee majority rule, come see me. I have ballot access petitions for you to sign.



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