You make some very good points, Whistle Stop, and reasonably stated. I would quarrel only with the fact that you consider the U. S. a democracy. This is a republic that we live in, not a democracy, and it was designed so from the beginning. That said, however, your points about compromise is absolutely on target.

Were Nader elected, and I believe the majority of us on this Thread think that is not likely, if he was working with a congress that was not sympathetic with his programs, he would get nothing done.

I seriously do believe, however, that one should vote for the person that best represents his/her own point of view, regardless of whether the candidate has much change of winning or not.

DougR