"I could not in good conscience vote for either of those 2 parties."

Well, Little Hawk, I see a problem there. I agree that both parties in general serve the interests of big business. But as you say, there is a difference. And given the established record of progressive-leaning third parties doing little more than drawing votes away from the Democrats with the ultimate result that the Republicans (who don't even give lip-service to anything vaguely resembling social programs, and the Dems at least give that much) win, thereby defeating their own purpose, in good conscience one must make a choice when voting time comes along, or simple stay home and glower at the wall. In short, give up. Of course, rather than staying home on election day, one can sop one's conscience by voting for one of the third party candidates, but that accomplishes nothing save being able to feel smug about one's sense of personal integrity, no matter how short-sighted and self-defeating it may be under the current circumstances.

I still maintain that Thom Hartmann's article, which I have linked to on several of these threads (so here it is YET AGAIN), is the way to go.

But what Hartmann recommends takes getting out there and getting involved. It takes a lot of time and it's a lot of work. Most people, it seems, would rather just sit back and belly-ache. The attitude seems to be "Let George do it." Well, that's the problem! George is doing it!

Remember, only you can stamp out flaming ducks!

Don Firth