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              THE MAROON VOL. 79, NO. 13 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2000 | MAROON.LOYNO.EDU History at hand in today's election By Luke Kummer Staff writer After the polls close and the votes are tallied today, each presidential candidate will uncork either the champagne or the whiskey and evaluate his campaign. The voters' work will be done for a while. It will then be up to analysts to start explaining what happened and why; it will be up to the historians to record what they discern for posterity. What will they write? What will election 2000 mean 50 years from now? Why is this election significant? During this election season a number of important issues and themes have arisen. Some see this election year as a challenge of the two-party paradigm dominating U.S. politics. 'There's a trend toward a third party and they are getting some political traction," said Emily Sneed, public relations director for Louisiana Victory 2000, an extension of the Democratic Party. A Political Force The Rev. Leo Nicoll, S.J., associate history professor, is enthusiastic about such a change. Though Nicoll advises the Loyola College Republicans, he calls himself an independent. "We need a third party — maybe like what | Ralph | Nader is doing," he said. Some people are speculating on the impact of Nader's campaign. "Nader may have opened the door for Americans to question the monopoly of the twoparty system," said Anthony Ladd, sociology chairman. Some people think key factors in this election can solidify the Green Party as a political force. 'The most important thing about us running a national campaign this year is that it establishes us for future elections," said Michael Kaplan, media coordinator for the Louisiana Green Party. "The government gives $ 12.5 million to all of the candidates who receive 5 percent of the popular vote in the previous election. We have a chance to access that money for down the road." he said. However, Kaplan points to more important achievements. "All that money will get us is some TV ads and a full-time paid staff. ... What we're doing this year that matters most is introducing people to the Green Party and common sense democracy." he said. Kaplan said the foundations are being laid. "We realize that the only way for us to have a real national impact is to start from the bottom and work our way up," he said. Ladd said among the reasons Americans look for a third party today is they sense their political options narrowing in the traditional system. THE FINAL ROUND IN THE RING BUSH GORE FOREIGN POLICY/TRADE • "Peace is not ordained, it is • Considers America the earned." leader; U.S. trade agreements • Wants to end tariffs to protect workers and • Expand trade environment DEFENSE  • Strength, purpose and • Supports phased weapons promise of swift punishment "build down" • Rebuild military power and • Boost defense spending by increase spending $100 billion over 10 years GUN CONTROL • Stronger enforcement of • Ban assault weapons and existing gun laws junk guns; crack down on gun • Instant background checks; shows automatic detention for • Introduce mandatory photo juvenile crimes involving guns licenses for handgun purchases HEALTH CARE • Give patients and doctors • Access to high quality more flexibility affordable health care for kids • Does not support phasing • Opposes congressional cuts out Medicare or Medicaid to Medicare and Medicaid EDUCATION • Bonuses to poor schools * Opposes teaching creationism • Private-school vouchers * More charter schools TAXES • Eliminate inheritance tax • Against tax cuts ENVIRONMENT  • Voluntary clean-ups by • Preserve open spaces, corporations building and renovations, • Supports air and water improve water quality quality improvement projects •SI billion to promote smart • Increase domestic energy growth policies; keep all exploration decisions local STAFF GRAPHICS BY ELIZABETH STUART Source: www.aboul.com PHOTO COURTESY OF www.algore.com PHOTOCOURTESYOFMIMHRMaQO.com Nader factor: Third party adds up to competition By Jason Dupuy Assistant News Editor Ralph Nader may not win this election, but because of his fervor, the Green party has become an important factor in the race. While George W. Bush and Al Gore received the most attention, Nader and the Green Party have steadily gained support, especially on college campuses. Although many see the party as strictly an environmental group, its politics are much broader, said Tonya Jordan, Green Party of Louisiana state field officer. The party started 30 years ago in Germany and was built on four pillars: social justice, nonviolence, decentralization and ecological wisdom, she said. The American incarnation of the party builds on these ideas and includes feminism, respect for diversity, community-based economics, grassroots democracy, personal and global responsibility and economic justice, she said. "What the Green Party and Ralph Nader both realize is that none of these goals can begin to take shape until the power structure |in America| is reorganized," Jordan said. The Green Party wants to abolish the Electoral College so that people will directly choose the president. Its members also say the media and large corporations have control over both of the major parties. "Regardless of whichever candidate wins, the interests of those corporations will be represented," Jordan said. The party's main focus in the election is to show how corporate interests control American politics. "Most people realize that things are wrong, but See PRESIDENT, Pg. 3 See NADER, Pg. 3 Nothin' r« n * But lICI httn://mamnn Inunn prill  CHECK THE MAROON ONLINE TONIGHT FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE RESULTS Loyoltt University New Orleans HI Waßt.jfaM I PAGE 6 4gk W SPECIAL ELECTION DAY EDITION