We are reaching the final run-up of the 2008 Elections, and we are beginning to see lots of Democrat/Republican bickering in ads, and through the news. As far as I have heard, no one is honestly, really happy with either party. Both represent only slight change in where we're headed. Both candidates from the two primary parties will not do much to alter our energy policy, neither have decent education reform ideals, both speak of ramping up the military budget (already surpassing $600 billion, without considering the wars in Afganistan and Iraq). Neither promise to spearhead an effort to put the corporations back in their place, out of politics and to keep them from abusing the workers and taking advantage of those of us not so lucky to be in a high spot.

Instead, the two parties continue to fight over, quite frankly, non-issues. No matter where a person stands on the issues of abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research - these are all rights guaranteed by the Constitution in its most simple forms, and also part of the American philosophy put forth to declare our independence from British tyranny.

Regardless if you like it or not - abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research are all things people are perfectly free to do. We have far more pressing issues to deal with.

Both Republicans and Democrats make these their primary platform issues entirely because it appeals to emotions. Both parties offer essentially no change from the politics since the first World War, and personally, I think it's time to oust the two leader parties, or at least send a serious message to them.

What we should be focusing on is our energy policy - and I don't mean by opening up drilling of offshore oil to ween us off of foreign oil, I mean real efforts to change the fuel source entirely. I mean to invest seriously in solar and wind power. We, as a society, American and European alike, have done it before by switching from coal to oil. We can do it again.

What we should be focusing on is cutting down the defense budget, putting more of taxpayer dollars into programs that will actually benefit the common citizen. Not the corporations and not national interests. Defense budget alone without the wars is costing us sixty-five cents per dollar of taxes we pay the government. That leaves only thirty-five cents for education, health care, social security, transportation projects, wellfare and hundreds of other programs more relevant to us than military spending. We can do it, we just need to shift the power - drastically - in Washington.

What we should be focusing on is reversing our foreign policy, focus on us before the world, and not act as if we are the police of the world. Put more responsibility with the international community and the U.N.. Last week, Congress approved a one billion dollar aid package to Georgia. That's one billion dollars that we need here in America.

What we should be focusing on is the end of corporate control of American citizens, and a higher income rate across the board. Oil and aggressive real estate are the reasons we are currently in an economic crisis, both of which were perpetrated by excessive government support for such corporations and of the banks. The government should serve us - not the corporations.

Make your voice heard, research the other offerings. Forget the social issues that will not affect the well being of you, instead focus on the federal programs and abuses of power the politicians in power and the corporations have perpetrated. Fix the real issues.

And most of all, fight for the Constitution, a document that has been spat upon by the two parties, only enforced when it is convenient.

Fight for America. Fight for us.

Ignore the claims of change and the rhetoric of Barack Obama. Ignore the please to "Fight with me!" and "America First" and change by John McCain. Look beyond the rhetoric, and put time and thought into this election, and every election after it.

The only reason the third parties will never get anywhere is because we the people refuse to support them. The only reason we're stuck in a broken two-party system is because we allow the system to remain.

So, fight it. We, those of you over eighteen, can change it. Spread the word, support the third parties, and show those in power that real change comes from us, and not them.

To help, here's some links to the third parties.

-Nader/Gonzalas - [link]

-Barr - [link]

-McKinney/Clemente - [link]

-Moore/Alexander - [link]