1998 Ron Paul 87:1 Mr. PAUL.
Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
1998 Ron Paul 87:2 My amendment, once again, lowers
and standardizes the required signatures
to get Federal candidates on the
ballot. There is a great deal of inequity
among the States, and it works against
the minor candidates and prevents
many from even participating in the
process.
1998 Ron Paul 87:3 For this reason, many individuals
have lost interest in politics. They are
disinterested, and every year it seems
that the turnout goes down. This year
is no exception. Forty-two percent of
the American people do not align
themselves with a political party.
Twenty-nine percent, approximately,
align themselves with Republicans and
Democrats. Yet, the rules and the laws
are written by the major party for the
sole purpose of making it very expensive
and very difficult, and sometimes
impossible, to get on the ballot.
1998 Ron Paul 87:4 If we had more competition and more
openness, we would get more people
out to vote. It would not clutter the
ballot, it would not have overcrowding,
but it would allow discourse, and it
would be beneficial to the process.
