Green News and Opinion

I have hesitated to write anything about the nomination of Judge Ailto to the Supreme Court. I am not a lawyer and am not all that qualified to speak to his qualifications. I also haven't written because I haven't been sure that doing anything was worth the effort frankly. I have changed my mind, and that's in part Richard Winger's fault. To learn how, and why, to fight Alito, click the "Read more!" link...Brent McMillan, Political Director for the Green Party of the United States sent me an email. In the email he quoted a piece from the Coalition on Free and Open Elections about Judge Alito, and it got me concerned. Here's a bit from a letter to Senator Arlen Specter, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Judge Samuel Alito's decision in Council of Alternative Political Parties v Hooks, 179 F.3d 64 (1999) seems to show that he doesn't believe that electoral activity by minor party and independent candidates is healthy for the United States.

I am convinced, and think you will be too if you click the links, that Judge Alito is the sort of judge who would rule us into non-existence if he could. Frankly, the current condition of American Democracy is rough enough as is, and I want to at least try to stop this juggernaut.

So, here's my thinking. Specter is going to be hit by thousands of messages about Alito, most I would guess about abortion rights. I am sure he will get precious few about third-party issues, so let's make that stack a little bit bigger if we can.

Below is every piece of contact info I can find on Specter. If you are from PA, please get in touch via one of the local offices, as I think they have the strongest impact, and they will know you're for real. If you live elsewhere, as I do, write him in Washington DC.

Obviously, re-write the letter as you see fit, or just copy and paste, as you prefer.

Dear Senator Specter,

Judge Alito has indicated that he believes that third party and independent campaigns harm democracy, and that the state has a legitimate interest in limiting access to the ballot for those candidates.

Would you please ask him to explain his reasoning in his ruling in Council of Alternative Political Parties v Hooks, 179 F.3d 64 (1999. Further, would you please ask him to share his philosophy as to the harm caused by third party and independent campaigns. Thank you.

Sincerely,



Here's the contact info:

Washington DC Office
711 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-1229

Allentown Office
Suite 3814, Federal Building
504 W. Hamilton
Allentown, PA 18101
Tel: 610-434-1444
Fax: 610-434-1844

Erie Office
Federal Building, Suite B-120
17 South Park Row
Erie, PA 16501
Tel: 814-453-3010
Fax: 814-455-9925

Harrisburg Office
Room 1104, Federal Building
228 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Tel: 717-782-3951
Fax: 717-782-4920

Philadelphia Office
600 Arch Street
Suite 9400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215-597-7200
Fax: 215-597-0406

Pittsburgh Office
Regional Enterprise Tower (old Alcoa Building)
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1450
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Tel: 412-644-3400
Fax: 412-644-4871

Scranton Office
310 Spruce Street
Suite 201
Scranton, PA 18503
Tel: 570-346-2006
Fax: 570-346-8499

Wilkes-Barre Office
7 North Wilkes Barre Boulevard
Stegmaier Building, Room 377M
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Tel: 570-826-6265
Fax: 570-826-6266