Alternative Parties: Beyond the elephant and the donkey

Peace and Freedom party striving for equality By Nathan L. Walls HORNET STAFF WRITER Published October 14, 1998 Free birth control, abortions on demand, legalized marijuana and social ownership of industry are just a few of the stances the Peace and Freedom party promotes. The party was founded in June 1967 by activists involved in the farmworkers-rights, anti-Vietnam War and civil rights movements. According to the party's Sonoma County website, the party platform is a "call to end all discrimination and oppression based on race, national origin, sex, sexual preferences, age, or physical disability; free health care for all residents, abolition of the death penalty, abortion rights, and safe workplaces." The party's statement in the 1998 Voter Information Guide released by the secretary of state said the group's vision also includes "full employment with a shorter work week and double the minimum wage." In this election, the party is running candidates for several of the state level executive position including governor, state controller, treasurer, and attorney general. The Peace and Freedom Party can be contacted by phone at (408) 688-4268 or on the Web at www.sonic.net/~emcfarla/pfpage.html.

Better government through meditation By Nathan L. Walls HORNET STAFF WRITER Published October 14, 1998 The country is suffering an epidemic of stress. In order to alleviate it, the Natural Law party proposes developing national consciousness through transcendental meditation. Claiming to be the fastest-growing third party in the county, the Natural Law party links crime, violence and other problems as results of accumulate social stress, caused by violations of natural law. The party's platform is based on returning the country to government in accordance with natural law. Their website states that principle as offering conflict-free politics and scientifically verified, cost-effective and field-tested solutions based on the intelligence of nature. The party was founded in April 1992 to promote an idea of preventative government. Natural Law candidates are running for major state executive offices, senator, and state legislative offices. However, no Natural Law candidate is running for the state legislature in local districts. The second congressional district, which covers northern California from Yuba County to the Oregon border, does have a Natural Law candidate. The Natural Law party can be contacted at www.natural-law.org or by calling (831) 425-2201.