Americans do need third political party: Ex-presidential candidate

Press TV has conducted an interview with Merlin Miller, a former US presidential candidate from Tehran, about the impact of two-party system on the US presidential election.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: For how long will the US politics be run by the two-party system when the need for a third party is so apparent and the void is so evident?

Miller: I think you’re right, there is a tremendous need for a third party in America, but like this poll shows I really believe this is a circus and most the American people are coming to realize that they have no legitimate representation that the two major parties and their candidates are established candidates. They truly represent special interest groups and not the American people.

Press TV: Well, 22 percent of the likely voters do not support either of the candidates. That’s pretty much alluding that this group may decide to vote for a third party candidate in the November election. What alternatives do they have, as you just mentioned that many believe that they do not have legitimate representation when it comes to the two major parties in the United States?

Miller: Well, yes in fact I think the 22 percent is probably low. I think most Americans would in fact support a third party candidate if they had one that truly was on the ballot in every state that had legitimate chance to be in the debates that could get any legitimate media coverage. Unfortunately, that’s just not allowed. You see that in any effort that’s made by a third party today, the system is designed to be controlled by the Republicans and the Democrats. And there’s no legitimate voice for we, the people, the grassroots Americans. In fact, I’m involved right now in building a new party with legitimate hopes of actually becoming a viable party that could in fact threaten the dominance of the two major parties.

Press TV: In the bigger picture, how can the status quo change?

Miller: It will only change if the American people start to wake up and there are a number of problems in America today. The American people are aware that we’re in trouble. There are a lot of problems affecting America. The major parties are not dealing with these issues. Unfortunately, our mainstream media does not even address the major issues that are affecting the average Americans. So, I think if we had any form of alternative media, Press TV is doing a great job, but within America we need other alternative voices that could truly penetrate the mainstream media and educate the American people. We have a number of alternative sites. I’ve just published a book – “Eagles Are Gathering” -- with an effort to try to educate the American people to the realities and what choices we truly do have to try to correct this corrupt system.

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