My name is Chris Frazier, and I am running for Representative in House District 13 for the Green Party. I am running because, like Ralph Nader, I feel that both the Republicans and the Democrats are not representing the interests of the common people. Huge corporations and rich people finance them both, and they vote accordingly. They worked together to keep Ralph Nader out of the Presidential Debates in 2000 because they didn't want any competition. That was easy to do because the "Republicrats", as we call them, sponsor the debates. Isn't it a conflict of interest for the two main parties to own the debates? Debates are supposed to be about discussing ideas and issues, and hearing all sides of a question. But they refuse to allow the American people to hear any ideas but their own. I guess that's what they mean by bipartisanship.
But now the Green Party is here to change all that. Ralph Nader ran for President in 2000 to help the Green Party grow and become better known, and it worked. I helped with the petition drive to get signatures to put him on the ballot in Montana, and he received 6% of the vote, which is enough to keep the Green Party name on the ballot. In January 2001, our local group formed the Yellowstone County Green Party, and in December 2001 Greens from around the state met in Bozeman to form the Montana Green Party. In less than two years a few scattered activists became a legal party with a ballot line. How's that for grass roots democracy! Now that the Green Party is on the Secretary of State's website, we have gained new members that will be starting more locals across the state. Our national emblem is not an animal it is the sunflower. Watch us grow! Better yet, come and grow with us. I mentioned before how big money has corrupted politics. There is a campaign finance reform bill making its way through Congress, but even if it does become law, it only applies to Federal offices. We will have to get soft money out of Montana politics ourselves. Do you remember the avalanche of negative, really nasty, ads that overwhelmed our TV s in 2000? This year it has started already, and we don't vote until November! The best way to get rid of the ads is to never vote for anyone who runs negative ads. It's the only way they will get the message. It may not leave anyone to vote for except the Green Party, but that's OK.
I intend to conduct a simple campaign, knocking on doors and talking one-on-one with people about what they think the state should do. I will keep a notebook of those I have spoken with, so I can return to those who weren't home. I will not leave any paper stuck in your screen to be blown around your yard. This kind of campaign doesn't need much money, so I don't intend to do any fundraisers. I will have voter registration cards with me, so if you're not registered, you can fill out a card and I will turn it in for you. I want to represent all of the people in District 13, not just the few with money. I will not be visiting any businesses, because businesses don't vote. People vote. And I will represent the people, if they are kind enough to elect me.