Mike Gravel, The Most Unusual Candidate I Have Heard
I did not know too much about Mike Gravel before I went to hear him in Exeter yesterday, despite his long career as a public servant. And even after hearing him, I feel that many of his views are so unusual that I am hard-pressed to categorize them. Some highlights . . .
Mr. Gravel would like to empower all Americans to write legislation, thereby bringing them into particpative, not elective, democracy. He outlines this idea on his National Initiative website. (See below)
He believes that it is shameful that only the candidates with the most money have the clout to have their views aired by network news programs and on the big debates. It is hard not to agree with him on that one.
He seems to favor the legalization of most drugs. (I could be wrong about the "most" part; it would be worth visiting his websites.)
He believes that the reason that America is so disliked is our military presence in other countries around the world.
He would like to install a vast network of wind turbines across the country, using "off-the-shelf" wind technology, to immediately reduce pollution and our country's dependence on foreign oil.
Here are three of his Websites: http://nationalinitiative.us; http://www.gravel2008.us; and http://www.citizen-power.us
It was a very stimulating session, even though I am not entirely certain what I heard. But perhaps in this cookie-cutter election, in which all the candidates spout canned responses to the same 10 questions, that is a good thing. Mr. Gravel was a breath of fresh air.