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A Reason to Vote

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Abe Lincoln once called America, "the last best hope" for the world. Robert Roth's A REASON TO VOTE may well be the last best hope for America and the world. The bottom line -- even if you've given up on the mud, blood, and influence peddling of politics, this book will send you running back to the voting booth.

Roth's personal and powerful first person narration leaps off the page. As press secretary for the NLP, the fastest growing new political party in America, he has stood on the front lines of third-party battles to reclaim democracy and access to the ballot and the debates. He unmasks our democracy to be the most exclusionary and undemocratic of any on earth.

"How tough is it for third parties? As Richard Winger [America's leading authority on third-parties] said, in most states, Republicans and Democrats have written the laws that grant themselves automatic access to the ballot. On the other hand, in 1998, a new party must collect over 5 million valid signatures to run a full slate of candidates nationwide."

This is only the first hurdle in an obstacle course built by the two major parties, and supported by the mainstream press. We hear harrowing experiences of volunteers who, in 1996, in the face of unconstitutional opposition from the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Election Commission, and the courts (whose members are either Democrats or Republicans) achieved ballot access for NLP candidates in fifty states. We share in their exhilaration and confidence that it is possible to meet the challenge of a nation in transitiion.

That transition from a world of disconnected, selfish, quarreling factions to one of purpose and unity, is profoundly described by the doctors, scientists, teachers, and farmers that Roth interviews. We learn how close "natural law" is to our lives from world-renowned Unified Field physicist and NLP Presidential candidate, Dr. John Hagelin.

"Everything we accomplish is achieved by applying natural laws," he says. "We have the electric light courtesy of technologies that apply natural law, a man walked on the moon and a rover scoured the surface of Mars because of technologies that harness natural law, and we treat our sick with medicines that utilize laws of nature.

"The problem is that technologies can be used for good or for bad....With so much money invested in the research and development of new technologies, these technologies often get shoved into the marketplace before they are adequately tested for safety. To protect their investments, these industries also pour megabucks into the treasure chests of both the Republican and Democratic parties."

A clear view of the problem, and the amazingly simple solution -- the NLP's fool proof formula for assessing new technologies -- that they must work! It rings true even in sound bitten ears. And Mike Tompkins, NLP Vice-Presidential candidate, and descendant of former Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, tells us why, enlightening us about our nation's natural law origins,

"... before the Republicans, before the Democrats, before all the other political parties there was natural law. One of the founders of our country, John Adams, called natural law 'the Great Legislator of the Universe.' And in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, in the very beginning of the document, derived our very existence as a country and also all our rights from what he called the 'laws of nature.'

"...Our founders believed that if we could gain knowledge of natural law, of how it operates both inside us and all around us, then we would grow as individuals and also as a nation."

For the facts about genetic engineering that few reporters are aware of or brave enough to print Roth turns to the maverick molecular biologist, Dr. John Fagan, who in 1994 returned $614,000 in grant money and withdrew proposals for $1.25 million more from the National Institutes of Health in protest of the deadly direction in which genetic engineers are leading us. If anyone is still swallowing the strange science that biotechs are dishing out they're in for a jolt of the real stuff. Step by step, Fagan exposes the dangers inherent in manipulating a system which has taken millions of years to evolve.

Then comes another jolt when we learn that

"...the testing of genetically engineered substances at present is largely voluntary-more than 90% of genetically engineered foods are not required to be tested before they enter the market. Consequently, the details of the testing programs are left primarily in the hands of the developers-namely, the biotech industry. We've left the fox guarding the chickens."

But Roth energizes us again with the story of the Mothers for Natural Law, Laura Ticciati's amazing nonprofit group that has formed an unprecedented coalition of statesman, scientists, doctors, clergy, farmers, and businessman to stand up to the biotech industry.

Next Roth lets some of the nation's leading doctors describe America's 'disease care system', a system that results in more than 3 million injured by medical mistake, and more than 180,000 deaths from 'correct practice' each year. We hear about the body's inner intelligence and how natural medicine is quickly rising to become the new world standard with proven preventative measures and no negative side effects.

Crime? No problem. With powerful techniques like Transcendental Meditation, Judges report addicts stay out of prison and off drugs, and the American Heart Association says the neglected victims of crime , the elderly, become free of hypertension.

Throughout this invincible book, from schools that foster creative genius, to a global information economy that encourages perpetual learning, to a peacekeeping force that will make war finally impossible, Roth keeps the emphasis on powerful, practical, and proven solutions. It will empower all who read it. Free of the Donkey and the Elephant at last, we could vote with our heads on straight in the the first year of the millenium

We now have a reason to vote.

"A Reason to Vote" opened my eyes to the state of our democracy, and how we the people have been denied any substantive choice of leaders by the crushing two-party system and by the tyranny of special interest lobbies. However, more important than exposing the problems, Mr. Roth offers a practical solution that empowers his readers to turn around the deplorable state of politics and government in the USA: The Natural Law Party. "A Reason to Vote" is so powerful it has even inspired me, a person who could be described as usually apolitical, to join the Natural Law Party and run for office!

The importance of this book can't be overstated. You will learn about the deplorable state of American democracy and be infuriated. But you will also learn about what can be done and be motivated to be part of the solution.

I am 41 years old, and have been on a self growth and spiritual path for most of my life. I feel that I have attained a comfortable level. I have recently felt the urge to give something back to society - As with most people I have been disgusted with politics and the two headed monster goverment/corporation. So getting involved politically was not an option, I felt the republican, democrat elite were too entrenched to make changes untill I read this book. It has changed me. I will fight for The Natural Law Party because of all that it stands for. It doesn't matter if it's a loosing battle, because I think the war will eventually be won. The NLP is the healthiest, soulfull, holistic approach we humans can take to heal this country - when we win other countries will follow. If we don't win in my time at least I will be happy with my self - 88 years old with only memories of a noble endeavour. This book changed my life.

I must admit that I have just recently purchased the book during the election campaign off the Natural Law Party's website to help me learn more about the party. Instead I am learning more than I bargained for. Not only is the Natural Law Party covered but also the 3rd Party movement in general and the importance they have and continue to play in our country's history.

After the debacle this last election has turned out to be and the governments continued deaf ear to our need for fresh ideas I have already ordered enough for my family and friends. Although definitely a different twist to my ordinary holiday purchases I think this one could be the most useful.

The book is easy to read and interesting enough to hold your attention. Big party politicians may not want you to hear the message given by this book because there will be competition for their positions but every disheartened voter needs this book to help show them that there is hope.

A Reason to Vote gives Americans a glimpse of the difference a foundational solution can make to calm the atmosphere of violence in schools. The principal of a Washington, DC inner city school tells his experience in quelling student violence with the introduction of a simple, mental technology made available to students who wanted to learn it. Better grades and better behavior was the remarkable result. Associated Press writer Alan Clendenning wrote this about the recent New Orleans school shooting: "Yet none of the traditional ways of ensuring school safety could stop gunfire from erupting Tuesday as a 13 year old and a 15 year old traded shots in the school's crowded breezeway." A Reason to Vote suggests there is way of ensuring school safety that shows promise of working. Read it and vote.

As a believer in third party politics (a Green Party supporter), I was intrigued with the philosophy and platform of the Natural Law Party. It is very much a philosophy, one that even borders upon spirituality, yet it does have an interesting platform as well. When it comes to politics, we do have a choice!

The primary value of this book is that it provides a refreshing platform from which we can view the critical issues facing the future of civilization with a mind to implementing meaningful change.

We have attained a level of facility with nature whereby we have any number of means available to us for irrevocably damaging the entire planet as the result of fairly simple careless behavior on the part of a relatively small number of 'short-sighted' individuals.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, America is a country where this is more true than anywhere else on earth.

Particularly when it comes to the influence exerted on national policy by large corporations. They are led by "pillars" of the community whose primary concern is profit. They have an insatiable appetite for profit and for simplistically applying any and all means, including enormously complex late breaking scientific discoveries, to that end.

These are the special interest groups.

These people ultimately control the destiny of the nation. And in the case of America, the world.

The agenda needs to be shifted toward humanitarian end.

Whatever track one takes, if creativity is applied toward genuine humanitarian goals, profit is always there to be made.

The Natural Law Party offers a platform for those of pure heart to unify and address in a loud voice that we cannot and will not allow special interests to overide the obvious need to embark on a more meaningful agenda.

Read it! You will be impressed.

Robert Roth is disillusioned with the inequalities he sees in our political system. The Democrats and Republicans have made it nigh impossible for alternative parties to get on the ballot. So what's a former Bobby Kennedy supporter to do?

Sadly, Roth's answer lies in the Natural Law Party, a motley crew of scientists, greens, and others whose goal is to raise collective consciousness and create a society "more in accord with natural law".

Unfortunately, a lot remains undefined in Roth's wide-eyed if rambling prose, including a definition of "natural law" itself. What definition there is could apply to just about anything, because nothing Roth says about natural law in its "pure" form is transferable into the mishmash of anti-nuke, organic, coalition-of-scientists statism that is at the heart of NLP philosophy.

The book contains enough sleight-of-hand and straw man arguments to persuade those who really don't pay too much attention to this sort of thing, but this is what makes it particularly insidious. Do we really think that a coalition of TM meditators in Iraq would defuse tensions with Saddam Hussein? Call me a pessimist, but methinks he'd use it as an excuse to shoot more of his citizens and the TMers as well. And if it did work (which I'd love to believe that it WOULD), what's to stop them from sending meditators to any perceived "problem"? Is Cuba a problem? Wall Street? Any private alternative to government function? Does the author know or care?

A 50-year moratorium on genetically engineered foods? Why didn't we put a 50-year moratorium on cars in 1908? That would've solved EVERYTHING!

Roth (and John Hagelin, the NLP candidate in 1996 and 2000) also seem to put undue faith on scientists' ability to be impartial. While corruption certainly exists in our society today, the NLP merely replace one set of hobgoblins with another. "Unified field theory" is something that serious sceintists disagree on, but you wouldn't know that from this book, in which it is accepted and presented as literal, unalterable fact.

Will a NLP government represent a coalition of scientists with diverse opinions, or rather merely ones which parrot the party line? I think we all know the answer to this one, too. Back to the days when scientists measured the thickness of skulls to pick out the Jews, I guess. These are certainly the ramifications if we allow Hagelin's agenda science free rein.

What disturbs me the most, however, is that the Natural Law Party does not seem to trust people very much at all or to allow for different points of view. Perhaps organic food is the wave of the future-- but this doesn't mean it needs to be governmentally subsidized, for God's sake! Perhaps elections are corrupt as is, but public financing (forcing people to direct money not at one candidate they don't like, but thousands) is not going to solve anything. The NLP addresses the Zeitgiest gamut of hot-button issues, but attacks them like a dog barks at invisible fencing-- it knows something is wrong, but fails to not only find a solution, but also to grasp what exactly the problem is.

In the marketplace of ideas, this is not one that will gain broad support or withstand scrutiny. At least the Libertarians(like me, in the interest of disclosure), Greens, Constitution, Socialist, etc. parties are consistent in their ideologies. (Word to the wise: The "fastest-growing new party" actually shrank in registered voters from 1996 to 2000.)

Points, however, for correctly identifying with the problems smaller parties face in getting on the ballot. 75 pages of the 320 page book have merit, at least.

This review is a star and a half, or 3 out of 10.

Robert Roth is disillusioned with the inequalities he sees in our political system. The Democrats and Republicans have made it nigh impossible for alternative parties to get on the ballot. So what's a former Bobby Kennedy supporter to do?

Sadly, Roth's answer lies in the Natural Law Party, a motley crew of scientists, greens, and others whose goal is to raise collective consciousness and create a society "more in accord with natural law".

Unfortunately, a lot remains undefined in Roth's wide-eyed if rambling prose, including a definition of "natural law" itself. What definition there is could apply to just about anything, because nothing Roth says about natural law in its "pure" form is transferable into the mishmash of anti-nuke, organic, coalition-of-scientists statism that is at the heart of NLP philosophy.

The book contains enough sleight-of-hand and straw man arguments to persuade those who really don't pay too much attention to this sort of thing, but this is what makes it particularly insidious. Do we really think that a coalition of TM meditators in Iraq would defuse tensions with Saddam Hussein? Call me a pessimist, but methinks he'd use it as an excuse to shoot more of his citizens and the TMers as well. And if it did work (which I'd love to believe that it WOULD), what's to stop them from sending meditators to any perceived "problem"? Is Cuba a problem? Wall Street? Any private alternative to government function? Does the author know or care?

A 50-year moratorium on genetically engineered foods? Why didn't we put a 50-year moratorium on cars in 1908? That would've solved EVERYTHING!

Roth (and John Hagelin, the NLP candidate in 1996 and 2000) also seem to put undue faith on scientists' ability to be impartial. While corruption certainly exists in our society today, the NLP merely replace one set of hobgoblins with another. "Unified field theory" is something that serious sceintists disagree on, but you wouldn't know that from this book, in which it is accepted and presented as literal, unalterable fact.

Will a NLP government represent a coalition of scientists with diverse opinions, or rather merely ones which parrot the party line? I think we all know the answer to this one, too. Back to the days when scientists measured the thickness of skulls to pick out the Jews, I guess. These are certainly the ramifications if we allow Hagelin's agenda science free rein.

What disturbs me the most, however, is that the Natural Law Party does not seem to trust people very much at all or to allow for different points of view. Perhaps organic food is the wave of the future-- but this doesn't mean it needs to be governmentally subsidized, for God's sake! Perhaps elections are corrupt as is, but public financing (forcing people to direct money not at one candidate they don't like, but thousands) is not going to solve anything. The NLP addresses the Zeitgiest gamut of hot-button issues, but attacks them like a dog barks at invisible fencing-- it knows something is wrong, but fails to not only find a solution, but also to grasp what exactly the problem is.

In the marketplace of ideas, this is not one that will gain broad support or withstand scrutiny. At least the Libertarians(like me, in the interest of disclosure), Greens, Constitution, Socialist, etc. parties are consistent in their ideologies. (Word to the wise: The "fastest-growing new party" actually shrank in registered voters from 1996 to 2000.)

Points, however, for correctly identifying with the problems smaller parties face in getting on the ballot. 75 pages of the 320 page book have merit, at least.

This review is a star and a half, or 3 out of 10.