Daniel Chamberlain, I am happy I wasted my vote on Ralph Nader. Many people have said my vote was less important than a vote for Gore or Bush, but it meant more.

We vote for people who represent us. As a politically liberal person, I might have chosen a Democratic candidate. But today, as the candidates move closer to the center, I have been left behind. And I am not the only one. Very conservative voters have also been ignored by our two major parties. Anyone who has views that deviate from the exact average can no longer expect to be represented by the Democrats or the Republicans. Although I strongly disagree with their politics, I feel a bond with all of those who voted for Pat Buchanan or Libertarian Harry Browne in this election. We voted for people who would represent us. Our votes meant something.

In his letter to the editor, Daniel Chamberlain suggested that Nader voters were ineffective in causing change. I am afraid that it is the people who voted for a candidate who does not truly represent them that are causing a change.

If we continue down that path, we are eroding the ideals on which this republic is founded. A vote for a third party candidate can reverse that trend. And there is someone out there waiting to represent all of us.

I chose Ralph Nader and the Green Party. Others might choose the Libertarians, the Reform Party, the Socialist Party, or an independent like Jesse Ventura. On Nov. 7, I voted my conscience. In the next election, I hope everyone will.

Natalie White

Junior

Biology