Cleveland Plain Dealer

In 2007, the Libertarian Party of Ohio sued the state and former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell for ballot access. The party won the lawsuit and, along with other "minor" parties, has retained ballot access since that time -- until now. Under the new election laws, it will be virtually impossible for a political party other than the Democrats and the Republicans to run for office in Ohio.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees both the right of association and the right to equal treatment under the law. This tactic to eliminate competition from the outside further proves that there is a blurry line between to the two "major" parties, and that our constitutional rights are being stolen while we sleep.

I worked a Libertarian outreach booth this past weekend, and the disdain for both major parties is immense. The Libertarian Party believes in minimum government, fiscal responsibility and maximum freedom. It is time for America to wake up and tell the Republicans and Democrats that we have had enough party-line politics.

Robert F. Sherwin, Columbia Station