With buffoons running the show at the local, state and national level, an already disgusted electorate is growing increasingly disillusioned with the political process. Americans in alarming numbers are throwing away their vote. Most of them do it by staying home on election day. Others are turning to third parties and supporting candidates who don't stand a chance of winning. In doing so, they stay engaged while retaining a sense of doing the right thing. At the same time, they hope to at least help frame the debate. Say what you will about Ross Perot; his bid for the presidency in 1992 shaped national political discourse and forced the mainstream candidates to address fiscal questions they would have preferred to ignore.

    This month we take a look at Ralph Nader's campaign, even though he will not be on the ballot in South Carolina. He raises issues we believe worthy of serious consideration. More important, perhaps, is initiating a dialogue about third party politics and grassroots activism. In South Carolina, where 66 percent didn't even bother to vote in the last general election, the idea of building a viable independent political force is not a ridiculous notion. Give the voters something real, we believe, and they might begin to give a damn. Any thoughts on this subject? Let us know.

    This month POINT is losing its assistant editor, Alex Todorovic. Since January 1994, Alex has been part of the family, and we will miss him. He put up with a lot over the years: skinny paychecks and no paychecks, frigid offices in winter, sweltering heat in summer, mice infestations, staff hissy fits and a company van called the Deathmobile. Nobody could have done it with more class. We wish him well.