S. C. adds party to the ballot

    The state Election Commission had not planned to include the Natural Law candidates on the November ballot because the party had not held certain reorganizational meetings. The party maintained that the meetings did not apply to it because it was not certified by the state until Aug. 5, when the state finished counting the required signatures.

    The Natural Law Party was founded in 1992 in Iowa to "bring the light of science to politics." Since then, it has made political history by being the only political party (besides the Democrat and Republican parties) to be granted national party status by the Federal Election Commission, to qualify for matching funds and to achieve ballot access in 48 states.

    Unlike Ross Perot's Reform Party, the Natural Law Party's growth has not been propelled by people with deep pockets. And, unlike the Democrats and Republicans, refuses to accept money from special interest groups. It attributes its fast grassroots growth to the country's deep dissatisfaction with politics as usual.

    Before the 1992 election, the party's presidential candidate, quantum physicist John Hagelin, directed the public policy think tank Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy. He believes that through this institute's collaborative effort with other researchbodies he has identified scientifically proven solutions to the major problems facing the country, which he claims have not been implemented because of partisan gridlock and special interest dominance in government.

    The Natural Law Party supports prevention-oriented health care, renewable energy practices, organically grown produce, crime prevention and rehabilitation programs and cutting government waste.

    The party, if nothing else, stands to gain the vote of the disaffected, the people who can't in good conscience vote for the traditional major parties. In a state that has no box for NOTA (none of the above), the Natural Law Party is the next best thing.

    The Natural Law Party, widely considered the largest and fastest-growing third party, is running 700 candidates in 47 states.

    Hagelin's running mate is author and educator Dr. Mike Tomkins, from Boone, N.C., who helped develop the party's platform.

    Seven Natural Law Party candidates are running in South Carolina. Call 800-332-0000 for a free introductory packet with details on the candidates and platform. For more information, visit the party's Web site at www.natural-law.org.