Voters interested in hearing about candidates outside the two major political parties can start off by attending the free public screening of "An Unreasonable Man" at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Downtown's Percolator Café and Gallery (217 N. Stanton between Mills and Texas). The award-winning documentary explores the extraordinary life of public service by Ralph Nader, who is running in his fourth presidential election as an independent.

Independent candidates have a long history of positive influence in American politics, a fact often forgotten. Throughout U.S. history, third parties have driven major social changes such as ending slavery, giving women the right to vote and enacting the 40-hour work week. It was a third party in Canada that made single payer health care a reality. In Nader's case, his campaign focuses on issues which he believes matter most to citizens after decades of consumer advocacy: single payer health care, ending the Iraq War, shrinking the bloated military budget, and ending corporate control of government and media.

Nader is running as a third party candidate on the ballot of 45 states, despite rigorous rules making it nearly impossible for third party candidates to be on the ballot in most states. (In Texas, Nader can be voted for as a write-in candidate.) Barriers faced by third parties due to these prohibitive ballot laws are reminiscent of the poll tax of the late 1800s, which was designed to disenfranchise poor people and keep people of color out of the voting process. Ballot access laws, in a similar fashion, keep choice off the ballot. This is why many Americans aren't even aware of the alternatives to the Democratic and Republican parties.

While the most high-profile of the independent candidates, Nader is not the only option for undecided voters. Others running in this election include former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney for the Green Party; conservative author and diplomat Alan Keyes of the American Independent Party; and former U.S. Representative Bob Barr for the Libertarian Party. It is hoped that by the presentation of this free screening and open discussion, people will have the opportunity to learn more about politicians they may better identify with and the ideal workings of a democracy.

A local volunteer for the Nader campaign will be on hand to answer questions from the audience about the presidential candidate and his running mate, Texas-born Matt Gonzalez. More information about the Nader campaign can be found at www.votenader.org.