Currently, these are the viable minor political parties in the U.S.: ----AMERICAN-INDEPENDENT PARTY---founded in 1968, they ran George Wallace, the break away Democratic governor from Alabama as their first candidate for president. Priding themselves as a no-nonsense, law and order party, they support strong penalties for crimes, including drug use, support the death penalty, oppose abortion, and vow to fight any war the U.S. enters to a conclusive finish. Their support,over the years, has remained steady among arch conservative people who feel the Republicans do not go far enough to the right. ---GREEN PARTY--as their name indicates, they have strong programs to preserve the environment. They do not feel either major party is doing enough in conservation, and they sponsor programs to regulate businesses and other sources of pollution. They issue strong warnings against global warming. They also have programs for the poor, and more honest government. Their candidate for president in 2000, long time activist, Ralph Nader, ran a strong campaign, often taking votes away from Democrats in some states. They are growing rapidly in some parts of the country, especially the western states.Their 2008 presidential candidate is ex-congresswoman Cynthia McKinney ---LIBERTARIAN PARTY---started in 1971 by breakaway Republicans who were angered by Republican President Richard Nixon’s implementation of wage and price controls, and acceptance of huge budget deficits. Calling themselves “peaceful anarchists”, this party wants to limit government at all levels, and drastically cut, if not even eliminate, the income tax. They would do this by eliminating many government departments, and cut the military to a size just big enough to defend against foreign attack. Although fiscally conservative, they are very strong on personal civil liberties, which they equate with freedom or liberty. Although they do not necessarily condone the activities of drug use, prostitution, or gambling, they support a person’s right to engage in them if it is their personal choice. Their 2008 presidential candidate is ex-congressman Bob Barr. ---PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY--the closest thing the U.S. still has to a socialist party. Started in 1968 in (where else?) Berkeley, they support government ownership of many major industries, huge welfare uplift programs for the poor, unlimited abortion, and legalized drug use. Their support remains small, and in some states they do not qualify for the ballot. Their 2008 presidential candidate is activist and reformer Ralph Nader. ---REFORM PARTY--formed in 1992 by H. Ross Perot, a billionaire oil man. They stress programs for fiscal responsibility and to get rid of budget deficits. They also support campaign finance reform laws. They differ from most parties, major or minor, in advocating a high tariff to protect American business and industry. Their most famous winner was Jesse Ventura, former Navy seal, professional wrestler, and movie actor who was elected governor of Minnesota. Ventura received little or no co-operation from the Democrats and Republicans in the Minnesota state legislature, and served a largely ineffective term as governor.