How Can This Be?

Don't we like to think that we are living in a democracy? In Iran, the candidates are vetted by the Supreme Religious Potentate and only those who are allowed to participate do so. So the voters only get a choice from the vetted and accepted candidates... And we call them un-democratic, dictatorship regime.

In America, the candidates are vetted by their parties, the Media (as agents of those with the power of the purse) and various industries and interests who give or withhold support for a particular candidate. So the voters only get a choice from the vetted and accepted candidates.

And how is this any different from the Iranian way of doing things? 

This is outrageous. 

Kucinich files lawsuit after party denies him place on ballot: 

"Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, along with supporter Willie Nelson, have filed a lawsuit to get Kucinich on the ballot in Texas after they say the Texas Democratic Party rejected his application.

The civil lawsuit was delivered late Wednesday afternoon to U.S. District Court for the Western District of the United States, Kucinich spokesman Andy Juniewicz said late Wednesday evening.

The lawsuit says that Kucinich was informed by the Texas Democratic Party on Wednesday that his application was 'defective' because he crossed out a loyalty oath in the application that said he would swear to support whoever the Democratic nominee for president might be."

and then there is this further supporting the theory that we are not living in a democracy and that we are only fooling ourselves in thinking that our political process is any different that that which is being exercised in Iran--they are all the same in the final outcome.

Kucinich, Hunter, Gravel cut from debates

"Saturday's prime-time presidential debates from New Hampshire will be less crowded because ABC News is excluding GOP candidate Duncan Hunter and Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel.

The candidates failed to meet benchmarks for their support that were outlined prior to Thursday's Iowa caucus, the network said Friday.
ABC said it hoped to encourage more conversation and interaction among the candidates during the debates, which will both be moderated by Charles Gibson. The stakes are high as candidates take the stage three days before the New Hampshire primary.
The Republican debate will include Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. It starts at 7 p.m. EST."