That philosophy wed him to the Libertarian Party when he was about 14, said the 20-year-old Cornell University student from Boston.
Marcella was among approximately 300 students who paused Oct. 6 to hear four virtually unknown presidential candidates present their views at Rockefeller Hall on the Cornell campus.
The free event was part of Cornell Mock Election's Lecture and Debate Series. Marcella, majoring in both atmospheric science and biological environmental engineering, spent 90 minutes of crucial study time listening, instead, to presidential hopefuls from the Libertarian, Green, Constitution and Socialist parties.
Appearances on campus by former president Bill Clinton and actor Bill Cosby were easy to pass up, but Michael J. Badnarik was a must-see Oct. 6, said Marcella.
Michael J. Badnarik? He is the Libertarian Party presidential candidate. Among the four who appeared together at Cornell Oct. 6, Badnarik is the only one whose name is listed on the presidential ballot in New York State. The other three are "write-in" candidates.
All four were critical of President Bush's handling of the Iraq war conflict. Green Party candidate David Cobb's platform includes calls for universal health care, campaign finance reform and "a rapid transition to clean, renewable energy resources." Michael Peroutka, the Constitution Party's pick for president, describes his campaign theme as "Honor God, defend the family, restore the republic."
Walt Brown, Socialist Party candidate, supports a democracy that would eliminate class, racial and gender discrimination.
The event was more symposium than debate, the atmosphere more congenial than argumentative. Schwartz Auditorium lights glared on the line-up: four white men in dark suits.
Unlike their Democratic and Republican Party counterparts in nationally televised debates, the four alternative candidates invited exuberant responses from the audience. They sat in pine armchairs during the 90-minute session and appeared to genuinely cajole one another. Socialist Brown rambled at times, reading quotes from George Orwell, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and others. All four candidates implored students to vote, and to engage civically.
Questions from audience members - most of whom will cast their first presidential votes in November - touched on renewable resources, foreign policy, poverty, small business and the minimum wage.
The most rousing applause erupted during responses to a student question about abortion. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates reacted several times to candidate statements with boisterous clapping.
Ithaca College junior Joe Brennan listened with a Republican perspective.
"I was kind of feeling better about Ithaca," he chuckled, referring to an apparent political cross-section of students at the candidate session. Brennan said he was surprised and heartened to hear a smattering of conservative views in a locale known for its liberalism.
A business major and a native of Horseheads, NY, Brennan supports the Republican presidential ticket and the GOP's tax cut proposal.
"I view our current tax system as unfair to anyone making money," he said, referring to the United States' graduated income tax system. The percentage of taxation grows by income level.
Brennan said his income level registered "zero" this past summer. First, he sold discount shoes. Then, he painted a yellow house gray. Now, he and his brother have started Brennan Fragrances, selling perfumes online.
The brothers talked about the business of politics and the politics of business. Andy Brennan, 18, drove from St. Bonaventure University in Olean to join his brother at the candidate event.
A freshman finance major, Andy Brennan said he is struggling with how he will play his ballot Nov. 2 on a congressional race.
Should he vote his heart? Let his ideals transcend practicality? Cast his vote for the conservative long shot?
Or, should he go Republican?
Brennan has but two weeks to waver.
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