The 2016 presidential election is about a month away. When the campaign season started over a year ago, many candidates were vying for the White House — in fact, at one time early in the race, more than 90 people said they were running.

What happened to all of these candidates? For the most part, they were shunned by the corporate media and the political establishment, except for the privileged few who were well-connected. Those few would be Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. This is American politics today, where privilege overrides democracy.

Our choices for president were quickly boiled down for us by the corporate media and the political establishment to one Democrat and one Republican. The wealthy 1 percent and corporate America continue to be their partners in this crime.

I no longer see a difference between the Democratic and Republican parties. Many of the Democrats and Republicans in national politics have large corporate sponsors who have bought and paid for their candidacies. They own these candidates. They have no real interest in helping the average working American who lives on Main Street America.

Clinton and Trump are the political aristocracy of America today. They represent Wall Street and the wealthy 1 percent. They are not going to represent those of us that occupy the 99 percent category. If you believe these two candidates are going to do something good for America, you are sadly mistaken.

Clinton and Trump will say anything to get elected. Americans should have learned a hard lesson by now: The Democrats and Republicans have destroyed America. The Democratic and Republican parties need to be broken up like we need to break up the big banks on Wall Street. Clinton and Trump will do only what is good for their bank accounts or foundations.

There was a lot of media hype about the first presidential debate between Clinton and Trump on Sept. 26, which was televised by the corporate media. These debates mean nothing. Don’t get sucked into believing that they matter. Fact-checkers for these debates are overwhelmed by the lies and half-truths. These debates should be disqualified as having any kind of legitimacy. They are not sanctioned by the American people.

Clinton apologized at the first debate for her email scandal, claiming that she made a mistake. She thinks that the American people are that naive. FBI Director James Comey performed a major political favor by not indicting her. How many political favors has Clinton received from the Obama administration to cover her lawbreaking? Add the DNC/Clinton rigged primary elections to that list.

Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, is the only answer to America’s political conundrum. Here is a quote from Stein’s website: “My Power to the People Plan creates deep system change, moving from the greed and exploitation of corporate capitalism to a human-centered economy that puts people, planet, and peace over profit.

“It offers direct answers to the economic, social and ecological crises brought on by both corporate political parties. And it empowers the American people to fix our broken political system and make real the promise of democracy.

“This plan will end unemployment and poverty; avert climate catastrophe; build a sustainable, just economy; and recognize the dignity and human rights of everyone in our society and our world. The power to create this new world is not in our hope, it’s not in our dreams — it’s in our hands.”

You have to admire Stein for fighting through so many tough roadblocks put in her way by the Democrats and Republicans to gain national recognition. Stein is a fighter on behalf of America’s poor, the hungry and the racially abused. Stein has shown her strength of character and worthiness by working side-by-side with the flood victims in Louisiana and protesting with the Native Americans against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Stein and her platform represent what millions of Americans want: freedom from inequality and racial prejudice.

Don’t worry about what Jill Stein can accomplish with a stubborn Congress. We the people will make sure progress is made. This will be part of the new revolution.

Voting for Jill Stein is not a wasted vote. Voting for Clinton or Trump are the wasted votes. Voting for them is voting for everything that is wrong with America.

Jill Stein represents a new beginning for America. Visit Stein’s website: Jill2016.com. This is where America’s future is. Stein will guide us to a new democracy in America. Stein is the breath of fresh air that America needs. Stein can save America.

Randy Fricke lives in New Castle. He is an environmental advocate and political activist and author of “If I Were President/Saving Main Street America.”