ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 19, 1996 TAG: 9603190092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Natural Law Party, which touts meditation as a solution to some of the nation's problems, is trying to collect 16,000 signatures to get on the presidential ballot in Virginia.
Mike Tompkins of Cleveland, the party's vice presidential candidate, said at a news conference Monday that he and presidential candidate John Hagelin hope to appear on the ballot in all 50 states.
``It's really a party of new ideas,'' Tompkins said. ``We've created a broad platform a majority of Americans can stand on.''
Much of the party's platform is rooted in Transcendental Meditation, which Tompkins said can reduce crime and promote good health.
The party also promotes organic farming, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and a ``prevention-oriented'' approach to solving social problems.
Tompkins said that by promoting programs that prevent problems, government can get out of its costly crisis-management mode.
With fewer problems to deal with, he said, government could cut taxes.
Hagelin and Tompkins both work for a public policy think tank at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.
The university was founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Indian guru who counseled the Beatles in the 1960s.
Tompkins said the party promotes scientifically proven solutions to problems. For example, the party believes ``Yogic Flying'' - an advanced form of Transcendental Meditation - can ease the stress that causes crime.
``Research shows it works,'' Tompkins said. ``Anything that works, we really should be promoting it.''
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS PRESIDENTby CNB