An independent challenger for Pennsylvania's 3rd District congressional seat is trying, by way of his new book, to inspire not only voters but other potential political candidates.

Steven Porter, 64, of Wattsburg, Erie County, a retired college professor, has published a political treatise, "America's Dying Democracy."

Porter said the book, which was published Wednesday and is available in bookstores, points out how special interests control the country through both major political parties.

"To me, this book is far more important than my campaign," he said Thursday while in Butler.

The book explains Porter's premise that the Democratic and Republican parties no longer operate primarily for the benefit of the people.

In 2004 and 2006, he ran as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Rep. Phil English.

The 3rd District comprises most of Butler County, all of Erie County, and parts of Armstrong, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.

While a Democrat, Porter became disgruntled with his party after the new Congress elected in 2006 did not effect the kind of change Porter felt should be enacted.

He was disappointed that the U.S. House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, made no headway toward ending the Iraq war or addressing other issues that he considers important.

Porter blames both parties for tying candidates' hands by using money from banks, law firms and corporations in various industries.

"The payoffs are enormous," he said.

Porter said there is no significant difference in the two Democratic presidential candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and the top Republican, Sen. John McCain.

"C'mon Barack, you're not going to be an agent of change," he said.

He criticized English for falling into the same trap.

Porter said English's opposition to a health care bill, House Resolution 676, shows his partiality to the medical, particularly pharmaceutical, establishment.

The Citizens Alliance for National Health Insurance calls the bill an expanded Medicare that would create a single-payer method for medical services, eliminating redundant payment plans.

Porter cites a list of campaign contributions on the Web site www.opensecrets.org, which states health professionals as the industry giving English the most money since 1989, $624,670.

According to the Web site, the top two contributions from organizations were $70,000 from the National Auto Dealers Association and $69,843 from the American Hospital Association.

Porter regards alternative energy and fuel sources as the future. He supports the development of a Great Lakes Wind Farm, which would use wind coming from Canada, and create new jobs.

In the book, Porter bashes English for opposing the wind farm due to its $10 billion cost, but voting for the invasion of Iraq with a nearly $1 trillion price tag.

Porter again cites campaign donations as a problem with oil companies such as BP and Sunoco giving money to English.

Porter points to Congress' continuous neglect of the real issues, including the war, health care and tax reform.

"We're investigating a pitcher on the New York Yankees," he said, referring to the federal investigation into steroid use in baseball. "It's insanity."

Porter isn't just identifying what he views as problems. He poses a solution that is tied to his candidacy.

"I have at least have a suggestion of a plan that might work," Porter said.

He said a small group of independents elected to Congress could impact House decisions when its members are split on an issue.

"That's when this caucus swings into action," Porter said.

He views such independents as "horse traders" who could barter for concessions such as leaving Iraq and getting approval for the wind farm.

Porter doesn't advocate the formation of a third major political party, saying it wouldn't work.

He has found a like-minded independent in Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq in 2004. Sheehan gained international attention in 2005 for camping outside President George W. Bush's ranch in Texas.

Also a former Democrat, Sheehan wrote the forward to Porter's book. She is running as an independent for Pelosi's congressional seat in California's 8th District.

Porter is unaware of any other independent challengers for congressional seats.

He said he hopes his book inspires more people to run as independent candidates and vote for real change, restoring democracy to the country.

"The American people have been brainwashed by the limited media into thinking there are one or two ways to think and one or two ways to vote," he said. "They never step out of the box."