The Worthyness of a Wasted Vote

[Petra]

I vote 3rd party because I don't want to not use my vote, but in good conscience I CAN NOT vote for Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dumb. I just can't.

Besides, I have doubts that the electoral college even waits for my vote before coming to a conclusion so I guess it doesn't matter in the end.

 

[Jagger69]

I always vote. Voting is especially important as it applies to local, county and state candidates, propositions and referenda....things that are much more likely to have an impact on your everyday life than those elected to national or congressional office do. I voted Green Party for president in 2000 (Ralph Nader) and that was the last time I voted my conscience (Kerry once and Obama twice). No more. It's my conscience from here on out. If enough of us voted our conscience instead of the lesser of two evils perhaps we could build a legitimate third party.

Then again, maintaining the present system is in the best interest of the plutocracy that REALLY calls the shots so they aren't likely to want things disturbed much.

 

[lurkingdirk]

If enough of us voted our conscience instead of the lesser of two evils perhaps we could build a legitimate third party.

I like the sentiment in this, though I'm not sure I believe it. I don't think enough Americans care enough to actually find out about alternative candidates, and to vote with a clear conscience for those candidates. I think voting falls into the "meh" category, and people pick between the big names they've actually heard about because of the millions of dollars spent on campaigning.

 

[Mayhem]

Know who I'd like to see on a ticket?

Elizabeth Warren. She recently said she's absolutely, positively not running for Prez and that's a GODDAMM SHAME!!! Sorry, I had to vent.

If she changes her mind (and I pray to all Gods that she does), I'm buying a 55 gallon barrel of 5-Hour Energy and volunteering at her local campaign office. I'll mop the fuckin' floors and take out the trash if that's what's needed. I honestly cannot fathom anyone else who I would trust.

 

[lurkingdirk]

Elizabeth Warren. She recently said she's absolutely, positively not running for Prez and that's a GODDAMM SHAME!!! Sorry, I had to vent.

If she changes her mind (and I pray to all Gods that she does), I'm buying a 55 gallon barrel of 5-Hour Energy and volunteering at her local campaign office. I'll mop the fuckin' floors and take out the trash if that's what's needed. I honestly cannot fathom anyone else who I would trust.

Really? I just don't know if she's the leader you seem to think she is. She doesn't have the support of her party as she needs it. It'd be interesting, to say the least.

Let's list some other possible party leaders, both sides. Who should be next on the ticket, any ticket. Anyone going to throw out Jeb Bush?

 

[Jagger69]

Elizabeth Warren. She recently said she's absolutely, positively not running for Prez and that's a GODDAMM SHAME!!! Sorry, I had to vent.

If she changes her mind (and I pray to all Gods that she does), I'm buying a 55 gallon barrel of 5-Hour Energy and volunteering at her local campaign office. I'll mop the fuckin' floors and take out the trash if that's what's needed. I honestly cannot fathom anyone else who I would trust.

No way she makes it. Too honest and forthright. I think she'd make an outstanding president if she didn't face the same insurmountable roadblocks that Obama is facing. Not a legitimate option probably.

Alternatively, if one of the major parties had another compelling, fresh candidate that could possibly act as a true unifier....I might be tempted to vote for him/her. Can't be just a facade like Obama has been (but how do you know???). He had such potential and was (is) unable to get it done. The republicans have simply refused to go along with anything on his agenda and he has not been able to find a way to work around their obstructionist tactics. I'm not sure who might have the right qualities to bridge that gap. Chris Christie? I dunno.....do the democrats react in kind with a republican president? Don't we just get more of what we have now if Hillary is elected?

I think I'll probably just go back to the Green Party (with whose platform I am in almost total agreement). They are libertarians on steroids. Oh how I wish their nominee could be elected. I'm going to try to help make that happen.

 

[Rattrap]

I get what you're saying, but where exactly is a third and/or fourth Party supposed to come from? What belief system are we looking for?

Libertarianism. I don't mean from the party, I mean the opposing system to authoritarianism - which I suppose is my main problem with the two parties we have now. The Republicans represent the authoritarian right, and the Democrats represent the authoritarian-more-to-the-left-but-really-still-pretty-right, conservative rhetoric aside (just look at all the pro-big business laws Obama has signed and corporate profits under his presidency). Proper liberals - from liberty, personal freedoms and responsibility, don't seem to really exist in the main parties. The Republicans like to talk about it a lot, but it takes a few seconds perusing their track record to see that's utter bullshit.

I think the government has roles to play. I think it's playing well beyond them, and neither Democrats or Republicans agree.

I think I'll probably just go back to the Green Party (with whose platform I am in almost total agreement). They are libertarians on steroids. Oh how I wish their nominee could be elected. I'm going to try to help make that happen.

I voted for Stein last election for the same reason. I might switch up to the Libertarian candidates in the future just because I think they're closer to not necessarily winning, but doing well enough to get attention. I'd like to think that's where to start and get a change going, but then again that didn't work out in the 90's.

I vote 3rd party because I don't want to not use my vote, but in good conscience I CAN NOT vote for Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dumb. I just can't.

:thumbsup:

Besides, I have doubts that the electoral college even waits for my vote before coming to a conclusion so I guess it doesn't matter in the end.

I don't think I've come across a compelling argument for keeping the electoral college yet. I hear a lot of 'city control vs country' arguments, but none of them can answer why a person living out in the country should be represented considerably more than a person living in the city.

 

[HehehehehehehehehehahaHyena]

We should go all Starship troopers on the electoral system.