“Under the current system, we get one vote every two years to indicate what flavor of tyranny we wish to be inflicted with.”
“Third parties give the far-sighted voter a way to make a visible statement and have a greater impact on the direction the country moves far into the future.” Rick Gaber
I’ve been searching for the article that would articulate clearly why voting third party is not a “wasted vote”, or a “vote against so-and-so”. I’ve gathered some bits and pieces in an attempt to challenge you to really think about this. I don’t want to be insulting, but this is just one issue where it’s so easy to see how we’ve raised a generation of people who don’t think…we think we think, but “they” tell us what to think! So, I beg you, read and think!
The first thing people must come to terms with is that voting third party in this election is not going to get their chosen candidate into office this time. But wasted? Absolutely not. Your vote is the voice of who you are and what you stand for. It sends a message–“We’re not going to compromise…give us someone who stands for what we do”.
Consider these thoughts:
“The only wasted vote is the one not cast. EVERY vote cast does a job. It shows what the voter thinks is important. A vote for a third party (actually a second party because there isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the Republocrats and the Demoblicans, both going to the exact same place – Socailist dictatorship) is a vote for real change. Not Obama and McCain change, but real change.”
“Half of registered voters don’t vote. Not voting is not a protest; not voting is submission to those who would run your life for you. A third party vote by a significant number of citizens will be noticed. If you want to move the two parties apart, and create real debate, give voice to your protest by voting for any third party.
So long as the two major parties control the vast majority of votes, they will control the electoral process so as to exclude effective third party participation. If we can expand third party voting we can seek equal representation in debates and coverage. Vocal, growing third parties will cause the major two to split apart, offeringAmericans more viable options.
If just half of those who are registered and don’t vote, vote third party, there will be some real changes in the ol’ USA. Someone once said if voting were really effective, it would be illegal. Let’s make it more effective and find out.”
“…it’s true your candidate will not likely win. But you haven’t thrown your vote away. If enough people do this, then the Democrats and Republicans will get the message. By the time the next elections come around, they will be thinking about adopting some of the ideas from the third parties. Further, any vote for a third party encourages the founding of new third parties, with valuable new ideas. The potential for positive change in America exists. What we must do is create a climate in whichthese ideas will come to the fore in public discussion, and find implementation as social policy. Third parties can meet this vital need.”
“How can a third party ever become established — since it must start small — if people always follow the strategy of voting only for one of the top two parties? Such a voting practice completely eliminates any chance of a third party ever becoming established. Is that what we want? I think not — but that is certainly what the two major parties want and that is why they promote the idea that voting for other candidates is wasting your vote.
In conclusion, we see that, from a personal point of view, our tiny vote cannot impact the results of a national election. Still, we should vote and we should vote for our desired candidate. An individual who does so, will have the satisfaction of standing true to her beliefs while at the same time knowing that she has not caused either of the top candidates to win or lose. Only when you do not vote your honest choice is your vote wasted!!
Further, if we all vote honestly, new candidates and new parties have a chance of becoming established. To vote otherwise is to endanger democracy.”
“Under the current system, we get one vote every two years to indicate what flavor of tyranny we wish to be inflicted with. In essence we get to select which hand, right or left, in the Bi-Partisan Party will hold the whip.
Both parties are full of corruption; they both point at each other trying to draw attention away from themselves. America is as corrupt as any country – we just try to limit corruption to the highest levels – and condemn direct lower level bribes. It is easier to buy a senator than a policeman.”
“Look at the tyranny of party–at what is called party allegiance, party loyalty–a snare invented by designing men for selfish purposes–and which turns voters into chattels, slaves, rabbits…” — The Character of Man, Mark Twain’s Autobiography”
Sources: SPC
Satyagraha
Leon Felkins
Rick Gaber: Purpose of Third Party
