“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
16 comments
very interesting! thank you 🙂
“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.”
The above is likely written by someone who has not lived in a Soviet or post-Soviet country. It’s easy to generalize things and say America is so corrupt when you don’t know what corruption looks like. It easy to say the two-party system is horrible when you’ve never lived in a one-party system.
Daja,
The thing that scares me about what you’re saying (which I understand and believe to be true), is that we are following the same course as some of those other countries, just so subtly that no one really sees it.
That’s been my premise all along…we’re sliding into socialism whose next step is communism. No one will believe it until it’s too late.
I agree with that! One of my husband’s observations this elections is that he is suprised how socialist some Americans are. (He was raised in a communist country his whole life!)
HOWEVER, it’s still a HUGE leap to assert that “America is as corrupt as any country…” That’s just flatly not true and just rings with sensationalism. Bold statements just for effect, that really are not true. If we are to convince people, we really need to do it with TRUTH, not sensationalism or rhetoric. You know?
Thank you for that post. It really got me thinking. I had come to the conclusion that I had a right NOT to vote, but I truly see that by not voting, I’m removing my “voice” from being heard. Not voting becomes a quiet acceptance…whatever the outcome.
The sliding into socialism is why I am planning to vote against Obama. This is also not a thrown-away vote. Third-party candidates will only allow that sliding to further continue this time around. Next time? Who knows…it might be totally different (and I pray it is!!!)
I have decided to vote third party for the first time in my life. Thanks you for speaking up about this issue. I cannot vote for the lesser of two evils, I must vote for what I believe is right. Not many agree with me but I must obey what I feel is Gods will, obedience.
Wendy
“That’s been my premise all along…we’re sliding into socialism whose next step is communism. No one will believe it until it’s too late.”
I completely agree, Kelly! I wrote a blog post called, “What Capitalism Can Turn Into” here: http://dancingamonginfiniteloveyahwehs.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-capitalism-can-turn-into.html
Thank you for stating this so well.
I am amazed at the number of ‘Christians’ voting for the big parties. I am going to have to answer to God for my vote and can’t imagine that He’d be pleased with my voting for anything less than the most godly person on the ticket, regardless of outcome.
After reading Jeannie Chancey’s article on LAF, I have decided that as a Christian woman, I cannot in good conscience vote. I will pass this on to my husband though, so that he might decide how to vote for our family.
Wendy, I am so glad to see your comment–praise God!
Mrs. Taft,
It will never happen in one election…we must begin now or lose America forever!
Very informative and gives us further confirmation that our support of and our vote for a third party candidate in this election is NOT a waste.
We commonly hear the phrase when discussing the option of a third party ‘you are wasting your vote’.
The only way to waste your vote in America is to A) not vote or B) not voting your conviction.
Other than that, you cannot, cannot waste your vote.
A third party is definitely a strong possibility! It is estimated that more than half of the confessing Conservatives do not vote. We are talking millions here. We have been indoctrinated by the thinking that one vote doesn’t matter. The problem with that thinking is that so many have adopted it!
What is the difference between tyranny and being able to only pick between two candidates?
I have written more in depth here:
heartofhannah.blogspot.com
Thank you for this collection of thoughts. One thing, though. I think that the problem with Republicans and Democrats is that they are too capitalist. I just don’t hear Jesus being capitalist. I don’t like the word socialism or communism, but Jesus and His teachings seem a lot closer to these ideas. Advice?
Nope–BIG difference…Jesus said to share with others who are without. He did NOT say you would be forced to give it, or that the government would “evenly distribute” it. Therein lies the enormous difference.
The difference between Jesus’ teachings and Communism/Socialism is that charity is the responsibility of religious institutions, not a function of government.
When you ascribe a function of faith to a secular government you rob religion of it’s highest function and exchange “Father God” for “Big Brother.” Never assume that a secular government will be more benevelant than the good will of individuals.