My take on this election: Short and sweet

[Ripsnort]

We're left with the same choices as 2000.

Dumb.
And Dumber.

And voting libertarian or green is flushing a vote down the toilet.

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

Faced with the choices, my vote is getting flushed down the toilet no matter who I vote for.
-SW

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
Faced with the choices, my vote is getting flushed down the toilet no matter who I vote for.
-SW

Good point.  I'll have to vote party lines this year though since the dems couldn't put up a candidate worth voting the lesser of two evils out of office.

[Munkii]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
We're left with the same choices as 2000.

Dumb.
And Dumber.

And voting libertarian or green is flushing a vote down the toilet.

I never understood why people say voting for a third party is flushing a vote.  If you don't like Bush or Kerry and you like a libertarian or independant candidate, why should you re-enforce bad habits by the RNC and DNC with their attack ad's and issue dodging.  The thing about libertarian and green candidates are they let the RNC and DNC do the mud slinging and they just focus on the issue's, because it is all they can focus on.  If you agree with them vote for them, they won't win, it's not a protest vote.   We have the right to vote to voice our opinion not to choose between who is the lesser of the two evils.

[GRUNHERZ]

Yet some people are forcefully angry with me when I express my doubts about voting...

I saw the lat few minutes of the denate yestraday and what I saw worrioed me. I saw an intellingt, articulate man I deeply mistrust offering vague miraculous "plans" in one corner. In the other, I saw a stumbling and at times confused man with little else to offer but slogans and labels. What is one to do....

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Munkii
I never understood why people say voting for a third party is flushing a vote.  If you don't like Bush or Kerry and you like a libertarian or independant candidate, why should you re-enforce bad habits by the RNC and DNC with their attack ad's and issue dodging.  The thing about libertarian and green candidates are they let the RNC and DNC do the mud slinging and they just focus on the issue's, because it is all they can focus on.  If you agree with them vote for them, they won't win, it's not a protest vote.   We have the right to vote to voice our opinion not to choose between who is the lesser of the two evils.

As close as this election is mounting up to be, it certainly could be voting for the party I do NOT want.  If it were going to be a landslide victory for the party that is right of center, then no doubt I'd vote independant or libertarian.  This election is just too close for me to make that choice.

[Munkii]

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
What is one to do....

Look at the other candidates on the ballot in your area, and make an informed decision if any of them are worth voting for.  If they are vote for them, if not, just leave the vote for president blank, but at least vote in your local elections.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Munkii
Look at the other candidates on the ballot in your area, and make an informed decision if any of them are worth voting for.  If they are vote for them, if not, just leave the vote for president blank, but at least vote in your local elections.

State elections affect me more directly, you're right.  On that note, they forced us to vote party lines in the primary. There is already a initiative to overturn that election rule, as most I've talked to are opposed to it. Most I speak with agree that its best to vote the issues, and not the party line.  Pisses me off because I've voted for dems in local state elections in the past simply because of the morons the republican party backed during those times.

Good idea on the "leaving the President" blank though, but again, I fear Kerry too much..I'll have  to give Bush the go.

[Stringer]

Not voting does NOT send a message, no matter how much you say that to make you feel better.

Voting for alternative or write-ins does send a message.

It says I'm engaged enough to vote and I don't like what choices are here.  It says that if I'm engaged enough to vote, I just might get engaged at the local level to affect grass roots change.  That is the change that really scares any mainstream politician.

By not voting the only message you send is I don't have enough energy to even go to the polls, so don't even worry about me getting active at the local level.  In fact, you I'm a non-factor so don't worry at all.

[Eagler]

[Maverick]

Originally posted by Stringer
Not voting does NOT send a message, no matter how much you say that to make you feel better.

Voting for alternative or write-ins does send a message.

It says I'm engaged enough to vote and I don't like what choices are here.  It says that if I'm engaged enough to vote, I just might get engaged at the local level to affect grass roots change.  That is the change that really scares any mainstream politician.

By not voting the only message you send is I don't have enough energy to even go to the polls, so don't even worry about me getting active at the local level.  In fact, you I'm a non-factor so don't worry at all.

Absolutely. If you cannot muster the courage or integrity to have even a small part in choosing how you are governed you have no right to *itch about the results. You would have had your chance to make your voice heard and neglected to do so.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by Stringer
Not voting does NOT send a message, no matter how much you say that to make you feel better.

Voting for alternative or write-ins does send a message.

It says I'm engaged enough to vote and I don't like what choices are here.  It says that if I'm engaged enough to vote, I just might get engaged at the local level to affect grass roots change.  That is the change that really scares any mainstream politician.

By not voting the only message you send is I don't have enough energy to even go to the polls, so don't even worry about me getting active at the local level.  In fact, you I'm a non-factor so don't worry at all.

that is well put. IT is only a shame that more people dont do it that way.
All sides are always looking on how to get more votes. Im sure they look at how many are voting independant.
then they have to look at the independants ans see what qualities that person has that is causign them to vote for that person and not theirs.

IF more people did that eventually they might actually get the hint.

But what is REALLY an outrage is how the media and two parties have effectivly locked out all the other parties from even being covered let alone voted on.

I am in firm beleif that we desperatley need at least a third party. then they might be forced to put up people that are useful

[RTStuka]

Ok, so lets say Bush wins this year, I will bet that Hillary Clinton will be the next Democratic canidate in 2008, But what I can figure out is who would be the Republican choice in 2008 if Kerry wins. I was thinking mabye McCain and if it was not against the Constitution Arnold would be a good choice.

[Hawklore]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
We're left with the same choices as 2000.

Dumb.
And Dumber.

And voting libertarian or green is flushing a vote down the toilet.

-applaud-

[john9001]

i'm voteing for cheany/rumsfeld, they are the smartest ones in the running.