Have you forgotten there are other choices?

Question

Looking at the question below, I see a lot of responses saying "I will vote Republican cuz the Dems suck" and I'm sure the same would come from Democrats.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=Ami0OvJL52ib0QkWPWrxoPwezKIX?qid=20060822063900AA6ZlqW

Seeing as our adminstration has spent MORE than any liberal administration, is creating a LARGER government than ANY previous administration, is lying to us left and right (like any other administration, but it needs to stop - dem or rep) -- okay, I could go on and on....but seeing that Both parties suckle the teet of special intrest groups -

Has everyone forgotten that there isn't a choice JUST between REPS and DEMS?

I will be casting my vote in Texas for Badnarik, a libertarian. You don't have to vote libertarian, either. There is Green Party (shudder) and Independent platforms as well - among others. Look around for once! Don't let the Demoncrats and Republitards (the politicians, not the people) tell you there are only two choices!

http://www.badnarik.org

To those who say they don't vote for third party candidates because they never win -

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?!?!

Because of that mentality. The Reps and Dems were BOTH alternate choices until people started paying attention.

You campaign, you educate and you talk about the platforms. Don't dismiss a third party cause you think they won't win! Then you are simply saying either 'i won't vote' to which I say, get out of the forums and don't complain, or: 'I don't agree with what this guy says but he is the lesser of two evils', which is a cop out. You aren't voting for change and might as well not vote if you don't fully believe in them.

Answer 1

I would love to see a candidate that wasn't obligated to payback politcal favors with designer legislation.

A candidate who would read that thing we call the constitution and not just abide by it (as they promise during their inauguration ceremony) but refocus our government on providing those things promised by the constitution and limiting those things that are not addressed in that document.

I believe that Libertarian candidates have a legitimate chance to win at the state level, but the national electorate would be too afraid to try something that innovative. People are afraid of change, which is why 50 percent of the population vote just as their parents did. Following the same pattern day after day gives people something to hold onto in this this ever changing world.

So to introduce a "new" party would be too "revolutionary" for many people. Which is why it will probably take a revolution to return this government to the people instead of offering it every four years to the highest bidder.

Answer 2

I like Badnarik, but don't think he has a chance at winning. I would vote if I thought he could come even close. The problem is , he will take votes away from the Republican on the ticket which will give the Democrats a step up to the position. I don't like the current administration's crazy spending and I hate the stance on illegal immigration, but I do like the Court appointments and some of the "social" policies implemented. We would not get that from the Democrats, so I have to actually make my vote count and go Republican (sigh). Wish it were not so. If a good third party candidate came up from a position of National Spotlight (like a former governor or Senator) then they might have a chance in the national elections. Try to focus on the grassroots elections first then set sights on the presidency. It will take years, but most governmental change does.

Answer 3

I try to tell people this all the time. Our country has a 2 party system because people dont care, they have their heads up their as*es. All we hear is republican or democrat in the media, the only time you hear of Independents and other parties is when its negative news. When you ask people about other parties most can only think of Perot and the Jesse Ventura debockal up here in MN area. They have all the money in the world to buy the media and this is what they both do to drown the other parties out. I hope in 2008 people will vote smart and understand the importance of getting both the republicans and democrats out of power, because of these 2 parties only the rich and corrupt have a chance in Washington. And by the way I would take a Dem. Admin. with Kerry in charge over this Evil Empire anyday, can you remember a time when one man has done so many things wrong? And look at these as*holes that say its a wasted vote so dont vote for another party, you people are the problem!!!

Answer 4

Since whoever has a plurality wins in most races in the United States, people tend not to vote for 3rd party candidates. I think the best chances for independents would be in Louisiana-style races, where each party has a few candidates running at the same time as others, with a run-off between the top 2.

Answer 5

While it's certainly possible to elect someone outside of the two major parties in an election on the local (or even state) levels, it's another story on the national level, given that campaigning on a national level takes a lot of resources - resources that most third party candidates don't have and the two major parties do, whether it's in campaign workers or money. There's a reason why the last third party candidate who won the presidential election was Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

Answer 6

See, I totally would vote for the Green Party if they actually had a chance. But the thing is, only Democrats and Republicans have enough base to win an election, so voting for other parties is futile. That's why so many people still have to resort to the voting for the lesser evil mindset.

Answer 7

Yes, I vote for the candidate and their platform not the party. I voted for Michael Petroutka, the constitution party candidate in the last Presidential race and I most likely will vote for Kinky for governor here. Thanks for that thought and keep it out there. I wish our votes would be more representative of an informed citizenry and that people would not take the attitude of it not counting unless they vote Dem or Rep. Our country is the most mismanaged one on this planet. We should be bankrupt except for the fact that we keep printing money. Pride goeth before a Fall.

Answer 8

We're stuck in a lesser of two evils choice.
I would vote for a third party if they could win, but it just wont happen any time soon. My choices are: vote for a Democrat who can win, which I can tolerate; or vote for a third party, and let the Republicans win, which I cannot tolerate.
We saw what happened in the 2000 election, where if just 1/2% of the people who voted for third parties had voted for Gore, we would not be in Iraq right now.
Until there are substatial changes in how elections are done, it just wont happen.

Answer 9

Sorry to disagree with you but Bush is President, and the country has been so screwed, because Ralph Nader drew off enough votes from Gore in 2000 that the crooked Republican judges on the supreme court could steal the election for Bush. The Democrats are by no means perfect but they at least TRY, they do not stand for gigantic multinational corporate interests like the Republicans, so forget 3rd parties, vote Democratic.

Answer 10

I am in Texas also, and I will not be voting Dem or Rep. They appear to be clueless to the fact that our country is the laughing stock of the world and that our people are suffering unnecessarily. (Another $230m to Lebanon????) But it is a sad state of affairs that my decision is made based on who isn't the absolute worst for the job rather than who is the very best for the job. This is a trend I have seen coming for a long time. Is there anyone in our government who isn't in someone's pocket?