Is voting on an alternative party really a "dead vote"?

Question

Someone has to get the ball rolling. Most of us are tired of mudslinging rich politicians.

Answer 1

On the presidential level, yes -- as long as we have the electoral college.

Answer 2

No, that's crap. If you vote for a third party, it means that you support either some of the party's platforms or the candidate's platforms. I'm very tired of mudslinging, gerrymandering and harsh ballot acces laws. I'm very interested in trying to help our country get fair and better elections than we have now. I've sent proposals to Fair Vote and other organizations. I'm between the Democrats and Libertarians so I can consider myself a moderate. I think the only dead vote is the one you don't cast. Yes, there are times where we have only 2 choices but cast a protest vote. I'm involved in reforming the Electoral College and reforming the Simple Plurality electoral system we use to elect our Reps. We need to start soon. I'm living abroad for the time being but I would love to start being a political activist as soon as I get back. Meanwhile, I'm trying to brainstorm some ideas and see what I've got. I'm even trying to see countries that have been into electoral reform during the last decade like UK, New Zealand, Canada, etc. and maybe find something we have in common. Sure, the electoral system we use is the same the UK and Canada use and they have a parliamentary system. I think more Americans than we expect want to change our country for the better. We all deserve fair and clean elections. Thanks for your time!!

Answer 3

Yes and no. Every question has more than one perspective.

By voting outside the two party system you're essentially putting yourself outside the looking glass so to speak. But by voting outside the two party system you're also sending a message to others including elected leaders.

The bottom line is that it's who's in power that you must have some influence with in order to have much influence at all. Voting is hardly the solution to that dilemma however. It is merely the first step in a much longer journey.

The person who puts in the most effort, or money, usually wins. It's just the reality of the way it is, has been and probably always will be.

The funny thing is it was the Democrats who passed legislation, in 1913, privatizing the Federal Reserve as a private for profit corporation. In 1900, the average American paid about 5% of their earnings in taxes to support the local, state and federal government. At that time public debt was essentially non-existent. Now, the average American pays over 31% of their earnings in taxes to support their local, state and federal government and public debt is so staggering that most Americans can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and many think we'll simply go bankrupt at some point when we can no longer afford the interest.

Very few politicians mention this issue and many avoid it like AID's.

Between 1928-1932, the folks who own the Federal Reserve intentionally removed, through "monetary policy", over $8 billion (quite a phenomenal sum in those days!) dollars in American currency from the United States economy. This action precipated and perpetuated the greatest financial disaster/crime that Americans have ever endured. The current Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governers stipulates this assertion.

What's more is that through the ownership of a majority of the shares of stock in other corporations the owners of the Federal Reserve System control many of the corporations that Americans for work or buy products from. This is accentuated by the fact that some of these corporations include what amounts to as the mainstream media to include: CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, network radio and a plethora of magazines and newspapers. More Americans get their propaganda from the owners of the Federal Reserve than from any other source.

Take a poll: the next 100 people you come across. How many know how the Federal Reserve System is controlled? What did you know before you read this? Begin by educating yourself and then educating our fellow Americans.

Democrats and Republicans alike have much reason to be highly suspicious of the owners of the Federal Reserve corporation. Their agenda is opposed to your best interests. We can abolish the Fed and buy it back.

Many Americans are neither radical nor as opposed to common sense solutions that benefit us all as the mainstream media would have you believe. United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Where do you stand?

If you disagree with this so be it. You're entitled to your opinions. However, if you agree - begin by copying this and passing it along to your fellow Americans.

Answer 4

I can't put it any better than seamac he should get the best answer here.
I'll just repeat what he said becasuse it is true. regardless of what election you are voting in if you believe in the issues the candidiate raised then you have to vote for that candidiate and naturally as a result the party they represent.

It is every responsible citizens duty to vote even if it is a so called throw away vote. as it has been said if enough people vote for the issuse then those that get in to the office of power should by rights take note. if they don't the n there is always the next election to kick them out of office.
seamac wrote: -
The only dead vote is the one that's not cast.
If you feel that your vote for the alternative party represents the direction that our society should take in terms of the issues, vote your conscience. Even if your chosen candidate doesn't win, if enough people vote, then the major parties will sit up and take notice-that's why we have a representative democracy

Answer 5

The only dead vote is the one that's not cast.
If you feel that your vote for the alternative party represents the direction that our society should take in terms of the issues, vote your conscience. Even if your chosen candidate doesn't win, if enough people vote, then the major parties will sit up and take notice-that's why we have a representative democracy.

Answer 6

A vote cast is never a "dead vote". You very right about having to start somewhere - when politicians and pundits spend too much time trying to convince us that voting for an alternate party is a wasted vote, they miss the loud message that they have to change their ways. I applaud your conviction.

Answer 7

A few years ago I heard an idea to get a third party heard. It amounted to having all members of the party move to 1 small state. they could then form a majority in that state and vote themselves into state office. Next they would enact their platform at the state level. If it worked, they could use their success to convince the rest of the nation to support them.

Answer 8

My theory is that being involved in the party you disagree with the least is the best way of making a positive change. To really effect change it's a good idea to be involved in the campaigns. That way you have a chance to influence those you work with your ideas.

Try it out!

Answer 9

It is "dead vote" only when you don't vote.
If you like alternative party then you can vote for it and IT WILL NOT BE a "DEAD VOTE".

Answer 10

One day Americans will realize ALL elections for the past 100 + years were predetermined. In other words the results were all know before the election.

Answer 11

yup, I'm afraid so. Change would have to start on the high end. That would mean that all those rich politicians would have to lay down whats best for their bank account and do what is best for the country... Figure the odds...