I think more people should vote 3rd party, instead most vote for the "lesser evil." A lot of people think voting 3rd party is worthless. What are some good arguments to defend voting 3rd party?
I think third party voting is ideal if you have complete trust that the candidate is the best one for the job. The problem I have is that the media doesn't cover them that much, so a person like me who distrusts both McCain and Obama and wouldn't mind voting for someone like Bob Barr, doesn't feel compelled to due to the lack of their publicity.
All I know is that it takes away votes from the two prime candidates that are running? I guess if you look at it its kind of like not voting.. sadly. Of course if enough people do it, which is unlikely.. you could get the 3rd party elected.. though i am just stating the obvious.. my insight is horrible.. why am i still typing.
Voting for a third party should always be available. Does it take votes away from McCain or Obama. Yes, indeed. But, it should always be an option. Do I agree with Ron Paul on evberything? Nope. Do I like his policies more than the other two uptions? Yep.
I'm just getting tired of having to choose between dumb and dumber. Especially like the last election. Bush and Kerry? They were both horrible choices.
Basically the US is a 2 party system so in a way it's a waste, but over time if enough people vote 3rd party then who knows. The problem is the 3rd party choices are freak shows because anybody w/ 1/2 a brain goes Democrat, or Republican.
Also I'd like to say that voting in general is pretty worthless. If you want to help a candidate volunteer, or donate some cash because that's actually going to change things.
Basically the US is a 2 party system so in a way it's a waste, but over time if enough people vote 3rd party then who knows. The problem is the 3rd party choices are freak shows because anybody w/ 1/2 a brain goes Democrat, or Republican.
Also I'd like to say that voting in general is pretty worthless. If you want to help a candidate volunteer, or donate some cash because that's actually going to change things.
jrhawk42
People volunteer so that volunteer work will advertise and therefore bring in support that will then bring in votes.
Many people voting 3rd party will bring attention on the issues the 3rd party represents, because most 3rd parties are based around a limited amount (or just 1) of issues. It can send a message to the big parties that many people are unhappy with them. Sometimes people even believe the 3rd party candidate is the best one (Ross Perot made a good run in 1992 with like 19% of the popular vote). Sometimes it can even win the election for a candidate: many think Nader won the 2000 election for Bush while Perot won the 1992 election for Clinton.
The best argument is that you are a part of the process. People who don't take a bit of time out of their day once every 4 years to vote lose the right to complain in my mind. Now even if your candidate of choice, say Barr, won't come close, at least you voted and had a say.
I think that 3rd party candidates should be included in the debates and should get as much media attention, there might actually be talk of the issues instead of just trying to make the other candidate look bad.
The whole party system is ridiculous to begin with.
People should vote for who they think would be best for the country, not for a political party.
InterpolWilco
I agree with that but it seems so difficult to find a candidate you can put your faith in completely... It seems like you are constantly weighing the negatives.. which for the most part overshadow the positives.. its a horrible dilemma.
I can't decide if I'm going to vote for McCain or Barr. I'd like the Libertarian party to get more popular but I just don't want to see Obama elected. Although I think I'm leaning towards Barr because my state (Michigan) looks like it's leaning more towards Obama every day. Which doesn't surprise me because that last Republican that won in my state was Reagan.
[QUOTE="battlefront23"]Good. One less vote towards Obama is ALWAYS a good thing. Particularly if you legitimately agree with the candidate's policies.Genetic_Code
Not if that vote could've gone to McCain when he's the only one with a legitimate shot at beating Obama.
True. But any vote that's not towards Obama is a good vote.
The whole party system is ridiculous to begin with.
People should vote for who they think would be best for the country, not for a political party.
CGavin
I agree with that but it seems so difficult to find a candidate you can put your faith in completely... It seems like you are constantly weighing the negatives.. which for the most part overshadow the positives.. its a horrible dilemma.
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