Serious question....why wouldn't you vote third party?

a reply to: amazing

I would. And I have. Johnson and Perot. In my very first election, I voted for Jimmy Carter. And he won my state by one precinct....and my precinct, by one vote. And he won within the margin of votes in the electoral college, by less than Ohio's number. There are a couple hundred or thousand people in Ohio, who could have tipped the election, at least. And maybe it was similar in a few other states as well. I don't actually know.

But, I do know that it made quite an impression on me, that my vote counted. Looking back, I am pretty sure I was naive and ideologically overconfident in the process....more so than is perhaps merited.

This time is different for me. I'm taking a knowing gamble on voting for Trump, because in my estimation, he may topple the entire house of cards. And that also assumes he is not some form of quisling, I'm aware. But, that we may possibly be at a tipping point in American, if not global history, gives me great pause.

Last election, I voted for Johnson....not believing he could win...but, because there was a chance that the Libertarian Party might get enough votes to be entered into the national conversation. This time, I see a third party vote as noble and principled....but, that may also derail a plausible turning over of politics as usual.

So....I have decided that putting my shoulder to the brakes on the run-away train, is more important than deciding who the next conductor will be.

Any help?

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: TinfoilTP

Only if you live in a swing state.

Wouldn't it be great if not only did the Bush/Clinton crime family get toppled, but that there were enough votes in the non-swing states to get the Libertarian Party funded and in the debates?

does voting even really matter anymore?
lets get real

a reply to: dreamlotus1111

According to who?

Of course it matters.

But if you choose not to partake in the political aspects of citizenship, that's your problem. Your loss, too.

a reply to: tebyen

I reluctantly gave you a star, because you noticed the SC appointments. However, I do not believe stacking it with Left leaning judges is the answer either. Trump is a populist....and maybe the most liberal Republican to come down the pike in a long time. I see him as most like a Kennedy Democrat, than anything resembling most of the GOP establishment. That he is hated by them gives me some measure of hope, that things are changing.

If you were psychic, and knew that tomorrow's lottery numbers would be either 12345 or 56789, would you buy a ticket for 53470? I suck at analogies, but I do not see a reason for voting on a candidate who has no chance. I understand the whole virtue of voting what is in your heart, but I think this election cycle (if our votes even matter) is not one to screw around on.

a reply to: seagull

no its really all of our loss...voting for president just doesnt count. at all. why are there individuals appointed to vote for me? why is it not the popular vote that counts

a reply to: Enderdog

Supreme Court justices will, generally, reflect the views of the President who appoints them.

I would dearly love to see a Supreme, in my lifetime, who didn't. Some will buck the Pres. upon occasion, but seldom will they interpret the Constitution without their ideological visors firmly in place...it's to be hoped for, but not expected, otherwise.

a reply to: dreamlotus1111

Ah, the electoral college. That's where this is going...if I'm reading that correctly.

Reasons for/against the Electoral College.

It's a tough question, and my views on it fluctuate wildly. So, I suppose, you could say I'm betwixt and between on it.

a reply to: iTruthSeeker

I see your thinking on this.

But that's just a reflection of the partisanship involved in elections. I would bet that in a non partisan election, Clinton wouldn't even be in the picture, nor would Trump. I actually think Johnson is far more qualified than either.

The only thing I can suggest, is look past the party affiliation, and go with what the candidate brings to the table. Ideas. Experience. Past actions. ...any number of things.

a reply to: seagull

Zackly. I'm not worried that Trump appointees will be overly conservative. I am worried that Clinton appointees will be corruptish or at the left extremes.

We've had nothing but democrats and republicans for president for how long now? Where has it gotten us?

I voted third party last go round.

This time the stakes are too high. Trump is a third party of himself, the fact that he hijacked the GOP in the process is a bonus. A vote for anybody but Trump is a vote for Clinton, and the slow-death hell she would bring with her. Never ending war, Sky high spending, the transparency of a concrete slab, and no honesty whatsoever.

Yup I'm voting my conscience. Trump all the way.

originally posted by: seagull
a reply to: iTruthSeeker

I see your thinking on this.

But that's just a reflection of the partisanship involved in elections. I would bet that in a non partisan election, Clinton wouldn't even be in the picture, nor would Trump. I actually think Johnson is far more qualified than either.

The only thing I can suggest, is look past the party affiliation, and go with what the candidate brings to the table. Ideas. Experience. Past actions. ...any number of things.

Yea I understand what you mean. I wouldn't hold it against anyone who decided to vote for a 3rd party person, because I understand the personal reasoning behind it. I guess it is the more righteous thing to do. I just don't want Hilary to win. Not saying that Trump is our "savior", but he has to be better than her.

a reply to: amazing

Serious question....why wouldn't you vote third party?

Voted for Gary Johnson in 2012. All that got me was four more years of lies like: "If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor."

Not going to happen again.

Trump 2016

The system is set up so that only the Democrats or the Republicans can be the ruling party. The EC will always vote Blue or Red as long as they have that power.

originally posted by: amazing
Serious question....why wouldn't you vote third party?

Because I don't like the Libertarian platform and I think the Green Party is ineffective.

I prefer a lot of what the Green Party SAYS... but I have yet to see them step up to the plate as Congresscritters, governors, and lieutenant governors. I want to see them in power and changing things here for me before I believe a Presidential run. And I have yet to see many of them running for my local elections (I do vote. Regularly.)

originally posted by: Cygnatt
T
The EC will always vote Blue or Red as long as they have that power.

The Electoral College is bound by the state's constitution to cast their vote for whomever it dictates. If it mandates that the top vote getter receives all the Electoral votes then that is who gets them.

a reply to: iTruthSeeker

Nor I. I've no use for her. None what so ever.

But the fact that my vote is Johnson's for the taking...unless he really screws the pooch--in which case, I have no clue who I'll vote for...eggs in one basket comes quickly to mind...doesn't make my vote any less important if she does win.

But I'll say it here.

Regardless of who wins, I'll give them every opportunity to succeed, and if they do, and the majority are better off then, then they are now? Who am I to fuss? I'll wish 'em every success. But I'll be watching.

Specifically for this election?

Or any election overall?

I cannot and will not vote third party this election because we cannot by any means let Trump win this election.

If it were another election where the left was heavily favored Id throw my vote to a radical utopianist on principle.