"Throw Away" Votes

[Zennie 0]

Originally my plan was to vote for Kerry, because I want Dubya out of office that badly. The I watched the Dem Convention and about threw up.... I just can't bring myself to vote for Kerry.

The concept of "throw away" voting is simply a subtle form of pressure by the Republicans and Democrats to keep us within the two-party fold. What better way to perpetuate the stranglehold than to make folks feel GUILTY for voting their conscience.

Yes, I know every vote is important. But if you can't bring yourself to stand up for your principles at a time when doing so might be harmful to you, what are those principles really worth?

You may call it a "throw away". I call it refusing to be enslaved by the current two-party monopoly and taking a stand for what I believe in.

I'm voting for the person who most closely represents MY beliefs and interests. That person is Michael Badnarik.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Well I'd rather cut my hand off and eat it than use it to vote for our right wing Conservative party.
Our left have kinda lost the plot, see Tony Blair's recent gaffes following Dubbya into the desert.
Our Liberals are a joke.

I'm going to give my vote to King Alex and his SNP.

But I'm not sure that this is what you meant Ted.
Beer time here, I sure wish it was a Shiner, have a good one folks.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[airdweller 0]

oh great another person just throwing his vote aways.


just kidding, the two party system is such a confining system, that usually leads to the voting of the lesser of two evils

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"From the mightiest pharaoh to the lowliest peasant,
who doesn't enjoy a good sit?" C. Montgomery Burns

[PhillyKev 0]

Have you read his NPAT on votesmart?

[SpeedRacer 1]

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You may call it a "throw away". I call it refusing to be enslaved by the current two-party monopoly and taking a stand for what I believe in.

well, anyone can call it whatever they want. But the effect of taking that course of action will have the same result, regardless.


maybe we should think about altering or even discarding the electoral college system.

Speed Racer
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[pajarito 0]

Dude...I love it!!! I wish more Democrats thought like you do! Excellent!

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

Originally my plan was to vote for Kerry, because I want Dubya out of office that badly. The I watched the Dem Convention and about threw up.... I just can't bring myself to vote for Kerry.

What was it that changed your mind? Not trying to start another debate here, I'm just curious.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Zennie 0]

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I wish more Democrats thought like you do!

I wish more Republicans thought like I do as well.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[Zennie 0]

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What was it that changed your mind?

Mainly the socialist rantings of Kennedy & Co... socialized medicine, taxtaxtax, create this program that program and the other program... the Government will solve all ills.

Voting for Kerry is also voting for big government.

I can't do it... I just can't do it.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[Jimbo 0]

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I can't do it... I just can't do it.

Me neither. The good news for me is that the Great State of Delaware consistently votes Democrat, and by a large margin. GWB won't miss my vote, Badnarik will appreciate it.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Zennie 0]

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Have you read his NPAT on votesmart?

No. You have a link?

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[lawrocket 3]

And I cannot, in good faith, vote for Bush. "Throw away vote?" I'd rather throw away a vote than throw away conscience and principle.

I shall also be voting Libertarian, as I have for the last two elections...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

Quote

Have you read his NPAT on votesmart?

No. You have a link?

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

He's a little TOO hands off for my liking. Although that's a positive trait of the libertarians, I find that they are pretty extreme in that regards. This jumped out at me:

Have you seen the platform for the skydiving, Lib pres candidate? I agree that gov't needs to be reduced, but look at his NPAT.

Greatly Decrease Funding b) Intelligence operations
Greatly Decrease Funding c) Military hardware Greatly Decrease Funding i) Troop and equipment readiness

X e) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.

No b) Should the U.S. use economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?

No c) Should the U.S. use military force to destroy the North Korean nuclear weapons program?

No d) Should the U.S. remove the North Korean government from power?

No e) Should the U.S. increase financial support to Afghanistan?

No f) Should the U.S. increase military support to Afghanistan?

[Jimbo 0]

The beauty though of our adversarial system is that he won't be able to simply take office and make all of that happen. Hell, he won't even take office, but every vote does lend credibility to the party, a party that I think deserves a bit more attention.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[PhillyKev 0]

I agree....but other libertarian platforms are free trade with everyone, no border crossing restrictions, etc. They have a lot of ideas that strive for utopia at the expense of reality.

[pajarito 0]

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"...strive for utopia at the expense of reality."

That's a good one! I like that.

[Jimbo 0]

Agreed. However, as 'alternative' parties are dragged into the main stream they'll be forced to rethink their policies if they expect real public support. More important than that though is the rethink and repositioning that the Republicans and Democrats do as the alternative parties gain popularity. That, I think, is the real (and realistic) benefit.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[PhillyKev 0]

Also true. However most of the scarier of their policies to me, are things that could be implemented through executive order and are under presidential discretion. I will and have voted for libertarian candidates to other offices. But wouldn't for pres at this time.

[Zenister 0]

cant do it. I'm much more concerned about real effects than political statements.

I dont like either of our choices, taking a 'third' route (any third route although i have voted Libertarian in the past) will do nothing but allow others to decide who is in charge for the next years.. when it becomes apparent that the choice i would most prefer has no chance of winning, i'll vote against the choice i would least prefer rather than do nothing to prevent it from occurring...

i dont feel quilty, i know our 2 party system sucks, it isnt going to change anytime soon either... currently 'one person on vote' is only a meaningful phrase inside the 2 party system.. voting for any alternate candidate lowers your vote to less than 1 when it comes to determining who will actually hold the office for the next 4 years.... and that reality is more important to me than voting for the way i 'wish things were'

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[dbattman 0]

Thanks for the link. After careful analysis of the candidate positions I have decided to follow my conscience this November.

I'm voting for the 'National Barking Spider Resurgance' party.

[skydyvr 0]

Quote

I dont like either of our choices, taking a 'third' route (any third route although i have voted Libertarian in the past) will do nothing but allow others to decide who is in charge for the next years..

Shhh . . . you're blowin' it for us man!

. . =(_8^(1)

[wmw999 2,589]

Refuse away.
You live in Texas; I think it's a safe bet that GWB will win here, and you can safely vote for whomever you wish for President knowing it doesn't matter in the least.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[turtlespeed 226]

You too.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Steel 0]

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Refuse away.
You list in Texas; I think it's a safe bet that GWB will win here, and you can safely vote for whomever you wish for President knowing it doesn't matter in the least.

Wendy W.

You know that is something that I have often thought. When I lived in NJ & NY, I thought my vote was useless because unless someone like Reagan was running, there was not chance in hell a Republican would win there. Now in Texas I think my vote is not really necessary because with or without me the good guys (Republicans) are gonna win there. I think I shoud be in Florida because that is a cool place to be. They have concealed carry permits, no state income tax, skydiving all year round, nice beaches, and my vote will help for the good of the country there. Oh and best of all high quality, true authentic Cuban food that I can't get in Texas.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[Rebecca 0]

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the good guys (Republicans)

Um, 'scuse me? Surely you jest.


(<<<--- Republican, by the way)

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?