Why did you decide not to vote for either major party candidate? Did you feel like you were throwing your vote away as is often stated? Do you think that there will ever be a viable alternate party or candidate? Had you considered either one of the major party candidates?
Question for those who did not vote DEM or GOP -ONLY
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Because neither one was an acceptable choice to me.
No, I no longer listen to that rhetoric. In the previous two elections, I voted for what we call "the lesser of two evils". That's over now. If someone isn't an acceptable choice, I wont make a choice for them. Time to live what I believe.
My hopes are fading on that. There almost was, but his campaign was sabotaged and he dropped out.
Sure. Unfortunately, I came to feel that by McCain's actions and statements, he didn't really want to be president. I also didn't think he would leave the path GWB started for him... In looking at the other guy, I found a racist liar who regularly associates with domestic terrorists and thieves. I couldn't vote for either one and I have no regrets about that. It is others who shaped this election, not me.
Americans should be in outrage that these were the only two choices for president.
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I voted Libertarian and do not feel like I threw my vote away. I voted what was truly on my heart. I could not, in good conscience, vote for McCain simply because I wanted to vote against Obama. Voting the lesser of two evils was not an option for me, because I would then be giving my approval to McCain...sorry I'm not very articulate, but I hope you get my point.
I believe that our goverment, with much help from its citizens has taken way too much control of our lives. I believe that taxes are out of hand. I admit that I am an eternal optimist and I believe that people should be and would be responsible for taking care of those truly in need if we were given the chance and we're being taxed to death. I believe that our government is very oppressive and it looks like it is just going to get worse. We are starting to blend in with the rest of the world instead of standing apart and shining like a beacon of hope and freedom. Very sad, indeed.
I believe that our goverment, with much help from its citizens has taken way too much control of our lives. I believe that taxes are out of hand. I admit that I am an eternal optimist and I believe that people should be and would be responsible for taking care of those truly in need if we were given the chance and we're being taxed to death. I believe that our government is very oppressive and it looks like it is just going to get worse. We are starting to blend in with the rest of the world instead of standing apart and shining like a beacon of hope and freedom. Very sad, indeed.
i looked at my views on all of the pertinent issues, then found the candidate who matched those views. i voted libertarian, and didn't feel as thought it was a wasted vote. i voted with my conscience. i would love to see viable third party candidates in future elections, but i seriously doubt i will live to see the day.
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I wrote in Baldwin, because I supported Ron Paul throughout his campaign and that is who he ended up endorsing.
The reasons I didn't want to vote for Obama are the same reasons that I didn't want to vote for McCain. I can't even count the number of times that I have been told during this election that I was letting McCain down by voting third party. Here's the thing-no matter what, McCain wouldn't have had my vote. If I hadn't voted third party, I wouldn't have voted at all, which is what would have made me feel like I wasted my vote. This way, I voted for someone that I am proud to have supported.
I do think that both McCain and Obama are genuine human beings without evil intent. I think that if McCain had been elected, he would have done what he thought was best for the country, even if it was sure to bring us down in flames. With Obama, I think he will do what he thinks is best, even if he doesn't think it is best for our country, and even if it was sure to bring us down in flames. (Did that make sense?)
I think that the main reason it would be so hard to develop a viable third party is because the main two parties have so much funding, and so much influence. If an incumbent doesn't screw up royally, they are awfully hard to replace. Even if they do screw up royally, they still will have a lot of people backing them because of how they've benefited from the person's term and people who just recognize the name and vote. I think that the only way for a third party to have a chance to come into power is for one of the main two parties to fracture. Unfortunately, you have a lot of people whose party unity is based solely on keeping someone from the other party from being elected. They are so afraid of their "opponent" that they permit their party to decay rather than take a risk.
Kayleigh
The reasons I didn't want to vote for Obama are the same reasons that I didn't want to vote for McCain. I can't even count the number of times that I have been told during this election that I was letting McCain down by voting third party. Here's the thing-no matter what, McCain wouldn't have had my vote. If I hadn't voted third party, I wouldn't have voted at all, which is what would have made me feel like I wasted my vote. This way, I voted for someone that I am proud to have supported.
I do think that both McCain and Obama are genuine human beings without evil intent. I think that if McCain had been elected, he would have done what he thought was best for the country, even if it was sure to bring us down in flames. With Obama, I think he will do what he thinks is best, even if he doesn't think it is best for our country, and even if it was sure to bring us down in flames. (Did that make sense?)
I think that the main reason it would be so hard to develop a viable third party is because the main two parties have so much funding, and so much influence. If an incumbent doesn't screw up royally, they are awfully hard to replace. Even if they do screw up royally, they still will have a lot of people backing them because of how they've benefited from the person's term and people who just recognize the name and vote. I think that the only way for a third party to have a chance to come into power is for one of the main two parties to fracture. Unfortunately, you have a lot of people whose party unity is based solely on keeping someone from the other party from being elected. They are so afraid of their "opponent" that they permit their party to decay rather than take a risk.
Kayleigh
It is hard to answer the question as quoted. I do not actually speak about who I vote for in any public setting because I have had the experience of people trying to "convince me of the error of my ways" LOL.
The question I can answer is "Why did you vote for who you thought would be the best choice for you instead of one of the candidates that the media focused on?" I am not a conformist, I have never felt the need to vote for the winner (as in a horse race), and I actually do independent reading and search out information on all the actual candidates that are running (not just those that are reported on).
Will there be a political party other than the Repubs or Dems that have a chance of electing a presidential candidate? Unfortunately, only if the media starts providing equal and unbiased coverage to all candidates. Most of the general public do not seek out additional information and only go where the media leads them.
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I voted Baldwin.
I used to buy the malarkey that you had to choose the lesser of two evils.
But voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil, isn't it?
I voted my conscience. I voted the man I feel would best lead our country, who would work toward the Constitutional ideal, a man who KNOWS that we NOT a democracy, but we ARE, indeed, a Constitutional Republic.
One day, yes, there will be a viable alternative party. But not until people wake up and realize they're being fed a load of baloney. There are too many sloppy thinkers out there who actually believe there is a difference between Republicans and Democrats, who believe the age-old lie, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you."
People have to be willing to stand for the strength of their convictions, and also be willing to take over "doing" for themselves, rather than expecting the government to step in and take care of things for us.
IMO, of course.
I used to buy the malarkey that you had to choose the lesser of two evils.
But voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil, isn't it?
I voted my conscience. I voted the man I feel would best lead our country, who would work toward the Constitutional ideal, a man who KNOWS that we NOT a democracy, but we ARE, indeed, a Constitutional Republic.
One day, yes, there will be a viable alternative party. But not until people wake up and realize they're being fed a load of baloney. There are too many sloppy thinkers out there who actually believe there is a difference between Republicans and Democrats, who believe the age-old lie, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you."
People have to be willing to stand for the strength of their convictions, and also be willing to take over "doing" for themselves, rather than expecting the government to step in and take care of things for us.
IMO, of course.
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I voted Libertarian. I knew my vote wouldn't count for anything especially since I live in a red state. I guess I'd have thrown away my vote if I had voted for anyone other than McCain. He gets all 6 electoral votes from Kansas.
Yet, I liked some of McCain's points. I liked some of Obama's. But I didn't think either could get Congress to work with them.
I think a third party can happen--it has in the past (populists). But it will take strong leadership and media support to happen.
That's what I really hate, the influence the media has on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.
Yet, I liked some of McCain's points. I liked some of Obama's. But I didn't think either could get Congress to work with them.
I think a third party can happen--it has in the past (populists). But it will take strong leadership and media support to happen.
That's what I really hate, the influence the media has on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.
I considered all of the cadidates. I voted for who I thought was the best option for the country.
I think until people stop worrying about "throwing away" their votes, there is no chance of ending the monopoly of the two ruling parties, no matter how bad of a job they do. It may take 50 years to build up enough voters that some other party has a chance, but in the long view, that is a better option than continuing to vote for less than acceptable candidates just out of "fear of the other guy". It is part of the rhetoric that keeps these unsavory powers that be in control. My opinion is that in 50 years, either there will be another party that has a chance to win or the two sides will be polarized against each other so badly that we will end up in civil war. ... if it takes that long! Moderates (and I really believe there are more of us than there are people on either the conservative or liberal side) may be the ones who save this country by NOT voting according to their fears, but according to their real moral compass.
We have been trained to see ourselves as "democrat" or "republican" even if neither party really represents our views. We should instead see ourselves as Americans, making the "parties" prove their fitness to rule us by our vote. That is how it is supposed to work. The fact that we have allowed it to become "a numbers game" for who ever is the lesser of two evils is why the system is failing. As long as we keep thinking that way, there is no accounability to either group for abuse of power, for poor management, for bad moral choices... They get to keep doing whatever they want BECAUSE they taught us that we are "throwing away our vote" if we vote for somebody else and we believed them.
JM2C,
Cindyc.
I think until people stop worrying about "throwing away" their votes, there is no chance of ending the monopoly of the two ruling parties, no matter how bad of a job they do. It may take 50 years to build up enough voters that some other party has a chance, but in the long view, that is a better option than continuing to vote for less than acceptable candidates just out of "fear of the other guy". It is part of the rhetoric that keeps these unsavory powers that be in control. My opinion is that in 50 years, either there will be another party that has a chance to win or the two sides will be polarized against each other so badly that we will end up in civil war. ... if it takes that long! Moderates (and I really believe there are more of us than there are people on either the conservative or liberal side) may be the ones who save this country by NOT voting according to their fears, but according to their real moral compass.
We have been trained to see ourselves as "democrat" or "republican" even if neither party really represents our views. We should instead see ourselves as Americans, making the "parties" prove their fitness to rule us by our vote. That is how it is supposed to work. The fact that we have allowed it to become "a numbers game" for who ever is the lesser of two evils is why the system is failing. As long as we keep thinking that way, there is no accounability to either group for abuse of power, for poor management, for bad moral choices... They get to keep doing whatever they want BECAUSE they taught us that we are "throwing away our vote" if we vote for somebody else and we believed them.
JM2C,
Cindyc.
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I couldn't decide which the lesser of two evils were, so I wrote in Hillary Clinton. (I thought she should have got the Democratic nomination.)
Did I throw my vote away? No. I voted for who I thought should be President. We could have a radical change and big surprize if people would forget about "you are throwing your vote away by voting for anyone other than Democrat or Republican." If enough people would forget about that nonsense, we could possibly see another party develop, but until that time it's not going to happen.
If anything, I feel I made my opinion known that I was unhappy with either candidate.
And since I did vote, I am also eligible to complain about Obama if he doesn't turn things around and bring in "change" like he promised. The problem is knowing if the change is going to be a good change or a bad change! However, I will give him a chance BEFORE I start complaining!
Did I throw my vote away? No. I voted for who I thought should be President. We could have a radical change and big surprize if people would forget about "you are throwing your vote away by voting for anyone other than Democrat or Republican." If enough people would forget about that nonsense, we could possibly see another party develop, but until that time it's not going to happen.
If anything, I feel I made my opinion known that I was unhappy with either candidate.
And since I did vote, I am also eligible to complain about Obama if he doesn't turn things around and bring in "change" like he promised. The problem is knowing if the change is going to be a good change or a bad change! However, I will give him a chance BEFORE I start complaining!
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hmmm... why don't the polls show this? I wrote in Ron Paul. But why don't the polls show these other votes? Maybe it's just us on this board and everyone else bought into the "lesser of two evils" government.
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I voted Baldwin. (I worked on the Ron Paul campaign)
I did not throw my vote away, nor did I "allow" Obama to win because I didn't vote McCain.
I can't begin to describe the torment I went through trying to decide if I should vote Obama or McCain. I just couldn't get myself to pick either one. I did what was best for me and my family and I went with Baldwin because if I didn't follow my heart and head I was doing myself and them no justice.
I did not throw my vote away, nor did I "allow" Obama to win because I didn't vote McCain.
I can't begin to describe the torment I went through trying to decide if I should vote Obama or McCain. I just couldn't get myself to pick either one. I did what was best for me and my family and I went with Baldwin because if I didn't follow my heart and head I was doing myself and them no justice.
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I should think that, even if you voted for Obama, you'd stand up and say something if you thought he was out of line on any given decision or policy.
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I'm displeased with both choices. When I settle for the better of two bad choices I've still chosen bad.
No. I voted for the person I believe was the best candidate.
Yes. When the economy continues to decline, the wars continue to cost us trillions of dollars, our own people continue to be under served, enough people will realize we have to have true change to make this mess better.
Yes.
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I dont think there will ever be a viable third party. I dont think my vote for the libertarian candidate was wasted any more than if I didint vote at all. McCain and obama represent policies that I dissagree with. I would not vote for either of them. I considered both of them but I dont like either candidates gun control history, or obamas want to make a national healthcare, or mccains patriot act.
There were to many things both did that I think are to far away from what I think is right. Thats why I voted libertarian
There were to many things both did that I think are to far away from what I think is right. Thats why I voted libertarian
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I voted for Baldwin also. I just sort of knew that Obama would get the election but there was no way on God's green earth I could have supported McCain. As for there being a viable alternative, no, not as long as the Reps and Dems have access to federal campaign funds and other candidates don't and not as long as the Reps and Dems have special privileges (missing deadlines and such) that other candidates are not given. I do not feel as though I threw my vote away, I can rest in good conscious knowing I didn't vote for those I felt were not capable of guiding this country into a direction that is beneficial for all of it's citizens.
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Well yes, I guess what I was trying to say was I at least voted. If you at least voted then you are allowed to praise or complain about whatever the elected officials do.
It's the people who don't take the time vote or aren't even registered to vote, yet they complain about how things are being run. (If you mention to them that they didn't even vote, they say "My vote wouldn't make a difference.")
If don't take part in the Democratic process, then don't complain about it!
The answers given above are how I would of answered as well
(I would of voted Ron Paul but cast my vote for the man he endorsed instead)
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