Rock the Vote?
October 10, 2008 zooma56
Obviously, being in a college environment, the presidential election is a humongous deal this year! For many students, including myself, it’s our first opportunity to vote for anything. Now in my opinion, college is supposed to be about sharing opinions, views, and beliefs- especially political ones. However, I feel that it has become increasingly difficult for students in this liberal college Boston environment to state their true feelings.
I’ll be honest. I’m voting for Bob Barr (the libertarian) because I don’t trust either Obama or McCain. I find them both to be incompetent “jerks” and can’t have putting one of them in office on my conscience. As of today, 5 Simmons students have completely jumped down my throat, claiming my vote for Bob Barr will be a vote wasted. They tell me, how can I vote for Bob Barr, when there’s no chance of him winning; I’m only taking votes away from Obama. Here’s how I see it.
1) I’m registered to MA. Obama is going to win my state no matte what.
2) If I was forced against my will to vote for one of the major parties, I would vote McCain over Obama. So, technically I’m not taking any votes away from Obama, seeing as he never had mine to begin with.
3) I respect everyones decision to vote for Obama, McCain, or anyone else they choose…so why is it seen as such a sin for me to vote for a minor party candidate? I believe in a small federal government that barely interferes in my everyday life….that’s what the libertarian party stands for.
I just wish I could vote in peace.
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1. Lisa&hellip | October 10, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Former Democrat here, voting Libertarian as well. I have been accused of wasting my vote. I don’t care, I’d rather “waste” it than let one of those 2 creeps have it! I am not sure how people in this country expect a 3rd party to ever gain strength when they are too afraid to vote for it!
2. Erik&hellip | October 10, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Waste away with me…. I’m “wasting” my vote on Bob Barr too. Now if we can only get about 40-50 million others to “waste” theirs maybe our won’t be wasted.
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection
that your vote is never lost.
–John Quincy Adams
3. dj&hellip | October 10, 2008 at 10:27 pm
a vote for either the republicrat or the demican, for the sake of the “lesser of two evils,” is a truly wasted vote. it’s going to be such a shame to see bajohn mcbama take the oath with his fingers crossed behind his back, pledging service to the people, when they’ve just recently taken from all the taxpayers, and given to the “greedy” “fat cats”, while letting a few quarters per dollar slip into the hands of terrorists and politicians, and then used populist rhetoric to cover their true intent. the free market has not failed, it has been betrayed. regulation may slow the economy, but only corruption can cause a crisis of this magnitude.
4. largebill&hellip | October 11, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Zooma,
Your Dad said to stop by and say hi. Hi.
Regarding your desire to vote in peace don’t sweat it. If people ask you who you are voting for tell them that it is your business and your business alone. It seems far too many people believe it is appropriate to tell someone else who to vote for. Classic definition of arrogance. I’ll argue the merits of the candidates and their policies on the internet, but I’d never presume to tell a co-worker or neighbor who they should vote for in an election.
Take care,
Bill
5. P. Ingemi&hellip | October 12, 2008 at 12:44 am
The “taking a vote away from Obama” argument implies that it belonged to him.
Your vote is yours do with it as you will, and make sure people know you will.
Once you establish your willingness to buck opinion you will find yourself free and happy for many years to come.
6. Ryan&hellip | October 12, 2008 at 3:26 am
I am in the same situation, living in Mass and voting for Bob Barr. When people hassle me about it, I give essentially the same reasons that you do. You should never feel compelled to vote for the lesser of two evils, because then you’re still voting for evil. And 3rd party votes aren’t entirely wasted, every one cast moves the 3rd party closer to the threshold where they can receive federal money. Money like that is huge for enabling the smaller parties to get their message out and show people that there are actually people out there with different ideas.
7. Gypsy Soul&hellip | October 12, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Good writing, you take after your father.
8. Carlos&hellip | October 12, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Great post.