2008-10-23
The Alternatives.....Are They Worth Looking At?
OK I already voted, and I didn't go third party, I did the traditional two party. Here in Texas, the other candidates aren't mentioned on the ballot, they have to be written in.
I will tell you why I don't vote third party. It isn't because I think all the third party candidates suck. Let's be real, no one is representing all of my ideals. I don't think Obama is the messiah, but I do think compared to what we have he is a better choice. I will say I don't third party vote at this point and time because the American people for the most part are lazy about politics. No one wants to sit down and research every candidate to see their views and planned approaches to solving our country's issues, they look at what the media provides them, and the media simply ignores any party outside of the Democrats and Republicans. We also tend to vote for those who we think can actually win. I think Obama has a way better chance of winning than Cynthia McKinney. I feel McCain has a better chance at winning than Ron Paul or Bob Barr (is it me, or does Bob Barr look like he is part black, he looks like he might be octoroon or something, it is sad I am using the term octoroon in the year 2008). Looking at history, third party candidates just don't fare well during the elections. Ross Perot was considered the exception and he received only 18.9% of the popular vote and none of the Electoral College vote in 1992, in 1996, he only received 8% of the vote. I just feel that this is not the election to go 3rd party on. We have too much at stake. The economy is in a tailspin, we are in wars, and our education system is in shambles. So maybe in another election when we aren't suffering I might be experimental. I like Ralph Nader kind of sort of (even though he lied about dropping out of the race in 2000). I like the ideals of the Green Party overall, but I just feel that at this juncture and time a third party vote is a wasted vote.
How do we break free of the two party system?
Side Note: I once saw Ross Perot at Sam Moon, he was looking for cowboy earrings, if you don't know Sam Moon is where you go to get cheap jewelry and purses. Yes, they sell Goaches, Louis Buitton, Katey Spadeys, Cucci, Lermes, and other generic looks. Ross Perot is a billionaire and he was shopping in Sam Moon, then it is good enough for me. He didn't even have security around him or anything, he was just there asking the sales lady did she have cowboy earrings. I was steady shopping there, and still do, don't hate. I can rock Coach, I can rock generic no name, I have no shame in my game. Now let me get ready to see what is on sale at Old Navy and then off to Payless for BOGO.
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Just to speak on Sam Moon right quick, my aunt made us go there when we visited Dallas once... like it was a big f'ing deal. She planned out a whole shopping trip with the big feature being Sam Moon, and we stayed for all of 10 minutes.
People take road trips to Sam Moon, I don't get it, I like the store, but I have to be near one to think about it. I do go to their website because I don't feel like wasting gas and fighting folks. Go on a Saturday it is mayhem.
People are very poorly educated about their choices on the ballot and there is really no excuse for that in a democracy. People kill themselves to get to this country and they vote every time they can while people born here couldn't care less. I'm especially dissapointed in my generation who has failed to see how imperiled our future is, turn out should be at 100% for the 18-34 year olds.
A third party candidate could probably do some good at one's local level.
I was so disappointed in my sister and brother. One turned 18 this year and the other just turned 20. I had been on them for over a month. I mean, they were a walk away from the public library!!!.. They definitely could care less, along with my mother. I'm sure she isn't voting because she left the country!!! lmao
But I voted early too, Siditty, just because I didn't feel like re-registering here in NY, but I did do my research on the candidates in that area. Florida is tossing around that Gay marriage crap...again!!! Didn't we vote a few years ago for this same thing!!???
People are very poorly educated about their choices on the ballot and there is really no excuse for that in a democracy. People kill themselves to get to this country and they vote every time they can while people born here couldn't care less. I'm especially dissapointed in my generation who has failed to see how imperiled our future is, turn out should be at 100% for the 18-34 year olds.
I am glad I am still considered young but just barely, only two years away from 34 ::sigh::
I don't get why people don't vote. I know you have your ideals, but there will never be the total ideal candidate or party. I was shocked when I did the vote post at how many people were saying they weren't going to vote at all. Some people rationalized it. Some people said they only vote on the local level. I don't know about other states, but when I go to vote here in Texas, I don't just vote for the US President. I vote for Senate, as well as county officials, as well as bonds and city proposals.
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A third party candidate could probably do some good at one's local level.
I voted Libertarian on some of our local positions. I didn't go completely lazy and vote straight ticket Democrat.
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I was so disappointed in my sister and brother. One turned 18 this year and the other just turned 20. I had been on them for over a month. I mean, they were a walk away from the public library!!!.. They definitely could care less, along with my mother. I'm sure she isn't voting because she left the country!!! lmao
Heck, in some states you don't even have to leave your house to register!!!!!! Give you sis and bro hell about that. They have no room to complain when the shit hits the fan.
When it was clear Hillary wasn't going to be tapped as the Democratic presidential candidate, a lot of women were upset--they wanted to vote for a woman. To those I knew who felt this way, I pointed out that they could still vote for a woman: Cynthia McKinney. The refrain then became "I want to vote for someone who can win."
I think it would do America good to have more parties involved than the GOP and the Dems. Two groups cannot possibly begin to accurately and dutifully represent the full political spectrum. Combating the two giants is an uphill battle. They have more people and, most importantly, more money than nearly all other parties. Ross Perot was as successful as he was because he could fund his own campaign. I think if more third party candidates are successful at the local level (city, county, then state), people may think of them as more than just a wasted vote.
Even if they had the money, I don't think McKinney and Clemente have a chance. They're "too" much (female, ethnic, talking about reparations, personal freedoms, and equality in opportunity) for America, especially when we consider what kinds of people have shown themselves because Obama has a legitimate chance at winning.
"I don't just vote for the US President. I vote for Senate, as well as county officials, as well as bonds and city proposals. "
And I really think that's the first step to making effective political change. Too many people let other other issues slide but still think they've done something when they vote on the president, governor, and mayor. It's better than not voting at all, but it's nothing to be satisfied with.
When it was clear Hillary wasn't going to be tapped as the Democratic presidential candidate, a lot of women were upset--they wanted to vote for a woman. To those I knew who felt this way, I pointed out that they could still vote for a woman: Cynthia McKinney. The refrain then became "I want to vote for someone who can win." I think it would do America good to have more parties involved than the GOP and the Dems. Two groups cannot possibly begin to accurately and dutifully represent the full political spectrum. Combating the two giants is an uphill battle. They have more people and, most importantly, more money than nearly all other parties. Ross Perot was as successful as he was because he could fund his own campaign. I think if more third party candidates are successful at the local level (city, county, then state), people may think of them as more than just a wasted vote. Even if they had the money, I don't think McKinney and Clemente have a chance. They're "too" much (female, ethnic, talking about reparations, personal freedoms, and equality in opportunity) for America, especially when we consider what kinds of people have shown themselves because Obama has a legitimate chance at winning.
I was shocked at the amount of people who assume black people will vote for Barack simply because he is black, but then turn around and vote McCain and Palin because there is the possibility of having a female in the White House, regardless of her qualifications.
I definitely think America can benefit from more than two parties.
I did on the local level vote pretty much libertarian, independent, or democrat, the problem is there isn't much in way of options in my area because it is overwhelmingly republican, and in many positions, there was only one person running for office, and they were republican. Another problem is that not ALL candidates are listed on the ballot, unless you know specifically the person running for a particular spot, you have no other options, of course that goes back to researching the candidates.
Yeah I think the Green Party had too much going on, people are barely ready for a half black man, much less two minority women talking about reparations.
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And I really think that's the first step to making effective political change. Too many people let other other issues slide but still think they've done something when they vote on the president, governor, and mayor. It's better than not voting at all, but it's nothing to be satisfied with.
Voter education is really important, and to me it seems there are lots of initiatives out there to convince people to vote, but it seems only during presidential elections do these groups seem active. Any other time, complete silence. Maybe someone should start a group to push for voter education all the time for ALL levels of government.
I like the Green party platform but Cynthia Mckinney is just wayyy to out there. Her weird comments about not liking Al Gore because he wouldn't been seen with any negros, never mind that Donna Brazile was his campaign manager. Her father blaming the Jews for her congressional election loss and her personal security team were the New Black Panthers! Even Ralph Nader keeps getting weirder and weirder and he seemed unbalanced to me the last time he was on Bill Maher.
I like the Green party platform but Cynthia Mckinney is just wayyy to out there. Her weird comments about not liking Al Gore because he wouldn't been seen with any negros, never mind that Donna Brazile was his campaign manager. Her father blaming the Jews for her congressional election loss and her personal security team were the New Black Panthers! Even Ralph Nader keeps getting weirder and weirder and he seemed unbalanced to me the last time he was on Bill Maher.
Yeah Cynthia seems to be a bit out there. I like the green party, but I don't know how I like Cynthia, she has a crazy look in her eyes like she could throw down in a fight, and we don't need that in the White House, even though that would be really cool. The 9/11 comments kind of scared me off of her.
I voted for the first time in a major election this year! Well, obviously not at the polls, but I sent in my first absentee ballot since I'll be at school on the 4th. =)
I think the third party thing would make things interesting. However, the two party system is basically sponsored by corporate America. That being the case, third party candidates are exculded from debates which the dems & repubs negotiate on prior to.
There is no true democracy as most would have us believe. Take away the special interest aka corporate contributions via sponsorships, and things would be different.
I voted on Tuesday, and I tell you what! There was more stuff to be voted on with local referendums than I've ever seen. Truthfully, I think people should pay more attention to their local politics than waiting for every four years for the presidential elections.
I voted on Tuesday, and I tell you what! There was more stuff to be voted on with local referendums than I've ever seen. Truthfully, I think people should pay more attention to their local politics than waiting for every four years for the presidential elections.
I agree!!!!! I think this is the key to raising the profile and prominence of other parties.
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