Seemingly every four years we hear about people wasting their votes. Right now this very issue is raising it’s ugly head among many of my fellow bloggers. Mostly what is being said is that a vote for anyone other than McCain is a vote for Obama.
Folks this is not algebra, and there isn’t any way that you can turn negatives into positives. This is a matter of honesty, as well as honor. Voting is a duty in my opinion. If you don’t vote, then you give up any right to complain about what the government is doing whatsoever. Some people understand that, and others? Well, it is just beyond their ken apparently.
Voting is an expression of our Constitution and what this nation actually stands for and is about. I don’t care on this level who you vote for as long as you vote your conscience. Failing to do so makes you a lemming, not a citizen. Voting your conscience is being what you are, an American.It is not wasting a vote contrary to what political pundits will say.
When John McCain passes more laws abridging your right to voice your opinion don’t say that I didn’t warn you. When Barack Obama takes away your right to effectively defend yourself, don’t say that I didn’t warn you. When you don’t vote your conscience and get something that you didn’t bargain for? Don’t say that I didn’t warn you.
Tags: Election 2008, Politics, voting, wasted vote
Conservative Libertarian Outpost 
October 26, 2008 at 12:48
A BIG a-men Pat! I’ve also said the same thing. Keep up the good work. I’ve oft wondered if the 3rd party isn’t just paid lackeys from the liberals to bleed repub votes away.
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October 26, 2008 at 13:09
I agree strongly agree that voting is not so much a right as a responsibility. Also, claiming that not voting for one of the major candidates is voting for the other is utter nonsense- I just consider it as one more sign that unless something shocking occurs, Obama will win the election. And something shocking may occur. It’s happened before.
On the other hand, I understand why some people believe this. It’s a misunderstanding related to the way our electoral system works; if not a misunderstanding, than at least an oversimplification. Let me say this, I do believe that the electoral system is broken. Not so much ‘broken’ in the sense of a vase as in character builds in MMORPGs. Only a Republican or a Democrat can become president under the current system. We should take a careful look at other country’s multi-party political systems and consider what we can do to allow more voices.
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October 26, 2008 at 13:12
Re: Neil or bear
The idea that the 3rd party candidates are just paid lackeys to bleed republican votes away is absurd. Historically they done as much damage to liberal candidates as conservatives. It can (and has) be easily argued that Nader lost Gore the election.
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October 26, 2008 at 13:55
I am one that fully believes it is a DUTY to vote… By sitting it out you have let this nation down, but if you voted for a REAL candidate, whether it be McCain, Obama or Barr, you have NOT wasted a vote, you have done your duty, you have met your end of the deal and if folks don’t like that, well, I’m bending over, pucker up!! 😛
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