May 9, 201214 yr While I understand your thinking (and largely agree with it), I won't vote for a third party. I just can't. Way too much at stake this November for me to vote for a 3rd party. I'd like to; I really would. But I just think I have a duty to my family and my country to not waste my vote to make a point that I'm not happy with the existing two parties. So, what is the statistical probability that your one vote, cast the way you "really would" like to, will cost the Republican Party (for argument's sake) the White House? More or less than the probability that a third-party candidate will win? I've never understood the reasoning that one shouldn't vote for a third-party candidate - even if that candidate is your first choice - because it's a "wasted vote". Some BGPers might be shocked to learn that mcpapa - MCPAPA - voted Perot in '92.
May 9, 201214 yr So, what is the statistical probability that your one vote, cast the way you "really would" like to, will cost the Republican Party (for argument's sake) the White House? More or less than the probability that a third-party candidate will win? I've never understood the reasoning that one shouldn't vote for a third-party candidate - even if that candidate is your first choice - because it's a "wasted vote". Some BGPers might be shocked to learn that mcpapa - MCPAPA - voted Perot in '92. So it's only been 20 years since we agreed on something? Sweet!
May 9, 201214 yr So, what is the statistical probability that your one vote, cast the way you "really would" like to, will cost the Republican Party (for argument's sake) the White House? More or less than the probability that a third-party candidate will win? I've never understood the reasoning that one shouldn't vote for a third-party candidate - even if that candidate is your first choice - because it's a "wasted vote". Some BGPers might be shocked to learn that mcpapa - MCPAPA - voted Perot in '92. Extremely low. But I can assure you that I won't be a participant in that statistical probability happening. If too many voters vote for the third party candidate, that otherwise would have voted for Romney, and President Obama ends up taking Kentucky then I would be very upset with myself for voting for the third party candidate. Again, chances of that happening are low, probably very low. I still won't take that chance. Way too much on the line.
May 9, 201214 yr If there were a 3rd party cadidate that I could get behind, I'd 100% cast my vote for him/her. I voted Perot, you know.
May 9, 201214 yr Satan himself could run for President on the Republican ticket and the state of KY would still vote for him over the Democratic nominee. :lol:
May 9, 201214 yr Extremely low. But I can assure you that I won't be a participant in that statistical probability happening. If too many voters vote for the third party candidate, that otherwise would have voted for Romney, and President Obama ends up taking Kentucky then I would be very upset with myself for voting for the third party candidate. Again, chances of that happening are low, probably very low. I still won't take that chance. Way too much on the line. And that, my friend, is why the two-party system is here to stay. Every four years, folks will wring their hands a little bit and talk about how they really would prefer the third-party candidate; but when push comes to shove, they can't make the commitment. Reps and Dems; with no viable alternative, are here to stay.
May 9, 201214 yr While I understand your thinking (and largely agree with it), I won't vote for a third party. I just can't. Way too much at stake this November for me to vote for a 3rd party. I'd like to; I really would. But I just think I have a duty to my family and my country to not waste my vote to make a point that I'm not happy with the existing two parties. Fair enough. I don't see it as wasting my vote. My hope is that at some point in my lifetime that a true Libertarian candidate can be competitive and bring a 3rd party to prominence. The best way I can achieve this is by using my vote. I honestly do not anticipate a huge change in the direction of the country even if Gov. Romney wins in November. However, if a Libertarian candidate were to reside in the White House, and several members of congress were to get on board with these beliefs, then I could see this country taking the necessary steps to start shrinking the size of government, shrinking our influence abroad and in turn shrink our debt. This along with minimizing the government's role in our day to day lives could set the country on a path to succcss. IMO More and more of my liberal and conservative friends find themselves more and more in line with Libertarian beliefs. They just don't feel like they have a "real" (for lack of a better word) option to vote a candidate with those beliefs that has a chance to actually compete and win. Hopefully my vote and support for these candidates will help give us a chance to do that sometime down the road.
May 9, 201214 yr Extremely low. But I can assure you that I won't be a participant in that statistical probability happening. If too many voters vote for the third party candidate, that otherwise would have voted for Romney, and President Obama ends up taking Kentucky then I would be very upset with myself for voting for the third party candidate. Again, chances of that happening are low, probably very low. I still won't take that chance. Way too much on the line.As long as you are ok with our country heading down the same path then this a sound strategy...
May 9, 201214 yr While I understand your thinking (and largely agree with it), I won't vote for a third party. I just can't. Way too much at stake this November for me to vote for a 3rd party. I'd like to; I really would. But I just think I have a duty to my family and my country to not waste my vote to make a point that I'm not happy with the existing two parties.I guess it's not a wasted vote when instead of winning Kentucky by 16% Romney wins by 16.000000000000000000000000001%.
May 9, 201214 yr It is interesting how the state has flipped in the past 50 years. Before 1960 it was solidly democrat. Now I think a democrat has only won 3 of the past 9 or 10?
May 9, 201214 yr I voted for the Libertarian candidate in 2008. I haven't been following closely, is it Obama or Romney who share your libertarian beliefs?
May 9, 201214 yr Author Satan himself could run for President on the Republican ticket and the state of KY would still vote for him over the Democratic nominee. :lol: I said the exact same thing several months ago. :lol:
May 9, 201214 yr Satan himself could run for President on the Republican ticket and the state of KY would still vote for him over the Democratic nominee. :lol:If that's the case then why not vote for the candidate which best fits your state beliefs?
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