In another thread, someone suggested to @theguru that he vote 3rd party as he wasn't happy with the choices, and he responded that it was a chicken you know what thing to do.

 

In other threads, we've had numerous posters say that those who vote 3rd party should just stay home, are throwing their votes away, and have been laughed at because they can't win.

 

My question is, isn't the point of voting to cast your vote for a candidate that best represents your beliefs and views on the issues? If that's the case, and neither of the major party candidates fit your belief system, why would you not cast a vote for a 3rd party candidate that does?

 

Why is voting for the "winner" such a big deal to people? Wouldn't you rather vote for someone you respect than someone you can't stand, but that you think is going to win?

I listened to Joe Rogan's podcast the other day when he had Gary Johnson on. Johnson was basically begging people to vote for the candidate they most aligned with. He said a 3rd party candidate has no chance unless they can get into the Presidential debates and they can't do that unless they poll over 15%. He also said a 3rd party candidate can't poll over 15% because they are not included in national polls.

To sum it up, the entire game is controlled by the two parties and until the belief that my vote is wasted goes away it will continue to be that way. It was an interesting interview and I agree with much of his platform. I'm just not sure I can get behind his vision of health care.

I've only voted third party in every presidential election since I have been of age, so I am definitely not arguing, and am actually very sympathetic to your view. Personally, my own logic provides that out of the two major party candidates I will always prefer one over another, but given the total number of voters, if I am going to take my time to drive to the polling station, I want my voice to be given as much weight as possible. This alone would lead me to generally vote third party, and it ignores the more important aspects including my general disdain for just about everyone who has made it to the general election, and my absolute hatred that we only have two parties to choose from to begin with.

 

For an explanation though, I don't know how successful I would be summarizing an entire subject, but in short, game theory. There will always be fear that the other guy (or gal) will be so dangerous that one should vote for the person they most align with out of the people that the group has decided are the only one's that have a chance. At the end of the day though, an election along a spectrum will always end up toward the middle.

In another thread, someone suggested to @theguru that he vote 3rd party as he wasn't happy with the choices, and he responded that it was a chicken you know what thing to do.

 

In other threads, we've had numerous posters say that those who vote 3rd party should just stay home, are throwing their votes away, and have been laughed at because they can't win.

 

My question is, isn't the point of voting to cast your vote for a candidate that best represents your beliefs and views on the issues? If that's the case, and neither of the major party candidates fit your belief system, why would you not cast a vote for a 3rd party candidate that does?

 

Why is voting for the "winner" such a big deal to people? Wouldn't you rather vote for someone you respect than someone you can't stand, but that you think is going to win?

 

To be clear, I said I wasn't happy with one of the choices because of alleged criminal conduct.

 

On the issue of third party voting I have mixed feelings and I see both sides of the debate.

To be clear, I said I wasn't happy with one of the choices because of alleged criminal conduct.

 

On the issue of third party voting I have mixed feelings and I see both sides of the debate.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I made sure to mention you, so you could have the chance to do so. :thumb:

I listened to Joe Rogan's podcast the other day when he had Gary Johnson on. Johnson was basically begging people to vote for the candidate they most aligned with. He said a 3rd party candidate has no chance unless they can get into the Presidential debates and they can't do that unless they poll over 15%. He also said a 3rd party candidate can't poll over 15% because they are not included in national polls.

To sum it up, the entire game is controlled by the two parties and until the belief that my vote is wasted goes away it will continue to be that way. It was an interesting interview and I agree with much of his platform. I'm just not sure I can get behind his vision of health care.

 

To what is in bold, I think that comes from more than just a third party.

 

Think about it, why do we even bother to vote in KY. Unless you live in one of the battleground or large states, your vote really doesn't matter due to the Electoral College.

The so-called "third parties" are doing this to themselves. They need to stop popping up in presidential elections and make real runs at statehouses and city councils where the campaigns are smaller and one-on-one time with candidates can yield real results.

 

Now I'm not voting Libertarian because my views don't align with theirs but if a party came along more in line with my own views then I could absolutely see myself involved with them (probably center-left; think Liberal Democrats in England or Fine Gael in Ireland or the Christian Democratic Union in Germany).

No one should ever cast aspersions on anyone's reasoning for voting how they do. Voting is personal.

 

In addition, we all have loved ones someone in our family tree that died for our right to vote as we please.

Dems seem to tend to fall inline with the party no matter what. Even if it's not good for the country. Reps tend to vote consciences and not so much party. Voting for a third party only assures a dem win as Dems will vote their candidate and we fracture what's left into two losers.

People keep throwing out the claim that those who vote 3rd party would otherwise vote Republican. Can someone please show me any type of support or backup for that claim? I don't think it's accurate, but I'd like to see support before I dismiss it entirely.

 

I'll also add this. If neither the R or D candidate shares my beliefs or views, why would I care which one wins? Either way, I lose.

Dems seem to tend to fall inline with the party no matter what. Even if it's not good for the country. Reps tend to vote consciences and not so much party. Voting for a third party only assures a dem win as Dems will vote their candidate and we fracture what's left into two losers.

 

I seem to remember the fracturing of the left quite possibly handing George W Bush the presidency just 16 years ago.

Dems seem to tend to fall inline with the party no matter what. Even if it's not good for the country. Reps tend to vote consciences and not so much party. Voting for a third party only assures a dem win as Dems will vote their candidate and we fracture what's left into two losers.

 

Says it all. Republicans vote their lily white consciences while Dems blubber around following the idiot who has a D next to his name.

 

No wonder this country is divided many of you open a conversation with insults.

 

As far as the topic, I'm with @Getslow. No one knows these parties if they only pop up like boil every 4 years. If these 3rd parties want to stay around get some roots, Get in Congress, sway some politicians to their side. The Tea Party plan to just takeover the GOP isn't an effective way to establish a 3rd party.

People keep throwing out the claim that those who vote 3rd party would otherwise vote Republican. Can someone please show me any type of support or backup for that claim? I don't think it's accurate, but I'd like to see support before I dismiss it entirely.

 

I'll also add this. If neither the R or D candidate shares my beliefs or views, why would I care which one wins? Either way, I lose.

 

Who has ever said that? I haven't seen that in this thread.

Who has ever said that? I haven't seen that in this thread.

 

Let me rephrase....They claim voting third party is just like taking away a vote from Republican candidates.

Here's an article from something called "The Red State" that claims it's a fallacy that voting for a Third Party is the same as voting for Hillary.

 

No, a 3rd Party Vote isn't the Same as Voting for Hillary

 

I apologize for the insults about a person's intelligence that the author throws around, but the logic he uses to explain his point appears sound.