I'm Pretty Close to Convincing Myself Not to Vote McCain or Obama...

I don't know what to say to convince you, except the old "choose the lesser of two evils." The problem with voting third party is that, for all practical purposes, you'll be throwing your vote away. Until/unless a party appears or someone charismatic and level headed enough comes on the scene to gather more interest than either of the main line parties, there's not much we can do. Might as well not vote as to vote for someone who has no chance to win.

Follow your conscience. If you truly think you are making a statement by voting 3rd party even if you won't have a say in what happens to the country, just do it. I personally think it's a waste of a vote. I know you think that's stupid to think, but it's a lot different from voting democratic in a red state. If you do, you still have a chance to change things. We turned Virginia blue by voting for one of the 2 major parties. It can be done.

In principle, I agree with the premise that one should vote their conscience. It sounds so high and lofty. It is unfortunate that we have such a two-party system and that it will take an earthquake of major proportion for a third party candidate to ever get the chance. I think there might be a day when we would benefit from having a libertarian in the final running. On the other hand, in this election I might have to satisfy my conscience in another way. Do I really have an option other than to keep Obama out of the Whitehouse. He is the most dangereous anti-American I can imagine, one who has no love for the country as it has been for over 200 years. Obama has tons of bad associations and a record of poor judgments. The only way Obama loses is if someone else wins, and the only other person that has a chance is McCain. McCain is a safer bet, but it is hard to believe he was the best bet. I know that you follow the political scene closely and it is frustrating to contemplate the value of your vote if the electoral college votes are settled on Obama's side. Vote your conscience, and then join the rest of the country in living with the consequences of this long election. djbtol

Hello ParaTed, "Free-market critics look at his varied plans to raise taxes and pronounce him hostile to wealth creation and market growth. And in a small but telling episode during the Indiana primary, his campaign used a 2007 Fortune cover story -"Business Loves Hillary" - to attack Clinton, as if "business" were a dirty word, not the nation's economic engine." "since he landed in Detroit a year ago to tell the auto industry he would impose strict emissions standards, but in return help them with crippling health-care costs. In the coming months voters will hear that a decade-long middle-class squeeze hurts business, because it "reduces demand for the stuff that companies are selling," says his economic advisor, Austan Goolsbee. Therefore, he argues, business should support Obama's plan to shift the tax burden toward the wealthy and raise the federal minimum wage to $9.50 over two years (under current law it goes to $6.55 in July)." http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/20/magazines/fortune/easton_obama.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008062311 "he argues, business should support Obama's plan to shift the tax burden toward the wealthy" ... except that history clearly shows that when the tax burden is shifted to the few, they will simply find a way to protect their assets. To Hades with the workers that depend on a paycheck. As I'm sure you remember ParaTed, I long struggled with the same dilemma. As push has come to shove, I have had to force myself to surrender to pragmatism. I am voting my wallet this year. I'm looking long-term -- twenty to thirty years out. When I consider the economic damage that a Pelosi, Reid, Obama tag-team would inflict on the future of small business and economic development in the USA, I simply have to hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils. The alternative is simply not a viable option. So, I would say to you: If you want America to suffer from a short-term economic recession, then vote for McCain. If you want the "change" that's being promised to perhaps forever, or at the very least deflate economic development for two to three decades, then choose Obama. History doesn't lie! The decision we face today is the same decision of the Reagan and the Kennedy eras. The decision is as easily defined as: How far into the future do you care to look?

As much as I wish I could, I know I'm never going to convince you to vote for Obama so I won't waste my time. Not because I'm not confident in his abilities or of my own choice but because I know that every reason I would give you why you should vote for him would be a reason why you never would. What can I say, I'm on the left and you're on the right, but I still respect you and give you a lot of credit for your honesty here and your willingness to go against the Republican party. One thing we are in agreement about is the desire for candidates from parties other than the two major ones to have a real shot at winning a national election. I'd really love to see the parties disappear and have individuals run, people who owe nothing to a party leadership or to special interests and to see money play a much smaller role in our campaigns. Hey, I can dream, can't I? Annie

Para, did you watch the debate? If so, how do you feel now, after the debate? If not, why on earth did you not watch if you're undecided. The lesser of two evils is not necessarily something wrong. That is kinda the way it always will be, since no one is perfect. I think McCain makes the most sense, and his plans make the most sense. And he is not lying to us. I think it is clear that Obama is talking around the point on some of his plans. Like the way he answered Joe, the Plumber. When asked, doesn't your plan cause me to pay more taxes? And then I won't be able to afford to hire anyone. Obama just said it's not that I want to raise your taxes, but I think we need to spread the wealth. Now, why not just say yes, it will raise your taxes, even tho you're a small business and I keep saying small businesses won't be affected. Because if he admits how much he is increasing taxes, he won't be elected. when McCain says he won't raise anyone's taxes, he means it. We know he means it because of his history, and because his plan makes sense with not raising taxes, where anyone with a brain can see how Obama's plan will hurt, not help. But on the other hand, Obama told us something VERY important about him and his plan, even tho he tried hard to avoid saying yes, it's raise your taxes. He said he wants to spread the wealth. Now a lot of people on tv were questioning what, exactly, does that mean? Some of his supporters on tv were saying he didn't explain, but he did. He said he wants to take from the ones who have more and redistribute it to those who don't have. He said he sees no reason that should bother anyone. It's just socialism, that's all. So, if I were you, I would be doing everything in my power to get McCain elected, EVEN if it is just to keep Obama out of office. If we end up with Obama as President, and a democratic congress, we are DOOMED.

I've told others before, and I'll continue repeating myself until I die: I would rather not vote at all, then vote for a candidate I was not impressed with. I'd have voted libertarian, but the retards chose Bob Barr of all people to represent them. If I vote at all this year, it will be for the exact same candidate I've supported this whole time: Ron Paul (write in). He can't win, but that's not the point. The point is, that's the guy I want to see in the white house, and I'm going to let my vote show it (no matter how insignificant my vote is). The only wasted vote is the one cast for the lesser of two evils. One way or another, you're still choosing evil. People are so worried about voting for who they think will win, I think they've completely lost sight of the entire point of the election.