What do you guys think about voting for the smaller parties?
By melissacus
@melissacus (441)
United States
November 2, 2008 12:19pm CST
My step-dad and I were talking about this awhile ago and he said that voting for a smaller party like "the green party" would basically be like throwing your vote away since they hold no competition with the others. I disagreed. But thinking about it now, I see where he would get that idea. It would kind of be like not voting at all.
What do you think? Would you or have you ever voted for a smaller party?
3 people like this
5 responses
@kdhartford (1151)
• United States
2 Nov 08
I think that voting for the smaller parties, in today's environment, is in fact throwing your vote away. I would like it if there were other parties. I would like to see a party that represented veterans, but right now the main parties seem to be sucking up to the special interests. Yes, they both do it.
2 people like this
@melissacus (441)
• United States
2 Nov 08
Kennyrose, I'm not sure you understood the concept of my discussion. I didn't ever even mention Obama and somehow you managed to make your whole response about him and your negative opinion on him.
I was asking about the other parties that aren't democratic or republican.
BUT, since you mentioned it :) I'm a supporter of Obama and I disagree with what you were saying about our nation turning into a third world country. That isn't possible. We're the most powerful country in the world and I would bet my life that we aren't going to completely crash because of a president in a matter of years. Come on. No need for such dramatic, irrational statements. Just because YOU don't agree with Obama's plans doesn't mean that they're doomed to fail. I believe when he becomes president, he's going to be proving a lot of people wrong.
1 person likes this
@melissacus (441)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Hahahaha. Nice to know. Obviously there's some sort of feud between you two.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
2 Nov 08
melissa, kennyrose is the definition of "dramatic and irrational". She does this every chance she gets...posting the same garbage over and over again...taking full advantage of her ability to cut & paste. I usually ignore her and her youtube posts but sometimes I just can't help but comment on something stupid she posts. 
1 person likes this
@chris_h360 (108)
• Canada
2 Nov 08
I would say that if you believe in what the smaller parties plans are then yes. Every party is equal and just because their smaller doesn't mean you cant give them the vote if you think they deserve it. I guess if you were to think that you believe in what they say but you don't think that they can follow in it or wouldn't make good party when in power then id say not to vote for them.
@mehale (2200)
• United States
2 Nov 08
Honestly, where the presidential election is concerned, voting for a third party candidate is little more than a protest vote. The smaller parties have no chance of actually winning the election, and therefore all you are doing by voting for them is to complain against both of the two bigger party candidates that we have to choose from.
On the other hand, in the smaller elections - like say house, senate, state, and local elections they stand a better chance of getting elected. They would also stand more chance of doing more good as they would in effect be able to have a direct say in each and every bill that passes through congress.
So, I guess it would depend on what level of election you are talking about.
1 person likes this
@melissacus (441)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Yeah, I agree. With smaller elections they would have way more of a chance than with monumental ones, like this.
Thanks for the response.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
2 Nov 08
My daughter and I had a conversation about her difficulty in deciding who she would vote for. I have from the beginning told her to look at more than just the two main candidates and it is never a wasted vote if you leave the polls satisfied that you made a decision based on your convictions and what you believe to be the right choice.
@melissacus (441)
• United States
3 Nov 08
You sound like you have strong convictions. I respect that. Thanks for your view.
@sirnose (2436)
• United States
2 Nov 08
yes, i have voted for third party candidates in minor elections,but, in major ones always for the major candidates because it's just a waste of time and effort to vote for minor candidates; I like to be realistic there's no good reason to vote for a minor candidate in a major race not even as a protest vote all you got to do is look back in history like Ross perot bid for president a few years ago it's just all for not...
1 person likes this
