So, I have a question. I am going to write it here, but share it on Facebook, so you can either comment there or on the blog. I was talking to Brian the other day about politics, and we were lamenting that neither Obama nor Romney fit our particular world view of politics. We decided to search for alternate parties and Brian stumbled upon the Constitution party.
The Constitution party espouses almost everything I like, from foreign to domestic policy. The particular platform isn't so important, as that is not the point of this post. The Constitution party has a candidate for President: Virgil Goode out of Virginia. While he is on the ballot in 17 states, he can only amass 155 electoral votes and has no chance of winning.
Here is my dilemma. I would love for this party to succeed and become an active player in politics. I also know that the only way that is likely is if the party actually gets votes somewhere. However, I live in a swing state, and I know that my vote would have no chance of putting someone in the white house. (my vote for local leaders does have more sway).
So, the question is, do I ignore the fact that my vote won't "count" toward the presidential election, or do I vote hoping that it will "count" toward advancing the causes of a party I really like. I don't want to turn this into a debate about the current election, just what y'all would do in a similar situation.
Because we're not a true, direct democracy, I don't think anyone's vote "counts" as much as they think it does. I think all we can do is cast a vote we feel good about. If you vote your conscience and know that you've done all you can to bring about the results you want, you should be happy.
ReplyDeleteIt might help to think about it in a broader sense. If you feel strongly about a goal you want to achieve, do you continue to do what you can to accomplish it, despite the strong possibility of failure, or do you give up without trying?
On a side note, I too am disenchanted with both Obama and Romney, so I'll definitely have to look into this party.
I agree with Liz. I have always been taught to vote according to my own conscience. If I can't vote for Romney or Obama and actually feel good about the vote, then I will find someone I do feel good about voting for, even if they may have a slim chance. It's the "not making a difference" mindset that prevents third parties from ever succeeding. If everyone voted for who they thought best, and actually researched the elections, then I feel there would be more active, and successful parties, in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI can see what both Liz and Mike are saying. On the other hand, I can't say that I have EVER found a canidate that matches 100% of what I wanted and believed, so I have to pick and choose what I think is most imporant when voting. I can almost alway find someone who agrees with my abortion views- which is my top priority- and they also usually fall right in line with my other "tops". I agree with finding another party, I agree with supporting them, but their canidates don't often have lots "MORE" to offer then the main two choices. And I agree with Liz, but I do vote where I think it will make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI try to vote for the candidate that makes me purr. #Teambestlooking
ReplyDeleteJen, I understand that Republicans match up with your abortion views, which is great. The only issue is the fact that abortion isn't really an issue these days with the presidency because the president will never act on their views. Romney would never ban abortions, and Obama would never legalize it on the federal level. It is a state issue and to do that as a President would be political suicide. So, while I share the same view as you on the subject, I feel as though it plays more of a part when voting in state politics. I am curious, however, what your other top issues are that you mention. I find it interesting to see what people vote on. I feel like so many people who are born into republican families, especially LDS families, tend to vote solely on the abortion/gay marriage issue. What are your other priorities that you vote on?
ReplyDeleteAlso, the discussion on abortion is not meant to be argumentative, simply informational.
Purrrrrr....I think Obama would be the choice for me, but he did not age well over the last few years. Romney,too, grew less attractive over the last four years. I think I may have to put my support behind Greg's candidate, Virgil Goode. He does have an excellent jaw line.
ReplyDeleteHm. Well, looks are some political aspect I have never discussed before. As an objective (and male) observer, I have to say that Virgil Goode is not overly attractive. Nor Obama. If you are focused on looks, you should be pushing for Huntsman. He is definitely the Republic catch. I say that quite heterosexually, of course.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that politics are really confusing for me. I try but in the end I feel like my brain is going to explode with all of the issues and wondering if things are legitimate or if they were written by some biased person trying to sway my vote. I feel that it is important to exercise the right to vote but it is frustrating trying to find correct info on national and even local candidates. Where do you guys find your info. Help me because I really have no idea at this point. I've never liked Obama but I thought Romney was pretty good but you guys are saying he's not. Please help this politically constipated person!!
ReplyDeleteI usually use FactCheck.org as my political laxative. Although it mostly makes me hate all politicians because they LIE their little pants off. Of course, it wouldn't seem to bother Hayley if her candidate, whoever he may be, lied his little pants right off (in fact she may prefer it).
ReplyDeleteFinding an unbiased news source is difficult. And the issues are so complex, they are difficult to understand. Who can say wether trickle down economics works? How should I know what coutries we can appropriately aid with military force? I find myself voting in broad brush strokes because I don't understand the more finer details.
What I always try to keep in mind - and this may be very cynical of me - is that the majority of politicians these days (at least those in the two major parties at the national level) don't necessarily have America's best interests at heart as their number one priority. They all have friend they're trying to please and alliances they're trying to maintain, so I try to remember that as I explore their opinions and policies.
ReplyDeleteI also try to be aware of the source of my information. Like Alisha said, most places are biased one way or another. Sometimes it's easier to tell - Fox News, obviously, has very rightwing slant to it. Sometimes it's trickier, but writers rarely try to conceal the fact that they're biased. I have found some good, relatively objective articles on major news sites lately though - a couple from MSN and CNN come immediately to mind. These are usually the ones that merely present the facts - they don't editorialize or project outcomes, just cite unaffiliated entities' data and facts. So those are good. But as long as you read widely on a subject (as opposed to relying on just one news source for your information), and use sites like the one Greg suggested, you'll get a better feel.
The bottom line, I think, is that politicians kind of suck, and our current political system isn't doing anything to improve that. None of the candidates is going to be transparent, and most of their promises will never be fulfilled, and I think no matter who wins this election, there will still be very little progress made, because of the disconnect between the branches of government, and the political agendas of all our leaders.
Lish, here is the answer to Romney. We are sure that he is a good faithful Mormon, and holds some conservative views, but the reason that we are disenchanted with Romney is because he is just like any other politician. Is willing to lie and deceive and slander and make false promises to get into the presidency. As far as issues, there are things that I agree with and disagree with, just like Obama, but he has proven to be just another typical politician. That is what I am sick of.
ReplyDeleteAs far as issues, I agree with you. It is terribly difficult. You can't listen to the politicians themselves, because they twist their words and messages and make different promises based on who they are talking to. They will say whatever is needed to appease the audience. You can't listen to ads. I looked at factcheck.org and it was simply story after story about how both candidates were lying and deceiving in their ads. You can't listen to the media because they, quite often, also have a strong political agenda and do not portray the whole story. In reality, whether Obama or Romney wins, neither will accomplish even half of what they are promising.
So, as for voting, I am voting based on who I think is a good person. I don't like Romney or Obama because, frankly, they are both lying politicians, despite personal religious credences. That's one reason why I like third party candidates. Because they stick to their messages, no matter how much they are criticized. They often stick to their message instead of slandering other people. And, since they know that they have almost no chances of winning, I feel like most times they are running for president because they actually care. Take Ron Paul, for instance. Interesting guy with some very out there stances. But I feel like, morally, he is far better than Obama and Romney. He always stuck to his message and never distorted what he said to please people. His ads almost compeltely avoided negative advertising. And, since he knew he would probably lose (as he had before as a third party cnadidate) I feel like he was doing it to try and get his message out and actually change things as opposed to getting power.
So, in short, I don't like while both Romney and Obama have policy issues that I agree and disagree with, I feel like they are both typical, dishonest, politicians. So I will continue my search for someone who I feel to be of good, honest character to vote for. Even if they have no chance of winning, I feel better supporting someone who, perhaps I don't completely agree with, but who I feel is a good person.
Aaaaaand exhale!
After Liz read and discussed with me, I need to clarify how I feel about Obama and Romney. I am sure they are both good people in their personal lives. They both have good families, are religious, and seem to be of good moral character. What I don't like is what they become when they step into the political arena. Mud slinging animals. While other, third party candidates, like Ron Paul, seem like they are not only moral in their personal lives, but that they maintain that sense of morality in the political arena. Hope that makes it more clear.
ReplyDeleteIt's simple for me. I really, really don't like Obama. Romney is the only one that has a chance of getting him OUT. Our country can't stand 4 more years of him. And perfect or not, Rommney has more of a chance to be guided by the Holy Ghost than Obama. If we prefer another party, start supporting/promoting it after the election when our efforts will be more effective for the next election
ReplyDeleteIn Obama's defense (not that I'm an Obama supporter), the political problems of the last four years, at least in the federal government, have stemmed not just from him, but from Congress and their childish games. I think no matter who the president is, we're just going to keep seeing more of the same thing unless Congress gets its act together.
ReplyDeleteDid I not tell you my head would explode? It just did. It actually makes me want to cry that things are so complicated and that people are so dishonest. Especially when it is a member of this church. I guess the feeling of being in high school never really goes away. You'd think that they could be adults about things but it's all the "popular" game and to be honest, I'm sick of it. I think that one of you should run for president and then I would know exactly who to vote for. Or are any of you up to moving to a remote island where we can set up a fair government.
ReplyDeleteI would side with the Constitution Party if that's where you can vote and feel the best. Who cares if it advances a party or not. The right to vote for whoever we "like" is what makes the elections great. If a cow was on the ballot and I felt it could do the best job, I would vote for it:) Just as long as I left the booth feeling that I did what was right in my heart.
ReplyDeleteSee how simple minded this sister is? Ever read Animal Farm? I want barn animals to run the country. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, a cow probably could do a better job than our current leaders.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, that sometimes my vote is much "Against" what I dearly don't want, as it is "For". Wrong, I know. But 'tis the truth.
ReplyDelete