"I'm voting for Nader!"

[furtech]

This is bound to ruffle the feathers of many people. Everyone's all about, "Vote for Kerry because he isn't Bush." I have yet to see any good reasons that Kerry would make a good president.

I won't vote for someone just to vote against someone else: to do so is a perversion of what I see as the spirit of what a democracy is. I need to have a reason to vote *for* someone; not having a good chance to win is poor reason to -not- vote for someone. I could just as easily vote for the Libertarian or Green candidate-- is that just as bad? Our political system is built around *choice*. You can choose to vote for whomever for whatever reason-- but don't denigrate me for exercising my right to choose.

Two further things: the election is almost half a year away and a lot can happen between now and then. Second, I never reveal whom I voted for. I've voted in every single election since I could vote and I vote for the people I believe in. That's more than a lot of people can say.

Comments

[shadowolf.livejournal.com]

I'd use your counter-argument as the reason in 1992 that I voted for Perot. I'm a registered Republican, but I do not like the NeoCons and the Hawks. Can't stand their policies, and don't like where they're leading our country.

I dream some days that Kerry picks McCain as his VP, and McCain accepts, but the odds of *that* happening.... I have die-hard Republican friends who are upset that they don't have anyone they feel they can vote for in the upcoming election. I'm moderate enough that I'll deal with Kerry, I don't think he'll be the best president, but he'll be better than Bush.

Good reasoning on the anonymous ballot issue :) I'm willing to entertain a certain degree of discussion about politics, but it's a very heated issue, and rarely can be discussed civilly for so long. Some folks just don't have the time or desire to get into such discussions.

No matter who you finally vote for, so long as you have a good reason to vote for that person, is fine. That you've gone out and voted is enough for me.

Vote! Vote! Vote!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Regardless of *whom* you choose, the most important thing is to vote! The more people who vote, the better the process works. It's entirely possible that the existence of Nader (and the threat some perceive he represents) will cause more people to participate-- probably better for Kerry than Bush (Dems are notorious for being fair-weather voters).

My feelings about voting were fostered by my parents, who made me understand the right/privilege/importance of a single vote (one's own). Very immigrant-minded.

While I may not care for who is elected, I still support their legitimacy.

Re: Vote! Vote! Vote!

[okojosan.livejournal.com]

I was in Chile in 2000 for their presidential elections. Over 80% of their population votes, and everyone from street vendors to taxi drivers to tour guides knew a lot about the issues and could discuss the candidates really well. I was impressed.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* As I wrote later in this thread, I wish more people could feel empowered like that, in this society. I'm not sure what it'll take either :|
Don't we average about a 15 to 20 % turnout in most elections.. if that? And even on an LJ post which, in very rare case, I humbly pleaded for responses to a particular entry, just to get a at least a brief comment from everyone, I only got a 30% response *sniffle*.