"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

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*.