Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Monday, November 3, 2008

Third Party

There is a debate going on at an internet forum which I read but don't post on, but I wish I did. It's about third party candidates and whether voting for one is a wasted vote.

First, a little history. The framers set up a two party system for a reason; if the vote is split more then two ways there will be a leader elected by a less then 50% margin, which ultimately leads to divisiveness. Our system of governance is dependent upon the population accepting the results in the end.

As to whether a vote for a third party candidate is a wasted vote, I guess it comes down to opinion, although historically third parties have had little to no chance of winning, especially on the national level. So, looking at it that way, I would say it is a wasted vote. It comes down to being a protest vote and nothing else. Other than it makes the voter feel they have done their civic duty. 

It would seem to me to be more effective if disgruntled citizens worked within the system to effect change in the party that more closely represents their philosophy rather than attempting to effect change through a candidate that won't be able to do anything to further the cause. I, for example, see much in the Green Party that I agree with, therefore I will work to get more people elected at the grassroots level that share that same agenda within the party I identify with. It starts from the local level and works its way up. But, it also starts with our applying pressure when we put someone in office, as with presidential elections, for them to do the right thing. FDR was not a liberal when he got into office, but the ground swell of suffering and the pressure placed upon him to do something transformed who he was.

Anyway, I have been reading the disagreement and needed to say something somewhere, so I said it here. Gotta love my self-indulgent blog!

7 comments:

Ashley Dumas said...

Hi Sandra,

I am not sure if i know which blog you are talking about but if I do, I would encourage you to comment. That group needs a breath of fresh air every once in awhile
: )

loved your ideas and your post

Ash

Sandra said...

Hey Ashley, I'm not talking about a blog, but an internet forum that is horse related. There is a political section that is having the disagreement. I stopped posting on this forum months ago because it got to be too much.

As far as any of your friend's blogs, I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole! I'll let you bring in any fresh air they may need. : )

Ashley Dumas said...

Well, I am too chicken to even begin to go there with most of that bunch too : ) I am happier hanging out here with you discussing recipes and horses! : )

Ash

Sandra said...

Ashley, I don't have any desire to get into that discussion. I don't want to be disrespectful, but I have better things to do than spend my time with people I think are crazy. Life is way too short and I am way too smart for that losing proposition.

I am hoping beyond hope that crazy gets put back in its box where it belongs and leaves the rest of us alone.

Please don't be offended, but I think you know I am not in that group.

Ashley Dumas said...

I am not offended at all : ) I wouldn't go so far as to say 'crazy' : ) only because, while I do not agree with many of their ideas, I have known them since I was a kid, and I understand their idealogical journey and more or less how they have arrived at their current positions. I do know that they come across as much more political and aggressive online than in person. Our 'real' relationships are more along the lines of recipes and keeping up with the kids : )
As you have noticed that is what my blog is about anyway. I don't get very controversial there. In fact I enjoy hearing the ideas and rationales behind them from so many sides. My more liberal friends do not blog so they are not represented on my sidebar : ) I am as undecided and middle of the road as it gets. I don't feel that I have enough experience, information, or understanding at this point to take any stances on almost anything. I am just trying to be honest with my self assessment : )
I am confused as to how the political system 'works'. I am confused as to which economic policy is the right one or the wrong one. I think the policies have less to do with it than the integrity of the folks carrying them out but that is about as far as I can get in sorting out the mess. I do enjoy reading your 'constitutionalist' view point and have learned so much from your posts : )
Did you guys vote early or are you heading to the polls today??

Sandra said...

I told my husband the other day that the only thing firm on me anymore is my opinions!

I didn't want to offend you and I know they are your friends.

We don't have early voting in MN, so today is the day.

Sandra said...

Ashley, ask any questions you have about the system or whatever and I'll answer to the best of my ability.