Since it is that season, I wanted to post this here as well. I originally posted it in another forum where I am a member and there continues to be endless bickering over political views.
Hope you are all well, and enjoy the spirit of this post (note the Dean Barkley reference is because I live in Minnesota):
This site hits home for me:
http://www.silentpc.org/third.php , although there are plenty of other sites that drive home similar points.
Being a realist, I don't honestly believe any 3rd party candidate has a true chance to win this years presidential contest! I do believe that 3rd party candidate can be elected to other offices, both locally and nationally. Dean Barkley is one. My 2008 voting pledges:
1. I pledge to cast my votes for 3rd party candidates. My vote will never be cast for a Republican or Democratic candidate, if one or more 3rd party candidates are available.
2. If no 3rd party candidates are running for a given office, I pledge to vote AGAINST any incumbent candidate running for reelection. This will be done regardless of party affiliation.
3. In the event that no 3rd party candidates are running for an office AND no incumbent candidates are running for re-election, I will NOT cast a vote for either candidate!
Research and selection of 3rd party candidates that earn my vote will be done by requesting an absentee ballot and deciding between the 3rd party candidates by using the internet to research their positions, policies, and "action plans".
I am not advocating, promoting, or campaigning for any specific 3rd party. However, this is the change that is desperately needed for our country. How many times has it been posted - "the two party system is broken". The only possible solution is to vote them out!
People will take the position that these are wasted votes, but this could not be further from the truth. This argument is nothing more than denial of the fact that the Republican and Democratic parties cannot work together to do what is best for this country and its people. If the American public took this to heart, the current two parties would be replaced in mass with 3rd party candidates from SEVERAL different parties - not just a single new party.
This is the change needed locally and nationally. It can only happen in the voting booth....nowhere else. You are welcome to ridicule and belittle these pledges, however I hope instead that this approach can be respected as a true effort for change - not the same two party rhetoric, masked as change and slanted by the media. I will put on a rubber suit now.
Feel free to share with others, or ignore it, however the theme might strike you.
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Good luck to the US and Obama '08!