Throw Away Votes?

I have heard so many people make the point lately that a vote for a Green, Libertarian, Socialist, Constitution or any other independant party is a throw away vote. There are several problems with this analysis. For one thing, it presumes that, rather than earning a vote, Republicans and Democrats are entitled to it by default. Another point is that the two parties are limited in their appeal. They either have to stand on specific principles and alienate many voters or stand for nothing and govern accordingly. More and more that is what you get, watered down policies that satisfy neither pragmatism nor ideology. Another important aspect of this issue is competition. Whether in the free market or the marketplace of ideas, competition drives excellence. Without challenges to their philosophies, the Republicrats have grown lazy and complacent about satisfying the desires of voters. If voters perceive having only two choices then the parties can pander to their bases and leave the rest of the electorate to disenfranchisement or quandary. The two party system has also created corrupt institutions that exists solely to prevent other parties from challenging the supremacy of the status quo. The Federal Elections Committee is made up of Republican and Democratic appointees that regulate elections accordingly. One needs look no further than the current efforts by the Democrats to keep Ralph Nader off the ballot to see the fear that drives them to shut down democratic processes in order to secure their own power base. If Michael Badnarik's strong showing in polls in Nevada and New Mexico ultimately deny the White House to George W. Bush, you can bet you will see similar efforts by the Republicans to deny ballot access to Libertarian and Constitution party candidates in four years. The system is irreparably broken and the "lesser of two evils" excuse for voting for a Republicrat no longer holds water. Voting Republican or Democrat is a choice between committing a third degree felony against human liberty or a second degree felony. Better to commit no crime at all and vote honestly, based on your beliefs rather than make yourself an accomplice after the fact to the destruction of American democracy and American Constitutional liberty.

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