Reply #10: well, you have to start somewhere [View All]

[GreenArrow]

I didn't really say that I'd settle for nothing less than 100 percent of what I want. As a voter and a citizen, I have no other choice than to settle for less. I did say I'd be willing to vote ABB if the race here becomes close.

If it isn't close, then why should I vote for someone who is A) not going to win and B) is taking stands on the issues that I find repellent, wrong, stupid, dishonest, venal or outmoded. Why should I vote for a candidate that supported IWR, or the Patriot Act, is in favor of the death penalty, is in favor of continuing the drug war, is in favor of continuing to waste money in imperialistic and adventures overseas while our education system, economy, health-care system, environment and infrastructure whither away? If I want all that, I can vote Republican.

I want Bush out and held accountable, like everyone else, but if the major opposition party candidate is going to lose in my state, why shouldn't I vote for the candidate whose views and vison are more in line with my own? For others in a similar situation, maybe the mainstream candidate offers more of what you want. I tend to believe though, that most people don't pay a whole lot of attention to third party candidates, and don't really know what they offer.