The lesser of two evils dilemma

@dawnald (85137)
Shingle Springs, California
September 19, 2015 10:16am CST
After Barack Obama turned out to be more of a corporate tool in progressive's clothing that what many were hoping he would be, I swore I would never again vote for the lesser of two evils. (No, he's not a commie, a muslim, or a foreigner. The birther thing has been resolved, he goes to a Christian church, and just look at his bank bailout. If he were a communist he would have nationalized the banks, not bailed them out. I won't respond to any BS Obama hate smear crapola on this discussion). I say he's a corporate tool because of the bank bailouts, his attempts to appoint mostly Wall Street guys to financial type positions, his support of trade deals such as the TPP, etc. He may talk progressive, but he's farther right than Richard Nixon on some things. Anyway, back to my point. I was hoping to see this country head back away from the trade deals that have sent our jobs away, the removal of regulations that have helped Wall Street ruin our economy, the wars that have destabilized the Middle East and sent money where it is not helping our people get out of poverty, etc. However, I have come to the conclusion that both political parties are firmly in the pockets of the big money elites. The Dems may talk progressive, and the Repubs may talk jobs and family values, but the reality is that both support legislation and appointments that have given our country to Chevron and Goldman Sachs, etc. So I swore I wouldn't vote for the lesser of two evils. California has literally made it impossible to keep that promise in general elections due to enacting a "top two" rule unless I don't vote at all. I can vote for third party candidates in the primaries, but not in the general election. Sometimes that means I will be voting for 2 Democrats, and sometimes it's two Republicans, but after the primary I cannot vote Libertarian, or Peace and Freedom or whatever. I can't even write in a candidate. But let's pretend we didn't have a top two situation. I'd still have a dilemma. Let's just say that there's a candidate for party X that I think is really awful, and a candidate for party B who is OK on some things and not on others. I can either vote third party, which is one vote less for the lesser of two evils, I can vote for the lesser evil, or I can not vote. Rather an unappetizing choice. Maybe that's why some folks don't vote. I did come across something interesting called Vote Pact. Basically, you find a person in the opposition party, and you both vow to vote third party. If enough people were to do this, you could take enough votes away from the big two so that a third party candidate would have a chance. Check out their site - they have a chart showing how this works. Something to think about.
4 people like this
4 responses
• United States
19 Sep 15
what'cha 'xpect from a bunch 'f politicians? the honest ones can't make it past the local level :( without the financial backin' 'n strings to be pulled, favors to come due in order to get elected. i find it odd that'cha can't vote fer whom ya wish?? i don't do party lines myself 'n my ballots run the gamut. that pickin' the least 'f the 2 evils is purty darned tricky. i jest wish they'd all lay out their ideas 'n plans 'n quit actin' like a bunch 'f schoolyard thugs. bashin' each other fer whate'er 'n concentrate on the schtuff that matters - gettin' us back on our feet 'n quit bein' a hand-out nation.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
19 Sep 15
I have no problem with hand outs as long as there are also programs that help people back on their feet. There aren't enough jobs for the people we have. I have no doubt there are cheaters, but there are an awful lot of good, honest people fallen on hard times who just need work, training, decent pay, affordable housing, etc. Maybe we need to start up some of President Roosevelt's public works programs again. And yeah, politicians say a whole lot while actually saying nothing.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Sep 15
@dawnald i'd much rather give folks a hand-up 'n to jest keep givin' with nothin' bein' returned to communities. dunno 'bout where ya live, but there's folks 'round these parts that aint ne'er worked a day 'n their lives 'n come from homes the same. the kicker? they get HUGE tax refunds from both the federal 'n the state. which jest really chaps my hide when others who work 'n struggle jest keep payin'. i've sent 'em all (elected officials - local, state 'n federal levels) my thoughts on such. some states actually tried to implement some 'f my ideas 'n the special interest groups called foul play. there's plenty 'f folks that'd feel a whole heck'uva lot better 'bout 'emselves if'n they were contributin' to their communities. tutor a young'un, help the elderly - somethin'!
• United States
19 Sep 15
Sounds like a winner to me haha. That is definitely an interesting concept Dawn
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
19 Sep 15
The votes basically wash each other out, and could actually help a third party.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
20 Sep 15
Aw..what if there is no third solution? We've seen the results of hung parliament, and we are now seeing how opposition can trouble even a majority government. We need to do something about the existing democratic system itself.
@jstory07 (148730)
• Roseburg, Oregon
19 Sep 15
I* should vote for the third party and take from the other two. Would that really do any good?
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
19 Sep 15
If enough people do it.