Election Dilemma

[Spud]

As my state is locked in Bush's column I'm trying to figure out how to make the most of my limited vote. I'm torn between voting for Kerry or supporting a 3rd party candidate.

I am sick of the two parties and their entrenched structures - The party bosses were pushing hard for Kerry over Dean (big mistake IMHO). Plus the way the two parties have bounced the League of Women Voters out of the debates is despicable.

Dumb question, but do third parties get any benefit from federal campaign funds based upon vote tallies in previous elections? The Libertarians and Greens are attractive, but both have some items in their platforms that I take exception to. I've voted for Nader twice, but his shtick is tired and I believe he would benefit from medication and therapy.

Clearly I want Kerry to beat Bush, but - the Electoral College vote will determine the election and my state is spoken for.

I dunno, I'm not even asking a coherent question, just looking to kick around ideas.

 

[raedyn]

I, too, am curious if the 'other' parties benefit from yr vote in the US.

In Canada, the feds dish out a certain (very small) dollar amount per vote the party recieved - provided the party had at least 3% of the popular vote. It's something like $1.90. Kinda weak, but to those tiny parties, it makes a difference.

 

[someguy]

I understood what was said but alas I am ignorant.
I think that it will help third parties out to some extent to vote for them. I'm sure there are people more knowledgeable about this so I'll wait for them to speak.

 

[pete]

Clearly I want Kerry to beat Bush, but - the Electoral College vote will determine the election and my state is spoken for.

I dunno, I'm not even asking a coherent question, just looking to kick around ideas.

just say no... stay home, don't waste your time, and don't bother voting

 

[Mark Weiser]

big mistake not voting. People have died for your right to vote and in order to honor the ultimate gift go out and vote!

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Voting for a third party does many things.

If enough people do it, a message is sent to those in the "Big 2".

More to the point, if certain thresholds are hit, the party doesn't have to fight for a role on the following years elections.

It can mean obtaining federal election funds which can aid significantly in future campaigns.

Personally, I'm voting for a 3rd party. It is my hope that my vote will help aid a 3rd party in overtaking the huge self-fueled and self-protected lead that both of the 'Big 2" currently have, and someday will allow true democracy to return to this nation.

 

[Spud]

Not voting doesn't even come up on my radar. That's a non-starter.

 

[Mark Weiser]

Amen! Kaith

 

[Flatlander]

It can mean obtaining federal election funds which can aid significantly in future campaigns.

Any idea regarding actual numbers, etc.?

 

[pete]

big mistake not voting. People have died for your right to vote and in order to honor the ultimate gift go out and vote!

wow, maybe they shoulda stayed home too...

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Right now to be on a ballot you need to gather signatures, and do alot of "proving" and "leg work" to get included.

I'm not sure what the number is, but if you hit a certain total in a previous year, you are (in most cases) automatically included on the ballot, as long as you maintain that minimum.

I'll do some more digging later and see if I can find out more info on that.


In any event, just get out and vote. The only real wasted vote, is a vote not cast.

 

[Flatlander]

wow, maybe they shoulda stayed home too...

If they had, you'd be living under Nazi rule, Pete, or maybe not at all.

 

[Mark Weiser]

being a Parent I am tempted go out and get a switch and looks at pete lol!

 

[Tkang_TKD]

being a Parent I am tempted go out and get a switch and looks at pete lol!

How about a tomahawk cruise missle...My choice of disciplinary tools :flammad:

 

[raedyn]

remind me not to have kids with you, tkang.

 

[Ping898]

A 3rd party nominee needs to receive at least 5% of the popular vote (I think but may be electoral vote) this fall for the party to remain certified by the Federal Election Commission as a national party and be eligible for federal matching funds.

 

[Tkang_TKD]

remind me not to have kids with you, tkang.

LOL. I have a powerful voice. I need no weapons to scare my kids into maintaining discipline

 

[Spud]

A 3rd party nominee needs to receive at least 5% of the popular vote (I think but may be electoral vote) this fall for the party to remain certified by the Federal Election Commission as a national party and be eligible for federal matching funds.

Seems like an pretty high standard, the reform and constitutional parties have been around for some time, yet they don't grab 5% of the general vote?

When Pat Buchanan ran on the Reform party platform in 2000 they obtained FEC funds.

An interesting link to FEC showing all the parties fielding candidates in 2000
http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresults.htm

 

[Phoenix44]

IMO, there are NO states locked for Bush.

Here are 2 suggestions on what to do with your vote:

1. Take James Taylors' suggestion: Look at the two candidates real closely, and then vote for the one who's SMART.

2. Give me your vote...I'll be happy to cast it for you.

 

[pete]

i thought that along with the right to do something, also comes the right not to. hmmm.... ain't that a message too. people talk about choice, well...

oh, i see, maybe its better to throw a vote to encourage that wacko nader, or maybe gus hall, or pat paulsen, oh i know what about joe walsh... does he still run?

boy if i did know that you guys knew better, i'd look at some of these posts as physical threats...

peace,
pete