I'm Not Voting

This is the first election year that I have legally been able to participate in as a new American citizen. I find it really frustrating and disappointing that my choice lies between two candidates that share none of the values America was founded on. Neither respects the Constitution and both have agendas that limit one set or rights or the other.

I am a gun owner.
I am a proponent of equal protection under the law for all Americans which extends to gay people.
I am a staunch advocate of free market capitalism and a fierce opponent of Socialist ideology and crony capitalism.
I support your right to put whatever you want in your body.
While I am strongly against abortion I do not believe that using the force of law will do anything but force it underground thereby creating a far more dangerous and vile system.
I am a proponent of scraping the entire tax code. I am for reforming welfare so as to make it available to those in need and make it impossible for those who wish to sit on their fat asses and do nothing. I feel the same about corporate welfare.
I am a soldier. I believe in strong and efficient military. I believe before we start cutting my salary we should probably see what we can do with all of these contractors first. I also believe that any country that thinks it can maneuver on us or our allies should be shown some muzzle flash. No nation building, no feel good political BS. We go in, we destroy, we leave. Period.

Basically I'm a Constitutionalist Conservative with a flavor of Libertarianism. Romney and Obama do not represent me.. So therefore I cannot cast a vote because it just doesn't matter.

Sorry to hear that...

There is a debate that just started.. with a couple more options..

Johnson or Stein..

maybe one of those candidate's platform would hit home for you?

Do I think that either will win? likely not, but... if either one more closely represents your view, and you stay home, how would that help down the road?

reply to post by JacKatMtn


The media already decided the candidates. While there are choices out there, they are not viable.

reply to post by projectvxn


They never will be, if folks stay home... because they think it's already a done deal...

Well, when it's a choice between a Goldman Sachs puppet or another Goldman Sachs puppet I can't see any reason to vote either.

160 years of nothing but Democrats & Republicans and look where it has landed us...

I think we need to try a new approach and see where that takes us because obviously neither party has done us that well in those 160 years or even in the past 12...

If a third party candidate garners 5% of the popular vote or more then their party is eligible for public funding of their next presidential election. That's in the $100-300 million range. Very helpful to a third party.

Also, there's a lot more to vote for than just president. You can show up to the booth, leave the president boxes unmarked and vote for your local officials still.

Forgot to add.. and it's important...

There are many more decisions to be made at the voting booth, than the BIG prize they call the Presidency...

At least show up to cast your vote on those even if you are so turned off by that race..

If the Libertarians can get over five percent of the popular vote, they will be entitled to matching federal funds (about $90 million) from the Federal Government, passing the threshold under the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Link

We know Gary Johnson won't win. But if he gets 5% of the vote, it'll be a foot in the door for a bigger dialogue consisting of more than the main 2 corporate puppets. If the corporate media insists on ignoring anybody but the 2 main shills, our only choice is to make them take notice.

I'm not 100% behind Johnson, but definitely think we need more coverage of other candidates. This is a step. And he's light years ahead of the two Goldman Sachs boys.

reply to post by projectvxn


We sound similar.

I voted for Virgil Goode, Constitution Party. Check out their platform.

reply to post by AnonymousCitizen


Thanks for voting!!!

reply to post by projectvxn


Congratulations OP. If you're smart enough to see through this illusion and fake facade they would would have you believe you have a say in ? Then you move to the head of the class as far as true patriotism goes in America.

When you can't win at a game where losing could mean everything? Then don't play the game. Good for you.

SnF

I refuse to vote no matter what illegitimate sense anyone tries to make of it.

reply to post by projectvxn


I will go to vote, but just out of curiosity - I agree with you 100% on almost everything (I'm not a soldier, but tried to be). We are a close match, what blood type? A+? Probably a Cancer (sign) too.

If Gary Johnson gets 5% of the votes then next election there will be funding for 3rd party but if he doesn’t then expect business as usual. Sometimes you have to plan ahead and invest a little time to effect change.

I must point out that if all the people that were registered to vote but are siting this election out voted 3rd party this year they would outnumber the votes to either party 2 to 1 and we wouldn’t have to deal with either Obama or Romney.

reply to post by Thescripter


O pos and Libra.

Its not that I don't believe in the power of the vote. But we need a more constitutional system with better checks and balances. Until then the choice is two evils. No thanks.

Originally posted by projectvxn
So therefore I cannot cast a vote because it just doesn't matter.

Yep.
You're absolutely right.
It doesn't matter.
Don't vote.
At least it won't detract from a vote that was cast by someone who could see past the "issues".

Like Eastwood said,
"A man's got to know his limitations."

reply to post by JacKatMtn


I love my country no less than anyone who is voting and prolly even more. As I look to a non voting population to send the message they will otherwise never hear in D.C.

We aren't the dumb ass blind fools you have allowed yourselves to believe we are.

So please people remember not to vote.

Originally posted by randyvs
reply to post by JacKatMtn

 

I love my country no less than anyone who is voting and prolly even more. As I look to a non voting population to send the message they will otherwise never hear in D.C.

We aren't the dumb ass blind fools you have allowed yourselves to believe we are.

So please people remember not to vote.

edit on 5-11-2012 by randyvs because: (no reason given)

By not voting it seems to me you are sending the message that you are in fact the "blind fool" they have allowed themselves to believe.

Voting is the only way to change things peacefully.

reply to post by randyvs


I never questioned anyone's love of country...

I merely think that part of the plan is to make alot of folks feel as you do, and by staying home and not to at least vote on all the other state and local issues on the ballot, only helps to bring their plan to fruition..

More than the Presidency is a stake tomorrow... all house members, some senate, some state initiatives, some local deals as well..

Write in "Mickey Mouse" for the top slot if it upsets you so much, but please, at least take the time to participate on the other election day choices on your ballot..

reply to post by randomtangentsrme


Because we can all plainly see how much not voting has changed things.

Seriously, just show up and leave a blank ballot...or vote for one city council member and leave. This idea that not voting is somehow rebellious and will send some sort of message that you're frustrated with what you perceived your options to be is juvenile. Local votes matter way, way more than national votes.