Think Different—Vote Independent
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This is an interesting election year I must say. We have the media doing their pundit thing and the politicians doing their spin. Both major parties talk about change, in particular Barrack Obama is milking that word for what it’s worth. I have to say what kind of change is he really talking about? It reminds me of that 1980s Wendy’s commercial, “Where’s the beef?” It’s all a bunch of rhetoric from the major candidates: Obama and McCain. And, you the voter know all this—nothing is going to change as long as the major parties are in charge.
Why do we have only two major parties and the labels that go with it? Right, left, liberal, conservative—these terms are what we Americans are mostly familiar with. What about centrist, independent, unaffiliated? Think about the division that we have in our county with the “left” and “right” mentality. All the name calling and offending statements that go back and forth—childish, wouldn’t you say? You know what’s worse, I’ve heard as a former Republican that the Democrats were of the devil and God was a Republican. Oh, give me a break! Since when did God register as a Republican?
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There are issues that I agree with from both parties. On the Republican side, I believe in the rights of the unborn and on the Democratic side I like how this party looks out for the interests of the working class. I have libertarian views, but I’m still registered Republican because I wanted to work the polls and vote for Ron Paul during the primaries and I had to belong to one of the major parties to work in the election process—I find that this is unfair for the Independents.
One of the reasons why Ron Paul is running on the Republican ticket is because he knows that he would get much more media coverage as opposed to running as an Independent. But, the sad thing is that the media still treats him as an Independent—they pretty much ignore him like any other Independent candidate. He also thinks that the political system we have is unfair. It’s pretty much set up to where either a Democrat or a Republican must win. Now, going back to the change issue—I believe that if we didn’t have the major parties in office that it would be a dramatic change, my husband said it would be heaven. If we started from a clean slate politically, get rid of the labels, party politics, and the annoying pundits, what would we have? We would just vote for a candidate for who they are and what they stand for—no additives or preservatives. Why don’t we vote for the person of character instead of what party they belong to? Think different—vote independent.PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Constant Walker,
I agree and thank you for reading.
There is no mystery about what kind of changes Obama has in mind. Here are some of the main ones--1. Ending the divisive, destructive politics between Democrats and Republicans in Washington; 2. Ending the Iraq war as soon as practicable; 3. Restoring respect for the United States among other nations which is at its lowest point in memory thanks to George Bush; 3. Mending our broken health care system which is the worst of all industrialized countries; 4. Allowing the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% and corporations to expire as a first step toward balancing the budget; 5. Appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices who are more middle-of-the road than the right wing idealogues appointed by GWB; 6. Balancing free trade with human rights and environmental considerations; 7. Election reform to reduce the influence of BIG OIL, BIG PHARMA, WALL STREET, ET AL; and 8. Pulling the economy out of the nosedive caused by Bush-O-NOMICS and reckless foreign policy.
Many political scientists and historians attribute much of our country's success to our political system dominated by two relatively moderate and centrist political parties. We are better served by supporters of these parties rather than large numbers of unpredictable independents, in my opinion. [Besides, what does "voting independent" mean anyway. There are "independent" candidates on the ballot. Ron Paul may be on the ballot as a Libertarian and Ralph Nader as a far left of center candidate. But a vote for either of these candidates is throwing your vote away. If you are a libertarian-leaning Republican, a vote for Ron Paul may make you feel good, but in reality a vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Obama. The same for left-leaning Democrats who may be tempted to vote for Nader. That would amount to a vote for McCain. Why throw your vote away? You may as well stay home and not vote at all. Many people believe that Nader's candidacy cost Gore the election in 2000 (in addition to the GOP shenannigans in Florida).
Hello Ralph,
Thanks for commenting and the interesting conversation. I beg to differ, I don't think I am throwing away my vote. I know I will sleep well at night because I made an educated vote based on principles and morals. I refuse to vote for the "lesser of two evils." A vote is like an opinion, why would I lie to myself? I know the crap will hit the fan, and the voting system is corrupt anyway, but at least I know I did the right thing in the end.
It sounds like you're an Obama fan, I hope you like high taxes-- consider this stance, he wants forced health insurance on everybody and that is comming out of your pocket. All his promises sound too good to be true because...it is.
Vote independent means to think outside the box. And, also to move beyond the pundits and spin.
I recommend you read Ron Paul's new book--The Revolution: A Manifesto.
Thank you for reading!
Your vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Obama. Thanks! Every little bit helps.
Actually, Hillary Clinton is the one who supports mandatory health insurance. The plan announced by Obama was a voluntary plan. Either one would be better than our current system that produces third world country results because of the growing number of people who have no health insurance.
Ralph, your arguements are intelligent and obviously well-informed. I'm voting for Obama. Not because he's the "lesser of to evils" but because I like what he says, and what he stands for. If he can make good on even half his campaign promises, we will be in much better shape.
Hello Ralph,
Thank you for the correction on Obama--Clinton, Obama their views seem similar to me.
I hate to break it to you but this whole voting thing is rigged-- you do know that? I write about "voting independent" only to try and open people's eyes and present them with the "red pill." You have to wonder what went on in Florida in the 2004 elections and the questionable things done in the election process. Consider this article: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/wa
I don't know which Party gets to rule this time, but there is a shadow government and they have already chosen their man. Obama, Clinton, Bush, and McCain are just puppets (you have heard the term Demopublicans or Republicrats--they play the same game)...the rabbit hole is deep.
So maybe we all should just stay home and not vote or try to actually do something about it. The only way I know to do is write about it and try to inform others. I'm not telling you who to vote for or who to support, but I am just trying to present something different here.
I'm with you, Constant Walker.
Well....yeah!
It's interesting that while the worker struggles under the largest tax burden ever-- brought on by giving the rich a free ride, as usual, Obama is already being vilified for raising taxes!
You can be on one thing. Taxes are going up for the aristocracy in America, and it can't come soon enough. I have no sympathy at all for these greedy snobs who receive government welfare, such as free grazing of cattle on public lands, all for cheap burgers at mcD's at the expense of the environment. Do the oil companies really need a break when the poor have to abandon their cars and find another way to get to work? Who can be for agri-business'that have made millions but milk the government for tax breaks? Meanwhile the small farmer is a quaint memory of the past, driven out by mega-farmers and profiteers.
Frankly, I get a little bit tweaked when I see how many toadies cram into White House offices at tax payer expense. Especially when the country is being run so poorly and two or three popnjays make all decisions anyway. I know, it's a cheap shot but let us press on, nevertheless.
I'm really tired of picking up the slack for those who get the tax breaks and goodies not available to the poor and less fortunate who can only watch the banquet from the balcony, peering around a post.
It really grieves me that the news ignores any real, world problems and focuses instead on the latest celebrity scandal, freeway chases, brutal and senseless crime, and on the latest sexual whatever the public has become accustomed and addicted to. Sex and the city is not real life! Meanwhile no pictures of returning soldiers prepared for burial are allowed to be shown. The war is an abstraction, for most it is out of sight and out of mind, just as the soldiers behind the walls at VA Hospitals, along with families attempt to deal with life-shattering injuries.
If you are a church, or Bill Gates, or anyone making more than 250k a year, then i don't want to pay your share of the taxes, anymore. I don't care if you do say it won't help the national debt to change the tax code, all need to pay the same tax.
Churches get a tax break, not a farthing in taxes do they pay, while preaching politics from the pulpit, a clear violation of church and state. I resent their fine clothes, homes and cars, but mostly their alligator shoes, while I wear cheap Nike's. The Republic was founded in protest of church meddling and unfair aristocratic practices. "In God we Trust" was tacked onto money as an afterthought, long after the revolutionary war. In fact, some of the founders were atheists.
Finally, if you have traveled out of the U.S. as I have, both at my and the government expense during my army days, our system is flawed deeply, as we have learned recently, but nothing compares as favorably to a system that governs so many people as in the United States. there is peace. there is a currency that we trust isn't counterfeit. There is peaceable transfer of power.
Perhaps the last election was rigged, at least the Supreme Court decision was, but there is still grumbling about the 1960 election with its highly suspicious graveyard ballots for Kennedy. Flawed people are in charge everywhere and that is what levels the playing field. Computers don't just break down. The people behind the computer make the mistakes they blame on the computer.
Independents make the choice to be an Independent because it is a choice. That's the point.
I enjoyed all the posts. This is a mind provoking topic, thank you for allowing me to post here.
Solar Captain thanks for commenting.
Constant Walker says:
2 years ago
From the first time I was trying to decide which party to register with, Independent has always made the most sense. Why limit yourself to one or the other? Independents can choose the best candidate - no matter what their party affiliation. To me, it's a no-brainer.