What's with the shaming of people who are choosing to vote 3rd party?

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   ChristinSposted 8 years ago

   What's with the shaming of people who are choosing to vote 3rd party?
   
   Both main parties are running on "fear of the other" and it's bringing out the worst behavior in some people.  I've seen many Trump and Hillary supporters both shame those who are voting third party, tell them to just stay home and not bother etc.  What gives anyone the authority to think they can demand people to vote their way?  I would never tell anyone how they should use their vote.  It is our right to vote our conscience not be gaslighted into voting for a "lesser evil" etc.  What do you think? Is it appropriate or effective to try to guilt people into following the herd?

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2. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   
   
   There is the herd mentality.  Many feel that if they are voting by major party lines, so should everyone else.  They feel that voting third party lines are wasted votes.  A few among them further contend that voting third party lines will somehow give the vote away to the opposing party.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      All true of course, I just wonder why it is so many people are so nasty about trying to browbeat others into voting their way. It's like we are programmed to keep going against our best interests on both "sides".

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3. 70

   Old-Empresarioposted 8 years ago

   The GOP is broken right now and the establishment Democratic Party is proving to be an Orwellian menace. I hope all of the angry Sanders supporters stick to their guns and vote for the Green Party. And I hope all of the Republicans who don't support trump either vote Libertarian or vote for Clinton. We would actually have a real election for once with four parties: the corporate party, the Trump/National-Socialist Party, the Libertarian Party and the Green/Progressive Party.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The emergence of more parties and getting more voices in front of the American people could only be a good thing I think.  Harder to be fully corrupt with more parties.

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   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   Because we're in for a close election, and 1% that votes third party instead of for your party is responsible for the other side winning.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This is the tactic used by both sides to keep us voting against our best interests.  Binary party system is corrupt on both sides now because of this divide and conquer mentality.

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   jo millerposted 8 years ago

   I don't believe that shaming or demanding are good tactics when attempting to persuade.  But I do believe in making wise choices.
   
   I am now 73 years old and have been following politics closely since I was a teenager and I believe, at least for the immediate future, that this country has a binary system.  I've seen several third, or fourth, parties come and go over the years, and they are usually, at best, merely spoilers. 
   
   Our government is run by the two parties.  Even an independent like Bernie Sanders caucused with the Democrats. 
   
   Those people we elect are the ones who make the policies that shape our lives.  I think the choices we make are important and the two parties offer alternatives.  We don't have to agree with every thing that is put forward to make a choice about which party represents our values better.
   
   My advice would be to study, over the long term, which party we can more closely identify with, make our choice and then get involved in the system if we want to make a difference.  If we just want to make a statement, we're always free to do that.  I have just never wanted to throw my vote away.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      A vote for a 3rd party is not a "throw away" and it's hard to "spoil" anything when both parties are rotten to the core, but I respect your opinion although I disagree.  I've been politically involved for years myself its time for change now.

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   B. Leekleyposted 8 years ago

   If you cannot without an untroubled conscience vote for the lesser of two evils, then don't. Of course do your homework to be sure your decision is based on actual behavior and positions and not on baseless rumors and lying propaganda. Whoever you campaign and vote for for President, remember that Senate and House seats are also important, as are state and local positions. Most important, organize with acquaintances around the issue(s) important to you, for bottom-up pressure on all the politicians. I, for instances, sometimes attend a meeting of a local group affiliated with a national group concerned about global warming and climate change from burning fossil fuels, and I attend their peaceful but fervent demonstrations and sign their petitions. Join the group(s) you believe in and have any time for. Back to voting, some citizens are organizing to request reforms in election laws.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely! and I definitely agree with bottom up as well and do organize and work with local causes and politics.  I wish more people felt like this

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   Sherry Hewinsposted 8 years ago

   I would never shame anybody for how they vote. I have voted third party myself. I do feel like it would be a mistake to vote third party in this election unless you really do not prefer one major candidate over the other.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I really do not prefer either in fact, I find them both awful and cannot vote for either one in good conscience. I think this time a massive 3rd party vote would be a way to send a message to the system.

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   Say Yes To Lifeposted 8 years ago

   
   
   I believe it's an ABSOLUTE SHAME that Democrats and Republicans dominate the political scene!  Americans actually have four other choices.  Unfortunately, since only two parties get attention, voting for one of the other four is essentially like throwing away your vote.  Something's got to be done about this!

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