March 29, 2008
Recently, several people have pointed out to me that they believe a vote for me
for President of the United States is a wasted vote. I disagree with this position
philosophically (I believe that anyone who utilizes their Constitutional right
to vote is actively participating in the democratic process). But on a deeper
level, I disagree with their assessment that voting for me, an independent,
relatively unknown candidate, is wasting your vote.
Many people believe that this 2008 election is a watershed election. They say it
has the potential to be an election of issues, an election that can shape the
direction our nation will take for years or decades to come. They believe it will
be a hard-fought, close election between a Democrat and a Republican, and that
every vote will count.
Well the truth is that not every vote will count. Any pundit, analyst or
political wonk worth his or her salt will tell you that this election, like the
past 5 or so elections, will hinge on few critical states. Assuming that (and I
know it's a big assumption) things don't break the way I think they will, and
the election ends up being a close contest between a Democrat and a
Republican, then there's a chance that your vote will count. If that far-fetched
scenario unfolds, and you happen to live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida,
Missouri and maybe Michigan, there's a good chance that your vote could have
an impact on the outcome of the election. If you live anywhere else, you will
not have an impact on the election, regardless of how proud you are of yourself
for voting.
So if you think about, voting for a Democrat or a Republican in any state
besides Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri or Michigan is really wasting
your vote. The election results will turn on those states, but voters in every
other state have the ability to have a much more profound impact on our
democracy. You live in a state that, with few exceptions, votes for the same
party in every presidential election. Do you want to be a participant in this
sham form of democracy? Throw off the shackles of electoral oppression, and
vote outside the box! If you live in Texas, the Republican candidate will
win...so vote for Brad Willard! If you live in Oregon, the Democratic candidate
will win...so vote for Brad Willard!
Don't waste your vote in the sham participatory democracy of most states,
whose outcomes were decided decades ago by demographic forces beyond your
control. Step up, exercise control over the system, make a statement and make
your vote count. Vote for Brad Willard!
Recently, several people have pointed out to me that they believe a vote for me
for President of the United States is a wasted vote. I disagree with this position
philosophically (I believe that anyone who utilizes their Constitutional right
to vote is actively participating in the democratic process). But on a deeper
level, I disagree with their assessment that voting for me, an independent,
relatively unknown candidate, is wasting your vote.
Many people believe that this 2008 election is a watershed election. They say it
has the potential to be an election of issues, an election that can shape the
direction our nation will take for years or decades to come. They believe it will
be a hard-fought, close election between a Democrat and a Republican, and that
every vote will count.
Well the truth is that not every vote will count. Any pundit, analyst or
political wonk worth his or her salt will tell you that this election, like the
past 5 or so elections, will hinge on few critical states. Assuming that (and I
know it's a big assumption) things don't break the way I think they will, and
the election ends up being a close contest between a Democrat and a
Republican, then there's a chance that your vote will count. If that far-fetched
scenario unfolds, and you happen to live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida,
Missouri and maybe Michigan, there's a good chance that your vote could have
an impact on the outcome of the election. If you live anywhere else, you will
not have an impact on the election, regardless of how proud you are of yourself
for voting.
So if you think about, voting for a Democrat or a Republican in any state
besides Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri or Michigan is really wasting
your vote. The election results will turn on those states, but voters in every
other state have the ability to have a much more profound impact on our
democracy. You live in a state that, with few exceptions, votes for the same
party in every presidential election. Do you want to be a participant in this
sham form of democracy? Throw off the shackles of electoral oppression, and
vote outside the box! If you live in Texas, the Republican candidate will
win...so vote for Brad Willard! If you live in Oregon, the Democratic candidate
will win...so vote for Brad Willard!
Don't waste your vote in the sham participatory democracy of most states,
whose outcomes were decided decades ago by demographic forces beyond your
control. Step up, exercise control over the system, make a statement and make
your vote count. Vote for Brad Willard!
| Wasted Vote - March 29, 2008 |
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