I Can't Vote...Who's With Me?

[ALoveDivine]

So looking at the potential candidates this upcoming election, I've concluded that I will not be voting. I know voting is in a real sense a civic duty, and this is not an easy decision to make. Unfortunately, when voting for either candidate entails endorsing moral evil, it makes more sense for us to simply not vote. At least then we are not complicit in said evil.

First we have the Republicans. Many are pro-life, some are not. But they are only pro-life in opposing abortion. Many seem to have no problem with throwing desperately poor families off the measly food-stamps and other forms of welfare they receive. Oh yeah they are explicitly in favor of keeping healthcare privatized and out of the hands of millions of poor Americans like myself. Many also seem to have no problem with notions like establishing no-fly zones over Syria and shooting down Russian jets, potentially sparking World War 3, while simultaneously arming "moderate" terrorists. So yeah, obviously there is some real moral evil there. And need I mention Trump?

Then we have the Democrats. Explicitly and unapologetically pro-murder of the unborn. They also support aggressive and absurd foreign policy, like supporting rebels and overthrowing corrupt but otherwise stable regimes in other parts of the world. Yet they are slightly less likely to get us involved in a long and bloody war with troops on the ground. On the only positive side they support progressive economic policies that may in fact help the poor and vulnerable. Yet their unwavering support for the right of women to murder their children makes it almost impossible for any Christian to vote for this party in good conscience.

So you see the dilemma. Both parties promote moral evil. No matter who you vote for, people are going to suffer and die, and by voting you become complicit in that. By not voting we are saying "no" to a choice between Evil 1 and Evil 2. By not voting we are doing the closest thing we can to voting for good. When good doesn't exist on the ballot, abstention is the only vote for good we have.

Thoughts?

 

[dogs4thewin]

I do plan to vote and with all due respect for your decision I feel that if you do not vote (you being used generally here do not vote you again (general) have no right to complain.

My grandfather said sometimes you are not voting for but whether aganist.

One option you may have is to vote third party which while it is a safe bet the person would not win at least you would be voting.

 

[ALoveDivine]

Could anyone point me to a third party that is socially conservative, fiscally liberal, and libertarian on foreign policy?

 

[dogs4thewin]

Could anyone point me to a third party that is socially conservative, fiscally liberal, and libertarian on foreign policy?

I am not sure that party is out there.

You can literally however vote for any American that meets the standards some would consider that a wasted vote, but if you felt strongly about that conviction that would be a way to let your voice be known.

 

[ALoveDivine]

Maybe I'll write in Pope Francis haha

 

[dogs4thewin]

Maybe I'll write in Pope Francis haha

They have to be a natural born citizen.

 

[ALoveDivine]

See so what's the point? Its literally impossible for a write-in candidate to win. So why vote at all? I'd simply be wasting my time.

 

[Fantine]

Don't worry about it. If you're young (as you seem to be) and poor (as you claim you are) the Republicans in your state are probably conspiring this very moment to find ways to suppress your right to vote anyway.

Just some thoughts from an idealist who sometimes falls into cynicism.

 

[Martinius]

See so what's the point? Its literally impossible for a write-in candidate to win. So why vote at all? I'd simply be wasting my time.

Two points. First, voting for President is just one vote you have of many. In reality, your vote for President is the most diluted vote. Your voting power is much stronger in voting for a candidate for Congress, state office and especially local office. And when you complete your ballot you don't have to vote each office. So skip President, but vote for the rest. Those other votes are still important.

Second, I feel the same as you about the choices. I doubt that I will vote for either of the major party Presidential candidates, no matter who they are. It is amazing that we have no good choices from such a large field. The quality of candidates has declined precipitously in recent years. But I will still vote in our state's primary and other elections, but will likely cast a vote for a third party candidate for President.

 

[dogs4thewin]

See so what's the point? Its literally impossible for a write-in candidate to win. So why vote at all? I'd simply be wasting my time.

Depends on how you look at it. You can see it as wasting your time OR as allowing your voice to be heard which is not really a waste of time.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Don't worry about it. If you're young (as you seem to be) and poor (as you claim you are) the Republicans in your state are probably conspiring this very moment to find ways to suppress your right to vote anyway.

Just some thoughts from an idealist who sometimes falls into cynicism.

I am young ( 24) and not rich, but how are the Republicans whom I have voted for MOST of the elections of which I have so far been permitted to vote taking my vote away?

 

[havevisions]

If you don't vote, then THAT is a vote. Watch the news, the political commentators will tell you which candidate will benefit from non-voters. If you don't vote, and don't like the candidate just mentioned, then think about voting for anyone else, so that the candidate will not be benefited.

 

[MoonlessNight]

We are called to be politically responsible. That is not synonymous with "voting for president." Someone who votes in local elections and stays in contact with his representatives will make far more impact than someone who votes for president and does nothing else.

 

[grasping the after wind]

It would help if there were a none of the above line. However, if you can't find a candidate you can hate enough to vote against. Vote for yourself. You probably agree quite often with the views and policies advanced by that candidate.

 

[pgp_protector]

Can't Vote, or Won't Vote?
http://www.trutv.com/shows/adam-ruins-everything/blog/adams-sources/adam-ruins-voting.html

 

[Albion]

Could anyone point me to a third party that is socially conservative, fiscally liberal, and libertarian on foreign policy?

No. That combination doesn't currently exist, although the Libertarian Party might come the closest. You are also correct that a write-in vote is useless and, in fact, is often not counted.

 

[Neostarwcc]

I agree completely with the OP. I personally would not vote for any of the people running for American President this term. They are all evil crooked people that are only interested in one thing, your money and your "vote". I say "vote" because, it doesn't matter who you vote for anyway, your President is already chosen and it wasn't the American people that got them in, It was the American Government and the rich corporate elite. When's the last truly Christian president that we've had? None right? When have we had a president that wasn't rich? When's the last time a poor person has ran for president and lasted longer than 2 months? It isn't just because it costs money to run a campaign for president. It isn't because Americans trust the rich more running a country. It's because, those are the kinds of people that the rich coroporate elite/government (A.K.A the people that own you) WANT in power. Americans have almost zero voting power when it comes to the president.

Americans are deluded into thinking that they have freedom and that their government does not control them when the exact opposite is the truth. They are more of a communist country than any other country in this worlds history.

Look at the evidence all around you, look at how social security & food stamps is slowly getting cut like the OP stated, look at all of the unlawful laws that are being passed while a majority of Americans disagree with them. Look at how those of us in the low class and the poor have almost no power in government at all. In fact, we're made to think that we don't belong here. We're made to think that being poor is shameful and that it's shameful to ask for help or that, It's wrong to get taxes out of people's paychecks to help the poor and the less fortunate. And don't even get me started on the people that are on disability like me. We're the lowest of the low. Why do you think that is?

Look at how many wars have been fought over the course of America's existence. Almost more than any other in existence. How many Americans do you think really were for war? In fact, It's a proven fact that before the Revolutionary war a majority of the Colonists were Tories and loyal to the king of England. The Tories were FORCED after the war into obeying the Loyalists and some, were even forced into fighting for the Loyalists or executed. They had only two choices, fight or die.

Homosexual marriage became legal in many states while a majority of Americans disagreed with passing it, same with Abortion. It wasn't the American people that got these laws passed despite that being the aura the elite want to give off.

Another example, remember the 2012 apocalypse that was supposed to happen? The rich and the elite believed it and built bunkers to house the elite and let all of the rest of the Americans die in a nuclear war (Because they believed the Holocaust was going to be nuclear). Those in power do not care about you. They only care about themselves and advancing their power and making as much money as possible.

And don't even get me started on our nuclear weapons program. We waste billions and billions and billions of dollars on weapons that are very likely to never be used. They're only there to "scare" other countries from going to war with them. They claim it's for national defense but, the reality is it doesn't matter how many anti nuclear weapons we have, a major global nuclear war will be catastrophic whether you agree with nuclear winter or not. And building more nuclear weapons is only going accelerate the problem not make it better. They could be putting those billions into something better but, that's just proof right there that they don't care about you or this world. They only care about power.

The rich and the government control this sinful and unlawful world that we live in. It isn't just America. But, America is among the worst. And, sadly It's not going to change until the Rapture. God does not love America, Satan does.

 

[dogs4thewin]

We are called to be politically responsible. That is not synonymous with "voting for president." Someone who votes in local elections and stays in contact with his representatives will make far more impact than someone who votes for president and does nothing else.

that does not mean that we cannot do both. I have done and plan to do both in my time as an adult citizen.

 

[MoonlessNight]

that does not mean that we cannot do both. I have done and plan to do both in my time as an adult citizen.

Certainly there is no reason not to do both if there is an acceptable presidential candidate.

But note the "if."

 

[dogs4thewin]

Certainly there is no reason not to do both if there is an acceptable presidential candidate.

But note the "if."

I still feel though that if one CHOOSES not to vote for president then he or she has no right to complain about whomever is put in office.