I’ve been meaning to write something like this for weeks. My political views aren’t complicated: I believe the Government needs to be more efficient, limited and properly restrained in its powers. That people in the government need to understand taxpayers’ money isn’t the Government’s money, it’s The People’s money and they must be good stewards of that money. That we should have the strongest, most advance, and valiant Armed Forces, and that we must use our Military power responsibly and wisely, only for the protection and interests of The People and Peace, NOT for the monied, political, or ideological interests of the elite few. And most of all, To protect our Civil Rights and Liberty above all else, whether it is from the Government, or any other powers that are, from undermining/infringing/violating our Inherent Rights and Freedoms.
This election, the two major parties have completely failed to deliver candidates even remotely adequate to my values, or the values of the American people in general.
Even before the leaks, most knew Hillary was untrustworthy from the beginning. From her shady connections to wall-street, saying one thing to the people but doing another in policy/action, being a giant war-hawk, and overall being an absolute self-serving career politician. Then the leaks came out and confirmed what people already suspected and more then just that. She is the very embodiment of all that is wrong with American politics, and not a single word of hers can be believed. And if you think that’s just from Republican hate-mongering? Just look to Bernie supporters before she got the nomination, they knew what was up with Clinton. I didn’t like Bernie, but damn it, the man and his supports were robbed. Of course, he went and bent the knee and kissed the ring, he deserved what he got for betraying his principles. His supporters did not.
And Trump, the sideshow attraction that stormed the center-ring and turned the circus that’s American politics into a outright insane asylum. The pissed public’s political Molotov cocktail. I doubt his left-wing protectionist policies will help American industry to return. His wall will fail to keep bad guys and drugs out. The cartels undoubtedly have strong enough connections with corrupted government officials, private businessmen, and bankers that they and their products will still cross the border no problems, and that includes human trafficking.
And for all of his blustery rhetoric and attitude, he has no real substance under it all. He’s a paper tiger. He doesn’t have the ability to follow thru with his proposals, and even if he did, people on both sides hate him and congress will block him at every turn. You think Obama faced obstructionism? You’ve seen nothing yet if Trump gets elected with both parties against him. And do I even have to bring up his behavior?
Asking me to choose between these two is an insult to my intelligence. I rather stick my hand in a hornet’s nest than vote for either of them. The only candidate whose platform that reflects my views, for the most part, Is Gary Johnson. As Governor of New Mexico he cut wasteful spending and taxes, still built new infrastructures and schools, and left New Mexico with a billion-dollar surplus. He’s the strongest believer of Civil Liberties in the race, is fiscally-conservative and socially liberal. I’ve followed him since he ran in 2012, and read his book, and seems to be of good character and has been proven honest and down to earth. His running mate, Bill Weld, has a similar record, and seems to be a good man himself, and both of them have fought and won against corruption in their terms as Governors. I admit they’re not completely perfect, but in this election against Hillary and Trump, that can hardly be held against them. It’d be great if we had the next Abe Lincoln as a 3rd party candidate, but we don’t and it’s completely unreasonable to hold a 3rd party to any such standard, especial in this election. I agree with Gary and Bill on 90% of their platform, and what they get right, they really get right.
All I ask is for people to honestly consider voting for Johnson/Weld, or for any 3rd party for that matter. If a 3rd party won just one key state, it will prevent both Hillary and Trump from getting 270 electoral votes, and the election goes to the House, where we might be able to deny both of them the Presidency. Or if a 3rd party gets 5% of the national vote it will help end the political duopoly in America.
A wasted vote is a vote for someone you don’t believe it. Our vote is our voice, and in the voting booth it is a simple ‘yea’ to a candidate. Not “yea, but with reservations,” not a “yea, but just to keep the other guy out” or “yea, this one is bad, but the other is worst.” It’s a simple yea. You could write a letter to the candidate you voted for, either private or open, with your problems with them, but it’s unlikely they’d even read it let alone consider it. You write your Congressmen and hope that helps, but we’ve seen how Washington works. When you vote ask yourself, “Can I really give this candidate a simple yea? And accept all that comes with them?” With Johnson/Weld, even with the few problems I have, I can firmly and proudly give them a simple Yea. Can you do the same with the major two?
I’m not (just) voting against someone or something. I’m voting FOR someone, I’m voting FOR something. I’m voting for Liberty, Honesty, ending corruption, and Peace. I’m voting for Johnson/Weld.
And if you say, “well, that’s all well and good, but this election is too important, we can’t risk a 3rd party vote, vote for the lesser of two evils.” To which I say; How bad does it have to get before we say enough with this nonsense? How bad do the two major parties have to get before we say that’s enough, we’re not voting for you anymore? If Trump vs. Hillary isn’t the worst the duopoly can throw at us I really, really don’t want to see what is. I don’t see either party getting any better in the near future atop of that. This is THE time throw up our hands and tell the big two they f***ed up for the last time, and we’re not putting up with it anymore.
Johnson/Weld 2016!