5 Votes Against BO

[JHC]

I am a libertarian, but honestly I'd rather have the guy who is a little less socialist in office. If I voted for Gary Johnson and Obama got reelected, I would feel like I failed my country in a way.

SMART!!! I agree with the linked article that the proper place for the libertarians is in the major party that they hate less and shape that party. Tea Party conservatives in the House have started that. Rand Paul has started that in the Senate. That's how to get something done. The Ross Perot way just elects Bill Clinton.

Former Libertarian Presidential contender covers it: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/...-libertarians/

I wanted a far more hard core conservative last year but I doubt that a single other individual running had the skills, organization and big league game for this level of competition. I generally don't think anyone other than a former governor has the background for the job either.

[Joe in PNG]

PJ O'Rourke once pointed out that people don't wait in long lines to vote for the status quo. Back in 2008, when I was working at the polls, I arrived at my station at 5:45am and there was already a line- which was an indication to me that McCain had lost.
If we're seeing the same thing now, it means that Romney is winning.

[TGS]

The reason I'm voting for Gary Johnson instead of playing the two party game is because I don't feel there is such a great danger of having Obama instead of Romney. News flash: barring an act of God, the USA will be here tomorrow. The dissolution of our country and rights is not going to happen over one election...it is a gradual degradation that has already been happening over time. So, whether Obama or Romney wins, my view is there will still be a tomorrow. That whole continuity of government thing. This is the USA, not Imperial Rome.

Also to me, they both operate contrary to the principles I believe a President should act on. The fact that I might have a couple views align with the Republican party is not enough to make me vote for them. They're both oligarchic, the difference to me is one is more socialist and the other is more theocratic. In both parties, the idea of a nanny-state is central to their success; the idea of governing the people while also leaving personal responsibility to the people is absent.

If everyone would not play the two party game fearing that November 7th will be the end of days if their man isn't chosen, then we could all get on with life and move towards actual progress. At the very least, if Johnson can get some votes to at least be noticed, then perhaps people will think "hmmm, maybe I should have voted for who I actually believe in" next election as society becomes more fed-up with the two party system. At the very least, from what I understand getting a certain percentage of the vote also opens up the party to more funding/campaigning options for the next election.

In any case, I think the legitimate choice of the Libertarian party (or any 3rd party) is something that is going to happen gradually. It is not going to happen overnight, and so I can't look at our election choices in the same manner. Making the 3rd party a legitimate choice is something that WE have to do, not wait around until someone else does while we play the two-party system by scurrying to protect one or two dear personal issues while writing off the rest of our rights.....

So, this might be seriously cheesy, but like the man says I truly believe the only wasted vote is not voting for someone you actually believe in. The only reason the Libertarian party is not a "legitimate choice" is because we as a collective whole are refusing to make it such.....and changing that is what today is suppose to actually be about.

That's just my view.

[ChrisG]

I am a libertarian, but honestly I'd rather have the guy who is a little less socialist in office. If I voted for Gary Johnson and Obama got reelected, I would feel like I failed my country in a way.

I would prefer a Romney victory, primarily because I don't want Obama to get anymore Supreme Court appointments (and, more selfishly, so ammo/gun prices don't go nuts from panic buying). However, I voted for Johnson. If it turns out that my one vote would have turned the tide for Romney, then I'll feel pretty bad about it tomorrow. But the odds are pretty small, and if I thought that was likely I'd have spent my time at the 7-11 buying lotto tickets instead of at the polls. If, on the other hand, I had voted for Romney and mine wasn't the decisive vote, then I would feel bad about losing an opportunity to signal to the Republicans that they need to start selecting better candidates if they expect to earn my vote. I also feel better for having voted my conscience.

I understand and respect JConn's reasoning, but offer my perspective as an alternative.

[JV_]

The reason I'm voting for Gary Johnson instead of playing the two party game is because I don't feel there is such a great danger of having Obama instead of Romney.

You can play "games" in NJ, we all know where the NJ electoral college votes are going.

If Obama got 3 SCOTUS seats in his 2nd term, that would be devastating, and it would be felt for many years.

[fuse]

I am a libertarian, but honestly I'd rather have the guy who is a little less socialist in office. If I voted for Gary Johnson and Obama got reelected, I would feel like I failed my country in a way.

I feel way better about voting for Romney then I did about voting for McCain.

[fuse]

The reason I'm voting for Gary Johnson instead of playing the two party game is because I don't feel there is such a great danger of having Obama instead of Romney. News flash: barring an act of God, the USA will be here tomorrow. The dissolution of our country and rights is not going to happen over one election...it is a gradual degradation that has already been happening over time. So, whether Obama or Romney wins, my view is there will still be a tomorrow. That whole continuity of government thing. This is the USA, not Imperial Rome.

Also to me, they both operate contrary to the principles I believe a President should act on. The fact that I might have a couple views align with the Republican party is not enough to make me vote for them. They're both oligarchic, the difference to me is one is more socialist and the other is more theocratic. In both parties, the idea of a nanny-state is central to their success; the idea of governing the people while also leaving personal responsibility to the people is absent.

If everyone would not play the two party game fearing that November 7th will be the end of days if their man isn't chosen, then we could all get on with life and move towards actual progress. At the very least, if Johnson can get some votes to at least be noticed, then perhaps people will think "hmmm, maybe I should have voted for who I actually believe in" next election as society becomes more fed-up with the two party system. At the very least, from what I understand getting a certain percentage of the vote also opens up the party to more funding/campaigning options for the next election.

In any case, I think the legitimate choice of the Libertarian party (or any 3rd party) is something that is going to happen gradually. It is not going to happen overnight, and so I can't look at our election choices in the same manner. Making the 3rd party a legitimate choice is something that WE have to do, not wait around until someone else does while we play the two-party system by scurrying to protect one or two dear personal issues while writing off the rest of our rights.....

So, this might be seriously cheesy, but like the man says I truly believe the only wasted vote is not voting for someone you actually believe in. The only reason the Libertarian party is not a "legitimate choice" is because we as a collective whole are refusing to make it such.....and changing that is what today is suppose to actually be about.

That's just my view.

You're in jersey right? So good for you.

[TGS]

No, good for you.

[TGS]

I would prefer a Romney victory, primarily because I don't want Obama to get anymore Supreme Court appointments (and, more selfishly, so ammo/gun prices don't go nuts from panic buying). However, I voted for Johnson. If it turns out that my one vote would have turned the tide for Romney, then I'll feel pretty bad about it tomorrow. But the odds are pretty small, and if I thought that was likely I'd have spent my time at the 7-11 buying lotto tickets instead of at the polls. If, on the other hand, I had voted for Romney and mine wasn't the decisive vote, then I would feel bad about losing an opportunity to signal to the Republicans that they need to start selecting better candidates if they expect to earn my vote. I also feel better for having voted my conscience.

I understand and respect JConn's reasoning, but offer my perspective as an alternative.

air five.

[Savage Hands]

2 against BO from our household...