Anyone that watches my Twitter feed knows that recently I've become quite disenchanted with the major party candidates - they're both useless boobs is my current view. So, I'm looking for a 3rd party candidate to support - a huge step for me since before this election I didn't believe in 3rd parties. Currently I'm looking toward Bob Barr, because his views seem closest to my own. My questions are what are some other potential 3rd party candidates for a middle of the road conservative like me and what are the pros & cons of these candidates? Discuss...
I haven't really looked into 3rd party options, but just looked into Bob Barr. He's got some good things going for him, but a couple areas I find troubling. First, while being the world's police force is a drain on our budget, there are some strategic places we should be so that we can quickly react. For example, having bases in Japan (which, I believe, has no real army/navy/air force due to WWII agreements) is highly beneficial for us. It allows us to keep North Korea in check and China in check over the Taiwan issue. He also talks about illegal immigrants getting free health care and education. I don't think we can deny stabilizing health care. If an illegal immigrant is hit by a car and dying, it would be cruel to say, "Sorry, you're illegal so we're going to let you die." As for education... on the one hand, we can use education to create a good citizen who contributes to society. On the other hand, we're giving an incentive to come here illegally. My last issue with Barr is his tax policy. I give him credit that he recognizes something needs to be done, but he doesn't seem to know what that something is. The other problem I have is that he doesn't seem to have the experience needed. He was only an assemblyman and the consulting business he runs (where he could get executive experience) sounds more like a side job from what he has on his website. I DO like that he want to reign in spending though.
YanıtlaSilYou are highlighting the reason he is a 3rd party candidate. I have said a lot that most 3rd parties are no better than the major parties. I disagree with Barr and the libertarians as much as McCain or Obama. I'd rather vote for someone with a chance than just throw the vote towards someone who is offering a change but who has no chance.
YanıtlaSilPlus I think that you should have a positive reason to vote for someone, not just a "they are all boobs, so I am taking my toys and going home" kind of idea. No one has given me any sort of real "I like this candidate better because..."
Well, there's always the thought that a 3rd party candidate will never make it because everyone assumes it's a wasted vote. I've been of the opinion that 3rd party votes are a waste, but am starting to come to the opinion that unless you're in a state where it's close, it's really not. A vote for a third party candidate isn't about having them win, it's about giving them enough votes that their ideas are discussed and that hopefully, someday, we have more than a two party system.
YanıtlaSilHere is an analysis of Chuck Baldwin the Constitution Party candidate.
YanıtlaSilNick, If you want to write an article protesting 3rd party voting, I'd be happy to post it here or link to it from here. That opinion definitely needs to be heard.
I don't have time, and I'm not against 3rd party voting. I'm against protest voting.
YanıtlaSilI read the platform for the Constitution party... way to "Christiany" for me, and though they say they want less government, they only mean it in terms of economics. They want to intrude on a host of personal issues.
I like the Libertarian party platform (though I do have issues with it's stance on abortion and a few other things).