People died to give us the right to vote. I have no compunction at all telling people to keep their damn mouths shut if they didn't vote. You don't vote, you don't have the right to complain. It's that simple. And no vote, so long as it is cast, is wasted or thrown away.
Boston Pobble | 03.22.06 - 8:29 am | #

Right on, baby! I couldn't agree with you more. We wouldn't get down to voting between "the lesser of two evils" if EVERYONE cared enough to vote their conscience from the beginning of each election period.
Trudy | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 8:41 am | #

i have voted for lots of people i knew wouldn't win... probably because too many people thought their vote didn't matter.

the presidential election fiasco not too long ago did little to help defend the arguement that every vote counts.
cats | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 9:22 am | #

I don't live in the real world either...I vote for the person I believe will best suit the job, not to keep someone out.

That sounds so backwards to me...choosing the 'lesser of two evils' certainly isn't much of a choice, is it.
Tai | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 12:02 pm | #

I was tempted to vote "strategically" in my last local election, but in the end I went with my heart and voted for who I really wanted. I'm so glad I did.

I ALWAYS vote when I can. I can't help be a little annoyed when people can't seem to muster the energy to vote, but then complain about the election results.

Heh, I could rant for quite some hours on this subject.

Good post!
Spider Girl | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 5:05 pm | #

I wonder how many outsider candidates would have won had people not been afraid to "throw away their vote." I think it's only throwing it away if you don't use it, or if you vote for someone who doesn't reflect your values.
CrackerLilo | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 9:08 pm | #

In our recent federal election I was faced with three choices; to vote for the Liberal Party that had led Canada for the past 12 years and who had embroiled themselves in scandal, to vote for the Conservative Party that was against all social support and the right for gays to marry, and the New Democrats who were not going to win, but who support social systems and gay rights. The choice was easy and my conscience is clear. There was no way I could possibly vote for the first two parties.

Paul
puhpal | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 9:42 pm | #

I used to be a "my vote doesn't make a difference kind of person"... then I became a democrat.
scrappyrose | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 9:46 pm | #

I get the concept of voting strategy, but don't really know how it can play out since you don't know what everyone else is doing, and can't know what it will mean for you to vote in some strategic way. So the only way to vote is your conscience: say what you mean and mean what you say. And you have this particular quality in spades.

Next time somebody tells you not to throw away your vote, remind them that throwing away votes is what the Republican pollsters did in Ohio with boxes of Democratic registrations.

xoxox Inger
Inger | Homepage | 03.22.06 - 10:53 pm | #

My son and daughter-in-law both registered to vote at their church (shudder) before the last Presidential election. Since she is (and looks) part Latina, her registration was miraculously lost, while my son who was in line next to her had no problem with his.

They still attend the same church...

alan
alan | Homepage | 03.23.06 - 3:55 am | #

YAHOO for YOU! Larry hasn't voted since Perro. He feels the same way as friend #1. I'm with you, vote for who you WANT, not the winner!
Kimmy | Homepage | 03.23.06 - 9:42 am | #

i went thru this with many friends in the 2004 election...i can't argue it anymore...anyone who thinks their vote "won't count" or "will be tthrown away" - i just can't hold a conversation with folks who think like that anymore...i don't have the strength...

peace...
nancy =) | Homepage | 03.23.06 - 10:02 am | #

those who don't vote should not complain about who ends up in office because their vote could have made the a difference. Kinky is my man too!!
dixiedarling | Homepage | 03.23.06 - 12:42 pm | #

Poetic. Thank you. If EVERYONE did vote, maybe someone like Kinky would win. Our most precious and basic obligation as a citizen of a Democracy is to VOTE.

The two party system doesn't seem to be providing the leadership we need. Thank goodness there seems to be a little room for a candidate outside the two parties.

Gawd! I hate the attitude of "why vote for him/her. He/she won't win anyway."
merichs | Homepage | 03.23.06 - 10:11 pm | #

*****Standing ovation**********

You are never throwing away your vote when you vote with a purpose, thought and meaning. You go STB!!!!!
LeLo | Homepage | 03.24.06 - 11:55 am | #