Why I am not Undecided anymore (presidential election)

[Buccaneer]

...but not in the way you thought!

I have long been tired of the apparent truism of voting for the lesser of two evils, even though some of my choices in the past 6 presidential elections have been exactly that. No, this year my choice have come down to decided between the Libertarian candidate (Badnarik or something like that) or None of the Above. After some thought, I think I will choose that latter ('None of the Above').

The reason is that as much as espoused libertarian-minded philosophies and truly believe in the reduction of authority of a central govt (and more to personal responsibilities and local control), the Executive Branch is not where the solutions lie. Despite the rhetoric from both sides, it is Congress that controls all legislation and budgetary spendings. The Executive Branch can influence and have to sign (i.e., rubber stamp) such legislation (with approval from Legals) but the complaints regarding the powers of central authority all comes from Congress. That is where the libertarian-minded candidates need to gain a foothold - to reign in spendings, to reign in layers upon layers of the same legislation, to reign in giving more authority to various Depts of Something, to reign in the apparent govt of special interest and the favors they demand, to reign in federal mandates to States, and on and on. The President does not and cannot 'control' spendings (Congress declares all budgets DOA), nor can the President influence job makings - it is Congress where the problems and the solutions.

So to make a long story short, I cannot in good conscious vote for Bush or Kerry because they have (and will continue) to go along with Congress spending money like drunken sailors and will do nothing (in fact, the opposite) in reigning in federal powers and authorities. (FWIW, I do favor Bush over Kerry solely because keeping the pressures on terrorism is paramount.) This country does not need a Libertarian president so I won't vote as thus. So what does that leave me? None of the Above.

[SackAttack]

But if you don't vote, the terrorists have...

nah, I can't even say that with a straight face.

[Joe]

you are letting the terrorists win!

[Buccaneer]

No, I plan on voting without a doubt - just not for a presidential candidate. Sorry if I was not clear on that.

[SackAttack]

Doesn't matter, I'd still have made the same smart-ass remark.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

No, I plan on voting without a doubt - just not for a presidential candidate. Sorry if I was not clear on that.

You were clear. They just can't hold back a joke.

I don't have problem with a person choosing not to vote for certain offices if they do not want to. That is as much a choice as voting.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

You were clear. They just can't hold back a joke.

I don't have problem with a person choosing not to vote for certain offices if they do not want to. That is as much a choice as voting.

I very much would love to see it become a short essay question. In other words, I would check None of the Above and briefly state my reason why.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I very much would love to see it become a short essay question. In other words, I would check None of the Above and briefly state my reason why.

That would be cool except they would send mine back for spelling errors. It would be embarassing to get a "F" in voting.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

That would be cool except they would send mine back for spelling errors. It would be embarassing to get a "F" in voting.

Which would be an improvement over those stupid enough not figuring how to punch a ballot card.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Which would be an improvement over those stupid enough not figuring how to punch a ballot card.

Yes, because as we all know, they actually punched the card themselves

[mattwakeman]

Wouldn't it be better in one sense to vote but spoil your ballot paper? At least this way you are making it clear that you are not abstaining out of apathy but are still exercising your democratic right in the act of voting even if you are not actually choosing either of the candidates.

[Tigercat]

In a system where we would have more choices I might be a very liberal to socialist type supporter.

That being said, I strongly support Libertarians like yourself Bucc, and wish there were more like you out there. I think the perfect two party system would be a Democratic party that was at least slightly more liberal or progressive(whichever word one wants to use) than it is today and a Republican party that leaned towards much more of its libertarian roots. Its a shame that we have two parties that have such confusing and intertwined ideologies.

[Ragone]

i'm gonna vote for all 3.. hopefully i can force a hanging chad type issue or something

[Leonidas]

I just realized this is the first year I can vote for myself since I turned 35 a couple years ago. Since I am the only person I know of in this country, eligible for the job, who holds the exact same views on all the issues as myself in all good conscience the only person I can vote for is me. Wow. What a revelation. And here I was worried I would just leave President blank. What a relief.