BMG: This is an argument that's been going on longer than I've been voting. I've been on both sides of it at one time or another.
But this is ultimately how the ruling class keeps control. There is little difference between the Republican establishment and the Democratic establishment. It should be crystal clear by now that the Republican establishment despises both social conservatives and libertarians. They are doing their utmost to marginalize us, while at the same time trying to convince us that we absolutely must vote for them, because where else are we going to go?
Some say that both parties are controlled by the big banks and the big corporations, and the whole two-party system is just a sideshow to keep the masses enthralled. Certainly there are some on the left who think that Obama isn't leftist enough, and they are being told by the D's that they have to vote for him, or else those dreadful R's will win.
One thing I totally disagree with is this:
Voting for a 3rd party = voting for a D.
Not voting = voting for a D.
I completely reject that. Voting for a third party candidate is voting for that candidate. Not voting is not voting. The ONLY way I'm voting for the D is if I ACTUALLY vote for the D. That is an utterly dishonest argument which the R's use to keep us on their plantation, and nothing more. (And the D's do it too, on their side.)
I guess it comes down to voting our principles and values, or voting out of fear.
You can vote for anyone you want and I won't call you crazy. All I ask is that you do the same for me.