Don't vote party lines
Okay, it's really easy for me to say this, but don't vote party lines. I do not affiliate myself with any major political party out there. If I had to align myself with a party whose ideals most aligned with my own, it certainly wouldn't be Republican or Democrat. In my opinion, neither of the political partieis do a very good job of representing the people in this country. I believe both of those parties represent large corporations. I believe they both represent large special-interest groups. I believe they both represent big money. I believe they both represent power. Need I remind everyone of the quote: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Our political parties are interested in themselves, not the people they represent.
On Tuesday November 7, 2006, I for one do not plan to cast a vote for a party. Nor do I plan to cast a vote for the lesser of two evils. This upcoming election day, I am going to exercise my right to vote and I am going to choose candidates who have a platform. I am going to choose candidates who are taking a position on real issues, not the "wedge" issues which further divide us, but the real issues that will unite us. I encourage everyone else to go out and do the same. You may disagree with me, and that is okay, but if you are dissatisfied with the job your elected officials are doing, you need to exercise your voting muscle and send that message to those in office. Even if your vote does not change the final outcome, it still sends a message.
While this discussion is not limited to presidential politics, I think it is interesting, nonetheless, that some of the greatest presidents we have had do not often agree with the ideals of their own political party. Take, for example, Theodore Roosevelt. He was a Republican by party, but if you look at his record, you'd think he was a Democrat. He even ran once as an independent candidate, in which he lost, but garnered nearly as much of the vote as the Republican candidate. (For some additional info on Teddy Roosevelt please see: http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=0250190-0&templatename=/article/articl...)
When you go to vote on the first Tuesday in November, go well-informed, and vote for candidates who are addressing your issues. Vote for someone you believe in. You deserve leaders who will support you!
