It’s not easy to talk about at social gatherings, but I’m secretly thrilled by this election cycle. I’m more interested in the outcome of this race than I ever have been in any other presidential election. As someone who has never voted for a Republican or a Democrat to be president, I finally have hope. Not that a third party candidate will be elected. Clinton will be elected, I understand that. But third party candidates are sure to garner a larger percentage of the vote in 2016 than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. (I’m 36)
This is great because the status quo of the Democrat/Republican two party system is being shaken up. I predict that this election cycle is the undoing of the Republican party. What a mess, am I right?
And I know there are plenty of grown, well-educated adults who are reacting with, “A vote for third party is a vote for Trump.” And I’m not going to waste my time explaining why that is not the case. It is not the case. But intellectual grown folks can do their own research, or not, and have their own opinion. I’m warning you now, if that is your opinion, don’t try to convince me. I am not your choir.
I want a third party to gain political power and unseat the institutional demogoguery of the Democrat/Republican duopoly. And this is the best chance I’ve seen for that to happen. So yeah, I’m thrilled. Mostly in private. In public I act about as horrified as everyone else.
It’s so interesting that the MSM are now talking about the possibility that neither will get to 270. We might be about to see what our democracy is really all about. It may sound callous, but I’m kinda loving it, too.
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There is a lot of speculation going on. At least it has me opening my eyes and my ears instead of just checking out like I used to do.
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yes!
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We are long overdue for a change in the election process and the two party=one candidacy. The media no longer represents the interests of the people, they do not give other candidates their rightful place on the platform. I think it would give people a reason to more actively participate. The system as it is, is broken and serves only the elite.
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Ugh, I’m disgusted that as a country we need to get behind Hillary Clinton because the alternative is so much worse. She is the epitome of elite ruling class. What is the point of getting rid of monarchy if we just vote for one every four years!
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I agree with you on that, I think we should join Canada. They have a new PM, that seems to be doing well.
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Only the very comfortable or the very fearful feel otherwise. I am frequently castigated for not embracing the “two party system” but it is only because otherwise intelligent people lack the energy or guts to stand up for themselves that the the two big money parties dominate. We need to build the PWM party—people without money. Thanks.
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It’s an uphill battle with convincing people that we can have more than a two party system. For people who like the platform of a third party, but vote Democrat or Republican anyway, the main argument seems to be that third parties don’t get enough votes so they won’t vote third party. A self-fulfilling prophecy if there ever was one.
Anyway, I’m optimistic that with the choices available during this election cycle, we really could see record third party votes cast, therefore lending more credibility to third party options for the future.
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LOL! Couldn’t help but laugh at your last comment. Yeah, I think our government is in for an overhaul. I’m wondering, though, it it’s not going to be that the Republican party is going to split in two. Anyway, thanks for the chuckle and for the follow. I’ll be back around to read some more. 🙂
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Reminds me of those lyrics I’ve heard on the radio “anything can happen/anything can happen” Can’t think of who sings that. Anyway, we’ll see what happens…
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Watching this election from Aus with tremendous interest. The systems are so different. We too have two main parties that soak up most votes but we have several other small parties that win seats in parliament, as well as independents. It’s getting to be more and more the case that the major parties have to do deals with smaller ones or independents – which they think is dreadful, but I think is great.
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From what I understand, Australians are required to vote and voting happens on the weekend. Is that correct?
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Yes. And you can vote at any voting centre, not just the one where you’re enrolled, if you’re away from home. Everyone is on the electoral roll, not like the US where you register as Dem, Rep or Ind.
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Seems very reasonable.
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Agreed!
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Looking forward to 3rd party that has a national interest. Trump will start this party, and it will be HUGE!
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What? I don’t even know what that means.
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Significant numbers are devout Trump supporters that can become a 3rd party in USA. Republicans do not seem interested in representing voters who elect them.
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I think they should, no matter how much I oppose many of their interests, they still have a right to representation.
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I’ve already said many times that I will be voting Stein. I’m with you that the two party system needs a major shake up. (Actually I think it’s a one part system masquerading as a two party one) That is even more reason to vote for a third party.
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Most definitely
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I loved the meme that has been going around that read “everything that is wrong with our culture”, beside a pic of trump and “everything that is wrong with our government” beside hillary’s. It’s a sad conclusion but I think you’re right! Smaller, fresher parties are bound to surface and become credible options. And who knows, they might actually have some standards and ideals!
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I know it’s borderline crazy, but this election cycle has actually got me feeling pretty optimistic about the future possibilities! Also, I think millennial voters are going to have a positive effect on the direction our democracy will take.
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Why can’t we just keep Obama? He’s still plenty young.
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You’re not the only one who thinks that is a good idea. Clinton may not be as cool, but policy wise, she’ll probably be fairly similar don’t you think?
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You think you have problems? Check out our president!
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I’ve seen one or two of these clips before, but it seemed to me like the blunders where more a factor of speaking in a language that is not his native tongue. It seems callous to make fun of him for that, when he is trying so hard.
I’ve also read about allegations of fraud and rape against him. So perhaps he would be in good company with the Clintons and the Trumps, on that basis.
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I keep hoping I’ll wake up and discover this is just a really bad dream.
Voting third party for sure.
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Yeah, it’s like a train wreck. I can’t help but look.
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I keep seeing memes and so many people complaining that they wish there was someone else to vote for. I tell them there are two other people running for president, too. We DON’T have just 2 choices. Right now they are looking like excellent candidates!
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Dang, really? I hope more people get the memo before Nov.4
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Agreed.
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Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
The Goose is back! 🍾😀 and politics is still on our minds here!
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(((((Thank you)))))
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No biggie! I’m off! P00f! 🙂
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I agree completely! I’m voting green for the first time. People need to wake up and realize just how powerful the third party vote can be!
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Yes! Love hearing that!
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👍🙂
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I don’t agree with you, but I understand. I’ve voted for 3rd party candidates in the past, but not this year. I’m not impressed by any of them. I agree that the 2 party duopoly needs to be shaken up again, but not now. My greatest fear is that out of this year’s mess we will have a smoother talking Trump-kind of President within the next 3 cycles.
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Well, I live in California, which has an electoral college and will for sure go Clinton. So for the maximum leverage of my own vote, registering my dissent by voting third party is the way to go. But I would never tell anyone else how they should vote.
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I’m with you on it
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Cool man
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