Utica Progressive

I believe the two major political parties are not sufficient options for the voting public. They are too close to each other on issues, too cozy with big business, and too eager to maintain the status quo. One way to explain the lack of enthusiasm in Presidential elections is the lack of difference between the major candidates.

Whenever possible I vote for a third party candidate or a mainstream candidate on a third party line. I hope to inject some change into the process. I know this is often a protest vote, but sometimes that’s all a citizen has.

For those of you who still hold Ralph Nader responsible for the 2000 election, please read “The Decoy Effect” from the Washington Post at Third Party Watch. The article discusses how third candidates draw more votes to the major candidates. All the credible surveys and studies I’ve read indicate that people who voted for Nader in 2000 or 2004 would not have voted, without him in the race. I certainly count myself among that group.