Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Politics In General Republicans Collapse Among Young Americans

I see. So, in arriving at this conclusion you felt a need to join a party that would help pave the way to such an outcome? Cool.;-)
Yours,
Issodhos

Perhaps I was not as clear as I should have been Greger. When I wrote, and this is the complete clause, "but for those of us who may not be willing to enfranchise either major party's candidate with the temporary authority to wield power as a result of our vote, or for those of us who are going to cast a principled vote for a candidate of a minor party whom we judge to be worthy of occupying the office of the presidency, expect us to exercise our Right to be critical of both the utterly corrupt Democratic and the utterly corrupt Republican parties, if for no other reason than it being entertainment of a sort in an otherwise dismal decade.", I was refering to those of us who would be either not voting at all, or would be voting for a minor party candidate. I did not mean to indicate that I had a third party candidate in mind this go-around. If Ron Paul were to get the Repub nomination (and live to see the next day) I would quite happily vote for him.

Other than that, and once again for the record, there are, in my opinion, three principled actions a Citizen can take on election day

1. One can vote party-line for a Party that adhers to its stated principles and character.

2. One can vote for an individual candidate who represents the character and principles one thinks are most supportive of one's vision of what America is -- or should be.

3. One can exercise one's responsibility as a citizen and refuse to enfranchise any current candidate with the temporary priviledge of exercising power with one's consent if all are unprincipled and unworthy candidates -- assuming one thinks that legitimate power originates with the individual citizen.

And please note, in refusing to vote for a supposedly lesser evil in opposition to a supposedly greater evil, one does not forfeit one's right to be critical of the one that eventual ascends to the throne.

This is usually referred to by those who wish to energize their party base as "throwing your vote away", telling you each time that "this election is too important to allow principle to stand in the way -- we'll make it up to you next time. Be patient".

How many voters still think they they will eventually catch up to that Democratic/Republican carrot?:-)
Yours,
Issodhos

When I hear some people claim to be of the Superior Non-Partisan Variety, snootily denigrating those who are foolish enough to see a difference between the Dominant Political Parties, I wonder if they think we are stupid enough to believe they don't go into the booth and pull the lever that we can plainly discern from their pattern of discussion favors one or the other Party.

Issodhos, for instance, has never voted for a Democrat.

Phil has never voted Republican, and if he ever did, probably felt dirty about it afterwards.

Actually Fermi, I was a avid Republican up to my college days. I was even a delegate to a young Republican Convention and assumed the role in proxy of Henry Cabot Lodge and spoke passionately before the convention of the evils of Social Security.

Soon thereafter I became a passionate Democrat, arguing for the expansion of programs that I felt would bring equality of opportunity.

That was then and this is now. I have voted too many times for Democrats hoping they would some day live up to my dreams for America. I would still vote ofr someone of either party who speaks openly and passionately about our REAL problems and proposes what I see as possible solutions.

I was very much disappointed by the performance of Pres. Clinton and his wife seems to be even worse, to me. I am leaning towards Dennis Kucinich as the closest in principle and John Edwards as the closest and also maybe electable.

It is true, I have not voted for a Republican since 1960, but that has over the years led me to vote multiple times for someone of neither party.

For all their faults, I am fortunate to have as my Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative henry Waxman. I like at least 80% of their positions. That they are Democrats is irrelevant however.

I do not claim to be non-partisan to show how superior I am, but I now believe any contribution to the divisions in this country fostered by both parties is a mistake.

Phil, up until this very moment, I had never felt judgemental toward any of your lifestyle choices.

I should have been able to recognize that young Republican in the picture, I guess.

LOL, oh the more you know the more the aversions, believe me.

H Res 1234.

Go Dennis!

Not a judgement for me to make, Fermi.:-) Besides, you are incorrect -- and apparently a poor fisherman, as well.;-)
Yours,
Issodhos

I stand by my assessment.