Taking a cue from Spoons and Jon Henke (of Q and O blog), I am going to voice my displeasure at a particular political group by the way I vote at the polls. Unlike Spoons and Henke (whom I have a lot of respect for both, mind you) I will not not vote to punish the GOP but I shall, for the first time ever, vote entirely R this election. Let me explain my reasoning.
Both Spoons and Henke feel that the GOP has moved so far away from true conservatism that it needs it's pee-pee spanked at the polls, so they are not going to vote (or vote None of the Above). I disagree with this as it will not inform the GOP of why the vote was not cast, only that a vote was not cast for the Republican. We live in a Republic and if you want your elected representatives to do what you want them to, you have to let them know what it takes to get your vote and that you will not give it to them come election time. Simply holding back a vote isn't going to cut it.
Yet, I respect their choices while respectfully disagreeing.
Now, in a fit of blatant hypocrisy, I'm going to do something similar. This election cycle I am going to punish the Democrats. As much as I'd like to see the Republicans go back to the Small Government principles that I feel are important, I feel this election is too vital to give to the Democrats. And I'm not talking about terrorism.
The behavior from this election has been so abhorrent (on both sides, mind you, but a lot, lot, lot worse from the left) that in no way can I allow such trash to be rewarded with victory. The Democrats must be told this is not the way to balance power in the United States.
I seriously doubt that America is going to come through this election unscathed. I mean, voter fraud is rampant, the Democrats are already trying to get people to think that disenfranchisement is already happening, and Kerry has lawyers already drawing up law suits in Florida. Folks, if you have to cheat, don't you think maybe you're message isn't what people want? Why force it on them? This is America, damn it! We created this place to avoid people like you.
If either side legally challenges the results, it will create even more of a divide. Our system of voting will never be trusted again and it's not like we've a lot of faith in it now anyways. Less people will voluntarily follow the leadership of elected officials as they will question their validity.
Look, I didn't vote for Clinton. Neither time. But I always considered him the legitimate POTUS and respected him in that capacity. I never wanted him assassinated, I never claimed he stole an election because the rules were followed and he got more votes. Period. I couldn't stand him and I know I found myself hoping the they'd find that Foster guy with Bill's fingerprints immediately below the hole in his noggin. And I was ashamed at myself for thinking that and kept it quiet. But in today's political climate, nothing is held back, no matter how insane.
Now, I've never voted straight ticket in my life. And, a Bush win or loss, after this election I am changing my party affiliation to "Independent" since I'm not thrilled with Republicans any more. But this election I plan on punching R after R after R because it is my sincerest hope that if Jon and Spoons are correct, I can send a message to the Democrats that enough is enough.
I may change my mind (and I probably should) by election day. If anyone wishes to convince me otherwise, my ears are open.
rolled out on
Monday, October 25, 2004 1:32 PM