Vote Early…Vote Often
Tuesday, November 4 Is Election Day!
By this point in the process many people are simply breathing a sigh of relief that this whole political season will finally be behind us. It seems we’ve been in a Presidential campaign mode for the past four years. As soon as President Bush took the oath of office for his final four year term, the Democrats especially, started talking about who they’re next candidate would be for President. Never before in the history of the Office of President has a President been labeled a lame duck as soon as his final term started.
But, that’s exactly what happened.
Maybe it’s time to limit the length of political campaigns to just a few months before the election. By limiting when the campaign season begins, this would accomplish a few things in the whole political arena;
- It would limit the amount of money spent on any given campaign. The outlandish spending of candidates on ad campaigns needs to be reigned in.
- This would open up the possibility for regular people to run for office instead of just professional politicians with big bucks.
- It would end the non-stop speculation and poll taking that becomes silly. Does anyone really believe what the polls say anyway?
- Last but certainly not least, it would simply put an end to the noise and screaming so evident in the whole political process these days.
Candidates Using Polls To Their Advantage
Have you noticed the interesting turn of events when it comes to political candidates using the polls to their advantage. It’s also fascinating to note that some are learning the old adage — Learn from the past, and the same mistakes will not be made in the future. — Senator Obama leads most polls, and has held a slight edge for pretty much the entire presidential campaign after being named the Democratic candidate. But yesterday Senator Hillary Clinton declared, “Don’t get too comfortable just because you’re ahead in the polls. It can all change come election day.” Not only does Senator Clinton know this from experience, but the entire Democratic Party is fully aware it all can all change come election day. How many times have they been ahead in the polls heading into Election Day, to only lose the election?
With that in mind, Senator Obama was in Florida yesterday urging all in Florida to Vote Early! Why is he doing that? Because he knows with his lead in the polls right now, this is his best opportunity to strategically stuff the ballot box if you will. At stake are 27 Florida electoral votes which could make or break the Senator in his bid for the White House.
As ACORN Says…Every Vote Counts!
You Gotta Love The ACORN Slogan – Vote Early…And Vote Often
It will be very interesting to see just how the early votes end up voting. Will the tactic of encouraging people to vote early, make any difference in the long run? Time will tell on that one.
Did You Know There Are More Than Just Two Party Candidates?
In the 2006 movie Man of the Year, Robin Williams plays the part of a late night talk show host who decides to run for the office of President. It’s a very humorous movie pointing out many issues in the current election process facing the nation. One problem with the process revolves around the fact that many believe, especially in the media, that there exists only two parties in the United States. If you’re not a Republican or a Democrat, chances are you will not be invited to debates and other arenas for national exposure. In the movie we laugh at the problem. But in real life, this presents a very real problem. Ralph Nader and Ron Paul, two Presidential candidates on the ticket for this year, are pointing out this very issue. (1)
(1. Please See Editor’s Note at bottom of this entry)
A friend of mine recently lamented this problem when talking about the Presidential election cycle we now find ourselves in. There are other people on the ticket for the Office of President. On the flip side of this problem, many frustrated voters will simply not vote come Election Day because they just don’t know who to vote for.
In years past when people have told me they’re simply not going to vote, I’ve responded by saying – “If you don’t vote, then you have no right to complain about whoever gets into office.” – But this year I’m trying to get a different message out.
If you’re undecided and thinking of NOT voting, you should at least vote for one of the other lesser known candidates on the ballot.
While this seems odd, I believe in the long run it could make a difference.
If as a nation those who truly do not know who to vote for, or don’t want to vote Republican or Democrat, vote for a different candidate, you are making a strong statement. By voting for an Independent, a loud message will be sent to the entire political process. If you’re frustrated with the whole election process, and find yourself equally frustrated with the mainline Presidential candidates, maybe now is the time to look over the lesser known candidates.
Some think by voting for a lesser known Presidential candidate, they’re throwing away their vote. But, such is simply not the case. You’re actually casting a vote sending a strong message to those currently in office, that something has to change.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
Editor’s Note:
After posting this entry my good friend Brian Neudorff at WROC Channel 8 in Rochester, New York pointed out that Ron Paul is not on the ballot this year. Brian said Ron Paul never left the Republican Party after he lost his bid for the nod to run for President as a Republican. Of course this also amplifies the whole issue of who’s on the ballot and who’s not. I’m sure many still believe, as I did, that Ron Paul is still running for President. Brian also pointed out that Bob Barr is the Libertarian candidate.
You can follow Brian on Twitter!
I believe Ron Paul publicly stated that he would support Ralph Nader since he was not selected to run on the Republican Ticket. I do not know much about Ralph Nader yet, but plan to do more research running up to election day. I like what I know about Ron Paul, so I am hoping that if he is throwing his support behind Nader then they have similar views. The point I want to make are that there are others running for president other than those who get the air time on TV, and maybe, just maybe they are more qualified to run this great country of ours.
Dr. Rus,
You’re absolutely right – especially this year, since on the substantive issues, both candidates are giving politically correct but in some cases counterproductive answers. As an example, w/ respect to the financial crisis both are promising to bail out mortgage holders in default. A noble gesture, but the reality is that is how we got in this mess in the first place (giving “sub-prime” loans to people who weren’t credit worthy).
I would simply add that in making the third party protest vote, we must also learn what the real solutions are – publicize them and put pressure on our politicians to enact them.
Respectfully,
Dave Price