Why Voting Third Party is NOT a Wasted Vote

Before I get into the topic of this post, I just want to say that I'm flabbergasted by some of the comments from my recent political posts.  I know that I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. I guess I spend too much time in my little conservative world. What upsets me is that two commentors see my posts and now judge "Christianity" based on what I've written. That's pretty heavy. I hope I haven't pushed anyone away from Jesus.  Bottom line, I am human. I can easily make a mistake in my undestanding of the Bible. And in this case of Sarah Palin, I am still trying to figure out how I think this lines up with the Bible. If you are not a 'Chistian", then don't use the easy way out and refuse Chistianity because of one person. If you really want to get radical, read the Bible yourself, and see what it says to you.

Okay, on to the topic of the WASTED vote.

My husband has been considering voting third party during this election. He couldn't justify to God his vote for McCain based on several issues. But, when we shared this view with people, we almost ALWAYS heard that a vote for a third party was a wasted vote. I haven't really known how to respond to this until now. I'm quoting this from a member on my favorite board:

If you vote for a third party, the message you will be sending your sons is this:
"Boys, principle is more important than victory. It's better to do the right thing than support a little bit of wrong hoping things will come out right. The ends do not justify the means, and I would rather lose and submit to the results than do something that I can't justify to God."

That's an awesome, spectacular message to send to your sons. You'll do more good sending that message to your sons than you will in four hundred years of voting, which will likely never accomplish anything substantive at the national level.

Isn't it worth "wasting" your vote to teach this wonderful, Biblical lesson to your sons?

I completely agree with this line of thinking. Christians shouldn't be forced into voting for McCain just because we don't want Obama to win. I will happily support my husband, no matter who he chooses to vote for. No doubt, the addition of Palin to the McCain ticket has him thinking and praying about who to cast his vote for.

9:24 AM - Sep. 3, 2008 - post comment

hmmm

I think voting for a third party is throwing away your vote...they won't win, you know they won't, but personally I didn't even know if I would vote this year until Palin came on the scene. I am excited about her. I think you are right, much prayer must go into our decision this year. Mary

Anonymous - 10:11 AM - Sep. 3, 2008

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Thinking that voting third party is a wasted vote will leave the system the same way it is now. Thinking like this is not radical...its safe. Change only comes when people do the radical thing. There can be no change when people only do the safe thing.

Victory is not our goal. Doing what we believe is right is our goal. If we have to face several evil presidents, but in the end, we see major change...why should be afraid of that? We should not fear evil.

We should be bold enough to do what is radical, even when it doesn't make sense, and even when it seems to usher in something less than appealing.

If EVERYONE who was so afraid that voting third party was a waste, actually voted third party then our country would see a major shift. Sure, this election, Obama might win, maybe even the next election. But at some point people will see other people being bold and will become bold themselves. Sooner or later, there would be a third party that actually had a chance of winning.

But, if we all just vote the safe vote, this will NEVER happen.

MotherJoy - 11:30 AM - Sep. 3, 2008

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Hi Beth!

Thank you for your recent comment. I have written a post today and would appreciate your thoughts on it. I am glad that you are submitting to your husband's decisions on voting, as I am also! My husband reads my blogs and tells me if they are OK or not! I appreciate your heart and your sincerity, and may the Lord bless you abundantly with this new little one in your womb and as you mother your children.
I know it is hard diciphering (sp?) God's heart in this election. I would never expect people that run ministeries championing biblical womanhood in the context of Titus 2 and 1 Peter 3 to ever endorse a political ticket with a woman on it, and I don't expect them to. How could they? And I have always admired these people and have purchased lots of things from them. And I haven't changed my view of biblical womanhood, and I won't. I am a stay at home mom of 8 children and I love it. What ever is God's will is what we need. We need to ask God for wisdom, and vote the way He tells us through our husbands. But we need mostly to be in prayer as women. Some of the things I am seeing in Christian circles tells me that the enemy is prowling and we must not give him any opportunity.
May the Lord bless and keep you,

Chris

ChristineRead - 1:21 PM - Sep. 3, 2008

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I appreciate your view, and I have considered the same thing for the next election, but I have some concerns.

I typically vote Republican for a number of reasons. That being said, I am not a huge John McCain fan, nor do I think I could vote for Obama. Many of my friends are urging me to vote for Ron Paul as a write in, a candidate that I think could possibly provide some real change for our country.

My problem is, obviously Ron Paul (or any other write ins) have little to no chance of winning. Since my vote for him is one less Republican vote, does that give Obama an advantage over John Mccain? I am not so much worried about a wasted vote as I am concerned that maybe I should choose what I consider to be the lesser of the 2 nominated evils.

Obviously this is just my opinion and a concern that is gnawing at me. It is going to be a crazy election this year, I am sure!

2girlsand2boys - 5:13 PM - Sep. 3, 2008

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For my family I can't justify voting 3rd party. It's not out of fear that I'm voting for McCain but responsiblity.

I don't want a president who believes in same s*x marriages, who doesn't believe that an unborn child should have the right to live among other things that I won't go detail.

By voting 3rd party it's like giving a vote to Obama.

Mc Cain has done a lot for his country and I believe that he and Palin will make a good team. I know this is unpopular but I'm standing up for what I believe =) like you are with what you believe.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'll continue to pray for your pregnancy.

Blessings,
Linda<><


Edited by Homeschooling6 on Sep. 6, 2008 at 2:38 PM

Homeschooling6 - 2:03 AM - Sep. 6, 2008

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