Quote:
Originally posted by Jason@Feb 18th 2004 @ 4:36 PM
And what if in a given election, it comes down to one vote? Are you still throwing darts?
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If there is only one vote (a vote for one person, as opposed to one vote per person), then I deny that it is an "election". At least, not one as I understand it.
However, you could also qualify it as throwing darts at an exceptionally large target and being assured of hitting the same as all other "voters"....
To my understanding, "voting" implies by nature "choice" of two or more. Non-choice can be illustrated by older Iraq "elections" where Hussein ran "unopposed" and recieved all of the "vote" - I think we would probably agree that that is not our concept of "election to power".
A common sentiment with the upcoming national election is a "vote against Bush" - I abhorr that principle, but find that that is precisely what my reaction is and what I will be facing when I vote - something I logically find distasteful.
Regardless of other parties, the choice comes down logically to two - Rep or Dem. Bush or whoever wins on the Dem side (my bet is Kerry at the moment, unless they find he has killed someone in the recent past! :blink: ). So our "choice" comes down to Bush or Kerry.
It is widely regarded that Nader (for the most part) kept Gore from being the clear winner 3.5 years ago - whether that is a good or bad thing I will not debate, but that is why the choice logically comes down to two for those such as myself and Jumperless' fiance - not a vote for, but more a vote against. A vote against that spreads beyond the primary two dilutes the probability of the success of the assumption of a vote against - on either side.
I have no idea what I am voting FOR. But I feel I am more aware of what I am voting AGAINST. I recognise that this is NOT a legitmate way to vote so in general and in practice, I do not vote. It is a VERY conscious decision!
Frankly, I used to say "I will not vote until there is an item on the balot which reads "Abolish the Position"!
Hey - if nothing else, maybe this thread will generate more traffic on the site!
Jack