Why? You couldn't find a single person among the 8 or so that are running for president you agreed with? Who isn't represented by a 3rd party - there is everything from libertarian to communist running on the ballot. Look beyond the front 2 parties if you don't like them.
Do you have the impression I'm not voting, or that I'm only considering the major parties?
You and BigZaphod have a problem with addressing my point, that one isn't required to vote in order to voice a complaint about the election/candidates/government/whatever.
I have the impression that you are pompous and lazy. I'm driving 500 miles round trip to vote tomorrow. One of my room mates can vote 10 minutes away and he isn't voting. He agrees with Obama but he "knows he will win so why bother". To me it is a sign of disrespect to those who have died for the right to vote in this country, as well as a sign of personal laziness.
In your case you seem unhappy with the choices presented, not the idea of voting. So I'm saying, there are many choices there and I can't see how you can't pick the one closest to your views.
As for if you should have the right to voice a complaint. Well if you can't find a single party worth voting for, then you obviously have either a strong opinion that differs or a very weak opinion. If you have a weak opionon, then STFU. If you have a strong opinion that differs with every party such that you can not vote for a single one, but don't run for office yourself, well then you have no grounds on which to complain because once again, you are just being lazy in not running. Most of the 3rd party candidates aren't even running full time campaigns, but there is no reason you couldn't run.
Seriously, if NJ Weedman can get a bunch of signatures and get on the ballot for his ideas, so can you. So not doing that, or not finding at least ONE party worth voting for says to me you are simply lazy or trying really hard to be a contrarian. Either one makes me contemptuous.
That first paragraph was interesting. I am pompous and lazy, but that's irrelevant. Your friend made a smart decision, but that is also irrelevant.
I'll tell you a little story though. When I was in Basic, there was a time when all the trainees were gathered in the church, roughly 2,000 of us (nothing religious, just used because it was big enough to accommodate everyone). We were asked why we enlisted. Only a handful raised their hand who thought it was their "patriotic duty." After college, I will probably go into the Special Forces. Not for any patriotic fluff, but for the challenge, adventure, and to save people. So you shouldn't feel such a burden unless you live in a swing state. Voting for a third party is a symbolic gesture, but so is not voting at all. FWIW, I'm voting for Nader tomorrow morning.
The rest of your comment is ridiculous and should be read aloud before submitting
and proof that politics should be banned from news.yc.
Someone's actions, or lack thereof, do not necessarily mean that their points are invalid. It does allow you to create a moral judgment of them, but that does not mean that they can not make a poignant criticism of a political and social situation that they've been living under.
Disregarding the commentary because of the actions of the commenter doesn't make much sense to me, at least not in this particular situation.
You don't have to "give a flying fuck" at all. But I don't think that, by not voting, someone's complaints are rendered void.