It’s a question of whether you want to win somewhat or lose completely. Democracy is compromise; you’re never going to find a candidate that perfectly aligns with your interests.
If you insist that you will only vote for a niche third-party candidate under a system like America’s, then you’ve taken yourself out of the effective voting pool. Now neither of the two candidates who has a chance of winning needs to care about your interests at all.
When you use the opportunity you have to cast a vote that could actually make a difference. Instead you’re standing on the sidelines doing nothing except signal your virtue.
It’s a question of whether you want to win somewhat or lose completely. Democracy is compromise; you’re never going to find a candidate that perfectly aligns with your interests.
If you insist that you will only vote for a niche third-party candidate under a system like America’s, then you’ve taken yourself out of the effective voting pool. Now neither of the two candidates who has a chance of winning needs to care about your interests at all.
that’s how I felt since I voted for Obama and he didn’t close gitmo. so I may as well not support them if they don’t care about me.
Because Romney or McCain would have been so much better?
Those were your choices.
I don’t vote for imperialists, so they weren’t choices either
Then as I’ve said elsewhere, you’re effectively not a part of the voting population and your preferences are not reflected in the results.
so when do I stop getting blamed for what everyone else votes for?
When you use the opportunity you have to cast a vote that could actually make a difference. Instead you’re standing on the sidelines doing nothing except signal your virtue.