I, like many in my generation (right between X and Y), have grown disillusioned with the state of the political system in our great country. I love the US, but the political system we have is broken.
You'll notice that the title I have chosen for this blog is "Republican Voting Green". I chose this title because I generally align with and vote for republicans. But the republican and democratic parties both have become corrupt (as powerful institutions often do). We need a change in our system. We need the ability to vote for candidates who are going to represent US. It has gotten to the point where you can't vote for someone to represent YOU anymore. All you can do is vote for someone who represents the republican or democratic party, and thus are often positioned into voting for the lesser of two perceived evils.
Well, I think that doesn't have to be the case. Sure you can argue that voting "third party" or "independent" is a throw away vote, and perhaps in the presidential election, you might be right. But I have *figured out* how we can start the change. We can start by showing up at the polls and knowing something about our CONGRESSIONAL candidates.
Despite many efforts, there have been no non-republican or non-democratic presidents, but there have been plenty of congressmen. Right now there are two senators that identify themselves as independent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_party_(United_States)#Current_and_recent_notable_third_party_officeholders
The point here is that voting for a congressman (or woman) who isn't a democrat or republican does work. It is proven effective, even if difficult.
My point here is not to berate all the republican or democratic candidates ...there are many that deserve your vote across the United States ...BUT because we CAN put someone who isn't either into congressional office, then you owe it to yourself, your generation, posterity, and your country to get to know your independent and third party congressional candidates.
There are quite a few running across the United States in EVERY election. Again, to love this country, in my humble opinion, should be to know what your options are when you show up at the polls ...ALL of your options.
All that being said, I personally have sized up my options in the Illinois 18th (mostly Peoria, but quite large ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois's_18th_congressional_district).
My vote is going to Sheldon Schafer (http://www.schaferforcongress.info/). He is running under the Green party banner (hence the blog title). In subsequent posts, I'll get more into why.
While I'm at it, let me post my disclaimers. I technically am republican (because that's the way I cast my vote the first time), but do not consider myself to be a republican party member, nor do I consider myself a green party member. I consider myself to be a person who votes to put the right man (or woman) in office. I am NOT a member of Schafer's campaign team. However, I DO attend many of his campaign meetings ...and I think you should, too, of course. I regularly say to him "So what do you think about X" (X being anything from the war in Iraq to Global Warming) ...and he'll answer ...honestly...
Go to his site! Get to know where he stands on the issues ...then do the same for your other options in the 18th. (by the way, take note of how much easier it is to see where Schafer stands ...without knowing their party affiliations, you wouldn't know hardly anything about his competition).
...and finally, while reading about his platform, you may find points of disagreement ...I don't see eye to eye with him at the 100% level. ...but for me, statements like:
- "Dedicated to People First - I am an independent voice speaking for each citizen, not for money, and not for special interests. I will return the voice of the individual to Washington."
- "Election Reform - Real democracy that involves everyone, re-engaging the disenfranchised. Implement instant runoff voting so multiple parties can be heard."
...show me that I can safely vote for this man even with the presence of differing opinions in other areas. We need to set our sites not just on the immediate, but on the long term ...if he were to do nothing else in office beyond furthering those two above ideals, this country would be a better place by far to be handing over to our children.
1 comment:
Hey Adam! I'm glad you've started this blog. I think most people in the area would agree that they have more or less voted republican (locally, at least) throughout their lives. Yet unlike the other candidates, Sheldon has been intimately connected with the community for decades - not working for the government, but within the community. This is something that appeals especially to those who have voted conservatively in the past. We know him, we know his character, and we know that we can trust him to listen to us. You know, at work, we always say he's the best boss ever - and after over 10 years of working for him, I've had ample time to test this statement! And if he's the best boss we could ask for - someone who listens to us and takes care of issues immediately, appropriately delegates tasks, connects with families, etc - he'll be a great congressman. Keep blogging! I'll link this to our facebook page and group.
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