Not a fan of Trump or Hillary? Don’t have much faith in a contested convention for Bernie? Heck, don’t like him either? If you’re like me and find yourself saying, “I can’t vote for Trump because of his hateful rhetoric, but I can’t vote for Hillary because of her immoral actions” then follow along carefully. There is a solution to the Two Party system problem many of us are now facing; vote Third or Green Party.

Now, before you say, “But I’m just throwing my vote away voting Third/Green Party!” Stop and read on.

We have deluded ourselves into thinking that a multi-political system won’t work for the United State, but in no other industrialized, democratic country are there only two truly recognized political parties. There are at least three political parties, and all tend to be equally represented. In the U.S., however, we simply say that there are only Republican or Democratic choices—otherwise you’re wasting your vote. My first comment is that that type of thinking doesn’t move us forward as a society and keeps us locked into the Two Party system. This is what has left us with trying to choose between the lesser of two evils. Which, when it comes to choosing between Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton, how does one morally and ethically choose between said two evils? After all, voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.

Thanks to the Third and Green Parties, we don’t have to make an evil choice at all. My second comment on the wasting of votes is that if you’re voting— no matter who you’re voting for— you’re participating in the democracy of our country. That is not a waste. You’re showing up to the polls and doing something, and that is not a waste of a vote. Not only that but if we come together to vote for a Third or Green Party candidate, we’re signaling that as a society we are no longer tolerating two candidates who are at completely opposite ends of the political spectrum with no middle ground.

There is a larger problem at stake with the Two Party system, too. It has seeped into our society, which has resulted in an “us vs. them” mentality. Those who tend to identify as Moderates are seen as outsiders or traitors to both Republicans and Democrats alike. Liberals and Conservatives don’t want to befriend one another. Family gatherings can quickly turn into family feuds when politics are brought up. Doesn’t anyone realize that we can have differences in opinions while still allowing for open dialogues? Why shouldn’t we be able to identify as more Liberal socially and fiscally Conservative (or vice versa) though? Are we really willing to vote for “our” party every single time just to avoid voting for “them?” What does that ultimately accomplish? What happens when we get a year like this? Are you really willing to overlook severe errors in judgement and character flaws to vote for “your” party given these choices? Voting Third or Green Party could serve as a way to stop the current mentality and allow for a vote that opens up conversations about where we should go as a country.

Continuing to choose between only two parties is like continuing to choose between the same two shirts, the same two foods, the same two movies, the same two anything… Open up your minds and realize that there are more than two political choices, too. Stop falling into the trap that is the “us vs. them” mentality. Accept others’ differences and agree to disagree. America is full of a bunch of different people of different religions, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, etc. If we could come together instead of separate ourselves from one another politically then our moral compasses would probably point a lot more North than they are now. So do the country a favor: vote Third or Green Party.

For more information regarding your Third Party and Green Party options, visit the following:

https://garyjohnson2016.com/issues/

http://www.jill2016.com/plan