I've heard so many excuses that people have given for not giving their support to a third-party candidate. "They won't win."
"A vote for [insert candidate name here] is a vote for Trump/Hillary."
These are just a couple of examples. After extensive research of each candidate's positions, I've found myself having no choice in supporting Governor Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party nominee, for President of the United States.
I'm of the belief, personally, that you should always vote your conscience. A person that you don't think should hold the office of our Commander-in-Chief should ever get your vote. Everyone will tell you that one of the two main candidates will get elected anyway, which is probably true. But if you're as disillusioned with the current two-party system as I am, there is no better way to express that than to let your vote be heard.
I chose this subject in hopes of encouraging people to take a stand for what they believe. Here are some of the common arguments I've heard, and my responses.
"A Third-Party Candidate Will Get Less Than 1 Percent Of The Vote"
Now, historically, this is true. With the exception of Ross Perot in 1992, all third party candidates in recent memory have received around this percentage of the vote. Gary Johnson, in 2012, garnered around 1 percent. Ralph Nader, before him, received 2.7 percent. However, 2016 is proving to be an up year for third parties. Gary Johnson has polled as high as 13 percent nationwide, and even the political predictors have him consistent at around 8 percent. Look at it this way, it's a 700 percent increase in four years. There's a lot to be said for that.
"They Won't Even Win One State"
Historically, again, this has been true in recent memory. Even Ross Perot's 19 percent popular vote in 1992 garnered no states won or electoral votes. Gary Johnson, however, recently polled at 26 percent of the vote in Utah, which put him only 3 percent behind Donald Trump for the lead in the state. I would say it's much too early to count them out, especially when people are actively looking for an alternative candidate.
"A Vote For A Third-Party Is A Vote For Trump/Hillary"
While things like the "spoiler effect" are, in fact, real, that doesn't mean that this should be a deterrent. If you cannot stomach the thought of one more politician who changes positions like their socks in office, you should vote your conscience. If that means not voting, don't vote. If you are not putting a one in the column for Hillary or for Trump, then you should be able to morally rest easy. You will not be responsible for either one taking office. Anyone who tells you otherwise is scared their own candidate will lose.
Why Libertarian?
If you choose to vote for the Green, Constitution or Birthday parties, I will still very much support you. I will support you in your choice of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, for that matter, so long as that's who you believe in. As for me, I will be voting Libertarian in the upcoming election. Why?
1. Fiscal conservatism is a big issue for me. I will never vote for a candidate who does not want to spend less taxpayer money.
2. Social issues. As a Christian, this is where a lot of hang-ups come from my peers. Gary Johnson is pro-choice, and I am not. However, there are no true social conservatives left to choose from. But the days of not voting for Mitt Romney because he doesn't support gay marriage are over. More than anything, I believe the government should not be involved in people's personal lives.
3. Freedom. I'm voting for Gary Johnson because, over all, I value freedom. As a believer in Christ, I value freedom to worship above anything else. I truly believe that voting for either major party candidate is a stepping stone to losing that freedom. Is losing that freedom inevitable? Perhaps. But I won't be party to it.
I hope you'll join me in November voting for your conscience. I will be.
“If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible.”- Alexander Hamilton
