Every Single Vote Counts!

In a year when a great many Americans are unhappy with either of the two major party candidates for president, George Bush and Bill Clinton have recently added a new plea to their campaign rhetoric.  Each implores audiences not to vote for a third-party candidate … specifically Ross Perot … claiming such a vote will just be “wasted”.

Aside from being dead wrong, such political oratory is nothing short of irresponsible arrogance, demonstrating an incredible disdain for the political hopes and aspirations of public they profess to know want to “serve”.

If Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton are effective in dissuading voters from supporting Mr. Perot, Mr. Moreau, Ms. Fullani or some other third-party candidate for president, one of the two will win the right to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with (let’s say) 51%-55% of the popular vote.  The underlying message to the winner and his party is that he has a mandate, however small.

Now, consider a different scenario, wherein millions of eligible but disenchanted voters, unmoved by the Bush-Clinton psychobabble, cast votes the individuals they believe are really the best and the brightest, and who can accomplish the difficult work to  preserve America’s economic, social and political heritage?  While it’s still likely either George Bush or Bill Clinton will win the presidency … they might do so with a plurality of well under 40%.  The new president would then take office with a far different message!

Contemplate further an outcome where one of the two major party’s candidates finished third!  Or, even more startling would be a result where third-party candidates, collectively, won 50%⁺ of the popular vote!  None of these eventualities is totally out of the question.

On November 3^rd, every registered voter should exercise his/her right and vote for the candidate who best represent their individual and national hopes and aspirations.  Whether their candidate wins or looses, their votes will not be wasted!  Their message will be heard, and those votes may represent the catalyst for real change merely by being cast.