Why Voting Third Party Is Not a Wasted Vote

Hi, Jim Robertson here, a resident of Utah.  I am supporting Evan McMullin, a third-party conservative candidate.  You may be fully satisfied with one of the two major-party candidates, but if not, then I would encourage you to consider voting third-party.

I tend to be conservative, but before conservative or liberal, there are first some American principles that we all believe in.  These include the essential dignity of the individual, the right of everyone to have fair opportunity without regard to race, religion, ethnic background, etc; that integrity and honesty really are the best policy, that ‘liberty and justice for all’ should be a reality, not compromised by wealth, rank or social position, bullying, or intimidation.  You get the idea.

We should also note that the America we all believe in is an ideal, never yet fully achieved, but ever sought after.  At their best, both liberals and conservatives are trying to move towards that ideal, even though they differ widely on how those ideals should be realized in practical terms, just as the founders were in agreement on what they sought to achieve, but differed widely on how to best bring it about.

While both major parties have good people with insight and integrity who would have much to offer, neither party has selected their best and brightest as their representatives in this campaign.  While the two candidates differ in their use of liberal vs. conservative rhetoric, both represent corrupt big government interests.  People feel trapped into voting for someone they don’t like just to keep their opponent from winning.

Since the next president will be appointing Supreme Court justices, many conservatives feel obligated to vote for Trump in order to prevent Hillary from appointing liberal justices.  Trump, they argue, will last only four years, but the appointed justices will have influence for decades. 

• What kind of nominees could we realistically expect from Trump?
• The RNC published a list of possible nominees, but it’s not Trump’s list and he has no intent to make selections from it: “The shackles are off, I can do what I want.”
• References to Mike Lee can’t be taken seriously, especially after Mike Lee’s scorching criticism.  Trump expects favors and responds vindictively when they aren’t forthcoming.
• From his conduct in business and during the campaign, it’s clear Trump disdains basic constitutional principles, such as limited government power, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, due process of law.  Then what kind of judges would he nominate?
• Trump would most certainly ensure that anyone appointed is beholden to him rather than any set of principles.  His appointees would indeed have influence for decades – that’s precisely what scares me.  They would be different than Hillary’s, but Trump would want to own the Judiciary just as surely as he wants to control everything else.
• What kind of leadership could we expect from Trump as president?
• Doesn’t uphold the American ideals noted earlier.  Trump exemplifies just the opposite: if you’re rich and well-connected, you can bully, threaten, or buy your way to just about anything you want, without regard to who you hurt or how many lives you destroy.  It’s all for your taking – and if anyone gets in your way, crush them without mercy so others will cave without a fight.
• Has repeatedly made statements against Muslims, Hispanics, refugees, and other minority groups
• Disrespectful, spiteful, unable to handle criticism, lacking in self-control.
• Claims to have ‘great respect’ for women, but nothing in his actions present or past indicates it.  The scandals may be exaggerated, but not out-of-character.
• Uses frustration and anger felt by many to gain support; says, “It’s gonna be great!” and “I know very smart people”, but presents little in the way of substantive plans or realistic solutions.
• Changes position continually, based on what he thinks his audience wants to hear.
• Trump could change, shouldn’t we allow him that opportunity?
• Anyone can change.  But we select governmental officials (as well as spouses, employees, babysitters, etc.) based on our best understanding of what they are and who they’ve become.
• Trump has stated several times that he’s never really done anything wrong and has no need to change.
• But won't voting third-party will defeat Trump?  Hillary, who is corrupt and unethical, will win.
• Trump is defeating himself (rather effectively) by his antics during the campaign and his long-term self-absorbed behavior.  Third-party votes won’t change that.
• Does anyone seriously think Trump is more ethical than Hillary?  Hard to distinguish between them.

You may not agree fully with every point, but you likely have some misgivings about Trump.  Hillary is thoroughly liberal and equally corrupt, but Trump is no conservative and loyal only to himself.

Rather obviously, I don’t think Trump is a good candidate for president.  Not in 2016, not in 2020, not ever.  If Trump comes off with a substantial percentage of the vote, he’ll be back running again whether he wins or not.  It’s very unlikely that he could win this election, but I don’t want Trump to run again.  I want him out of politics.

I feel Trump has all but destroyed what the Republican party used to stand for – what it did stand for just four years ago.  Even more, I feel he has all but destroyed the conservative movement by making a mockery of it so that now conservatives are seen as misogynistic racists who bully and shout.  At the start of the campaign there were so many talented contenders of principle – and we ended up with Trump.  I am dismayed both by Trump and by the RNC that has put forward a candidate who is so very far from what I thought the party represented.

So what can I do?  I can vote.  I want my vote to count.  I can’t keep Trump from being in this campaign, but I can do my part to keep him out of future campaigns.  I can keep him from gaining power by one vote – my vote.

Also, I want the RNC to know that I am disgusted with them, that I want the Republican Party to return to its basic principles or I will not support them.  If I cast my vote for a Republican nominee I find repugnant, I am voting for status quo.  I’m saying in effect, ‘Good work, RNC, Keep it up’.  I don’t want my vote to say that.  I can reduce their vote of confidence by one vote – my vote.

So I want my vote to be effective.  In this case, my one vote can be doubly effective:

• I reduce the political power of Donald Trump
• I give a vote of ‘No Confidence’ to the RNC

If at all possible, I want to cast my vote for a candidate who more nearly reflects my principles.  I don't require agreement with me on everything, all I ask for is a candidate with integrity who has the same general perspective.   As it turns out, we have an excellent conservative alternative in Evan McMullin.  Check out his numerous interviews and view the TED-Talk presentation he made in May, titled “Why Saying ‘Never Again’ to Genocide is Not Enough”.  When I vote for McMullin, I get a truly outstanding third benefit from my one vote:

• I add to the political presence of a new conservatism that I can believe in, that has a strong chance of influencing our nation for good going forward.

For those who are more liberal in their views, you may find someone with similar integrity, experience, and clarity in a third-party candidate of your choosing.

So with my vote for a third-party candidate, I achieve three ends.  It’s like getting three votes for the price of one – a lot of bang for the buck.  But if I vote for one of the two major candidates, I vote for the status-quo: no changes, no reforms, no real hope for the future.  In effect, I throw away my vote.