A simple poll

[Benton]

(10-27-2016, 12:13 PM)hollodero Wrote: All of that might be true (I do not doubt this analysis) - but doesn't change what I said. When a party loses votes to the other, it will shift positions. Sure. Doesn't change the fact that only two candidates can become president in an election and it's not really meaningful to vote for neither of them.

Third party voters won't kick themselves as long as they truely believe either candidate is equally bad (not just "bad", but equally bad). As soon as you feel one candidate is even worse than the other, voting third party doesn't seem reasonable.

You're not wrong. But... if the point is to effect a change, the fastest (and just about the only way for the majority of us who don't make six figure campaign donations) is to show political strategists you're willing to vote for someone who reflects your interests. The numbers from this election will be analyzed a lot over the next few years. Just using simple numbers, if one party sees a 10-15% dip in turnout, while a third party sees about the same amount in growth, party leaders are going to look at why. What issue was it, was it just the candidates, was it use of social media, etc.

Many — maybe even most — don't like the direction of the country. Voting for a third party voices that displeasure. And the people who manipulate the system realize you've got to keep people happy if you want them to stay stupid enough to let you rob them blind.