A few thoughts on voting...

Folks today dont seem to understand the idea of voting. Some choose not to, some choose to do so ignorantly. The way i see it, you have three options when it comes to voting. Lets look at them and why you may want to do each.

Don't Vote: Option one, you could just stay home. This is generally a bad idea. Although the election process is flawed and our democracy isn't a direct one, you should still vote. The 'ol "one vote wont make a difference" idea is also flawed. Guys, there's a reason that its a well known adage: lots of people say it. Be one less, it does matter. The only reason you shouldn't vote is if you have absolutely no knowledge of the issues at stake. If your education of the decision you have to make comes strictly from what you learned in the attack adds you saw on tv, please don't vote. Otherwise, do your civic duty.

Vote for the little guy: You may really agree with the policies of an independent or unpopular party, its perfectly acceptable to vote for them. It's not okay to vote for say, the green party, just because you disagree with the two major parties, but if there's an underdog that you feel represents you, by all means vote for him. Many people feel that to vote for a third party is to throw your vote away. This couldnt be further from the truth. To vote small gives mandate to that party or to the class of independants in general. The more we mandate these smaller groups, the less powerful these two large political machines become. Remember, though we are using a partially broken system, power still resides in a mandate from the masses.

Vote Dem or Rep: If your views coincide with one of these candidates, your vote should obviously reside with them. But what if you only agree partially (much like my bid for Obama)? I dont agree completely with Obama on his issues, but he still has my vote. Here is my though process:
1. Is there another candidate i would like to vote for? Yes.
2. Would that vote do any good? Yes.
3. Do i really dislike any of the two that are almost guaranteed to win? Yes.
4. Would my vote do more good defeating him that mandating my third party champion? Yes.
5. I will vote Obama.

This is the lesser of two evils approach, which is often quite valid. However, i feel that the two evils in the election are much brighter than candidates in the past. So whatever you decide to do in the ballot box, think about and research your choice. Do not remain ignorant about your decision, this is the information age. So please please please, learn, think, vote.