Vote your conscience

A vote for Ralph Nader is a vote for Ralph Nader.

Although it may seem obvious to some, many convolute the issue by saying a vote for Nader is a vote for George W. Bush.

The Daily Forty-Niner commends those who vote their conscience. Those who agree with what alternative candidates are saying, yet vote for Bush or Al Gore, are cowards.

A vote for Nader of the Green Party, Harry Browne of the Libertarian Party or Pat Buchanan of the Reform Party, sends a message to the Republocrats and Demo-publicans - more of the same is not good enough.

Sure, none of the alternative candidates are going to win. But aside from an all-out armed revolution, nothing will change America's political process overnight. Over time, however, alternative candidates will gain enough of a following to seriously contend for top-elected positions in government.

Perhaps it is best to let either Bush or Gore win by withholding a vote for either of them. Since they are such lousy, corrupt politicians, they will only help future alternative candidates look good by comparison.

Send a message to Bush and Gore by voting your conscience. Electing a leader should not be like electing a prom queen. The election is not a popularity contest; it is a decision that should not be taken lightly.

On another front, the electoral process that reinforces the guaranteed election of either a Republocrat or a Demopublican needs to be scrapped. A vote for an alternative candidate currently is a default vote for one of the traditional candidates.

However, the bigger picture is what counts here - and that is making a statement against government for the rich and powerful.