Posted on 05/21/2008 10:01:44 AM PDT by mukraker
As it should be. Anything else is Nanny Statism and a dangerous path to take. Even on an important issue like this.
“You act as though if the end is the same the means don’t matter...as if intent is irrelevant.”
Why is ‘intent’ relevent?
“To a pragmatist like you that may very well be, but to principled men the difference is crucial.”
Life is full of choices one would rather not have to make. Even a principled man must admit that.
“Again, I don’t buy the “if you don’t vote for McCain you’re voting for Obama.”
‘Buy’ what you like. It doesn’t change reality an iota.
As it stands now Bob Barr is the only conservative that will be on my ballot. Therefore, he will get my vote.
One can approach the election as some kind of mathematical equation, and it certainly is true, in that case, that ANY vote for any candidate other than McCain injures McCain’s vote total, and, therefore, his chance to win. That is basic math and basic common sense.
However, if the issue is: I don’t want any liberal or socialist leaning candidate to win, then one can legitimately vote only for a non-liberal or non-socialist candidate. Any vote for anyone tainted by a liberal or socialist ideology is to increase the chance of a liberal/socialist win.
Many consider, for some good reasons, John McCain to have liberal tendencies. His voting record on many issue says so.
There is another consideration, imho, and that is to vote for a candidate who is part of party that is in sincere good faith trying continually to organize for greater impact. If one is voting for a candidate of a party that is only active during elections and somnolent at other times, then one is wasting one’s vote.
“However, if the issue is: I don’t want any liberal or socialist leaning candidate to win, then one can legitimately vote only for a non-liberal or non-socialist candidate. Any vote for anyone tainted by a liberal or socialist ideology is to increase the chance of a liberal/socialist win.”
The problem remains that either Obama or McCain will be the next President. Another problem then follows, how best to prevent the most socialist candidate from winning.
You are dealing with degrees of socialism.
Some reject it entirely.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.