[mysterio]

People are so afraid to even think about joining third parties. They believe the "wasted vote" lie made up by the monopoly.

Voter 1 votes for the candidate whose views most closely resemble his own.

Voter 2 votes for a candidate who is "electable" and pays lip service to some of Voter 2's views. But once in office, the major party candidate turns around and compromises away most of those issues.

Which voter "wasted" his vote?

[PhilCollins]

I agree with you. I think that a vote is only wasted if it won’t be counted. If someone writes in “Mickey Mouse” or “Bugs Bunny” and votes for that write-in candidate, that’s a wasted vote. Whenever someone votes for a candidate he or she prefers, and the vote is counted, it’s not wasted.

[Deb]

Liberal states elect liberal Republicans. That will never change. Liberal states would elect other liberals no matter what the party. Better to have liberal Republican than a Democrat since the GOP numbers count who is in the majority and even Olympia Snow and Arlen Specter vote on the right side the majority of the time.