To Vote Or Not To Vote - A tough call for conservatives.

National Review Online ^ | November 06, 2006 | John Derbyshire

[gridlock]

Vote your conscience.

My conscience tells me to vote for Tom Kean Jr., a lily-livered, weak-kneed lightweight, who would not be my choice for Postmaster of Podunk, because he is better than the criminal alternative offered by the Democrats.

One of these two men is going to be the next Senator from the State of New Jersey. I am picking the better man (even though he is not that good).

I used to write my own name in all the time. And you know what? I never won nuthin'.

[CountryBumpkin]

"That depends on the venue, I should think. Complaining to your congresscritter is hardly inaction. It's "feedback".
"

I have to respectfully disagree. Feedback and complaining are necessarily different. An example of feedback is to say "I am very concerned about the rise in crime in the local area. I think we need more patrols at night in X and Y neighborhoods. As my Congress person, I expect you to help keep us safe." An example of complaining is to say "Crime is ridiculous around here. What are you politicians doing with our tax money?" There is a difference. Feedback is likely to command attention, especially when articulate and more so when even vague solutions are offered. Complaining puts people off and often leads to indifference, especially when it gets loud. As likely proof, pay attention at work to which people get listened to the most. Rarely is it the complainers.

[Vision]

[Albion Wilde]

What else could I do?

Glad you're back. Thanks for the ping! I'm having to hold my nose to vote for Ehrlich, but voting for Steele is a slam dunk. Anything but O'Malley. Spoken by an Irish descendant.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I voted to greatly expand the federal leviathan. I voted for less freedom. I voted Republican!

What else could I do?

Nyuk-nyuk!