I see from this article that the state of Virginia has approved the addition of three minor party candidates on the state’s ballot. That’s unimportant and uninteresting in itself – neither candidate has a chance to win. Collectively, though, their inclusion could affect the outcome of the state election, which is why the candidates’ inclusion came after the fight.
Who put up the fight? Oh, you can guess.
“There were some that just didn’t want us on the ballot – they didn’t want any third party on the ballot (because of) the misconception that the Libertarian Party with Gary Johnson, and myself running as the Constitution Party candidate, that we would take votes from Romney.
“I would submit to Mr. Romney that he should be an enforcer of the First Amendment – freedom of speech, freedom of petition, giving citizens the opportunity for choices,” Goode said. “I think the board’s decision today to let those entities be on the ballot supports the First Amendment.”
So the Republican party is demonstrating its “small government” cred by trying to ensure the voting ballots remain small? Way to preserve freedom of speech and petition, there, yer honor. You’re not even in office yet, and I already hate you.
No, of course there’s nothing unusual about this. It happens every time, in every state, and it’s one of the ways that national election outcomes are determined before the vote ever happens. But it’s illustrative of something that a tragic number of people refuse to look at.
Anybody who’s half awake can come up with convincing reasons to believe a second Obama term will be a disaster for Americans’ freedom. Sure. What fascinates me is why so many people choose to believe that Romney will be an improvement. I’m pushing sixty, and I can’t think of any presidential election where it would have made a bit of difference to me which one won. Maybe Carter/Reagan, but in terms of my own personal life and freedom even that’s a stretch.
We’re told that Mitt Romney will somehow restore freedom. Why would anybody believe that? Unlike Obama, Romney actually has a record to run on – or away from. Do you see anything in it that gives you even a particle of hope? Or is it just that he’s not Obama? Hell, guys – he is Obama.
America is effectively a one-party state. We’re offered an illusion of choice in our rulers, but the trick has gotten awfully threadbare. Really, what the hell difference does it make? If they’re both wanna-be tyrants, why pretend to prefer either of them? Why continue to go along with the joke, when you know damned well the joke is at your expense?
If we just keep doing what we’ve been doing, only louder and harder, we will vote ourselves to freedom, guaranteed. Wave the flag, keep your papers in order, and just enjoy your freedom. It’s the American way.