Posted by During my lifetime (70 years and counting) there has never been a Presidential Election less presidential than this one. The candidates lack both the professional qualities and leadership integrity to be President of the United States.
Some of you may say we’ve been here before. I disagree. Never have both major political parties selected weaker candidates than these two delinquents. To place things in perspective, Ralph Nader would actually project more presidential acumen than these two combined.
As a result, I will be using the Write-In option for my vote for President. I’ve done this before and, in the 2020 election, I documented my reasons [My 2020 Vote: A Vote for America’s Future]. I will reveal my vote at a later date. Right now, I want to argue for the value of the Write-In vote.
Responsible Voting
The essence of responsible voting depends on one thing: conscience. Conscience is no longer considered important in today’s self-indulgent world. Everything is measured by one maxim: what’s in it for me? What can I get out of someone or something? How does it make me feel? If it’s good for me and not for you, too bad; I want it.
Electing a person to serve as President of the United States requires thinking of more than personal satisfaction. The President needs to be concerned with the people of this nation. Is the nation providing opportunities for individuals and communities to live and grow as independent entities? Is the defense of the nation adequate to protect those individuals and communities? Does the President possess the potential to arbitrate congressional conflict among political parties and with factions within those parties? Does the person project the personal character to inspire citizens to actively participate in the governing process established at all levels of this democratic republic? If not, conscience screams: do not vote for this person.
Suppose the major parties provide no candidate that satisfies any of the criteria questioned above. Third party candidates might fulfill those needs. The challenge is to actually know the third party’s candidate with sufficient confidence to tell others about that candidate. If you don’t know the candidate, don’t vote for the candidate. So, who should you vote for?
If you’ve taken the time to develop a well-formed conscience, you have actively participated in the political process via continuous monitoring of those actively governing at the local, state, and federal levels. You have identified potential candidates for the political positions that “govern your life”. These individuals may meet your objective criteria for responsible governing. That doesn’t mean the persons make you feel good about yourself. It means you understand what the job of governing is and what qualifications define a successful candidate. If you have identified someone, use the Write-In option on the ballot to vote for that person.
Write-In Votes
I’ve been told that the write-in vote is a wasted vote. It doesn’t influence the election because it isn’t counted. I disagree. It may not be included in the official vote count, but it is the responsible vote of active citizens. These citizens, who think and act in the best interest of this nation, actually make this nation great.
The time is here to send a message to both major political parties: your candidates for President are not presidential material. Stop manipulating elections with “popular personalities” that appeal to voters’ emotions. Stop holding high school pep rallies with junior and senior delinquents screaming like they’re at a Taylor Swift concert.
In the 2024 election, responsible voters will use the Write-In option to send a universal message: None of These Candidates! Nevada created the appropriate option for responsible voters. Let’s use this year to make it clear to Democrats and Republicans: you’re not providing the leaders this nation needs to even be mediocre.
As always, ‘Good night and good luck’ [Edward R. Murrow]
Joe Allen 