An endorsement of issues, a discussion of parties

I'm not going to endorse a candidate this morning (and if I did, what impact would it have anyway?), because I don't actually know for whom I will vote on November 4 (those who know me even a little know I'm a slow decision-maker). But I am going to endorse three issues that Ralph Nader happens to endorse in very clear contrast to the two candidates of the major political parties (Barry O. and Johnny Mac).

(1) Cut the Military Budget
I have moral issues with the military in general. I think most of its actions are wrong and I think spending money to fight people abroad instead of poverty everywhere is wrong. When I think about our wars and listen to my heart and my head and God, all I hear is "No, we shouldn't be doing this."

"Nader/Gonzalez would cut the military budget to a level needed to protect the country."

A tad vague, but the right direction (which can't be said of either of the major-party candidates).

(2) Implement instant run-off voting nationally

"Instant Run-off Voting (IRV) allows voters to rank their candidates in order of choice: 1 for their first choice, 2, 3, and so on. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes, then that candidate wins. But when no candidate has a majority of votes, then the last place candidate is defeated, and in an instant second round of counting, the eliminated candidate's votes go to each voter's next choice. Your vote for second choice thus counts if your first choice is unable to win. Rounds of counting continue until there is a majority winner."

What else do I need to say?

(3) Provide universal health care
I hem and haw on this issue a lot: Will it cost too much? Where will we draw lines over what should and shouldn't be covered by the government? Who will draw those lines? Is it definitively our best option?

But, you know what? The current system isn't working, and the major-party candidates are only offering adjustments to that same system. And, frankly, it's difficult to care about the cost given how much we spend on the military (see #1 above). Cut the military budget, fund universal health care, then worry about trimming health care costs later, if necessary

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So, if these issues are important to me, why am I not endorsing Ralph Nader right now and locking in my vote? Because I disagree with him in other areas and am leery of his curmudgeonly socialist leanings. And because every four years I am torn.

In 2000, I was disgusted with both major parties (I was also 18 and had a natural againster streak). I fancied myself a libertarian at the time, but rather than vote for Harry Browne, I went with Ralph Nader (a Green Party candidate at the time), deciding that if I was going to vote for a third-party candidate I ought to vote for the one with the best chance to make an impact on the two-party system.

In 2004, I was disgusted with George W. Bush but disappointed with the Democrats' answer. Nader was running again (with less fanfare), but I decided my motto from 2000 was, "I voted for Nader and all I got was this lousy president." I swallowed my pride and voted for John Kerry with the belief that (1) four more years of Mr. Bush would be worse than endorsing a major party and (2) real third-party progress is made at the local level first, not nationally.

In 2008, I am disgusted, as I always am, but the hateful vitriol between the two major parties and between supporters of the two major parties. It is pointless and dishonest and inevitably sends me running to a third party. As does their lack of a clear long-term plan or vision.

My inner-debate over third-party presidential candidates goes something like this:

Third parties can only rise from the ground up; don't waste your time voting for a third-party presidential candidate when local-level candidates need more support and have a better chance of winning.**But third-party presidential candidates can change races and alter major-party platforms and steer national discussions in new ways!****Major-party candidate X is dangerous for our country; voting for a third party only helps him or her win.**But continuing support for the two-party system is dangerous too! Where has it taken our country?****I agree on the highest number of issues with candidate X; I need to vote for him or her.**But you agree on issues that the president traditionally has very little control over! You agree with the third party candidate on issues that represent fundamental changes to how our country operates.**But I also disagree with the candidate on such issues...

And around and around I go. Where will I stop? I pray that by November 4 God will help me know.