Just after writing this, I caught this short video on Twitter featuring Viggo Mortensen explaining why he's voting for Jill Stein in 2016. Still valid in 2024, of course.
First off, I would note that Jill Stein had to reapply to be on the ballot in Maryland this time around, even though she was on the ballot in 2016. The reason? If a "party" wins less than 1.5% of the vote in an election, they are no longer automatically included on the ballot for the next election. So if you want to send a message to the Blue Team, and want the Green Party to be on future ballots, then a vote for them is not "wasted". It served both purposes of telling the Blue Team that you don't want their wars and censorship, and that you help keep a third party on next year's ballot without them having to get tens of thousands of verified signatures again.
Stein is a far better candidate, and human being, than either of the donor-class-coddling creeps in the two donor-class funded parties.
"I sincerely believe that no vote is wasted. What is a waste is being so disillusioned as to not vote at all, or to vote unthinkingly or out of fear for someone that you don’t believe in. Vote for what you believe, America, and let the chips fall where they may." Which is why I disagree with Jeffery and Sonia Sachs choice not to vote. Their insights align with Stein, but they have chosen not to vote. Their wealth of wisdom-insights falls short. Our biggest problem is the “unthinkingly” part- the reactionary voting of those who never learned critical thinking skills who became mere consumers in a corporate state of monopolies everywhere. The corporate Democratic Party and The Corporate Republican Party monopolize politics. As Nader has argued and modeled his whole adult life America/Canada needs civic mindfulness the participation of critically engaged citizens who don't mindlessly consume the products that the monopolies put before them. If you agree with Stein's policy proposals, you're honoring your integrity, and you are letting Stein know that she is not wasting her time but sustaining her with positive feedback and sustaining us and future generations to be ready for when the time comes with substantial thinkings to replace what will inevitably fall.
I did not know that about the Sachs' not voting. That is shocking to me. I have found find some of his articles on ScheerPost re Russia aaand Israel to be very informative.
If your insights align with Stein, then by voting for her you are honoring your integrity and not gaming an already too gamed system by choosing the worst of two monopolistic evils.
Bill by voting for Stein is taking the sickly game-the gamesmanship out of it. By choosing not to vote you are choosing impotency and hopelessness. Hopelessness that ensures the monopolistic game goes on and worse: not supporting the movement towards a better future and having the stuff-the policies in mind- that a better future can be made of.
If your insights align with Stein, then by voting for her you are honoring your integrity and not gaming an already too gamed system by choosing from two monopolistic evils. Bill by choosing to vote for Stein is taking the sickly game-the gamesmanship out of it. By choosing not to vote you are choosing impotency and hopelessness. Hopelessness that ensures the monopolistic game goes on and worse: not supporting the movement towards a better future and having the stuff-the policies in mind ready to replace a monopolistic society that a better future can be made of. Votes for Bernie told us what many millions of us are looking for. Bernie had substantial impact on Biden's anti- trust policies-domestic policies. How many votes Stein gets will tell how many are still looking. Has Bernie's movement died? Unless the likes of Stein get substantial votes it's fair to say it has faded drastically. Does Bernie privately support Stein? He and America stays stuck between a rock and a hard place if he and his likes casts his vote for Kamala. If he games the system and chooses the "best" of two evil monopolistic choices before him. The good news is Bernie's vote will be secret on secret ballot and despite everything he might say, he may be secretly voting for Stein?
Wouldn't it be refreshing, as in Once Upon a Time... if the presidential debates were still sponsored by the League of Women Voters with real journalists questioning the candidates? Seeing Harris and Trump going up against candidates like an RFK, Nader, Stein, or De La Cruz would expose the utter bankruptcy of the duopoly and everything they pretend to stand for.
How about just throwing out some areas (foreign policy, economic policy, etc) and giving the candidates 5 minutes per topic to discuss? And then 5 minutes to respond? Journalist questions give too much room for journalist bias, which is considerable.
There was one such debate hosted by a retired or retiring journalist. Maybe 2016 Presidential. The public liked it. The working (sic) journalists hated it. It should be all about them after all.
I'm old enough to remember when journalists and reporters had working-class backgrounds -frayed cuffs, off the rack clothes, and they would never attend social functions with politicians. Now they go to the same elite schools, live in the same elite neighborhoods, wear designer clothing, and ask only approved questions in a narrow range of topics.
In "Inherit the Wind," E.K. Hornbeck - a newspaper reporter played by Gene Kelly - explains his job is to "afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted." Would God that still held true, instead of dreams of Pulitzer Prizes and media celebrity/stardom ...
In 2016, Tavis Smiley hosted a debate with Jill Stein and Gary Johnson. Not only was it respectful and of substance, but it was remarkable how much common ground was evident between the Libertarian and Green candidates. The same was true with a debate this year between Jill and Chase. Unfortunately, their debate included some nut job who ranted on way too much in the moderators' effort to give equal time. Still, both debates in term of substance put the prime time "presidential debates" to shame. Chase is quite articulate. Of course he's gay so that's an auto disqualifier for hosts of people. And not a single rainbow-hugging Blue Team friend even acknowledges he exists. Jill they dismiss outright. Why? Well, of course, a vote for Jill is a vote for Trump.
Thanks for info on the other Presidential candidates on our state's ballot. I am voting for Jill Stein also and have deduced that you live in the same state I do...... I am not entirely happy with my choices for the House of Rep., and there are no alternatives on the ballot for that race----only Repugs and Dems.
I think that even if I lived in a Red state, if Stein/Ware were on the ballot I would vote for them. Not quite sure about that though. I guess some of the Democratic scare tactics about Trump got thru to me.
Voting for what you want is never a wasted vote. You are only wasting your vote when you vote for someone you really don't want - whether it's the lesser of two evils or not.
Bill, you seem to have fallen into the "My Vote Is Sacred" club. It's not! It just your opinion of the moment. It's flexible and can actually change with the information available in the moment.
Even worse, my friend, is fixing your "sacred" vote on a political personality rather than the current issues affecting your country. If you have fallen into the trap of either HATE or LOVE for a politician you likely need counseling.
Keep in mind the words of that famous sage, Zappa, "Politics is the entertainment division of the Military Industrial Complex."
I think my vote is important--to me. I don't think it's "sacred."
I'm not focusing on Jill Stein as a "political personality." I'm voting for her because of her beliefs and platform, and especially her opposition to the genocide in Gaza.
Blessed in Maine to have ranked choice voting which many people fought long and hard for. Therefore I can rank Stein-Ware 1st without any fear of “spoiling” the vote. Married to a man who has been voting his conscience i.e. the Green Party since the dawn of time and has been blamed for every Republican administration since Ronald Reagan.
“Last week hurricane Helene ravaged communities across Appalachia, killing hundreds of people, displacing thousands. This is just one week before hurricane Milton ravaged Florida, and before the wreckage could even be accounted for after Hurricane Helene FEMA reported a $9 billion shortfall.
At the exact same time President Biden announced that he'd be releasing another $8.7 billion in military funding to the Israeli military.
This is almost the exact same amount of money, so what we are seeing is that quite literally the United States government is choosing to massacre in mass Palestinians over supporting our communities here in the United States who are trying to recover from this devastating climate crisis, as well as the chronic disinvestment from their communities.”
ps: America’s Sovereign, National Debt now stands at $37.7 TRILLION, with another $3.8 TRILLION in State and Local Government Debt. [ https://www.usdebtclock.org/ ]
pss: Has anybody heard anything from either Trump or Harris as to how they plan to deal with that Federal Debt?
I'm impressed that you have so many choices in your state. Here in Illinois we have Trump, Harris and most absurdly, RFKJ. I wonder if in your state the petition requirements are less restrictive than they are here.
Do you know if write ins automatically void your ballot? They do here.
Clif, I live in Mass. I think write-ins are recorded, not that it really matters.
Here's what my state requires to get on the ballot as a POTUS candidate:
If you want to run for president as a non-party candidate, you can run in the state election. Your name and the name of your candidate for vice president will appear on the ballot, along with the political party nominees.
Nomination papers will be available no later than Tuesday, February 7, 2024. You can pick them up at One Ashburton Place, Room 1705, in Boston. If you would rather receive your nomination papers by mail, you can request them in writing or by phone.
To qualify for the ballot, you will need to submit to the Elections Division at least 10,000 certified signatures by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
Signatures must be collected from registered voters and certified by the local election offices in each city and town where you gathered the signatures. Before you can gather any signatures, your nomination papers must be completed with the names of your running mate and 11 qualified electors. Elector candidates must be registered voters of Massachusetts who are not enrolled in a political party.
I am happy to report that further research reveals the Stein CAN be written in in Illinois. So I will be going to the polling place after all. Cornel West can be written in, too.
After voting, out will come my sandwich boards and I will stand with all the candidate signs outside the doors of the polling place with my sign that will say:
Just after writing this, I caught this short video on Twitter featuring Viggo Mortensen explaining why he's voting for Jill Stein in 2016. Still valid in 2024, of course.
Check it out: https://x.com/HotSpotHotSpot/status/1846062677489029317
Thanks Bill. Watching it, impressed as always by Viggo. But, It was apparent even then how much of a sellout Colbert was, and is.
First off, I would note that Jill Stein had to reapply to be on the ballot in Maryland this time around, even though she was on the ballot in 2016. The reason? If a "party" wins less than 1.5% of the vote in an election, they are no longer automatically included on the ballot for the next election. So if you want to send a message to the Blue Team, and want the Green Party to be on future ballots, then a vote for them is not "wasted". It served both purposes of telling the Blue Team that you don't want their wars and censorship, and that you help keep a third party on next year's ballot without them having to get tens of thousands of verified signatures again.
Stein is a far better candidate, and human being, than either of the donor-class-coddling creeps in the two donor-class funded parties.
"I sincerely believe that no vote is wasted. What is a waste is being so disillusioned as to not vote at all, or to vote unthinkingly or out of fear for someone that you don’t believe in. Vote for what you believe, America, and let the chips fall where they may." Which is why I disagree with Jeffery and Sonia Sachs choice not to vote. Their insights align with Stein, but they have chosen not to vote. Their wealth of wisdom-insights falls short. Our biggest problem is the “unthinkingly” part- the reactionary voting of those who never learned critical thinking skills who became mere consumers in a corporate state of monopolies everywhere. The corporate Democratic Party and The Corporate Republican Party monopolize politics. As Nader has argued and modeled his whole adult life America/Canada needs civic mindfulness the participation of critically engaged citizens who don't mindlessly consume the products that the monopolies put before them. If you agree with Stein's policy proposals, you're honoring your integrity, and you are letting Stein know that she is not wasting her time but sustaining her with positive feedback and sustaining us and future generations to be ready for when the time comes with substantial thinkings to replace what will inevitably fall.
I did not know that about the Sachs' not voting. That is shocking to me. I have found find some of his articles on ScheerPost re Russia aaand Israel to be very informative.
If your insights align with Stein, then by voting for her you are honoring your integrity and not gaming an already too gamed system by choosing the worst of two monopolistic evils.
Bill by voting for Stein is taking the sickly game-the gamesmanship out of it. By choosing not to vote you are choosing impotency and hopelessness. Hopelessness that ensures the monopolistic game goes on and worse: not supporting the movement towards a better future and having the stuff-the policies in mind- that a better future can be made of.
Sorry, put more precisely:
If your insights align with Stein, then by voting for her you are honoring your integrity and not gaming an already too gamed system by choosing from two monopolistic evils. Bill by choosing to vote for Stein is taking the sickly game-the gamesmanship out of it. By choosing not to vote you are choosing impotency and hopelessness. Hopelessness that ensures the monopolistic game goes on and worse: not supporting the movement towards a better future and having the stuff-the policies in mind ready to replace a monopolistic society that a better future can be made of. Votes for Bernie told us what many millions of us are looking for. Bernie had substantial impact on Biden's anti- trust policies-domestic policies. How many votes Stein gets will tell how many are still looking. Has Bernie's movement died? Unless the likes of Stein get substantial votes it's fair to say it has faded drastically. Does Bernie privately support Stein? He and America stays stuck between a rock and a hard place if he and his likes casts his vote for Kamala. If he games the system and chooses the "best" of two evil monopolistic choices before him. The good news is Bernie's vote will be secret on secret ballot and despite everything he might say, he may be secretly voting for Stein?
Wouldn't it be refreshing, as in Once Upon a Time... if the presidential debates were still sponsored by the League of Women Voters with real journalists questioning the candidates? Seeing Harris and Trump going up against candidates like an RFK, Nader, Stein, or De La Cruz would expose the utter bankruptcy of the duopoly and everything they pretend to stand for.
How about just throwing out some areas (foreign policy, economic policy, etc) and giving the candidates 5 minutes per topic to discuss? And then 5 minutes to respond? Journalist questions give too much room for journalist bias, which is considerable.
That works. Or go back to the Lincoln/Douglas debates - put them both on stage and let them figure out how to attack/debate and respond.
There was one such debate hosted by a retired or retiring journalist. Maybe 2016 Presidential. The public liked it. The working (sic) journalists hated it. It should be all about them after all.
I'm old enough to remember when journalists and reporters had working-class backgrounds -frayed cuffs, off the rack clothes, and they would never attend social functions with politicians. Now they go to the same elite schools, live in the same elite neighborhoods, wear designer clothing, and ask only approved questions in a narrow range of topics.
In "Inherit the Wind," E.K. Hornbeck - a newspaper reporter played by Gene Kelly - explains his job is to "afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted." Would God that still held true, instead of dreams of Pulitzer Prizes and media celebrity/stardom ...
Sad but true. I'll bet they don't even smoke cigarettes anymore.
In 2016, Tavis Smiley hosted a debate with Jill Stein and Gary Johnson. Not only was it respectful and of substance, but it was remarkable how much common ground was evident between the Libertarian and Green candidates. The same was true with a debate this year between Jill and Chase. Unfortunately, their debate included some nut job who ranted on way too much in the moderators' effort to give equal time. Still, both debates in term of substance put the prime time "presidential debates" to shame. Chase is quite articulate. Of course he's gay so that's an auto disqualifier for hosts of people. And not a single rainbow-hugging Blue Team friend even acknowledges he exists. Jill they dismiss outright. Why? Well, of course, a vote for Jill is a vote for Trump.
Hadn't heard the "vote red until you're dead". Must have come from a blue source. How about "vote red ignore the dread".
Thanks for info on the other Presidential candidates on our state's ballot. I am voting for Jill Stein also and have deduced that you live in the same state I do...... I am not entirely happy with my choices for the House of Rep., and there are no alternatives on the ballot for that race----only Repugs and Dems.
I think that even if I lived in a Red state, if Stein/Ware were on the ballot I would vote for them. Not quite sure about that though. I guess some of the Democratic scare tactics about Trump got thru to me.
Voting for what you want is never a wasted vote. You are only wasting your vote when you vote for someone you really don't want - whether it's the lesser of two evils or not.
Voting Trump.
The lesser of two gaslightings.
As an anti gaslighting statement!
Trump is more blowtorch than gaslight. :-)
That's a funny one!
Made my day!
If you have any interest in groking Trump, just spend a few days doing business in QUEENS.
I appreciate that's it's not for the faint of heart, but it is instructive.
A stranger in a strange land.
Bill, you seem to have fallen into the "My Vote Is Sacred" club. It's not! It just your opinion of the moment. It's flexible and can actually change with the information available in the moment.
Even worse, my friend, is fixing your "sacred" vote on a political personality rather than the current issues affecting your country. If you have fallen into the trap of either HATE or LOVE for a politician you likely need counseling.
Keep in mind the words of that famous sage, Zappa, "Politics is the entertainment division of the Military Industrial Complex."
Perspective helps!
I think my vote is important--to me. I don't think it's "sacred."
I'm not focusing on Jill Stein as a "political personality." I'm voting for her because of her beliefs and platform, and especially her opposition to the genocide in Gaza.
Even better than counseling is "The Political Illusion", by Jacques Ellul. Much more comprehensive at a fraction of the cost!
Good summation of 3rd party candidates
If Progressive Vote Jill
If conservative vote Libertarian
If pro worker pro socialism anti capitalism vote Social working party
But please don't vote duopoly.
PS
**Jill/Ware have my vote.**
Blessed in Maine to have ranked choice voting which many people fought long and hard for. Therefore I can rank Stein-Ware 1st without any fear of “spoiling” the vote. Married to a man who has been voting his conscience i.e. the Green Party since the dawn of time and has been blamed for every Republican administration since Ronald Reagan.
“Last week hurricane Helene ravaged communities across Appalachia, killing hundreds of people, displacing thousands. This is just one week before hurricane Milton ravaged Florida, and before the wreckage could even be accounted for after Hurricane Helene FEMA reported a $9 billion shortfall.
At the exact same time President Biden announced that he'd be releasing another $8.7 billion in military funding to the Israeli military.
This is almost the exact same amount of money, so what we are seeing is that quite literally the United States government is choosing to massacre in mass Palestinians over supporting our communities here in the United States who are trying to recover from this devastating climate crisis, as well as the chronic disinvestment from their communities.”
— Jewish Voice for Peace organizer Elena Stein
Source: https://mark192.substack.com/p/cartoon-in-face-of-new-gaza-horrors .
ps: America’s Sovereign, National Debt now stands at $37.7 TRILLION, with another $3.8 TRILLION in State and Local Government Debt. [ https://www.usdebtclock.org/ ]
pss: Has anybody heard anything from either Trump or Harris as to how they plan to deal with that Federal Debt?
Yes. They both plan to INCREASE it, Jeff.
Heh. Yeah; that's what i heard too.
Vicarious Voting
(a Villanelle)
-
“Democracy” means that you’ve just been had.
Such “joy” and “unity” for you designed!
So vote for “Lesser Evil” and be glad.
-
You’ll validate selections “not so bad”
that you should feel yourself at all maligned.
“Democracy” means that you’ve just been had.
-
Some “missing” votes to Total Votes they’ll add,
while your vote to the trashcan is consigned.
So vote for “Lesser Evil” and be glad.
-
Although your Rulers ain’t your mom and dad,
to you the role of children they’ve assigned.
“Democracy” means that you’ve just been had.
-
Condemn our wars and both will call you “Vlad”
(the half-black and the Orange one combined).
So vote for “Lesser Evil” and be glad,
-
The Emperor, in His New Clothes, is clad;
with Corporation’s interests He’s aligned.
“Democracy” means that you’ve just been had.
So vote for “Lesser Evil” and be glad.
-
Michael Murry, "The Misfortune Teller," Copyright 2024
I'm impressed that you have so many choices in your state. Here in Illinois we have Trump, Harris and most absurdly, RFKJ. I wonder if in your state the petition requirements are less restrictive than they are here.
Do you know if write ins automatically void your ballot? They do here.
Clif, I live in Mass. I think write-ins are recorded, not that it really matters.
Here's what my state requires to get on the ballot as a POTUS candidate:
If you want to run for president as a non-party candidate, you can run in the state election. Your name and the name of your candidate for vice president will appear on the ballot, along with the political party nominees.
Nomination papers will be available no later than Tuesday, February 7, 2024. You can pick them up at One Ashburton Place, Room 1705, in Boston. If you would rather receive your nomination papers by mail, you can request them in writing or by phone.
To qualify for the ballot, you will need to submit to the Elections Division at least 10,000 certified signatures by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
Signatures must be collected from registered voters and certified by the local election offices in each city and town where you gathered the signatures. Before you can gather any signatures, your nomination papers must be completed with the names of your running mate and 11 qualified electors. Elector candidates must be registered voters of Massachusetts who are not enrolled in a political party.
Thanks for that info, Bill.
I am happy to report that further research reveals the Stein CAN be written in in Illinois. So I will be going to the polling place after all. Cornel West can be written in, too.
After voting, out will come my sandwich boards and I will stand with all the candidate signs outside the doors of the polling place with my sign that will say:
DO NOT STAND WITH ISRAEL,
STAND WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
VOTE FOR JILL STEIN (WRITE IN)