A few weeks ago, I wrote an article expressing my support for the rumored presidential candidacy of Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) in 2020 on the Libertarian ticket.
I’ve always been a fan of Amash’s solid defense of the Constitution, and I’ve referenced him many times in articles on Constitutional matters. And he has boldly called out Trump, the GOP, and faux conservatives to hold them accountable for violating the trust of the American people and for failing to protect and defend the Constitution.
Now, I know this may come as a shock, but would you believe I’ve been receiving a lot of pushback from Trumplicans and Trumpservatives for supporting Amash?
Even as his cult repeated the claim that Trump is a lock for re-election and doesn’t need my vote, they attempted to educate me about how voting for Amash or any other candidate not affiliated with the two-party establishment would be a wasted vote. Or, as they often said in 2016, not voting for Trump means I’m voting for the Democrat … as if there’s a difference.
Besides the fact I reject binary choices when voting,
the claim that I’m wasting my vote is merely ignorance on display by people who possess little to no understanding of the power of the vote. Having become lazy and/or indifferent, they avoid the hard work required of citizenship and exchange their responsibility to choose representatives who reflect their values for the lesser of two evils.
Voting is the ultimate expression of liberty because it means we living our lives free from the oppression and bondage of a government not of our choosing. When we vote for someone we didn’t choose or we are forced to vote for someone in violation of our conscience, we have, in essence, surrendered that freedom.
When I reflect on the millions of US soldiers who have been killed or wounded in wars over the years, I realize the true cost paid for liberty. Their sacrifice ensures my freedom to vote my conscience, not to be a slave to the unibrow.
Ironically, people who claim that voting for a third-party candidate is a wasted vote because it’s a vote going to someone who can’t win are in reality failing to follow their own advice. For example, if you’re a Trump supporter voting for him in California or New York, you could say, using their rationale, they are wasting their vote because Trump won’t win in those states.
Noah Webster once said:
“If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made; not for the public good so much for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded.”
Placing unprincipled men in office? Now THAT would be a wasted vote.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative. His politically incorrect and always “right” columns are also featured on NOQReport.com.
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