I'm going to go out on a limb here and say something that will probably be very unpopular among most of my friends. In speaking with people who I know to be intelligent, well-grounded people, I've heard it put forth that even though they dislike Bush and want him out of office, they are not comfortable with Kerry and therefore are going to vote for neither. They plan on either writing in a name, or voting some other Independent route. I understand that democracy, in the true sense of the word, supports this rationale. I also understand the thoughts and passions behind taking this stand and I respect them.

But here is the reality. I'll take a page out of the good ol' G.W. doctrine of speaking in overly-simple, unartful sentences:

Not voting for Kerry is, in fact, voting for Bush.

As long as I've been of voting age, I've heard people complain that they don't like either candidate, and therefore are either not going to vote, or are going to vote for some third candidate out of 'protest.' Now, I happen to actually like Kerry, I respect many of his thoughts, and unlike many, I feel he is fairly clear in his policies. So I don't feel conflicted in voting for him. However, I do consider myself an 'Independent,' and in my romanticized realm of political utopia (which incidently only exists in my head), I would like to believe that if I wanted to, I could vote for neither 'mainstream' candidate and that it would somehow make a difference in this world. That my protest would be heard and something would be done about this crazy money-dominated two-party political system in which we find ourselves. But it will not.

So here's my pitch to all undecided voters: Don't make yourself a political martyr to the democratic ideal. Nobody will know your bravery. We can try to 'fix' our political system some other way. If you're unhappy with Bush, if the thought of four more years of this madness disturbs you, do something about it. If you're reasoning tells you, as mine does, that Kerry would make a better president, then vote for Kerry. But don't cop out by voting for neither candidate and calling it a 'protest.' That's throwing your vote away.

There. I said it. Let the stone-throwing commence.

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