Posted by MK at 209.248.26.4 on November 09, 2000 at 14:04:32:
In Reply to: My vote got my party on the ballot. posted by turtle on November 09, 2000 at 12:50:28:
menaing 5% of the popular vote to ensure matching government funds
: My vote for Nader got the Green Party official statewide recognition. We're now an official party in the eyes of the government, just like the Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. We're automatically on the ballot now, you can now register as a Green Party member, and there may be matching government funds for the party (I'm not sure about the last one, though). These are things that we've not had before. If we can continue this trend there is a good chance that the Green Party could become a viable national party, like it is in many countries across Europe.
: You may dismiss these accomplishments as frivolous, but just remember, none of those dudes chiseled into the side of Mount Rushmore were members of the two party system. None of them. Sure new parties don't make it big every day, but it does happen. And if you give a shit about the future, you sometimes have to do unpopular things, like voting for a candidate who's not likely to win. If we just keep voting for candidates we don't like or trust, they're just going to screw things up more and more. It's only going to get better if WE do something.
: And the fact is that my state wouldn't vote for Bush even if he promised free cocaine for everyone. So a vote for Gore in my state would have been a wasted vote (Electorally at least).
: -turtle
: who at least didn't vote for someone who voted for Scalia and Thomas (that would be Gore, of course).