None of the Above

I've never voted for a Democrat in my life. That is not to say I've always voted for a Republican. In fact, in the very first Presidential election I was allowed to vote in, it was a third party candidate who received my vote. His name was H Ross Perot. In the last presidential election, I could not bring myself to vote for either major party candidate. Again, a third party candidate received my vote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvNwi9M8mbI

One of my favorite movies of all time is Brewster's Millions with Richard Pryor. Yes, really. In the movie, Monty Brewster must spend $30-million in 30 days without generating any assets. If he can do it, he will inherit $300 million. He rents a beautiful apartment. He buys a collector's stamp and then uses it on a postcard. He takes an entourage of hundreds to lunch at expensive restaurants. He also runs a political campaign for the Mayor of New York City; not as an actual candidate, but against two really bad candidates. He calls the campaign None of the Above.

I often wish None of the Above was a choice on all ballots. I wish, when I went to the polls, I didn't have to choose between the lesser of two evils: between asshole and idiot, between untrustable and unsuitable, between crook and scoundrel. I wish I didn't have to hold my nose with one hand and fill out my ballot with the other.

I know some of you will tell me that I am throwing my vote away by voting for a candidate that never stands a chance of winning. That I am part of the problem. That my non-vote contributed to the election of the officials we have today. Maybe.

But maybe, by not voting for either of the major party candidates, and encouraging others to do the same, we can build a future with better candidates and better ideas.

Yes, I will be voting on Tuesday. And I don't know yet which candidates will get my vote or how I will vote of the ballot proposals. I do know that my politics are changing over recent years. I have moved from a middle-right conservative/straight ticket voter, to a true undecided who will listen to more than just two candidates on more than just one issue. And I will vote for the best candidate and the best ideas, regardless of the party from which they come.

How will you be voting in the coming election?

And, before you answer this question, THINK. Why are you voting that way?