Another Poke at the "Wasted Vote" Myth

The "wasted vote" myth is probably the most widely held fallacy in politics. You would think that most rational people wouldn't need to have such a simple concept explained to them. Apparently, many do. (Or perhaps most people aren't rational in their politics.)

There is an endless string of analogies and examples that explode this myth, and I never tire of hearing them. I found this quote from Mike Kole. (Mike Kole iscurrently the Libertarian Party candidate for Indiana Secretary of State. His blog is here. )

If you voted Republican and expected smaller government or lower taxes, you wasted your vote.

If you voted Democrat expecting greater civil liberties, you wasted your vote.

Moreover, if you went to McDonald's five times and asked for a Big Mac five times, but all five times you got a Filet O'Fish instead, you wouldn't go back to McDonald's any more, would you?

So, why do you keep voting Republican or Democrat? You aren't getting what you bargained for there. Vote Libertarian and you will vote for candidates who will better represent your beliefs and who will deliver when they are elected.

So...how many of you small government conservatives are going to waste your vote on Big Government Republicans this year? How many of you civil-liberty minded liberals are going to waste your vote on Big Brother Democrats this year?

Most of you, I suspect.

But don't come crying to me when taxes get more burdensome, the economy takes a nose dive, and our personal liberties erode even further.

It's your fault, not mine.