U.S. Politics

[amalthia]

I'm currently visiting my sister, and normally we are on the same page when it comes to politics. So I was completely surprised when she said she's voting 3rd party because she doesn't like that Biden is over 80 years old. She doesn't like Trump either.

But I'm like how is voting 3rd party going to help? That person has a zero chance of winning since national elections don't have ranked choice voting.

Trump is also really old and might also die of old age in office. Let's face it the guy is not physically fit.

She's also convinced we are going to war in 4 years and doesn't want our war time president to die in office. But we've had plenty of presidents die in office and it turned out ok.

I also don't like the anti-agism inherent in her line of thinking.

But ultimately I'm now even more nervous that we are going to have another 4 years of Trump if too many democrats feel this way too.

At this point I'm just hoping Trump dies before the election. Its the best thing that can happen for democracy.

Not going to try and convince her to change her mind. I mean what can you say if someone has already made up their mind?

To me it's logical that anyone can die at any age so age isn't what I'm looking at for candidacy.

Secondly why can't the Republicans pony up a decent person for the presidential election???? Where are the John McCain and Mitt Romney. There are sane Republicans, not many at this point but I'm sure there are a few.

Comments

[catalenamara]

It's been my experience that people who vote for third parties don't understand how our political system works.

[amalthia]

That is becoming my impression as well.

[princessofgeeks]

The Cult of Trump has taken over the GOP. It's terrifying. There are plenty of noncrazy Republicans but they are all getting run out of the party.

[yourlibrarian]

Yeah, I agree. We've had several presidents die in office for one reason or another, including during war time. And as you said, any person can die at any age.

My concern is not death, it's clarity of thinking. And it's super clear that while Biden may be getting fuzzy, Trump is, if not in dementia, full scale incapable of holding that office. We should also look to who each person chose as a vice president. I can't imagine Trump wanting anyone who might do anything but be a yes man, and stay in the shadows, probably out of any decision making chain.

[amalthia]

I pointed out to my sister that Biden's vice president is still relatively young and she seems like she has a good head on her shoulders, at least she isn't a sycophant. I suspend anyone Trump selects for VP would fall in that category.

[devilc]

Tangentally related, via youtube I found "channel" of a sane and moral conservative man. I disagree with him on several points, based on things he's said, but I feel like I found a unicorn.

This is him on the Mansosphere

[amalthia]

lol, just saw the video. I thought he made a good points that other men should consider. :)

[treewishes]

I'm so sorry to hear this! But I fear that a lot of people are thinking this way, too.

The best argument I've heard is the one where people think voting for a 3rd party is like a boycott. When you boycott a company, they lose business over time and (ideally) consider changing policies. When you vote 3rd party, it's too late to change policies and the country just goes under.

(please don't let my country go under)

[amalthia]

This is a good argument to present if this topic comes up again.

I think ultimately the only way to break the stranglehold of the two party system to allow ranked choice in the national elections. Then people can vote for their 3rd party candidate first and the other candidate second. This may bring more of the politicians back to the center.