MADISON, Wis. – Four independent presidential candidates have filed signatures and paperwork to appear on the November ballot, the Wisconsin Elections Commission announced Tuesday.

    • Socialist Mormon Satanist@lemmy.worldOP
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      3 months ago

      First, let’s be clear: voting is a fundamental American right, and every citizen has the right to vote for the candidate they believe in, without being accused of ulterior motives. The idea that supporting a third party is somehow working for Trump or any other major candidate is both historically inaccurate and logically flawed.

      Throughout American history, third parties have played a crucial role in shaping political discourse and pushing important issues into the spotlight.

      The abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and labor rights were all advanced by third parties before being adopted by the major parties.

      By voting for Jill Stein and the Green Party, I am supporting a platform that aligns with my values, particularly on issues like environmental sustainability, social justice, and democratic reform.

      The notion that a vote for a third party “dilutes” the vote is rooted in a fear-driven mentality rather than in democratic principles.

      It assumes that votes are owned by the two major parties, which they are not. Our electoral system is supposed to represent the diverse views of the electorate, not just those of the dominant parties.

      • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        3 months ago

        That was a great 6 paragraph comment, but you didn’t actually address the literal one topic I was referring to. Like, at all.

            • Socialist Mormon Satanist@lemmy.worldOP
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              3 months ago

              I have made myself clear. Please stick to information that is in the news article posted.

              This Lemmy community explores and respects diverse viewpoints.

              And thank you for respecting the right for me to vote for who I want to vote for, even if it’s not your candidate. Let’s keep this sub civil.

              • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                3 months ago

                I appreciate your perspective, but I’m trying to understand how your response relates to the specific topic I raised. It seems like you sidestepped the issue I mentioned regarding third-party candidates and their potential impact on elections.

                I also want to clarify that I’m not being uncivil; I’m simply expressing my concerns about the broader implications of voting choices. It’s important to consider how those choices might affect the country as a whole.

                Are you suggesting that the viewpoint about the intentional confusion created by some candidates isn’t worthy of respect? I’m a bit confused, and I’d appreciate your help in clearing this up.

                • Socialist Mormon Satanist@lemmy.worldOP
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                  3 months ago

                  I appreciate your perspective, but I’m trying to understand how your response relates to the specific topic I raised.

                  And I appreciate your perspective. But I’ve made my point clear in many posts, and from now on I will only discuss information that is in the actual news article that I posted.

                  I’m simply expressing my concerns about the broader implications of voting choices.

                  And I respect your right to think that. I, however, disagree. I like the fact that there are more voting choices.

                  The notion that a vote for a third party “dilutes” the vote is rooted in a fear-driven mentality rather than in democratic principles.

                  It assumes that votes are owned by the two major parties, which they are not. Our electoral system is supposed to represent the diverse views of the electorate, not just those of the dominant parties.

                  Voting for the candidate who best represents my beliefs is not just a right—it’s a responsibility.

                  Democracy thrives on diversity of thought.

                  • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                    3 months ago

                    It’s crucial to acknowledge that there have been documented cases where candidates have entered races specifically to confuse voters or draw votes away from a particular party. Ignoring these tactics is just as dangerous to democracy as discounting the role of third parties.

                    While I understand your commitment to voting for the candidate that aligns with your beliefs, it’s essential to consider how these strategies can impact the electoral process as a whole. Recognizing these issues doesn’t undermine the value of third-party candidates; rather, it highlights the complexities and challenges within our political system.