Vote "None of the Above"
Gary Loftis
May 06, 2008
Once again, I find myself facing the prospect of placing my vote for a candidate whom I donīt believe is qualified to manage the country -- I donīt want Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or John McCain anywhere near the White House -- because the embedded political parties and the media have decided this should be the ballot. There are 300 million people in America, some of whom actually have a shred of common sense and an idea how to approach actually fixing the problems that are slowly dragging the greatest country in history into the pit of mediocrity. Isnīt there some better way to find a leader? I think there is!
Several years ago, Richard Pryor made a movie called Brewsterīs Millions, in which he was required to waste $30 million in 30 days in order to receive an inheritance of $300 million. The trick was that he could have nothing left of value at the end of the month. Where better to spend money without gaining residual value than political campaigning? So, he entered a mayoral race featuring two morally bankrupt and politically corrupt candidates. But, Brewster was running as "None of the Above," giving voters the opportunity to reject both named candidates. I donīt have to tell you that None of the Above won the election, and that is exactly my point.
A vote for any of the presidential candidates will be read as a mandate, even a vote cast because he/she is the lesser of evils, but what if you write in "None of the Above?" If one person or a few people did it, their votes would not get reported, But if 10% or more of the electorate did so, it could be viewed as a vote of no confidence in any of the candidates or their agendas. Perhaps that would get the attention of the political class.
I am going to write in None of the Above on the presidential ballot in November. If you are as ambivalent as I am over our choices, I invite you to join me. Send a link to this column to everyone you know.
This is a chance for your voice to be heard in the halls of power in Washington. If they insist on presenting us with marginal candidates, we will reject them: None of the Above!
Several years ago, Richard Pryor made a movie called Brewsterīs Millions, in which he was required to waste $30 million in 30 days in order to receive an inheritance of $300 million. The trick was that he could have nothing left of value at the end of the month. Where better to spend money without gaining residual value than political campaigning? So, he entered a mayoral race featuring two morally bankrupt and politically corrupt candidates. But, Brewster was running as "None of the Above," giving voters the opportunity to reject both named candidates. I donīt have to tell you that None of the Above won the election, and that is exactly my point.
A vote for any of the presidential candidates will be read as a mandate, even a vote cast because he/she is the lesser of evils, but what if you write in "None of the Above?" If one person or a few people did it, their votes would not get reported, But if 10% or more of the electorate did so, it could be viewed as a vote of no confidence in any of the candidates or their agendas. Perhaps that would get the attention of the political class.
I am going to write in None of the Above on the presidential ballot in November. If you are as ambivalent as I am over our choices, I invite you to join me. Send a link to this column to everyone you know.
This is a chance for your voice to be heard in the halls of power in Washington. If they insist on presenting us with marginal candidates, we will reject them: None of the Above!