Guest Author - Cynthia Phillips

As an independent voter, don't you get sick of people telling you that you are wasting your vote? Or they say that so and so doesn't have a chance. Some people even tell me that they like third parties, but they would vote for the "lesser of two evils," because the other candidate would be disastrous if he/she won. I have some news for those that think that way voting for the "lesser of two evils" is still evil.

Maybe if you decided with conviction that you were voting for third parties and actually told people about it, then it could make a difference. I know that a third party candidate will not make president this election year, but making people aware can bring about a snowball effect that could make a difference in the next elections.

The Ron Paul Revolution certainly had a snowball effect and it energized a group of people that weren't really involved in politics and I am one of those people. I used to vote Republican but now that the Bush Administration pretty much tainted their party, I don't see myself going back.

My views are along the lines of libertarian, but I don't have a party affiliation. I personally believe that we should not have all these political parties; they just cause more divisions and fear in people. We should vote for a person based on their character and integrity, not their political party affiliations.

A wasted vote in my opinion is when you vote a Democrat or Republican in office. These parties are both corrupt and it is insane that we keep putting these people in office. Insanity according to Einstein is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Obama can say "change" all he wants, but some of you know deep down that's not going to happen.

Another thing that is insane is that people will vote for either McCain or Obama even though they both voted yes to the Bailout. That's right they both believe in corporate socialism and help passed the "No Bankers Left Behind" bill. Think about it, are they really concerned for your best interests?

If you really do research on both candidates, they both have similar agendas when it comes to foreign policy. They both want to police the world. McCain is bent on this War on Terror and will attack any country that has terrorists (and maybe WMDs)--smells like another Bush to me; and even though Obama wants to pull out of Iraq, he is pro war when it comes to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If you really crave "change" and "straight talk;" don't vote for any of these clowns. Vote for independents, be a free thinker--don't let the media and the emotionalism of this election sway your vote to the status quo. I'd like to end with this quote by John Quincy Adams--"Always vote for principle. Although you may vote alone, you will cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."