{"id":1267,"date":"2016-09-07T10:22:45","date_gmt":"2016-09-07T14:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/philvelez.com\/blog\/?p=1267"},"modified":"2019-03-16T22:48:38","modified_gmt":"2019-03-17T02:48:38","slug":"if-you-hate-hillary-or-youre-terrified-of-trump-there-are-other-options-for-president-just-vote-on-nov-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/philvelez.com\/blog\/?p=1267","title":{"rendered":"If You Hate Hillary or You\u2019re Terrified of Trump, There are Other Options for President. Just Vote on Nov. 8!"},"content":{"rendered":"

From left to right: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Jill Stein, Gary Johnson. (Photo courtesy of IndianExpress.com.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Hillary Clinton<\/a> and Donald Trump may be the least liked presidential candidates in United States history. Each is so disliked to the point that millions of Americans are considering skipping the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled for November 8th. However, deciding not to participate in the political process may have disastrous repercussions for years to come.<\/p>\n

Many Americans have given up on the upcoming presidential election, regarding it as one where the voter must choose between the lesser of two evils. It should be noted, there are four candidates running for President of the United States. Prominent politicians and the media in general, highlight just the two major political parties: Democrats<\/a> and Republicans. Notwithstanding, there are two lesser-known political parties that have candidates running for president.<\/p>\n

If you just cannot vote for Clinton or Trump, instead of sitting out this election, check out Jill Stein<\/a> of the Green Party<\/a> and Gary Johnson<\/a> of the Libertarian Party<\/a>. Jill Stein was the Green Party\u2019s 2012 candidate for president. She is a medical practitioner and activist. According to Dr. Stein\u2019s website, she holds the current record for most votes ever received by a woman candidate for President of the United States in a general election. The Libertarian Party’s candidate, Gary Johnson, was elected twice Governor of New Mexico as a Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.<\/p>\n

Some politically “savvy” people will say that a vote for a Green Party or Libertarian Party candidate is a lost vote because we live in a major two-party system. But with the ineffectiveness of Congress and the crazy electoral process we\u2019ve just witnessed with the Democrats and Republicans, it might be time to seriously consider a competitive third party is added to our election options. Only time will tell which party will rise as a viable third party.<\/p>\n

Others worry that if Americans throw their votes behind a third or fourth political party, it will take votes away from Clinton or Trump. I understand this concern. I am an adamant supporter of Hillary Clinton and will be casting my vote for her. If Clinton loses the election because too many people voted for a Green Party or Libertarian Party candidate, I would be quite upset.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I believe everyone should participate in the political process and all voices should be heard. Therefore, if you are not happy with the status quo in politics, get involved to change it. I have been a lifelong Democrat and that is not changing anytime soon. But if you are feed up with either the Democrat or Republican Party, know that there are other options. Do your research and cast your vote for President of the United States on Tuesday, November 8th.<\/p>\n