The Sterling Stage, 6134 E. Hwy. 290
False Narrative
RECEIVED Fri., June 24, 2016
Dear Editor,
While I admire Louis Black's persistence in defending his "lesser of two evils" argument, both in his original editorial ["Page Two: All or Nothing Is No Way Forward," June 17], then in his response to Brett Thompson's rebuttal [“American Nightmare,” June 24] – respectfully, Black started off his argument by ignoring a fact that made his subsequent argument wrong. That is, the Electoral College ensures that Texas is going to wind up casting all of its electoral college votes for Trump, no matter what progressives in Austin might do in the voting booth. Once you acknowledge that, holding one's nose and voting for Clinton, even if you disagree with most of her agenda, makes no sense – even if you, as I do, find Trump appalling.
You're free to vote your conscience here, and do something that doesn't make you urgently want to shower after voting. You can vote for Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate. You can vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate. You can cast a de facto NOTA (None of the Above) vote by leaving the presidential election part of the ballot blank. Or you can do what I'm going to do and boycott the whole affair and do something fun and life-affirming on Election Day.
If you really like Clinton, then fine, vote for her. But if you don't – if you find her warmongering and drug warring and whatnot offensive – don't cave to a false narrative that you have to vote for the lesser of two evils. Because you have actual choices that don't boil down to terrible vs. slightly less terrible.
This is not remotely a swing state. So take the high road. You'll feel better.
While I admire Louis Black's persistence in defending his "lesser of two evils" argument, both in his original editorial ["Page Two: All or Nothing Is No Way Forward," June 17], then in his response to Brett Thompson's rebuttal [“American Nightmare,” June 24] – respectfully, Black started off his argument by ignoring a fact that made his subsequent argument wrong. That is, the Electoral College ensures that Texas is going to wind up casting all of its electoral college votes for Trump, no matter what progressives in Austin might do in the voting booth. Once you acknowledge that, holding one's nose and voting for Clinton, even if you disagree with most of her agenda, makes no sense – even if you, as I do, find Trump appalling.
You're free to vote your conscience here, and do something that doesn't make you urgently want to shower after voting. You can vote for Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate. You can vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate. You can cast a de facto NOTA (None of the Above) vote by leaving the presidential election part of the ballot blank. Or you can do what I'm going to do and boycott the whole affair and do something fun and life-affirming on Election Day.
If you really like Clinton, then fine, vote for her. But if you don't – if you find her warmongering and drug warring and whatnot offensive – don't cave to a false narrative that you have to vote for the lesser of two evils. Because you have actual choices that don't boil down to terrible vs. slightly less terrible.
This is not remotely a swing state. So take the high road. You'll feel better.
Jim Henshaw
