How Do I Vote?

Being the responsible citizen that I am, I received my mail in ballot for the upcoming California Primary, last week. I have before me several choices. And while many of those choices are clear some are dreadfully murky. Therefore I propose to put it before the readership of IACLAYST to get some feed back.

As you are probably fully aware, California is nearly hopelessly liberal. Before the electorate this year are several 'conservative' candidates. A number of whom are merely flogging the conservative label in the hopes that it will put them in orifice. I'm pretty well locked in on who I am going to select for Governor, Lt. Governor, Assembly, State Senate, etc. Where I'm having real trouble is with US Senate. If you're not familiar with the candidates, they are; Tom 'I voted to raise taxes, but am certainly electable versus Boxer' Campbell, Carly 'Voting booth? Never heard of it, but Sarah Palin endorses me' Fiorina, and finally Chuck 'I'm a true conservative with military, private and public service credentials' DeVore. Now, on the surface, this appears to be an easy vote. Chuck DeVore, all the way. The only problem? This:



Every poll I've seen, including the latest Rasmussen poll has him trailing behind the other two candidates. Now, I can hear some of you already. 'It's the primary, vote for the principled candidate!' 9 times out of 10, I'm right there with you. However, there is wide speculation, which I happen to buy into, that states in a case where Fiorina and DeVore are fighting for the conservative vote, the split between the two is likely to benefit Campbell. In other words, a vote for DeVore (because he's the trailing candidate) is a vote agaisnt Fiorina and therefore a vote for Campbell. It should be noted that Carly Fiorina got fired from the McCain campaign for telling the press that neither McCain, Palin, Obama nor Biden could run a fortune 500 company like HP. She certainly wasn't wrong, but it wasn't the right thing to say if she wanted to keep her gig with McCain/Palin.

I'm really wrasslin' with this decision and am having a hard time choosing the correct course of action. So what do you think? DeVore? Fiorina? Campbell? Let me know in the comments.

Please take the time to comment! Click the Informed Opinion Link adjacent to the Post Title.

Pop Quiz with PRIZE POTENTIAL!

It is widely known by the staff and the readers of this blog that IACLAYST has some of the smartest readers that the web has to offer. What follows is a list of quotes, beliefs and ideals assembled for the purpose of this quiz. Read the quote/belief/ideal, and determine if the it is from a Republican/Conservative/Libertarian or from a Democrat/Liberal/Progressive. Bonus points for naming the person responsible. The scoring is quite subjective and points will be awarded by myself.

In my opinion the ideals listed below are vital to understand in order to make sure that we do not continue down the path that has lead us to our current political state, therefore the answers will not be easy. The questions are purposefully vague, but if it's determined that they are too difficult, additional information will be provided.

I am offering a prize, of my choice, with a value of no less than $20 and no more than $75 to the winner so be sure to play along.

1. Which party affiliation was held by an economist and adviser to two Presidents in the 20th Century who said that African Americans were 'indolent and fickle'? He also endorsed protectionist laws concerning labor since 'competition has no respect for the superior races'.
   *Additional bonus available for naming the Presidents whom he advised.


2. To which party did the federal official who believed that the 'overwork[ing] of future mothers is a threat against the welfare of our nation' belong? He also argued that the bodies of women were in a sense, collectivist property.
   *Additional bonus for naming the position he was later placed in, and the individual responsible for placing him in that position.


3. Which party affiliation was held by one of the first political ideologues to publicly support the case for a national minimum wage, in opposition to his peers? He also professed that it was the power of the congress to 'remove conditions leading to poor health, immoral behavior and the deterioration of the race'.
   *Additional bonus points for identifying the military unit in which he served.


4. Which party affiliation was held by the men who professed that it was within the rights of the state to perform compulsory sterilization?
   *Additional bonus points for naming the most recognizable man who shared in this profession and what his highly recognizable previous position was.


5. Which party affiliation was held by the man who was joined by the majority in determining that a defendant must be given access to counsel upon request in a capital trial? This determination eventually opened this door to all defendants.
   *Additional bonus points for naming the group of four this man was a part of and what they stood up against.

There's a lot to chew on here, so take your time and do a little research. I promise your effort will help you and your understanding of today's political climate and it'll help you educate your friends and enemies alike. I will be tallying scores and posting results on Saturday
Please take the time to comment! Click the Informed Opinion Link adjacent to the Post Title.

Response Requested

I've received several responses to my last post on Libertarians and Conservatives, several by email and a few by comment. Based upon my reading of the responses, there seems to be a blurring of the line between Libertarians and Conservatives, with folks I'd consider conservative calling themselves libertarians. Then I had a Skunks "Toing!" moment and thought, 'I need to get my readers in on this.'

So, I'll ask you guys. First, what do you consider yourself: a Conservative or a Libertarian, or both? And, why do you define yourself one way versus the other?

Let me know in the comments!

Please take the time to comment!