Who decides an election?

It is once again that most wonderful time of the year: Elections. It's the time where the incumbents jump on the stump with their "experience" and the "Outsiders" try to convince the public that those who were elected are out of touch with the needs and concerns of the people.

The media is certainly jumping on this story. They always do but now that the Unemployment rate is flirting with 10% and the super majority held by the Democrats in Congress has failed to turn the economic woes of the country around, Republicans believe they have the momentum and are confident they will be able to ride the anger and frustration all the way to their rightful place in the majority of both houses on the hill.

While both parties slug it out in the mud pit, another familiar tone is being sounded among the shouting fiascoes of the debates, attack ads and political rally slandering. The often-heard from, little-considered third-party candidates are making the rounds, asking voters to take a look at all of the candidates who are voting and give a shot to someone who is neither a Democrat or a Republican.

My opinion: This idea is long overdue.

For far too long, people have based their decision on who has the best chance of winning. Many people have said they would vote for a third-party candidate if they had a legitimate shot. They want to vote for him/her but doing so would be throwing their vote away.

How many votes would a candidate receive if these people decided to "throw their vote away?"

A recent Gallup Poll shows "36% of Americans have a great deal or fair amount of trust and confidence in the legislative branch of government." This number is down from last year's 45%, the previous low.

The vicious cycle of elections and politics goes like this: People are fed up with their government. People want to vote for someone else but their choice won't have a good chance at winning the election. They go with a "safe candidate". They complain about nothing getting done.

Ask a room full of people who they would vote for then ask them if they would vote for a third-party candidate if they felt that person had a shot at winning. Watch the hands go up. Remind people that is how an election works: By choosing who you want. Not by who you think everyone else is voting for. Voting in an election is not a popularity contest. It's about sending people to do a job that needs to be done.