Over the last six months, I have written about my frustration over Pat Quinn and Bill Brady. I am frustrated that these flawed politicians are the two candidates we have to choose from to save our state from its precarious financial situation. One candidate, Pat Quinn, has made a bad fiscal situation worse over the last 19 months; while the other, Bill Brady, does not have a plan on how to fix the $13 billion mess. A couple weeks ago, an e-mailer reminded me of an alternative for governor, Green Party candidate Rich Whitney.

Thursday, I wrote a post about Green Party candidate for governor, Rich Whitney. I questioned whether voting for Whitney-- or any third-party candidate-- was a worth the vote, considering they are bound to lose. I concluded thinking I would have to choose between Quinn and Brady on November 2nd, while holding my nose.

Yesterday, I received an excellent comment from David Schwab on why voting for Rich Whitney and other Green party candidates is a good idea. It is such a good point, I thought it should be shared:

If Rich Whitney gets at least 5% of the vote, the Green Party will retain its major party status and ballot line in Illinois. So the issue is: do you want to have to choose between terrible Democrats and Republicans year after year for the rest of your life? Or do you want to help build a party that actually speaks to people's real concerns? This year the Green Party has a number of strong candidates in Illinois. For example, Jeremy Karpen is running a strong challenge to machine insider Toni Berrios in the 39th District, with endorsements from the Chicago Teacher's Union, the Chicago Tribune, Progressive Democrats of America, Independent Voters of Illinois, and likely more to come. If Karpen, an engaged and passionate progressive, can upset a deal-making machine insider and give the Greens their first seat in Springfield, that will be a major victory for Illinoisans who are sick and tired of Democrats and Republicans and their shenanigans. But if Rich Whitney hadn't won a Green Party ballot line in 2006, it's very possible that these machine candidates would be going unchallenged yet again. What Illinois really needs is electoral reforms like instant runoff voting and proportional representation, which allow you to vote for the candidates you agree with most, without fear of inadvertently helping the ones you agree with least. But you don't get major reforms to the system by asking nicely for them. First enough people have to have the courage to say enough is enough and cast their vote for the best candidate for the job. Vote Rich Whitney.

Mr. Schwab makes a good point. I've lamented having to choose between two bad candidates. Yes, one of the two will win; but if voting for Whitney today gives Illinois voters more choice tomorrow, it's not a wasted vote. At least, it's something else to considering before going to the polls. Thank you, Mr. Schwab for the comment.