Russell Arben Fox on why he, as a social traditionalist with progressive economic views, is endorsing the Democrats.

Jim Henley advises us to vote on the principle of punishing the wicked.

Matthew Yglesias and Alan Bock both doubt much will change even if the Dems take Congress, at least in foreign policy matters.

I duly performed my civic duty this morning. I voted for the Democrat, Deval Patrick, for governor, abstained on the Senate race (the inevitable Ted Kennedy vs. some no-name Republican guy), abstained on all races where there was no opposition to the incumbent, and voted for a smattering of third-party candidates on other local races. I also voted for our incumbent Congressional representative Michael Capuano (his only opponent, as I mentioned, being the Socialist Workers Party candidate). In 9 out of the 13 races on my ballot there was no Republican running and only a handful of thrid party challengers. So on local races I tried to vote against the incumbent where I could for the sake of breaking one-party hegemony.

I also, as I mentioned earlier, voted a hearty “yea” on the “wine in grocery stores question” and “nay” on all other ballot questions, including the non-binding resolutions to withdraw from Iraq, support the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and divestment from Israel. These symbolic non-binding ballot questions strike me as a huge waste of time and an exercise in moral preening, so I vote against them on principle.