The Power of the 3rd Party Voter
In this post, I want to explore two topics:
- Wasting the third party vote
- My impact on the 2020 election
My reasons for becoming a Libertarian are a little out of scope for this article but after spending time on the campaign trail for the 2020 US Senate for the state of North Carolina election, one of the most common statements I heard while meeting people across North Carolina included the following:
- I really want to vote for you, but I don’t want to waste my vote.
- I believe you are the right person for the job BUT I don’t want to waste my vote.
- I would vote for you if you were a Democrat.
- I would vote for you if you were a Republican.
- If you are not a Republican or Democrat, you can’t win. Why wastes your time?
These questions or statements are not crazy. Depending on your experience or where you live; these are quite valid. In truth, ever since the Clinton administration (IMHO), politics have become more like Super Bowl contents as opposed to making informed decisions, people pick their team whether they agree with most of the platform or not. See my previous post on the affects of social media and gun violence and you can probably use the same argument for any number of topics.
So let's get into it .....
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Who is Shannon Bray?
Hey, North Carolina! Meet Shannon Bray—your neighbor, your fighter, a Tar Heel to the core. He’s the dad you’d find wrestling bedtime stories with his girls, Eden and Kenna, in their Apex home, the guy fixing a leaky faucet on a Saturday, or swapping tales over a cold beer at a backyard cookout. No cape, no spandex—just a Navy vet with a toolbox of grit and a heart as big as the Outer Banks, battling the government Goliath to keep our freedoms safe from D.C.’s sticky fingers. Shannon’s here to make sure your paycheck, your voice, and your kids’ future stay yours—not some bureaucrat’s plaything.
Hard work? Shannon’s got it in spades. He’s tamed tech chaos for the Department of Defense, served our country in the Navy, and faced down a broken system that hit him hard—false arrests, a stolen home, a busted shoulder, and a $100,000 medical bill. Betrayed by lies, he didn’t buckle; he turned pain into a superpower, running for U.S. Senate to fix what’s broken for all of us. Picture him rolling up his sleeves, pen like a sword, fighting for every fisherman in Manteo, baker in Murphy, and mom in Raleigh juggling soccer and supper. With his daughters’ laughter as his fuel, Shannon’s a regular Joe turned liberty warrior, ready to storm the Capitol for you.
What sets him apart? He’s not just hollering about problems—he’s got a plan, laid out in his book, Liberty Unleashed: Shannon W. Bray’s Vision for a Free and Prosperous North Carolina. It’s no dry policy slog; it’s your voter’s guide, a Tar Heel battle cry steeped in barbecue smoke and pride. Shannon wrote it so you’d know exactly how he’ll slash taxes, boost jobs, and keep the feds out of your business—ideas as bold as a Carolina hurricane, as practical as a trusty wrench. Approachable? You bet—he’d pull up a diner chair, listen to your day, and sketch a tax fix on a napkin, all with a grin that says, “We’re in this together.” Drop by shannonbray.us, say hey, and join the fight—’cause with Shannon, we’re family.
SHANNON’S BATTLE PLAN: 14 PROPOSALS TO UNLEASH LIBERTY
As your next U.S. Senator, Shannon’s ready to work tirelessly, ensuring North Carolina thrives without government overreach. Here’s his 14-point plan from Liberty Unleashed—a roadmap to put you in charge:
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Cutting Taxes for Good
Swap income tax for a Fair Tax, axe the IRS, cap spending, and ditch corporate handouts—keeping Ellie’s $2,000 in her pocket. -
Fixing Retirement Your Way
Opt out of Social Security into private accounts, phasing it out by 2035—tripling John’s nest egg. -
Stopping Money Meddling
Kill the Federal Reserve, bring private currencies, block a fed digital dollar unless 75% of us say yes—steadying Maggie’s grocery bill. -
Keeping Your Life Private
End mass surveillance (FISA), demand warrants for snooping, stop bank freezes—guarding Lisa’s Bitcoin. -
Fair Justice for All
Legalize drugs federally (NC regulates), end civil forfeiture without proof, scrap federal death penalties—freeing Trey’s car. -
Schools That Fit You
Cut federal education rules, fund $500 crypto/skills grants—letting Carrie teach coding, not tests. -
Healthcare You Control
Repeal Obamacare, bring state co-ops and HSAs—slashing Mike’s premiums. -
Your Voice, Your Rules
Stop tech censorship pressure, repeal gun laws, limit executive orders—keeping Omar’s posts and Beth’s rifle free. -
Clean Energy, NC Style
Slash energy regs, ban carbon taxes, end subsidies, boost nuclear—lowering Ben’s bills. -
Borders That Work
Open borders with vetting, no quotas—growing Luz’s peaches and Juan’s jobs. -
Peace Over War
End undeclared wars, bring troops home, redirect $300 billion to NC—grilling with Tina, not fighting. -
Protecting What’s Ours
Tax breaks for land trusts ($1,000/acre)—saving the Millers’ forests. -
Keeping Your Crypto Yours
No taxes on crypto trades ‘til cashed, ban IRS prying, mandate acceptance—Sara’s $50 stays hers. -
Growing Jobs with Crypto Freedom
Free crypto mining, fair rates, tech zones, open banking—sparking Jake and Tammy’s paychecks.
EDUCATION: A MIND FOR SOLUTIONS
Shannon’s no armchair warrior—he’s armed with know-how:
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Missouri Science and Technology - Ph.D. student in Computer Science, digging into election security to keep our votes safe.
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University of Delaware - Master of Science in Cybersecurity, mastering the digital battlefield.
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Colorado State University Global Campus - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, building practical tech chops.
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Arapahoe Community College - Associate of Science and Associate of Arts in History, grounding his fight in America’s roots.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Shannon’s not just talk—he serves North Carolina hands-on:
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U.S. Naval Sea Cadets - As LCDR Shannon Bray, NSCC, he leads as Regional Director, shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
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Navy League - President of the Triangle chapter, backing our naval forces.
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Volunteers his IT expertise to keep our coasts secure.
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Cyber Patriot - Coaches young cyber warriors, prepping them for the future.
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: COMMON GROUND, LIBERTY FIRST
Shannon’s a proud Libertarian, but he gets it—most of us see value across the aisle. “We’re more alike than different,” he says. “Let’s start there and build a freer North Carolina together.” Check out his professional side on LinkedIn.
