by Gary D. Barnett

Recently by Gary D. Barnett: The Constitution Does Not GrantRights!

The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting.

~ Charles Bukowski

Voting is a fool's game. Many might find that statement offensive, but considering our plight, I can't imagine why. There are so many who have been fooled into thinking that voting is a sacred right, and one that guarantees freedom. The opposite of course is the case. The fooled among us seem completely willing to embrace this ruse; thus allowing the many to continue to be ruled by the few. The result then of voting in this country is oligarchy, making it one of the most worthless endeavors of mankind.

Voting (politically speaking) on its very face is immoral. Men of character cannot argue this, for voting pits one against another; this the desired effect sought by those who seek power. Voting allows for some to determine the fate of others, a fate that can only be accomplished by the use of force. Because of this truth, voting is the destroyer of freedom and liberty, not the protector of it.

Even in the very best of situations, voting is still an unmitigated failure. The fact that any simple majority of individuals (mob) can determine an outcome that adversely affects the minority (mob rule) is against all natural rights. In the United State today, all who vote harm others so that they might benefit. By voting, they are also sanctioning theft of private property at the point of a gun, and the redistribution of that property to those who did not earn it. In addition, those who vote legitimize all that governments do, including drafting unjust laws, waging aggressive wars against innocents, torture, progressive taxation, indefinite detention, assassination of American citizens, destruction of our money, and massive debt; only to name a few.

It is telling to compare how those who believe in freedom and liberty think about voting as opposed to those who do not. The powerful political class, the rulers and totalitarians, "think" (say) that voting is sacred, while those who love freedom understand the truth. This contrast is evident in these few quotes:

Political rulers:

The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.

~ Lyndon B. Johnson

Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.

~ Hillary Clinton

I regard voting as the most sacred right of free men and women.

~ Ronald Reagan

Freedom lovers:

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

~ Ayn Rand

What ass first let loose the doctrine that the suffrage is a high boon and voting a noble privilege?

~ H. L. Mencken

A man is none the less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.

~ Lysander Spooner

Many libertarians think that voting is acceptable only if one votes for someone other than those in the two major parties, or someone who is a Democrat or Republican that is accepted by a majority of "libertarian type" individuals. I disagree with this thinking entirely. I disagree because even if a good man might run for high office, regardless of who wins, every single vote cast legitimizes not only the outcome, but also the very flawed political system itself. This is not an option to my way of thinking, because libertarianism is based upon individual rights, and when voting is evident, the individual is abandoned.

Because voting supports the system, those who vote are obligated to accept the results. To accept the results means to accept the system, and to accept the system, means to accept what that system produces. What is produced in the governing system in the U.S. is based upon theft, coercion, police state force, and imprisonment, all for political gain. The laws of the land written by those elected officials in this same system support this criminal activity, so by voting, one's ability to complain is eliminated. I do realize that this is the reverse of how many think, but it is the only logical position to take.

In my mind, not voting is the only way to denounce entirely the current political system, and to not give consent, implied or otherwise, to its evil ways. By not voting, the message sent is so much more powerful than by joining in with the lemmings in their march to the polls in an attempt to satisfy a futile quest for false security at the expense of liberty. Voluntaryism is a better way.

Most all in this country are indoctrinated from cradle to grave to worship the "sacred right" to vote. On election day, they wear their "I Voted" stickers proudly, displaying them for all to see. Those who choose not to participate in this illegitimate charade are ridiculed and shunned. The brain washing has been very successful, and the masses are always ready to join the herd. This herd mentality is evident simply by a looking at this Rasmussen Report I highlighted in a past LRC article about voting. That report showed that 83% believe that one person's vote really matters. Pathetic does not begin to describe the gullibility of the American people, and their attitude toward voting for one evil or another.

The false belief that one vote counts, or that any semblance of freedom and "just governance" can be accomplished by voting, especially in a country with over 300 million people, is based on ignorance. Have we become freer due to political elections, and the choosing of those who make the laws and reign supreme? Absolutely not! I can say with authority, that in every election since I was born, and before, the government has become more powerful, more tyrannical, and more authoritarian. Individual liberty has been nearly destroyed, and State aggression has become the rule.

The problem in this country today is that all elections have winners and losers, but in every election, the politicians always win, and all the rest of us always lose. Obviously, voting guarantees that one or another politician wins. It is a rigged game for sure, so all should stay home this election. There are so many better things to do in life than to vote for one or the other evil, especially when that evil will be your master! As I have said before, if no one voted, no one would be elected, and what a wonderful world that would be!

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