Maybe the problem is more with representative democracy than voting itself. — NOS4A2
........refusing to vote seems a viable position in this regard. But there is little philosophy on the subject and very little writing I can find comfort in. — NOS4A2
If there is a State, there must be domination of one class by another and, as a result, slavery; the State without slavery is unthinkable—and this is why we are the enemies of the State. — Bakunin
The Ego and Its Own had a destructive impact on Stirner’s left-Hegelian contemporaries, and played a related and significant role in the evolution of the thought of Karl Marx. Concerning its longer term historical influence, Stirner’s best-known work has become a founding text in the political tradition of individualist anarchism. — Stanford on Max Stirner
individualist anarchism is what you want. — Cuthbert
Obama and Trump - that should cover most people's idea of the Devil, if not the Bushes and Clinton also). — Bylaw
Let whoever wins, win. — Cuthbert
By not voting - and also not standing for election - and also not doing anything to protest against or to change the constitutional system - then I am consenting to any result. — Cuthbert
Just don't complain when people pass laws that you don't want. — Philosophim
When it is not possible to distinguish protest from apathy then 'protest' is no longer an applicable description. — Cuthbert
How do either of these positions differ in the case of voting? It is also impossible to tell the difference between enthusiastic support and reluctant consent from a vote. — Isaac
And I don't understand why voting then provides the right to complain. If anything, it's the opposite, you actually provided your written consent for the person to run the country for you. — Isaac
Voting is electing that a group of people that you are involved in should do something, or not do something. Your refusal to participate in the process simply means you don't get any say on what goes on around you. Its like being a child. — Philosophim
Imagine a person who complains they can't lose weight, but doesn't exercise and eats junk food all day. If they complain, they will simply be viewed as lazy by people around them. — Philosophim
That's just repeating the assertion, not explaining why. — Isaac
That's because it's provably true that dieting and exercise has a very high probability of causing you to lose weight. Hence if you don't do it you're not trying. — Isaac
In what way does my voting anti-car change that situation? — Isaac
Take the opposite, that you can't vote at all. That you can't congregate with others to discuss what you're going to vote on. You have absolutely no choice to be run by a few others who have all the power. Do you want that? Is that somehow more favorable? — Philosophim
Either you're at the table, and will receive some modicum of respect and consideration, or you're at the kids table while the adults make decisions about your life. — Philosophim
We all can be agree here that China is a dictatorship but you have to accept that they are the power ruling the world right now, so they are not doing the things that bad.. — javi2541997
How can I (as a citizen) join the adult's table? Anyone knows the formula? — javi2541997
And no, America is not a fake Democracy. — Philosophim
Also consider where your vote matters more. Local politics often times only take a few individuals to make major changes. Start there. — Philosophim
It is also impossible to tell the difference between enthusiastic support and reluctant consent just from a vote. — Isaac
many people who exercise and attempt to diet do not lose weight. It is no guarantee. — Philosophim
its one of the few viable processes of expressing what you want. — Philosophim
People vote. That means you can convince people in your community to vote as well. You can advertise. You can run for office yourself. — Philosophim
Take the opposite, that you can't vote at all. That you can't congregate with others to discuss what you're going to vote on. You have absolutely no choice to be run by a few others who have all the power. — Philosophim
Which means some voters in any vote, will win. Sometimes that can be you, but only if you vote too. — Philosophim
Either you're at the table, and will receive some modicum of respect and consideration, or you're at the kids table while the adults make decisions about your life. — Philosophim
ou could start a campaign to be anti-car. You can be the first vote. Then go explain to people why. Many people may hear your explanations and think, "Yeah, anti-car is the way to go!" — Philosophim
Even if you don't win the vote, if you start getting a sizable amount of anti-car people, the car people have to start considering you. Maybe they'll compromise on cars a bit. — Philosophim
Let me give you an example of some real life statistics. Generally people in their early 20's don't vote very much. As such, candidates don't court them. Each time you don't vote, your demographic is not considered in policies, as those who vote are. And so you sit around thinking, "Politicians won't care about my vote anyway", thus perpetuating the cycle. — Philosophim
It is surrender without a fight. — Philosophim
If someone describes themselves as a 'protester' on the strength of not voting, it's another overstatement. — Cuthbert
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