Why vote? Here's why NOT:

Direct Action Journal ^ | 2 Nov. 2002 | Direct Action

[directaction]

Elections recently concluded in Jammu & Kashmir. It made all the headlines. Do you know who won? Of all people who should know, I don't. But I do know that "voter turn-out" topped the the minimum 30% level set by the Indian government to present a legitimization of Indian rule of Kashmir. The secrets of democracies unveiled! Oops.

When you vote in the election this November (or any time), remember that you are voting for more than one thing. Yes, you are voting for a candidate who may or may not win in an oliagarchy that has marginalized whatever orriginal ideas they may have once had. But you are also casting your consent, your mark of approval on the process of government as a whole. Was that a vote you intended to make?

Political processes and power are a cover for core power -- economic power. Voting in the November elections is like trying to solve the problems in the Beef industry by choosing McDonalds over Burger King. The only choice of importance you're really making is the choice to continue to buy beef.

So do I advocate that one simply become apathetic and let others make decisions for them? No. First, don't get sucked into the trap that 'those who do vote' are actually making decisions. What I am advocating is that you stop putting your rubber stamp on the CAPintern's candidate and start exercising your real power -- your economic power. Don't think that you're making a difference by "voting" with this surrogate political power. Don't validate the importance placed on it -- it's a smokescreen. Vote with your REAL power and start voting with your dollars (or lack there of).

So,to turn the tables briefly: if you DO plan to vote, justify your action...

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[Dan from Michigan]

If you stay home, you have no business bitching. There are several choices there
1. Don't vote. If you don't vote, I don't give a rat's ass what you have to say since it isn't important. If it was important, you would be voting.
2. Leave it blank. If you don't like anyone, you can leave it blank. That means none of them were good enough for you vote, and it still records as a vote.
3. Vote third party
4. Vote for a major party candidate.

This is a Republic. As long as I have the choice to vote, I don't have to resort to the cartridge box.

[directaction]

Dan from Michigan has clearly missed the point, but then, this is the source of the very problem I was addressing. What I offer is the intelligent alternative to "2) Leave it blank" (not to mention all other options presented by Dan).

Rather than give in to the brainwashing, why not consider what one is actually voting for when one votes -- if you want to vote for the status quo, go ahead. But if you DON'T, then DON'T VOTE. \

Any vote is always a vote for at least one thing (even leaveing items blank): Business as usual. Dan, do you really think that your vote, whoever you vote for, will affect the changes you hope for? "Well, it didn't work last time, so let's do it again, only more so!"

Why not check out "The Paradox of Wisdom" on www.directactionjournal.org