donotvote.net - Non-Voting FAQ

Non-Voting FAQ

1. "If I don't vote for X, Y will win and make things even worse !"

Instead of living in fear of a stupid or evil person taking power, how about trying to take away the possibility of abusing that power in the first place ? Besides, politicians win or lose regardless of your vote.

2. People who don't vote are irresponsible.

Is it more irresponsible to sanction and help perpetuate a system that keeps us at each other's throats, or to try to end it ?

3. People who are stupid shouldn't vote, but the rest should vote.

The myth of an "informed citizenry" is often used as an excuse for the failure of democracy. Whether the citizenry is informed or not does not make mob rule a good thing. It only compensates somewhat for its inherent injustice.

4. Voting is a way to express my values.

If you really want to express your values, then do something that expresses your values instead of other people's values. Write a book, make a work of art, or a web site. If you ABSOLUTELY HAVE to vote, then I would advise you to vote for a write-in candidate : yourself. After all, you are the only person who shares all your values in the same way.

5. Democracy assures that people will be free.

Wrong! First of all, a government of any kind is a controller of the people. Nearly all government laws take away a freedom from some or all of the people, depending on how narrow or broad it is. So actually, when it comes to freedom, all governments are to varying degrees, its enemy. Many people around the world believe that democracy will bring them freedom and prosperity. Our country's founders were wise enough to realize that a pure democracy would let a majority of voters pass laws that take freedom from those who differ in some way from the norm - a process called "Tyranny of the Majority". So they reconvened after writing the Constitution, to amend it with the Bill of Rights to forestall any laws which would infringe the freedom of minority religions, news media, and of individuals to own firearms, speak publicly, and own property. And to forestall federal laws against other freedoms, they wrote the 10th amendment. This did not prevent the states from passing laws which interfere with other personal freedoms and the free market economy and prosperity, but at least it lets people avoid states with overly oppressive laws.
(from Six False Political Myths)