Why Not to Vote

An almost surefire way to get into a heated discussion in America is to bring up the topic of voting for political officials - and then proceed to argue for why one should not engage in it.

Instantly, minds within earshot race.  “Why not?”  “People have died for that right!  It’s your chance to voice your opinion!”  “If you don’t vote - get out of the country!”  It goes on and on.

However, by voting for a political office, a person does nothing but condone a coercive system whereby the many are forcefully governed by the few.

To illustrate, the unjust system of slavery is not magically transformed if the slaves are allowed to vote their master into office.  This is a fallacy that is easily recognized.  However, when discussing the State and the political system, somehow the very same fallacy becomes obscured.

Quite simply, by voting for someone to hold an office, you are providing implicit support for them to forcibly restrict peaceful actions and to expropriate any and all private property.

How is this justified?  By what moral standard does one group of people rule over another?  In a world of two people, who is sovereign and who is subordinate?  Aren’t all men created equal?

While the discourse on individual liberty and rights continues at length in “The Anatomy of the State” by Murray Rothbard and “The Politics of Obedience” by Étienne de La Boétie, our discussion is not intended to be as in depth.

Thus, suffice it to ask yourself these questions.  Would you coerce your neighbor into acting as you see fit, even if their actions are peaceful?  Would you steal from their pocket to pay for things you desire?

If not, why would you empower another to do the same?