(Navy Times) Backtalk: Our patriotic duty a.k.a. don't vote (xpost from Veterans)

[unhappycamper]

Our patriotic duty
By Joe D. Haines

Actor Russell Crowe has a great scene as Capt. Jack Aubrey in the movie “Master and Commander.” One evening at the officers’ mess, he tricks the ship’s surgeon into choosing between two weevils crawling around a loaf of bread. Dr. Maturin at first declines, claiming the insects are identical. But Aubrey presses him, forcing the physician-naturalist to finally choose the hardier-appearing weevil.

~snip~

This scene perfectly describes the American voters’ choices in the upcoming presidential election. Neither Barack Obama nor John McCain comes close to qualifying as the next leader of the free world. Yet Americans who are disillusioned are criticized for not participating in the political process. The fault, however, is misplaced. It lies squarely with the major political parties who limit our choices to the lesser of two (we)evils.

~snip~

The Republican and Democratic parties have grown so powerful and corrupt that the constitutional republic set in motion by the founders is nearly wrecked. The desires of the people are subverted by the greed of corporations, the lust for power by professional politicians and the demands of special interest groups.

~snip~

Yet complaining about problems without offering some solution is little more than whining. How can concerned Americans best respond? The most patriotic choice Americans can make in the next election may be not voting. As Thomas DiLorenzo of Maryland’s Loyola College writes, “Being patriotic in America means being devoted to the Constitution, if not the natural rights philosophy that motivated much of it. Since neither of the major political parties has any interest whatsoever in enforcing the constitutional limits of the state, they are all traitors to the Constitution.”

Thus, voting for the current crop of politicians is not only unpatriotic, but it allows them to claim legitimacy. What if we held an election and nobody came? As DiLorenzo suggests, perhaps the unconstitutional regime in Washington would be delegitimized. It may even be possible that some of the more opportunistic politicians would be concerned enough about their loss of power that they’d start upholding the Constitution and actually representing the people they supposedly serve.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/community/opinion/navy_backtalk_power_092208/%2e


:wtf:

[MadHound]

1. A sentiment shared by many millions of people

As the years have rolled by, more and more people have come to the correct conclusion that we're now operating under the two party/same corporate master system of government. People react to this in different ways. Some drop out of politics and voting altogether in just plain disgust. Or they take the third party path. Or they decide to try and slow the tide by voting for the lesser of two evils. I fall into this latter category. I was probably going to go Green this fall until Palin climbed onboard the McCain ticket. That woman scares the shit out of me, thus I will vote for Obama. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a vote for Obama, but rather a vote against Palin.


Haines is pretty spot on about his assessment.

[Ikonoklast]

2. FIne. I hope he persuades the ignorant not to vote.

The rest of the smart vets will laugh and vote for Obama.

[ColoradoMagician]

3. Yeah, don't vote

pssst: If you like Obama, be sure to vote.


OTHERWISE: don't vote.

And gas is really expensive, I am not going to throw away money to vote for someone I don't like.


pssst: but if you like Obama, be sure to vote.