The Only Choice on November 4th by Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.

[Truth Warrior]

The Only Choice on November 4th
Don't vote! Article by Lew Rockwell.​

Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr.​

The critical problem we face today is the same one all mankind has faced: the state, those monopolists who claim the right to break the laws that they make and enforce. How to restrain them is the critical problem of all sound political thinking. Making matters worse, this gang now has a monopoly on the money and the ability to print it, and they are abusing that power at our expense.​

How does voting change the situation? Neither of the candidates for president wants to do anything about the problem. On the contrary, they want to make it worse. This is for a reason. The state owns the “democratic process” as surely as it owns the Departments of Labor and Defense and uses it in ways that benefit the state and no one else.​

On the other hand, we do have the freedom not to vote. No one has yet drafted us into the voting booth. I suggest that we exercise this right not to participate. It is one of the few rights we have left. Nonparticipation sends a message that we no longer believe in the racket they have cooked up for us, and we want no part of it.​

You might say that this is ineffective. But what effect does voting have? It gives them what they need most: a mandate. Nonparticipation helps deny that to them. It makes them, just on the margin, a bit more fearful that they are ruling us without our consent. This is all to the good. The government should fear the people. Not voting is a good beginning toward instilling that fear.​

This year especially there is no lesser of two evils. There is socialism or fascism. The true American spirit should guide every voter to have no part of either.​

Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. is president of the Ludwig von Mises Institute and editor of LewRockwell.com.​

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Lew is right.

Do you think that he would have voted for Ron Paul, had he won the GOP nomination?

 

[brandon]

Lew is right.

Do you think that he would have voted for Ron Paul, had he won the GOP nomination?

I agree with Mr. Rockwell, and I'm sure he would of voted for RP if RP was running for president.

 

[Truth Warrior]

Lew is right.

Do you think that he would have voted for Ron Paul, had he won the GOP nomination?

As I understand it, Lew did NOT vote for Ron in the primary. Like me, Lew has NOT voted for a very long time. It's a matter of PRINCIPLE.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Thomas Jefferson

 

[Truth Warrior]

I agree with Mr. Rockwell, and I'm sure he would of voted for RP if RP was running for president.

What leads you to that conclusion, if I may ask?

 

[LibertyEagle]

Voting 3rd party, like Ron suggested we do, sends a signal that we do not accept what is being doled out to us in the 2 party system. Our very vote registers that sentiment.

It seems to me that by not voting, we are indistinguishable from those who are just too lazy to get off the sofa to vote. I'm not quite sure what that does to help our cause.

 

[Truth Warrior]

Voting 3rd party, like Ron suggested we do, sends a signal that we do not accept what is being doled out to us in the 2 party system. Our very vote registers that sentiment.

Nope, voting merely legitimizes, blesses, endorses and sanctifies the current "system's" corrupt RIGGED game.

It seems to me that by not voting, we are indistinguishable from those who are just too lazy to get off the sofa to vote. I'm not quite sure what that does to help our cause.

I have much less than ZERO interest in assisting or furthering ANY of the barbarian statist's nefarious schemes, scams or causes, with my consent.

Thanks!

"The system is corrupt, beyond redemption, and is not worthy of my support!"

 

[Truth Warrior]

"This year especially there is no lesser of two evils. There is socialism or fascism. The true American spirit should guide every voter to have no part of either." -- Lew Rockwell

"If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman

http://rexcurry.net/fascism=socialism.html

 

[nobody's_hero]

Short of ***bing federal buildings, what are the options besides voting? (That will change anything, that is)

Given the alternatives, I'll try voting. At least, if we vote, we'll see what our approximate numbers are.

Still, if you aren't going to vote, post here at RPF that you won't, so you'll be counted.

(Right now, it stands at ***,***,*** disgruntled citizens/voters, + Truth Warrior. )

 

[Truth Warrior]

Short of ***bing federal buildings, what are the options besides voting? (That will change anything, that is)

Given the alternatives, I'll try voting. At least, if we vote, we'll see what our approximate numbers are.

Still, if you aren't going to vote, post here at RPF that you won't, so you'll be counted.

(Right now, it stands at ***,***,*** disgruntled citizens/voters, + Truth Warrior. )

How many of "We the People of the United States of America", vote? How many of those ELIGIBLE to vote, routinely do NOT?

"Taxation without representation is TYRANNY!"

"Governments derive their JUST power from the CONSENT of the governed."

Ron Paul respects and understands those NOT voting, on principle.

 

[Original_Intent]

Voting 3rd party, like Ron suggested we do, sends a signal that we do not accept what is being doled out to us in the 2 party system. Our very vote registers that sentiment.

It seems to me that by not voting, we are indistinguishable from those who are just too lazy to get off the sofa to vote. I'm not quite sure what that does to help our cause.

My feelings exactly.

I don't disagree with Lew (or TW) often but not voting imho sends only two messages - throwing up your hands in surrender or apathy. That may not be the message intended but in my opinion that is how it will be interpretted by whoever you are trying to send a message to.

Even if only 50% of people vote, it just gets reported as "low voter turnout" and although it may reflect poorly on the candidates to some small degree, the MSM will always spin it as a defect in the voters more than a defect in the candidates.

However if we could get even half of the non-voters to vote third party - even if they would not all get behind one candidate - this would send an unspinnable message that the current two party system was unacceptable and the two mainstream candidates were both not wanted. You want to talk about taking away a mandate, that's how you do it. We get a third party with a strong enough showing and you might even get some "lesser of two evils" voters to give third parties a second look.

Much as I like and respect TW, I think your view on this matter is mistaken.

 

[Truth Warrior]

My feelings exactly.

I don't disagree with Lew (or TW) often but not voting imho sends only two messages - throwing up your hands in surrender or apathy. That may not be the message intended but in my opinion that is how it will be interpretted by whoever you are trying to send a message to.

Even if only 50% of people vote, it just gets reported as "low voter turnout" and although it may reflect poorly on the candidates to some small degree, the MSM will always spin it as a defect in the voters more than a defect in the candidates.

However if we could get even half of the non-voters to vote third party - even if they would not all get behind one candidate - this would send an unspinnable message that the current two party system was unacceptable and the two mainstream candidates were both not wanted. You want to talk about taking away a mandate, that's how you do it. We get a third party with a strong enough showing and you might even get some "lesser of two evils" voters to give third parties a second look.

Much as I like and respect TW, I think your view on this matter is mistaken.

Is Ron's view on this matter mistaken also, since he understands and agrees with Lew and me?

 

[princessredtights]

Voting 3rd party, like Ron suggested we do, sends a signal that we do not accept what is being doled out to us in the 2 party system. Our very vote registers that sentiment.

It seems to me that by not voting, we are indistinguishable from those who are just too lazy to get off the sofa to vote. I'm not quite sure what that does to help our cause.

I've heard some friends say they weren't going to vote (for the reasons Lew says) but I agree with your thoughts exactly!

Also, I think there's a movement to dissolve the third parties (I know in our area there is something coming up ...) and I think that it sends a stronger message to "the establishment". I have some friends who are D's who are NOT Obama supporters - they are thinking of not voting and I have BEGGED them to pick one of the 3rd party candidates ... BEGGED ...

 

[torchbearer]

Is Ron's view on this matter mistaken also, since he understands and agrees with Lew and me?

Ron votes. He gets it. Why don't you?

 

[Original_Intent]

Is Ron's view on this matter mistaken also, since he understands and agrees with Lew and me?

Well, I was kinda hopiung for a more in depth response as to WHY you feel not voting is a more appropriate response, and more effective, than voting third party. Certainly if that is indeed Ron Paul's position - not just one he accepts as valid but what he encourages - that would encourage me even more to be open to examining the position and its philosophical underpinnings.

Why do you and Lew believe not voting is the answer? Is it because you believe it is all decided by Diebold regardless? Is it because you don't believe we should have elected officials at all? I still disagree with you and agree with LE, but I am open to being converted.

 

[Truth Warrior]

Ron votes. He gets it. Why don't you?

Because Ron is just undergoing the slow process of becoming a recovering barbarian statist, and I've already had my epiphany long ago. BTW, he's coming along and around very nicely.<IMHO>

 

[torchbearer]

Because Ron is just undergoing slow process of becoming a recovering barbarian statist, and I've already had my epiphany long ago.

You gave up a long time ago. Go away. You don't count.

 

[torchbearer]

Let's say your quotes and wiki links convince every person in this country not to vote.... know what happens?
The crooks/sociopaths still vote, They win by 100% and they continue to oppress the people.
Your solution of not voting doesn't change the system, and can't.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Is Ron's view on this matter mistaken also, since he understands and agrees with Lew and me?

No he doesn't. Ron VOTES. He respects Lew's view, but if you recall, he also recommended that we VOTE 3rd party.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Because Ron is just undergoing the slow process of becoming a recovering barbarian statist, and I've already had my epiphany long ago.

Yeah, that's why he's a U.S. Congressman.

Note: I find it curious that even Murray Rothbard has written that he didn't classify traditional small government libertarian-conservatives as "statists", but yet you do.