The Importance of Voting Your Conscience
Allow me to start with a bold observation.
This system we have in the U.S. is based on the principal that government works best when the people are well informed, because they will act in their best interest and choose representatives that will act upon their will, bringing about a society that is the most desired by the collective. It is a popularity contest for ideas. It's not perfect, but it's the best we've got, so far.
Your vote is the most powerful way for you to either preserve or bring about changes you desire most within the framework of this system, outside of becoming a representative yourself. You have many ways to voice an opinion, but without a large enough audience, or the luck of 'going viral', being effective in promoting your desires largely fails. That's not an encouragement to become silent. In fact you should get louder to be heard
It is your vote. So long as you are registered to do so. You can avoid casting a ballot. You can vote for one candidate to stonewall another. You can pick the best qualified, or the one more in line with your values, or the most charismatic. You can write in a non-candidate or the name of a fictional character, or enter your own. You can write in a fictional character's name as a measure of protest. You can also write in 'none of the above'. It's your vote, your choice, and as a popular misquoted quote by Ezra Taft Benson says "You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions."
So, which of those is in your best interest? No one else can answer that for you.
If you have no faith in government, no concern for society, no interest in policy, or you have no idea what is happening in the world, it would be best if you do nothing. If ignorance is bliss, you may as well luxuriate in it. Stay home on election day. Conscientious objectors with a principled stance of non-involvement, you can stay home too; we won't hold a grudge. Please recognize, whether apathetic or activist, every time you are even slightly dismayed with your representatives or what they do, that you gave away your opportunity to make things better when you didn't vote. All of you, however, need not start complaining about the way things are or how they should be, when you didn't even take this simple step that was available to you. You're entitled to your opinion and are protected when voicing it, but we don't owe you an audience, and don't have to take you seriously. You don't deserve either.
It is your vote. So long as you are registered to do so. You can avoid casting a ballot. You can vote for one candidate to stonewall another. You can pick the best qualified, or the one more in line with your values, or the most charismatic. You can write in a non-candidate or the name of a fictional character, or enter your own. You can write in a fictional character's name as a measure of protest. You can also write in 'none of the above'. It's your vote, your choice, and as a popular misquoted quote by Ezra Taft Benson says "You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions."
So, which of those is in your best interest? No one else can answer that for you.
If you have no faith in government, no concern for society, no interest in policy, or you have no idea what is happening in the world, it would be best if you do nothing. If ignorance is bliss, you may as well luxuriate in it. Stay home on election day. Conscientious objectors with a principled stance of non-involvement, you can stay home too; we won't hold a grudge. Please recognize, whether apathetic or activist, every time you are even slightly dismayed with your representatives or what they do, that you gave away your opportunity to make things better when you didn't vote. All of you, however, need not start complaining about the way things are or how they should be, when you didn't even take this simple step that was available to you. You're entitled to your opinion and are protected when voicing it, but we don't owe you an audience, and don't have to take you seriously. You don't deserve either.
Voting in a general election is the least you can do, as an act of self interest. You should be voting in mid-terms, and maybe attending city council meetings that are open to the public. You should understand civics even though it isn't taught in schools anymore. You should have a copy of the Constitution at your disposal and try to understand to the best of your abilities what is in it, and why. When you see an injustice, or something that government needs to do better, you should be trying to reach the appropriate representative who can do something about it, instead of ranting on social media, to people who are as helpless as you although you might start a movement if you do. Finally, when presented with a story of some importance, think about it yourself and reach your own conclusions, without relying solely on what the talking head is telling you; they are supposed to share facts, and you are supposed to figure out for yourself what those facts mean and their value. Do more, not less. Do whatever you are able.
It's a ballot, not a racing form or lottery ticket. You don't win a prize if the one you picked gets the job. Let's say you pick someone and they get the job and it wasn't someone you actually wanted, someone who doesn't share your values, someone who does not represent you; you have a whole lot to lose, don't you? You can do a whole lot less harm by not voting for any evil at all. You not only are not free from the consequences of your choice, but you also must live with your choice, and that becomes a bit harder once you realize that even though you might have stopped some greater evil, you still abided by allowing another evil in the door, and those small evils, once you let them in the door, become fucking huge in little time with little effort. You compromised your values for expediency, or out of fear. Regardless of what other people think, you must contend with your own conscience. It's unavoidable.
If you believe the system doesn't work, then perhaps you just don't understand the system. The whole thing hinges on money, which revolves around resources and power. We keep hearing how the system is corrupt, but how could that be if the system is operating according to design? Your part in it is small, but vital; learn how to play and play to win.
Here's how to play. Let's start with gerrymandering. That's where districts are divvied up to give the greatest advantage to selected parties. It is not for your benefit in the slightest. How you win here is by seeking out all your options, not just the ones highlighted for you and talking to your neighbors, those other people in your district, and maybe some from the districts around you. You can of course become an option yourself; don't ever rule this out. Do your homework.
Your next consideration is campaign finance. Money is political speech because of how the system operates today, and the more you have, the more you contribute, is the more you get represented by the government whose agents require money to get in and stay in for their own ends. There are groups, including politicians who want to end this cycle through reform; do your homework and seek out answers on campaign reform, to get money out of politics. Until the money is out, we have to play by the rules we have, so persevere in the meantime. Recognize that the noisiest contributors are going to keep backing policies and politicians that give them advantages- be aware of what they're after and pursue alternatives. When you find something you like, don't be shy about telling others about what you've found, why it's good and how to get it; you've got social media - everyone is a critic and reporter now. Add your voice to the discussion. Money gets the most attention from the people that rely on it, but numbers can be louder than the most generous contributors, find some like minded people and make some fucking noise.
Getting involved gets results. It isn't just the money itself that holds sway, it's what it buys that helps the wealthiest people get what they want. They show up to vote. They encourage, even force, others to vote. They pay people to work in campaigns.They contact officials. You can not only do this without money yourself, but if you do your homework, just maybe, you can get paid to pursue what you want by the people funding these things. It's not a fair fight, but you can still fight, and to do so, you must get involved. Opportunities are everywhere if you look for them.
Being aware gets results. The reason there's so much money put into advertising is the principle that repeated exposure to an idea makes it more acceptable, more appealing. It's a type of indoctrination or programming. Listen to the messages, and think them through for yourself. The ideas are either good or bad. Know the difference and know why. When you see a good idea on social media, speak up and support it, defend it if you are able. When you see a bad idea, speak up and explain why it is bad; counter it with sound arguments and logic. You are a critic and reporter and you know what you speak about. Don't be shy.
There are slaves to this system, and it's the politicians that keep the cycle going. You get to use this to your advantage. When a campaign sees a competitor getting close to them in numbers or popularity, they will typically steal the ideas from the challenger as an effort to bury that competition. If enough people are fighting for the same thing, they can get it, even through someone they hadn't thought they previously could. It's up to you to push for the things you want, and what you want your society to look like, and make sure when they promise you something, they're genuine about it. You must be diligent.
Here's how to play. Let's start with gerrymandering. That's where districts are divvied up to give the greatest advantage to selected parties. It is not for your benefit in the slightest. How you win here is by seeking out all your options, not just the ones highlighted for you and talking to your neighbors, those other people in your district, and maybe some from the districts around you. You can of course become an option yourself; don't ever rule this out. Do your homework.
Your next consideration is campaign finance. Money is political speech because of how the system operates today, and the more you have, the more you contribute, is the more you get represented by the government whose agents require money to get in and stay in for their own ends. There are groups, including politicians who want to end this cycle through reform; do your homework and seek out answers on campaign reform, to get money out of politics. Until the money is out, we have to play by the rules we have, so persevere in the meantime. Recognize that the noisiest contributors are going to keep backing policies and politicians that give them advantages- be aware of what they're after and pursue alternatives. When you find something you like, don't be shy about telling others about what you've found, why it's good and how to get it; you've got social media - everyone is a critic and reporter now. Add your voice to the discussion. Money gets the most attention from the people that rely on it, but numbers can be louder than the most generous contributors, find some like minded people and make some fucking noise.
Getting involved gets results. It isn't just the money itself that holds sway, it's what it buys that helps the wealthiest people get what they want. They show up to vote. They encourage, even force, others to vote. They pay people to work in campaigns.They contact officials. You can not only do this without money yourself, but if you do your homework, just maybe, you can get paid to pursue what you want by the people funding these things. It's not a fair fight, but you can still fight, and to do so, you must get involved. Opportunities are everywhere if you look for them.
Being aware gets results. The reason there's so much money put into advertising is the principle that repeated exposure to an idea makes it more acceptable, more appealing. It's a type of indoctrination or programming. Listen to the messages, and think them through for yourself. The ideas are either good or bad. Know the difference and know why. When you see a good idea on social media, speak up and support it, defend it if you are able. When you see a bad idea, speak up and explain why it is bad; counter it with sound arguments and logic. You are a critic and reporter and you know what you speak about. Don't be shy.
There are slaves to this system, and it's the politicians that keep the cycle going. You get to use this to your advantage. When a campaign sees a competitor getting close to them in numbers or popularity, they will typically steal the ideas from the challenger as an effort to bury that competition. If enough people are fighting for the same thing, they can get it, even through someone they hadn't thought they previously could. It's up to you to push for the things you want, and what you want your society to look like, and make sure when they promise you something, they're genuine about it. You must be diligent.
You can vote for evil if you choose, if that's what you want, and if that's what you want, you might as well go with the greater evil; they'll get a hell of a lot more accomplished. Accept no substitutes.
It's a hard fight, and it's not fair, but the outcome affects you, whether you fight or not. You can just sit there and accept what is thrown your way, and if so, be passive about what you get; find happiness in slavery, or fight. Fight with your conscience. Fight with your vote, and do even more if you are able. You can count on your conscience more than any politician or their promises or slick campaigns. Always go with your conscience, even as you wade through those promises and campaigns.
Vote your conscience. For you, your kids, your community, your nation, your world, your future.
Don't choose the lesser evil if you can fight for the greater good.
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