Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue
Don't let anyone put you under any duress about voting. It's a choice, not a duty. Just because i live in a country doesn't mean i support the government who runs it. Just because i drive on the roads, doesn't mean i support the taxes to do so. It's tacit consent. If people are born under a government they didn't vote for then they are expected to respect and obey all laws established by that government. Is this freedom and equality? I would argue not. Everyone is born free. The history of governments have been forcefully or fraudulantly obtained to gain power over the people, not to enforce the wishes of the people. Historically, there was a divide between the rulers and ruled, where as today the politicians would claim different. Under a mainly 2 party system, it can often become a situation of voting in the 'lesser of evils,' many people feel this way, you are not alone.
'If you dont like america - GIT OUT'
Yes, because that's a reasonable and affordable choice for everyone.
You are no less of a citizen for not voting because you are alive and your existence is beneficial in itself. Not voting doesn't make me or anyone immoral, if i choose to exercise my anarchist principles than that is my choice and it only strengthens my own autonomy. Conservatives relate anarchy to chaos, saying such a situation would lead to a life which is nasty brutish and short and would lead to a war of all against all. The government likes to paint a lovely benevolent picture of them providing safety and security, they claim those that oppose are threats. In reality we can't go back to a state of nature. I don't need a government to live my life happily, i only need freedom and lack of government intereference and oppression. I leave you with this quote:
'To be governed is to be watched over, inspected, spied on, directed, legislated, regimented, closed in, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, assessed, evaluated, censored, commanded; all by creatures that have neither the right, nor wisdom, nor virtue...
To be governed means that at every move, operation or transaction one is noted, registered, entered in a census, taxed, stamped... reformed, set right, corrected. Government means to be subjected to tribute, trained, ransomed, exploited, monopolized, extorted, pressured, mystified, robbed; all in the name of public utility and the general good. Then, at the first sign of resistance or word of complaint, one is repressed, fined... imprisoned, shot, machine gunned, judged, sentenced, deported... and to cap it all, ridiculed, mocked outraged and dishonoured. That is government, that is justice, that is morailty!' - P.J Proudhon