Standing Up to Be Counted
<chuckle> I don't have to stand up to be counted--they've got my [tax-payer ID] number and will never let me forget it.
I can sit down and they will still count me. Heck, I can even lay down, and they will still count me.
And, if that isn't bad enough, every ten years they send me a form, requiring me to enumerate myself. (This under the guise of proportionately afflicting me with a congressman.)
No, <chuckle>, I don't have to stand up to be counted. My rulers are going to take very good care to count me regardless of anything I do.
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Some would say--and I've had this argument crammed down my throat on this board and off--that I have a responsibility to vote. According to the forcefulness of the language sometimes, it is my unconditional duty to participate in the workings of this democratic republic by voting, and I am just ever so slightly short of a scumbag for declining the invitation.
I beg to differ.
For those who care to read further, here, in part, is why.
Government has lied to me every day of my life. Sometimes twice a day.
Politicians the most. (But, bureaucrats, spokesliars, and appellate courts are not far enough behind to avoid being included in the accusation.)
So, now, let's examine carefully.
Even the throat-crammers demand I acknowledge that I am a member of society--that is the premise underlying their demand I contribute by voting. Fair enough. I'll take that argument! I am a member of society. I am a member of the nation. But, because I say so--not because they demand it. (Ever notice how lots and lots of people are more than happy to tell you what your responsibilities are to society, but damn few are willing to let you decide for yourself?)
Now, being a responsible member of society--and remember, that is even according to their own argument-how can I responsibly exercise my obligation (their view) to vote?
Well, lets see.
Being a responsible member of society, and being unwilling to inflict a jerk, liar, panderer, or power-leech bent on self-interest at the expense of the decent, hardworking people for whom I feel kindred-ship and responsibility, I must be very careful for whom I vote.
It can't be done.
It would take the investigative resources of the FBI to gather the back round facts on a candidate before I could vote for him responsibly.
There is no way I could pull the lever and inflict a candidate on a fellow human being simply because that candidate spouted some words that sounded great. Not in the face of my life experience where...government has lied to me every day of my life and sometimes twice a day.
No. Before I could pull a lever and try to inflict that candidate on a fellow human being--meaning you, reader--I would need to be very, very sure he was a good guy. Nope, I ain't gonna take chances with your rights. Nope. I ain't gonna take chances with your economic prosperity. I already know the vast majority of them are liars; I cannot possibly ignore that or shove it aside.
