CLM Volume 5: The Futility of Voting

Day 666, 13:12 • Published in Canada Canada • by TemujinBC

Welcome to the fifth installment of Canadian Liberty Magazine. In this edition, I'll define what voting means, take a look at the recent Canadian Paradox Party elections, and provide the freedom-loving citizen with the only justifiable reason for voting in eRep.

The act of voting is often considered to be a noble and honorable act. Even the citizens of eRep typically fall for the old lines of "Voting is your duty" and "My voice has been heard!". But is this truly the case? Is voting really a virtuous act? Or is the whole process simply a feel-good charade?

While you may find the dictionary definition of voting to include "a formal expression of opinion made by an individual", this misses the point. In eRep the winner of an election is the one who receives the greatest number of votes. That person is then handed the reigns of power (over the Party, Country, or whatever). Those who did not vote for the winner are nonetheless forced to accept the decision of the majority. In many cases, the majority is simply the greater number of votes, and not > 50% as a majority should be. The winner of the election is then free to implement what policies he/she wishes, much to the chagrin of the many who did not choose that person. While it is true there are checks and balances in eRep's democratic system, there are decisions made everyday by the state which are not in the best interests of the free individual. And we are all obligated to accept it, whether we like it or not. In the case of the large business owner, his wealth is stolen via taxation and he is funding the very person/party/decision he never chose in the first place! To this end, I feel a more appropriate definition of the term "voting" to be: The initiation of the use of force through the method of a ballet box.

When you vote, you are in fact saying "I chose this person to be ruler over me, and all others who happen to reside here". If that person wins, you have just reduced the liberty of those neighbors who do not agree with the decisions they are forced to comply with.

The very notion of "my choice counted!" is silly in light of most election results. Has there ever been an election in eRep decided by one vote? Certainly not in any of the recent elections in Canada. Rainer N won the CNC vote by over 20. The CSD results were heavily lopsided in Trenton Rendall's favor. Tyler Durden also walked away with the newly formed CPF crown, while Ayeshan Dakseus won the DAL nod by 22 votes. It would seem that one vote does not matter very much at all.

The futility of voting is further seen in the case of the recent Canadian Paradox Party elections. The candidate Cesar Augustus was accused by many of being a spy from PEACE, attempting to cause disruptions in the Canadian political scene. Whether this is true or not I cannot say, but it highlights a very horrid reality of electoral politics. Assuming the accusations are true, a tyrant from PEACE was 22 votes away from being handed the reigns of power to one of Canada's political parties, and would probably have won if not for some shady Party-switching and back-door vote-rigging by the members of other parties. If it can occur this easily with an outsider, imagine how easy it would be for a tyrannical insider to win an election? Imagine the other shenanigans which occur in every election that are not as publicized as "Cesargate" was.

Twenty one people made a selection for Cesar Augustus. If he really was a spy, how many others have done the same: got Canadian citizenship, registered with the CPP and voted for him? How many people who voted for him actually know him? I suspect that many of his voters really have no idea who he is or what he is like. Perhaps they voted for him because of his neat little avatar?

Having said all of that, I must make it clear that I am in fact a member of the CPP, and I voted for Nea Milosu. I felt sorry for him because of the recent wedding craziness that he endured. 🙂

The only justifiable reason for voting is the 1 experience point received each time you do so. When you gain experience points, you help to advance your level in eRep, opening numerous doors for all sorts of advancement in life, health, career and skill. The only benefit to voting which is ethically justified by the act itself, is the personal benefit gained. All the political rhetoric, posturing and preening pomp and circumstance is meaningless. I have shown that the act of voting is immoral (as it forces others to comply with the results) and useless (as one vote never really counts). But the parameters of life in eRep have put the free eCitizen into an awkward position. I wish to advance the cause of liberty, but also want to develop my life as best I can.

The charge of "hypocrite" can well be leveled against me for voting. Had Nea Milosu been victorious, I would have been partly responsible for every decision made as CPP President. That is certainly not my desire, and is not consistent with my worldview.

I am not sure how to resolve this, as I wish to advance as a productive member of eRep, but do not wish to initiate the use of force against anyone.