If you are able, please vote. ############################# :date: 2012-11-05 15:01:00 :author: bnewbold :category: text :slug: 2012-11-05-if-you-are-able-please-vote :status: published I maintain a heavy skepticism and discontent with the values, tone, and both the contemporary and historical actions of the US federal government. But I do believe that our current system of *governance* (if not *government*) has been an improvement over the immediately preceding systems, and that simply failing to participate in that system (by not voting) is not a valid way to signal one's discontent or to avoid legitimizing the system. There are an infinite number of more explicit and productive ways to construct a better future, achieve justice, not-participate, etc. For example, refusal to pay federal income taxes. To remain an eligible voter but not show up and cast a ballot (even a blank ballot) - whether due to other priorities or out of spite - indicates a lack of faith in the concept of democracy and self-determinism in *any* form and a willingness to return to the legitimized sovereign rule by a few. If you feel uninformed or undecided, Peter Norvig has what seems to be `a rather detailed overview `__ of the 2012 presidential election.