Vote, Schmote

Mark Call:

This quote from Sam Adams seems apropos: “If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

…I would point out that our Founding Document posits that government is based on the “consent of the governed”. Before there were violent protests, or even petitions for redress of grievance, there was a recognition, by a small plurality at least, that what King George was doing was NOT being done in their name, or with their consent, active or tacit.

I contend that the same cannot be said by any other than a much smaller minority today.

Do you call yourself a “US citizen” and ask for permission (licenses) to marry, drive, buy a gun, assemble in public, or do any of a thousand other things that Real Men like the “sons of liberty” knew were Rights from God, not concessions from Massa? Do you deal in dishonest weights and measures and think you’re paying with “money”, or that debts can be discharged with debt? Do you call yourself a “Christian” but submit to a “church” which submits to Caesar, expects a 501c3 blessing from him, and agrees to preach the PC Line in order to stay in its master’s good graces? Do you send “your” children off to master’s indoctrination centers, and lick his boots for stealing from your neighbor so you could do so for “free”? Do you think that Congressmen who lie, commit treason, and violate their oaths somehow “represent” you?

Do you vote? And silently lend credibility to the whole sordid lie?

Sam Adams was right.

Step One: Withdraw consent. “Come out of her, my people”!

Jay Carper:

I’ve heard two good but opposing arguments on whether or not a God fearing man should vote in modern America. The first argument says that regardless of whether or not our votes are heard or counted by other men, there is still a spiritual effect in simply making our will known, in standing up and saying, “This is what we should do and this is how we should behave.” It doesn’t matter that the people we vote for won’t actually do what they say; it is more important that we voice our agreement to their words even if we condemn their actions. If Washington isn’t listening, Somebody Else is. The second argument says that by voting we are giving our consent to the very system that seeks to enslave us, and we should withdraw our consent and cooperation wherever possible.

I think both arguments are good. But I am leaning toward Mark’s. I might vote on specific propositions, but I refuse to vote for thieves and murderers, regardless of how much they speak peace and love. By voting for them, we aren’t just consenting to their words. We know who and what they are, and that is what we are really choosing with our ballots.

No, thank you. There is no difference between Republicans and Democrats, and the third parties will not be allowed to win. I don’t need a ballot to stand up right here and proclaim right and wrong.

Mark Call:

I'll add a bit more fuel to the fire, Jay.

I contend that the issue is not even so much the simple choice of lesser evils... but whether we acknowledge the god of this world by submitting to the process he says is our only valid option.

Don't forget that you must "register" and declare yourself "under the jurisdiction thereof" in order to be allowed the privilege of "voting" for anything, whether or not you later decide to refrain for exercising said franchise in the Molech vs Satan matchup, or even the local Ahab vs. Rehoboam contest.

An thought experiment I heard some time ago is instructive:

Suppose we go to dinner, and I unexpectedly jump up and announce to the other diners, "My friend here will buy dinner for ALL of us; all we have to do in this democratic land is vote for him to do so! All in favor, raise your right hand." After the sea of hands is noted, I look for the votes of those opposed.

Question: Is your case enhanced more by sheepishly raising your hand in opposition, or announcing that you will not consent to the farce and leaving?

Summarized metaphorically, I'd still have to argue that, "Come out of her, My people...be not a partaker of her plagues" doesn't mean vote for funding disease studies…