From: Rafal Smigrodzki (rms2g@virginia.edu)
Date: Wed Sep 11 2002 - 14:32:12 MDT
Louis Newstrom wrote:
>
>> Legitimizing a regime by voting had no
>> doubt propped
>> up many a shaky communist politburo.
>> A refusal to vote or choosing a
>> candidate destined to lose weakens the current wielders of power and
>> might set the stage for their eventual departure.
>
> I don't see this. Do you think W. weilds any less power now because
> he barely (and debatably) won, as opposed by winning by a landslide?
> No! He WON. He has full power of being president. No amount of
> people "refusing to vote" has lessened his power in any way.
>
> The only peaceful way to change the system is to participate in the
> system.
>
### Civil disobedience can be both remarkably peaceful, and effective.
Depriving a government of legitimacy by not voting does weaken it. It has a
choice of repression or adaptation. However, no change can be expected from
actively cheering on the Clintons and Bushes of this world with votes.
Although, of course, as I mentioned in other posts, active participation as
opposition can be even better.
Rafal
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