Why I Am NOT Voting

November 4th is coming up soon. People are already lining up to vote in "The most important election in our lifetime!" If you are new to voting and/or paying attention to the news, people have been saying that with every presidential election. I'll concede it has been a historically notable election with one major party nominating an African-American candidate over the strongly contending female candidate. The other major party has finally nominated a woman for vice-president. So, there will be more history to note whoever does get elected.

Why am I underwhelmed by this? It's not because of the overwhelming crises that we are in domestically and internationally. We could elect the most altruistic and intelligent candidate, but he or she will still have to convince Congress and the American people that a plan that will call for them to try something different that will probably would be a sacrifice to them some how. Who is that altruistic and intelligent candidate? I don't know. I've been force-fed information about two presidential candidates and no one else. How can anyone claim to be an informed voter when they don't know who else beyond the two major parties is running for president? That is only the tip of the iceberg of my non-vote. The two party system has ruined America's democracy. We are only deluding ourselves to call our system a democracy. It's a duocracy. We are being ruled by two systems of government. Politics has devolved into a team sport. It's us vs. them. It's not what idea or person is best for our country. It's: "Is our team winning?" As a proud american, I can answer that question with complete confidence: NO!

I know all the arguments for voting and for voting for a major party candidates. Let me address some of them right now.

It's your right as an American to vote. - I also have the right of freedom of religion. So, I can believe in whatever God there is or not to believe in God. It's a right. It's not a legal obligation to vote.

If you don't vote, you can't complain. - To quote George Carlin: "Sure I can complain. I didn't vote for that jerk. You did." Freedom of speech covers voters and non-voters alike. I understand the gist of this argument. Your opportunity to "make your voice heard" is by voting. When there is a media blackout of information about the existence of other candidates. When information about different initiatives and referendums are consistently contradictory. When you vote, you are not "making your voice heard". You are just buying the hype that someone sold you.

When you vote for a third party candidate, you are wasting your vote. - Doesn't every vote count? When enough people vote for a candidate, third party or not, that candidate can win an election. This urban myth has been the most effective form of voters intimidation in the history of politics. Which also bolsters my contention that the two-party system has ruined America's democracy.

I have voted in past elections. So, why has this election illicit an apathetic response in me? It came couple of weeks ago when I was deciding on who I was going to vote for president. I used a classroom metaphor to breakdown the presidential race. I'm a teacher. I've just called on a student to answer the question. What is 2 +2? The first student I called on said, "5". Instead of correcting that student, I asked the classroom who agreed with that student that the answer is 5. One other student raise his hand fervently in agreement. I then asked if anyone else has a different answer. Another student raised his hand. I stop the metaphor before that student could give his answer. Then I thought, what would be answers from other students besides that one. I didn't know. Then I remembered I stop the metaphor before the other student with a different answer could give it. So, I have no idea if that student had the right answer. That student is good in the classroom giving answers, but has proven that his homework doesn't back up his in class performance. So, what other students do I have to ask besides the one who agreed with the kid who got it wrong and the one who is good at giving answers, but is unproven in regards to actually using those answers in everyday life?

With the voter fraud that has been documented the past two presidential elections, does your vote count anymore? Has elections been turned into which political party is more successful at rigging elections? Even after, voting laws have been found to be violated. The person who benefited from the illegal act has been President for a couple of years. That is, if the President and the people under him hasn't interfered with the investigation. Our democracy has been increasingly compromised. If anything, it looks like it would be easier to corrupt the system this time around than it has in the past. I asked earlier in this blog: "Doesn't every vote count?" in response to voting for a third party candidate. With this election, it's legitimate to ask will my vote count if I voted for a major party candidate that a hacker/party insider disagrees with.

I wrote this blog not to convince you not to vote. If you feel strongly about voting, then vote. This blog is my vote. It's a resounding none of the above vote. This vote is a vote against the corrupt election system that we have now. We need to confront the corrupt people in charge to change it. It's a vote against the two-party system that has corrupted our democracy. This is a vote against the media and people who surrenders to the two-party system without questioning their power. When it becomes more of a democracy, I will cast a ballot like everyone else. Until then, this is my vote.