As of 2014: Now, I just don’t feel the same way even though there are good points in the article below. One of the assumptions of those who get into politics for idealistic reasons is that the “group” policies or “thinking” is superior to their own ability to get at the truth. So they switch off their own minds and shut down their own independence for the sake of the group. And naive people assume this isn’t going to happen, so it is most likely to happen to them. Society is controlled this way from top to bottom–using idealism also. I won’t say that “politics” should never be used, but I would say that people start off not having any idea about what kind of world they are living in. IF they can keep completely independent on issues that matter, that’s different. But the propaganda contrary to that among Canadians is so overwhelmingly in favor of elevating the group or “leader” (or more senior person) above themselves that people will automatically assume that I’m just being ignorant. In society we are trained and indoctrinated to elevate “leaders” and appointed experts above our own minds and thoughts at the expense of our own integrity. The number of years it takes to switch off this indoctrination can be enormous, so the only point of me saying anything at all is for you to wise up faster. If you’re prepared to do that, do it now. Read the books they don’t read. Read the documents they don’t read. All of these people you’re looking up to are just following instructions and formulas from others.
–Alan Mercer

Argument in Favor of Libertarian Involvement in Electoral Politics:
Original Title: Why It’s Right for Libertarians to be Involved in Electoral Politics

L. Neil Smith, Libertarian Enterprise, Oct 31 ’04: I vote as an act of self-defense: The Nightmare After Halloween (http://www.ncc-1776.org/tle2004/tle295-20041031-02.html)

Foremost, if you wish to discuss political philosophy with folks in this culture, the context in which it’s done, like it or not, is electoral politics…

I vote as an act of self-defense. This insistence by libertarian theorists on an obligation without explicit consent is pretty damned collectivistic for people who claim to be individualists, don’t you think? …

I’ve often said that libertarians are better than anybody in the world at thinking up perfectly logical reasons to do nothing, to avoid taking necessary action. Frankly, the whole non-voter thing reeks of pacifism to me. Electoral pacifism…

(Original Post)