Empower yourself with other voting means

The late George Carlin said, “If you vote, you have no right to complain.” Was he right? I think it depends.

Voting is a form of empowerment. In a political context, that means empowering politicians. Now, supposedly politicians “represent” us, so by voting, we'd be empowering ourselves. But look at reality.

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, the majority of Americans want a complete troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and yet, our elected “representatives” in Washington insist on perpetual war. And who empowered them? Why, the voters of course! Face it - political voting is delusional. The monopolistic, coercive and impersonal nature of the system guarantees that your individual voice is never heard.

That being said, there are other non-political ways of voting that actually result in self-empowerment and the fulfillment of goals. You can vote through direct action in the economic and social spheres, by supporting things you believe in. Vote with your money, vote with your feet, and vote with your voice - then you will have earned the right to complain.

Samuel R. Hays

Keokuk