Oddbean

I will not be voting in this election, or any others for that matter. Not because I don’t believe in democracy, nor because I don’t believe in the political rights that have been won by generations past; but because of how atrophied both have become in the mutilated abomination that we currently call our form of politics and voting. The false dichotomy that is the current forms of red and blue I believe are much more damaging and pernicious than refusing to vote for either could ever be. Our political agency has been lost, and politics is most squarely to blame. There once was a time that our elections were actually free and fair, that voting for the right people in the right places and circumstances could make significant differences that actualized The Political; but that is no longer true of the system of politics that has replaced The Political. All that we have now is a system of false and petty differences that will ensure that the machine of government and military continues to crush on, be it under a banner of blue or red—this is the only real ‘political’ choice that we are given. As for everything else, it will continue on to masquerade and marionette towards the promise of possibilities that will never come, just as the broken dreams of change will continue to tell. I say this to you as the US federal government funnels billions of dollars into foreign wars and shell corporations that will get their money no matter who wins. I tell you this as every budget continues to spiral out of control with every politician having more concern with how they will get their cut, than how they will stop the madness. I say this at the very moment that some child is being killed with munitions from money that each of us as citizens had our dollars financed, and with there being no possibility for any of us to end any of this—at least not as far as voting is concerned. While I believe in democracy, it is not the one of the state provides, and while I believe in voting, it is not a principle that doing once every four years can solve anything at all. Our current system of politics is at its end, and it has been for quite a while. It is all entirely clear and apparent for anyone to see, and yet the consequence of this truth is far too profound and existential for anyone to actually speak to. That is because the terror of having to admit to ourselves that our political system has been overthrown and taken over by non-elected officials who are responsible to no one but themselves and their contingency of politics is all that matters within the engine of the state, and its demand to remain in power no matter what. The real danger is the state of emergency that has become every day of our lives, with no possible hope of it ending, no matter who is elected to whatever role it may be. The machine of the state operates in one direction, and it is to continue to gather more power for itself no matter what. To accept the truth of the darkness that we are in is to also accept the fact that this is not something that we can vote our way out of. If we are to create the radical change that we must manifest not only to save ourselves from the destitution and squaller that the current system of politics seeks to impress upon us, but to also create a radical new hopeful future where the vote and democracy can means something again, than it is something that we must build for ourselves alone. If we are to give ourselves and posterity a future that is more free and far than the one that we were given, where The Political can open itself up to politics once again, we must accept that the current path leads to nowhere. We must demand of ourselves to go out into that darkness and seek out new and different solutions that are outside and beyond the power of the state to influence or control so that we may access The Political once again and see what the truth of voting and democracy can offer, or what new and different political systems can offer. The Political is the radical power that all people everywhere are alway entitled to when the see that the power to create change comes not from asking for approval from the old systems; but to neutralize them with something new. While I do not know what these new systems are, or how they will be created, I do see that there is something immensely powerful in what is being built here. The internet and the possibilities that it offers along with decentralized, censorship-resistance systems imbedded with cryptography at their heart, and sovereignty in mind may just be the kind of protocol that we need to breath life into The Political once again. Few of you will believe in the possibility of such new system of politics for the future, and even fewer will participate in attempting to building such systems, but I believe it is our only hope to create a future which is more free than the one that we have been given, and it is the only hope we have now to ever access The Political again.

I guess the “devil” is in the details so to speak. I just wouldn’t be voting for people in a broken system who want to take away my and my kids natural rights/throw us in prison. I will vote this election, (1st since Ron Paul) but see more utility in most elections not voting/feeding the system. (As explained above) Agree to disagree though. Just can’t quite wrap my head around your perspective.

I think nihilism is more like choosing the lesser of two evils, or compromising with evil because you think you have no choice. Taking the third option doesn't seem nihilistic at all to me. Trusting that *something* else can happen is faith, and faith is the opposite of nihilism.

Long winded way of saying, "I don't know shit about policy and I give up." When people see political bullshit that should be the catalyst for them to stand up and demand change, not bend the knee like they want. Fuck that, make the Evil Fuckers work for their survival. Show them our intentions and we are coming to relieve them of their grip on this world. A vote is a simple form of peaceful protest. A warning using our voice. Make it so loud they are required to listen.

I appreciate the passion here but votes aren’t that powerful unless we all vote for significant change, which is rare. Though, this is a good time to remind people that local elections are significantly more powerful than presidential.

One group wants peace the other wants war. One group wants no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, the other does. One group wants a balanced budget and smaller government, the other doesn't. One group wants a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, the other doesn't. This is probably the most obvious black and white election in American history and should be easy to see this rare chance for change. This could be a 3rd chance for the American people to break free from the Federal Reserve. This is the change we are voting for. Choose wisely if you plan to participate.

Lol. You put wayyyy too much faith in the election to change things as big as the fed. We’ll see incremental changes for the better, certainly. Some things however are structural and that will take a lot of pain to change. BTW, local is more important than presidential…

This is why policy is so important. Watch what they do, not what they say. Politics (lies) is designed to be confusing for the masses of people. Like magicians they want to present the people with words of change they rarely bring. Policy (work) is the proof of work and shows the people the intended direction of said politician. If I own a business I want to hire those with personal experience and smarter than me not some dumbass that can only talk about it with a teleprompter. Pay attention to those with personal knowledge and experience.

I'm still on the fence here. Federally, I don't believe voting makes much of a difference. I still feel that voting locally can actually change things. At least you see the consequences of local voting more directly. nostr:nevent1qqsgl2v9qnj5nz67sum67ml6aa2u37wcg39rs2566v3egnr8pqpyyuqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsyg9an6m90sjmfakd56y8rn3xykw3lx7xyssysl3jyjg9ke62wy9ytgpsgqqqqqqsqnlrmk

While I agree we must change the system, I believe you should take all the ground you can, when given the opportunity. Trump is by far better than Kamala. As a libertarian I’ve had knock down drag out fights with the right for decades, but today’s left… - They have gone insane. We are now - finally - making headway against DEI, all the woke Bullshit, bitcoin is growing, as is Nostr, the right embraces BTC far more than the left. I’ll take the breathing room that a Trump presidency can give us. I was at J6 for Trump’s speech (though didn’t go to the capital). My heart goes out to the innocents still jailed - I want them pardoned. I want Snowden pardoned (maybe there’s a chance) and I want Trump to: Free Ross. All That is certainly worth my vote.

Not blind at all. But thanks for keeping it civil. While your statement is probably true, other factors are true as well. Some uncancelable entities moved the needle. Rogan and Chappelle for sure. Also Elon purchasing Twitter helped immensely. And a ground swell of people - finally - got sick and tired of being called every prerogative known to man. Many Other companies began to lose high value employees - old enough to comfortably leave (that would have stayed longer). But let’s say u r completely correct, I am blind as you wrote. I still want the innocent J6’ers Pardoned, I’d love to see Snowden free to return home, and Ross’s sentence - at least commuted. Freeing Ross may nerve be closer than this election. The left has made zero movement in this direction. Further - In my humble opinion, bitcoiners and libertarians can sometimes get too deep in the theoretical weeds. Well, while I never make Heroes of any human - at my age I’m fully aware of their ability to betray - but I would argue - for now - Bukele was/is a great move for El Salvador. Elections matter.

I am one hundred percent in favour of anyone and everyone who has the desire to see ross be be happy and free. And I admit that nothing is always as simple as it seems. What is important and an issue of contention is that those who do not vote are in a free and fair society dutifully obligated to withdraw their support and consent from the system as a greater and nobler form of protest. Refusing to sacrifice their principles on the altar of the lesser of two evils. This dhould be applauded and supported by those who vote and care about freedom and the right to protest in honour of conviction to principles. Unashamed and unyielding. So I am sorry for being harsh when I adressed you earlier, you handled it with much grace and I respect that.

No problem. I appreciate your reply. I’m just a 60 y.o. pizza guy (not techie at all) that cares deeply about freedom. I worried as shit about the future of my children and grandchildren. Therefore I just want to take every chance I can to get this country right before it’s too late. I and do believe Trump - Along with Elon, RFK, Vivek, Vance, Gabbard - make a formidable team. (Obviously I’ve been disappointed before by politicians, so who knows??) And to be honest, after the covid hysteria and tyranny I am beyond disgusted. And it’s what drove me to bitcoin. Bitcoin though - Does give me great hope, as does Nostr. Lastly - I live in Michigan - our democratic far leftist tyrannical zealot Governor locked michigan down like a bitch. Luckily we live 20 Minutes from Indiana - and were down there all The time and I drove to Florida 5x’s because I refuse to wear their slave mask to Fly. Republican ran states - as bad as they initially were - were far far better and much, much more free than democrat ran ones. Presidents have coattails, bring Tons of appointments, etc. Therefore, I’m taking my best shot. Take care. I wish you well.

I am afraid that four years of good governance cannot cannot put a lid on leviathan. But I also have hope. That which divides us is belief and by extension our actions, one man cannot and should not judge another without at least a modicum of compassion. That which unites us is more powerful than our action noble, efficate or hopeless. Bitcoin is a unifier that reaches over all the castles and moats of human perception eventually crumbling it all down to dust. Leaving us all equally exposed and vulnerable, staring at each other over ankle deep rubble only to realise, we are brothers who just want to protect and care for our wives and children. That is a powerful magic. A miracle older than byzantine math problems. An algorythm with potential to solve envy, hate and organised violence. So forgive the philisophic anarchists for thinking low of what we believe to be antiquated ways of giving away sovereignity gained through abstinance. Trump will do good and everyone will be starry eyed, for a spell. Then he will fuck things up so bad you will wish you had nothing to do with the whole shitshow. And by you I mean every one who voted, not you as in you personally. Bitcoin is the collossus, the great pyramid, the lighthouse, the great library of Alexandria. A wonder making the attempts of man to "fix" things seem paltry and negligible in comparison.

Speaking is not all they do. They get to collectively decide how much and how to tax us. How is voting for someone who claims to tax us less a worse option than telling people I want to be taxed less? How does my vote take away my ability to tell people that??

It sounds like you would at least like a smaller government. A government that is closer to its original design and controlled by the people. A government by the People and for the People. Sounds like you want the big money and corruption out of politics and to focus on positive policy for the people. A government that listens to the people and not one that plays favoritism for itself. Should we only allow American citizens to vote or can we have Putin vote also? How would you propose to protect the honesty and integrity of a citizen's vote? Would a balanced budget without the open ended spending spree help out? Would a balanced budget halt or reduce government bloat? Should we have term limits on Congress, audits on budgets, and stop having massive bills that cannot be read before the time of vote? Should we audit the Federal Reserve (private corporation) and look into their breach of contract for not upholding their dual-mandate?

I don’t think voting matters. They are all part of the same guild. The movie „Jones Plantation“ sums it up nicely. Also, H.L. Mencken explains why democracy is doomed in 10 points: 1. People don't want freedom but safety: "The average man wants the peace of a hog in a comfortable sty." 2. Democracy INTENSIFIES groupthink: "Democratic man is quite unable to think of himself as a free individual; he must belong to a group, or shake with fear and loneliness." 3. Democracies are plutocracies; they're run by the aristocracy of money. But the plutocracy "lacks all the essential characters of a true aristocracy: a clean tradition, culture, public spirit, honesty, honor, courage—above all, courage. It is transient and lacks a goal." 4. The plutocrats lack "an aristocratic disinterestedness born of aristocratic security." He submits. He can be bullied and broken. 5. Democracies birth their intellectual apologists - Mencken calls them "pedagogues." These are not genuine thinkers; they’re "men chiefly marked by their haunting fear of losing their jobs." This describes most journalists. 6. Democracy is anti-excellence. Freud said we repress our sex drive as it’s frowned upon...but there’s nothing that democracy frowns upon more than a CLEAR proof of superiority. Democracy says "the most worthy & laudable citizen is that one who is most like all the rest." 7. Mencken explains how this era demands we repress our greatness: "A man who has throttled a bad impulse has at least some consolation in his agonies. But a man who has throttled a good one is in a bad way indeed. Yet this great Republic swarms with such men, & their sufferings are under every eye." 8. Mencken on the two worst crimes in a democracy: "There is only one sound argument for democracy, and that is the argument that it is a crime for any man to hold himself out as better than other men, and, above all, a most heinous offense for him to prove it." 9. Mencken: "The democratic politician, confronted by the dishonesty and stupidity of his master, the mob, tries to convince himself and all the rest of us that it is really full of rectitude and wisdom." To gain power in a democracy, men sacrifice their self-respect... 10. Mencken believed democracy will cancel itself out: "Democracy may be a self-limiting disease, as civilization itself seems to be. There are thumping paradoxes in its philosophy, and some of them have a suicidal smack."

Imagine the US Constitution executed with encryption-based tech instead of political parties. The constitution does not mention political parties and our founding fathers were very wary of them. Most people don’t realize our government is held hostage by two political parties which are private organizations funded by corporations, NGOs, and special interest groups as well as foreign interests in some cases. Read Aristotle’s “Politics.” It’s what inspired the founding fathers and will reshape your understanding of governments and democracy.