Behalf-sies
A poster on the local newspaper’s forums is confused about what, exactly, he’s doing when he votes. I tried to set him straight. I have no hope that it will stick.
No one takes anything from you on my behalf.
You voted, didn’t you?
Can you tell me exactly how you have? Maybe then we can get to the root of your issues.
As of last year’s tax return, governments have taken at least $261,369.97 from me in my life.
My “issue” is people who can’t see past their infatuation with delegated coercion.
Every power pig claiming to represent you, sending bipedal rottweilers to collect from you - and me - is a direct result of your lending an air of legitimacy to their actions by your voting, for them, to act on your behalf. Ayn Rand described this as the sanction of the victim. Unfortunately, your sanction has consequences for me as well because there is no way for me to opt out of the consequences of your vote. Whether you understand it or not, the only reason to vote in a government election is the hope that one of the aspirants will act on your behalf to make your neighbors comply with your preferences. No one votes in any government election for any other reason.
Again, I’d never do such a thing to you. Why would you do that to me?
I don’t think he’ll ever understand what it is he’s doing when he punches that voting ticket.