Why vote when you can waste even more time at democracy ?

   Almost half of the petitions to be submitted by the New York Libertarians.

Almost ready for the major party hacks, bureaucrazy and a small slice of bizarro lawyer hell.  This absurdity (see the picture) is what democracy has become for us 'radical' third party types. Thousands of New Yorkers have signed these petitions to best of their ability, borne of complete frusatration with the status quo. Dozens of volunteers have busted their humps out there on the streets for hours on end, enduring the sneers, rain, heat and frustration. The local liberty pit crew has poured over these for days with due diligence. In the end it won't matter, yes, even if we get fifty thousand votes. Okay, it will matter a bit more then. After all, loud voices for freedom unswayed by competing elites or special interests will soon be able to run for office without this horrible hurdle for the next four years ! Of course they'll have to internalize an inkling of freedom and liberty, our greatest litmus.

But it only takes one compensated mule, with a major party hired gun to have it all wiped away with an unforeseen technicality or glitch. They carry this dirty water with little strain. A compliant NYS Board of Elections won't take a chance to over turn the results of the mind numbing challenge proceedings. A partisan judge will not likely rule against the BOE, happily urging the hopeful party or candidate to appeal,  they dare not make waves themselves and risk a bigger paycheck and pension someday. A challenge to a non-threat is rarely executed.  We're guessing the johnny come lately freedom posers will wield the biggest bat.  If it's good enough for Shelly Silver.

And the voters just get caught up in this faux left/right divide that is barely relevant when it comes to the rampant statism and pillage in almost every heart and thought that determines or makes 'policy'. Voters infrequently act outside the political either/or box and we're stuck with same year after year. And we're the spoilers, uh right. The stealers of votes, as they steal our money and sensibilities. Half the registered voters don't even bother to vote anymore. If you ask them why, they say it doesn't matter. In a way, they are very right.  For the activist, wasted energy syndrome is far more pervasive to them than any perceived 'wasted vote' malady.

Even the smug pundits and politicos gaming the system as parasites and hanger-ons, have little conception of the dogged effort endeavored on these occasions. Their comfy, self assured perches on our everyday sensibilities can't conceive the fight any better, or differently. THey'd sonner write stories about a politician's pet, then even mention a third party alternative. Perhaps the Libertarians are the crazier ones in this regard, because they still try in a manner they completely disagree with, but for the sake of propriety and perception with regard to even broaching the message. We'd prefer you agree with us, but understand that you don't. Even if I don't vote though, don't ever say that I don't have the right to complain because I didn't pull an irrelevant lever on a Tuesday in November. Odds are, you didn't do a damn thing but complain up until that day. My memory sizzles as I think about these summer days spent accosting strangers for their approved scribbles.

Repress your inner thug this election cycle, go for freedom instead.