(Navy Times) Backtalk: Our patriotic duty a.k.a. don't vote

[unhappycamper]

Our patriotic duty
By Joe D. Haines

Actor Russell Crowe has a great scene as Capt. Jack Aubrey in the movie “Master and Commander.” One evening at the officers’ mess, he tricks the ship’s surgeon into choosing between two weevils crawling around a loaf of bread. Dr. Maturin at first declines, claiming the insects are identical. But Aubrey presses him, forcing the physician-naturalist to finally choose the hardier-appearing weevil.

~snip~

This scene perfectly describes the American voters’ choices in the upcoming presidential election. Neither Barack Obama nor John McCain comes close to qualifying as the next leader of the free world. Yet Americans who are disillusioned are criticized for not participating in the political process. The fault, however, is misplaced. It lies squarely with the major political parties who limit our choices to the lesser of two (we)evils.

~snip~

The Republican and Democratic parties have grown so powerful and corrupt that the constitutional republic set in motion by the founders is nearly wrecked. The desires of the people are subverted by the greed of corporations, the lust for power by professional politicians and the demands of special interest groups.

~snip~

Yet complaining about problems without offering some solution is little more than whining. How can concerned Americans best respond? The most patriotic choice Americans can make in the next election may be not voting. As Thomas DiLorenzo of Maryland’s Loyola College writes, “Being patriotic in America means being devoted to the Constitution, if not the natural rights philosophy that motivated much of it. Since neither of the major political parties has any interest whatsoever in enforcing the constitutional limits of the state, they are all traitors to the Constitution.”

Thus, voting for the current crop of politicians is not only unpatriotic, but it allows them to claim legitimacy. What if we held an election and nobody came? As DiLorenzo suggests, perhaps the unconstitutional regime in Washington would be delegitimized. It may even be possible that some of the more opportunistic politicians would be concerned enough about their loss of power that they’d start upholding the Constitution and actually representing the people they supposedly serve.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/community/opinion/navy_backtalk_power_092208/%2e


:wtf:

[bigscott]

1. dont vote?

sworn to defend the Consitution and telling them not to vote?

wonder if it has anything to do with the services breaking FOR Obama big time??

[Caria]

2. Of Course!

Discourage military men and women from voting for Obama and try to con them into thinking that it is "patriotic" not to vote!

[LiberalFighter]

3. Joe D Haines

The writer, an active-duty lieutenant commander, is a student flight surgeon at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. His e-mail address is [e-mail].

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Prediction:

Joe is a PaulBot.