Time to Act: Time to Vote
All year long we, as libertarians, work to educate our fellow Americans. We do it through the Internet, newsletters, letters to the editor, lectures, information tables -- you name it, we do it. On Nov. 7 we have to do one more thing: we have to vote.
You may think it's silly of me to even mention it, yet the fact is that many of us do not vote. I know that's so because they tell me it's so, and I have no reason to disbelieve them.
I can understand the cynicism many feel. I certainly can sympathize with the frustration. And I respect those who choose to concentrate on other forms of activism. But whatever you're feelings, whatever your view, you should vote.
Some may feel that by abstaining from the electoral process they are withdrawing their consent. In reality, your silence is perceived as consent for the status quo. You may be trying to distance yourself from the government and it's machinations, but the government is not distancing itself from you.
But there's more. The latest "LP News" informs us there are over 300 libertarians holding public office in 39 states. More significantly, 170 of them were elected. That's more than the Reform, Green, Constitution and Natural Law parties combined.
That's right, we've won elections. I'm confident that on Nov. 7 we'll win more. Sure we'll lose far more than we'll win, but the majority of the candidates on your ballot Nov. 7 will lose. That's no reason not to vote.
The work we've done all year will come to a head on Nov. 7. Let's register vote totals that reflect the good work we've done.
Pat Bontempo
County Chair