Apathy, or smart non voters

[David]

I don't like Fred Reed because he is an elitest, but he makes a really good point about the non voter.  On this forum the non voters usually have some principled reason for not voting.  That is why it is an issue of so much debate.  But it is a belief held by most here that the typical nonvoter is more apathetic than principled.  Reed makes the point near the end of the article that nonvoters have accepted the reality that they really have no control over the gov't, and act accordingly.  Us politically motivated types have a hard time accepting that reality so to become a nonvoter, we have to nearly come up with a manifesto as to why we shouldn't vote. 
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reed/reed139.html
I'll move this to endless debate after a day or so.   

[dalebert]

I'll move this to endless debate after a day or so.   

Ah, you know the NHFree members too well. 

[ReverendRyan]

What does it matter? The choice not to vote has the same end result (not voting) regardless of motivation. So what does it matter?

[David]

I like a healthy discussion as much as any debatatarian, but when two incompatible ideas are being debated passionately, nothing really gets resolved other than to air out ideas that may help someone undecided to decide.  
Endless debating, with point, counterpoint is not my style.  

[malcolm]

I don't like Fred Reed because he is an elitest...

That's a bad thing?

[David]

What does it matter? The choice not to vote has the same end result (not voting) regardless of motivation. So what does it matter?

Almost everyone is disgusted by the various behaviors of gov't.  Those that feel powerless to change gov't may also be more willing to ignore/resist gov't.  It matters to me as they may be a source of potential recruits.  

I don't like Fred Reed because he is an elitest...

That's a bad thing?

I don't care to be talked down too. 

[malcolm]

I don't care to be talked down too.

I wasn't.

[David]

I don't care to be talked down too.

I wasn't.

  Not you, Fred Reed.  I'm a simple guy with very simple tastes, Reed doesn't seem to like my tastes. 

[malcolm]

I don't care to be talked down too.

I wasn't.

  Not you, Fred Reed.  I'm a simple guy with very simple tastes, Reed doesn't seem to like my tastes. 

Ah!  If I'm going to spend the time to read something, I want to be told something I didn't know.  I want for my worldly tastes to be broadened and enhanced.  If the writer isn't challenging my assumptions or tastes, he's telling me what I already know.  I want to get my value for my time and money.

[Russell Kanning]

God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Therefore, I try not to associate with elitists.

That is the reason I didn't vote for years. Now I am just back with the moral majority ... that don't vote. I think the average nonvoter is doing the right thing for the right reasons.

[Sheep Fuzzy Wool]

I will become a non voter, again, when Ron Paul loses.
Revocation process comes to mind and much respect to those who do not vote anytime.
One has one less signature to have to answer too. 

[malcolm]

God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Therefore, I try not to associate with elitists.

Being an elitist doesn't make a man vain.  In fact, I'd say that humility makes him superior to most.  (Ironic, huh?)

Before you can accurately recognize the limitations of others, you must first recognize your own.  Humility is the first step to elitism.  Most folks mistake elitism for vanity; they're not the same.

[Russell Kanning]

yea ... elitist keep telling themselves that

[malcolm]

yea ... elitist keep telling themselves that

I think you might be confusing an elitist with a snob.  An elitist is someone who seeks the best in life and reflects that in his work.  A snob is just a vain, insecure perfectionist who projects his inadequacies on others.

[dalebert]

e·lit·ism      /??lit?z?m, e??li-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[i-lee-tiz-uhm, ey-lee-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.   practice of or belief in rule by an elite.
2.   consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favored group.

This is from dictionary.com and it matches my understanding of elitism. I think it's almost completely contrary to the notion of anarchism which is a rejection of hierarchies of people.