Ever Thus to Deadbeats

SENTIMENTAL NOTIONS ABOUT “DEMOCRACY” aside, the system is a sham, says Digby. But we should keep on voting. Or something:

It’s indisputably true that the political system is run by wealthy plutocrats and much of what passes for democracy is kabuki. Same as it ever was, I’m afraid. But that’s not exactly the point. It’s still worth participating, doing what you can, containing the damage, stopping the bleeding, fighting the fight — for its own sake. [Digby]

What about living well? Now there’s a fight that’s worth the effort.

If you don’t think [participating is] worth anything, however, you do have a choice. The obvious alternative, as PinNC wrote in TBOGG’s comments, is this:

• If you really think that the political system is broken beyond repair, you have a blueprint from the 1770s to help you out.

Pick up your muskets, kids, or STFU. [Digby]

If you choose, (instead of strapping on a suicide belt and testing your fate against the naked power of the state security apparatus,) to live life eschewing the politics of the day and simply taking joy in the moments of freedom you can eke out under such a system, then, Digby instructs, you should “shut the fuck up” about it.

Oh, please dear! I’ve got news for you: the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint!

See also: IOZ
More on alienation/abstention in our own Simulacrum of Democracy category.