Here in Texas the only third party candidate listed was Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party. I could have written in a candidate - but like I said, I slide. I was happy to vote for Obama; but had there been a leftist candidate on the ballot who ran, or was part of a party which ran, a dedicated committed campaign and who showed staying power (i.e. not disappear a la Nader) I would have voted for this candidate. The problem isn’t that people vote for the wrong candidates - it’s that not enough people vote. It’s not misguided enthusiasm that’s the problem - it’s apathy. A vote for a hopeless candidate is not boycotting an election. I agree with you about those who choose to not vote at all… and do see reasons to compromise in order to support a more viable candidate… but I don’t believe it’s correct to lump those who choose to not vote in with those who choose to vote for hopeless candidates.

I’ve been wondering about this, and since I can’t think of a more reasonable intro for it i’ll just ask: what abstract principles would an anarchist with a voter registration card be living by?

One more thing: I like reading your views. I disagree sometimes with your outlook but… keep it up, dude!